into the BLACK
African Birdlife|May/June 2023
Plumage variation in the White-breasted Cormorant Phalacrocorax lucidus has always presented a taxonomic challenge.
DAVID ALLAN
into the BLACK

Adults in southern Africa are distinctive, with extensive white on the sides of the head that extends down the throat and fore neck to the upper breast.

The white extends even further down onto the belly and vent in young birds. Further north in Africa, the amount of white on the underparts of adult White-breasted Cormorants becomes more variable and is sometimes restricted only to the uppermost areas of the head and neck.

This story is from the May/June 2023 edition of African Birdlife.

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This story is from the May/June 2023 edition of African Birdlife.

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