Please ID this bird?

[africapurohit]

This looks like a cormorant but I'm not sure which one? I searched for cormorant threads in the "Identification images and audio" subforum, but couldn't find any.

 

Taken in Kwara area, Botswana, 2006.

 

[africapurohit]

Here is a photo of a Reed Cormorant taken in the Jao area, Botwsana, 2006.

 

[Kingfisher Safaris]

@@africapurohit Looks to me like it is probably a Juvenile Reed Cormorant.

[africapurohit]

Thanks @@Kingfisher Safaris - it may be a female as the black one in the second picture is a male?

[Kingfisher Safaris]

@@africapurohit Now you're testing me. I think it is probably a little difficult to tell at that age, so my answer is I don't know.

[kitefarrago]

I agree with juvenile reed cormorant. Juvenile cormorants in general tend to be brownish above and pale below. Males and females aren't sexable unless you see them in action (or, I think, on dissection).

 

The only other candidate in inland Southern Africa is white-breasted cormorant, but they don't have a yellow bill (and are a lot bigger).

 

Andrea

[africapurohit]

Thanks @@kitefarrago