The Cape Cormorant - Phalacrocorax capensis - Endemic to Southern Africa - is an almost entirely glossy black bird, though in breeding condition it has a purplish tinge and a few white plumes on head, neck, and cloacal areas. It has blue/greenish eyes and an orange - yellow bare patch on the base of the bill. The bill is black, with a blue-grey base and it has completely sealed nostrils.

The Cape cormorant is a marine bird, often seen flying in long lines low over the sea. It mainly eats fish, doing most of its foraging in flocks, taking schooling fish such as Anchovies and Pilchards. It catches prey by diving from the water surface and giving pursuit.

It breeds in enormous colonies on offshore islands, cliffs, rocks and artificial structures such as jetties, platforms and even moored fishing vessels and yachts. Egg-laying season is year round, peaking from August to February. A clutch of one to five eggs are laid. Both the male and female share the task of incubating the eggs for 22 to 28 days, and when the young hatch, both bring food to the young.

The IUCN now classifies the Cape Cormorant as "Near Threatened".