Birdlife on Robben Island

Robben Island boasts with a rich bird-life and is host to about 132 bird species. These include seabirds, water birds and terrestrial birds.
The environment provides a sheltered and safe haven for this large variety of bird species, some of which are endangered. Many of the birds use the Island for breeding and roasting. Some birds from the mainland such as crowned cormorant and black crowned night herons breed on Robben Island in large colonies.

The African penguin is a species that was abundant in the 17th century but was brought to extinction in the 1800’s. By 1983 the penguins were introduced and now has established themselves as a breeding population. The penguins are a tourist magnet; to both young and old visitors to Robben island.