Shag (Phalacrocorax Aristotelis) Bird Information

Shag Bird information Facts Identification Breeding

Shag is a smaller version of Cormorant, though essentially marine along predominantly rocky coasts. Shag bird swims, dives and hangs out wings like Cormorant but seldom flies very high. Adult glossy green-black, with short tufted crest in summer. Bill black with yellow gape. Immature brownish with black scaling to feathers; underparts buffy, chin paler.

Status: Shag bird is widespread in north and west, scarce where it does not breed.
Similar Species: separated from Cormorant at all times by smaller size, steeper forehead, smaller, thinner bill and thinner neck.

Shag Bird Facts

Type goose-like
Size 72 – 80 cm (28 – 31 in)
Habitat sea, sea-cliffs
Behavior swims, dives, perches on rocks and buoys, takes off and lands on water and ground.
Flocking colonial; 1-several thousand
Flight labored; glides; direct
Voice grunts and hisses at breeding grounds

Bird Identification

shag bird identification

Crown green-black; crest
Upperparts green-black
Rump green-black
Tail green-black; medium length and rounded
Throat and Breast green-black
Belly green-black
Bill black with yellow gape; straight and thinnish
Legs grey; short
Ad.winter no crest, dark face
Juvenile brown above, buff below

Shag Bird’s Breeding

Nest mount of seaweed on the cliff
Eggs 3; pale blue
Incubation 30 days
Young helpless; naked
Fledging 55 days
Broods 1; March-April
Food fish
Population 32,000 pairs; 100,000+ winter