Shag (Phalacrocorax Aristotelis) Bird Information
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
| 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 |