Shag Identification Guide

Shag

Key facts

Scientific name: Phalacrocorax aristotelis
Status: Resident breeding species

Breeding pairs: 27,000 pairs

Wintering birds: 110,000 birds

Conservation status: Red

Family: Cormorants

Length: 65 – 80 cm
Wingspan: 95 – 105 cm
Weight: 1.5 – 2 kg

What do shags look like?

Adult shags in breeding plumage are all black with a dark green glossy sheen. They have crests on their heads and a thin black bill which curves downwards and a bright yellow gape.

During winter shags are duller and don’t have the crest on their heads. Their chins and throats are brown mottled with grey. Both adult male and female shags look similar.

Juveniles are brown with pales heads and underparts. They reach sexual maturity at 4 years.

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How do shags breed?

Shags nest in colonies on cliffs. They build their nests in cracks and crevices or among rocks and boulders. The nest is made from sticks, seaweed and other plant material and lined with softer materials such as grass.

Shags lay 3 pale blue eggs which are incubated by both male and female for a month. The chicks are naked when they hatch and rely on their parents to keep them warm. They are fed by regurgitation and fledge 53 days after hatching but depend on their parents for another 28 days, and reach sexual maturity at 4 years.

What do shags eat?

Shags eat mainly fish and occasionally crustaceans and molluscs. They usually feed alone away from the colony but will also chase fish shoals in large flocks.

Shag

Where can I see shags?

Shags can be seen all year round on Scottish islands and the coasts of Wales and South West England.

What do shags sound like?

Fernand DEROUSSEN/xeno-canto

Did you know?

The shag’s scientific name is from Latinized Ancient Greek meaning bald raven and the species name commemorates the Greek philosopher Aristotle

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