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'''Alternative names: Common Cormorant; Common Shag; Green Cormorant; Green Shag; Shag''' | '''Alternative names: Common Cormorant; Common Shag; Green Cormorant; Green Shag; Shag''' | ||
| + | [[Image:European_Shag.jpg|thumb|450px|right|Photo by {{user|malgos|malgos}} <br /> [[Farne Islands]]]] | ||
;[[:Category:Phalacrocorax|Phalacrocorax]] aristotelis | ;[[:Category:Phalacrocorax|Phalacrocorax]] aristotelis | ||
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*Small crest when breeding | *Small crest when breeding | ||
*Long tail | *Long tail | ||
| − | + | ====Similar Species==== | |
[[Great Cormorant]] | [[Great Cormorant]] | ||
==Distribution== | ==Distribution== | ||
Confined to the [[Western Palearctic]], the Shag breeds in western [[Iceland]] and the [[Faroes]], coastal Arctic [[Russia]] to southern [[Norway]], around north and west coasts of the [[British Isles]], north-west [[France]] and northern [[Iberia]]. In the Mediterranean breeds in coastal [[Spain]] and the [[Balearics]], [[Corsica]] and [[Sardinia]], the eastern Adriatic, [[Crete]] and the Aegean and [[Cyprus]]. In North [[Africa]] breeds in coastal [[Tunisia]] and on the Atlantic coast of [[Morocco]], possibly also on the Mediterranean coast of [[Egypt]]. | Confined to the [[Western Palearctic]], the Shag breeds in western [[Iceland]] and the [[Faroes]], coastal Arctic [[Russia]] to southern [[Norway]], around north and west coasts of the [[British Isles]], north-west [[France]] and northern [[Iberia]]. In the Mediterranean breeds in coastal [[Spain]] and the [[Balearics]], [[Corsica]] and [[Sardinia]], the eastern Adriatic, [[Crete]] and the Aegean and [[Cyprus]]. In North [[Africa]] breeds in coastal [[Tunisia]] and on the Atlantic coast of [[Morocco]], possibly also on the Mediterranean coast of [[Egypt]]. | ||
| − | + | [[Image:DSC 01082.JPG|thumb|350px|right|Juvenile<br />Photo by {{user|Chocky|Chocky}}<br />[[Devon]], [[UK]], February 2011]] | |
After breeding, some disperse short distances particularly young birds but many populations appear to be largely sedentary. | After breeding, some disperse short distances particularly young birds but many populations appear to be largely sedentary. | ||
Recorded as a '''vagrant''' east to [[Poland]] and [[Finland]], in Central [[Europe]] in the [[Czech Republic]], [[Austria]] and [[Switzerland]] and as far south as the [[Canary Islands]] and [[Madeira]], [[Israel]] and [[Egypt]]. | Recorded as a '''vagrant''' east to [[Poland]] and [[Finland]], in Central [[Europe]] in the [[Czech Republic]], [[Austria]] and [[Switzerland]] and as far south as the [[Canary Islands]] and [[Madeira]], [[Israel]] and [[Egypt]]. | ||
==Taxonomy== | ==Taxonomy== | ||
| − | There are 3 subspecies. | + | ====Subspecies==== |
| + | There are 3 subspecies | ||
| + | *''P. a. aristotelis'': | ||
| + | :*[[Iceland]] and northern [[Scandinavia]] south to [[Iberian Peninsula]] | ||
| + | *''P. a. desmarestii'': | ||
| + | :*[[Mediterranean]] coasts and islands | ||
| + | *''P. a. riggenbachi'': | ||
| + | :*West coast of [[Morocco]] (Casablanca to Puerto Cansado) | ||
| + | |||
==Habitat== | ==Habitat== | ||
| + | [[Image:IMG 7271ao.jpg|thumb|350px|right|Photo by {{user|IanF|IanF}}<br />South Gare, Redcar, [[Yorkshire]], [[UK]], March 2010]] | ||
Almost exclusively marine, the Shag occasionally appears on inland waters after severe weather at sea. Breeds along rocky coastlines and islands with cliffs, birds remaining in shallow coastal seas off similar coasts in winter. Rarely appears on sandy or muddy shores. | Almost exclusively marine, the Shag occasionally appears on inland waters after severe weather at sea. Breeds along rocky coastlines and islands with cliffs, birds remaining in shallow coastal seas off similar coasts in winter. Rarely appears on sandy or muddy shores. | ||
==Behaviour== | ==Behaviour== | ||
| + | ====Flight==== | ||
| + | They are inclined to fly closer to the water than [[Great Cormorant]], with faster wing beats. May be in lines, or loose flocks. | ||
====Diet==== | ====Diet==== | ||
They dive for their food, feeding from the bottom of the sea. A variety of fish is taken, but particularly the sand eel. | They dive for their food, feeding from the bottom of the sea. A variety of fish is taken, but particularly the sand eel. | ||
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It breeds on coasts. The nests are built from seaweed and twigs and are placed on rock ledges, caves or crevices; 3 egge are laid. The young fledge after 8 weeks. | It breeds on coasts. The nests are built from seaweed and twigs and are placed on rock ledges, caves or crevices; 3 egge are laid. The young fledge after 8 weeks. | ||
====Vocalisation==== | ====Vocalisation==== | ||
| + | [[Image:IMG 91391.jpg|thumb|350px|right|Diving action<br />Photo by {{user|Macswede|Macswede}}<br />Helensburgh, [[Scotland]], August 2010]] | ||
<flashmp3>Phalacrocorax aristotelis (song).mp3</flashmp3><br /> | <flashmp3>Phalacrocorax aristotelis (song).mp3</flashmp3><br /> | ||
''[[Media:Phalacrocorax aristotelis (song).mp3|Listen in an external program]]'' | ''[[Media:Phalacrocorax aristotelis (song).mp3|Listen in an external program]]'' | ||
==References== | ==References== | ||
| − | Wikiepedia | + | #{{Ref-Clements6thOct12}}#Wikiepedia |
| + | #Collins Field Guide 5th Edition ISBN 0 00 219900 9 | ||
| + | {{ref}} | ||
==External Links== | ==External Links== | ||
{{GSearch|Phalacrocorax+aristotelis}} | {{GSearch|Phalacrocorax+aristotelis}} | ||
Revision as of 22:49, 17 June 2013
Alternative names: Common Cormorant; Common Shag; Green Cormorant; Green Shag; Shag
- Phalacrocorax aristotelis
Identification
68-78cm.
- Black plumage with metallic green sheen
- Yellow throat patch
- Small crest when breeding
- Long tail
Similar Species
Distribution
Confined to the Western Palearctic, the Shag breeds in western Iceland and the Faroes, coastal Arctic Russia to southern Norway, around north and west coasts of the British Isles, north-west France and northern Iberia. In the Mediterranean breeds in coastal Spain and the Balearics, Corsica and Sardinia, the eastern Adriatic, Crete and the Aegean and Cyprus. In North Africa breeds in coastal Tunisia and on the Atlantic coast of Morocco, possibly also on the Mediterranean coast of Egypt.
After breeding, some disperse short distances particularly young birds but many populations appear to be largely sedentary.
Recorded as a vagrant east to Poland and Finland, in Central Europe in the Czech Republic, Austria and Switzerland and as far south as the Canary Islands and Madeira, Israel and Egypt.
Taxonomy
Subspecies
There are 3 subspecies
- P. a. aristotelis:
- Iceland and northern Scandinavia south to Iberian Peninsula
- P. a. desmarestii:
- Mediterranean coasts and islands
- P. a. riggenbachi:
- West coast of Morocco (Casablanca to Puerto Cansado)
Habitat
Almost exclusively marine, the Shag occasionally appears on inland waters after severe weather at sea. Breeds along rocky coastlines and islands with cliffs, birds remaining in shallow coastal seas off similar coasts in winter. Rarely appears on sandy or muddy shores.
Behaviour
Flight
They are inclined to fly closer to the water than Great Cormorant, with faster wing beats. May be in lines, or loose flocks.
Diet
They dive for their food, feeding from the bottom of the sea. A variety of fish is taken, but particularly the sand eel.
Breeding
It breeds on coasts. The nests are built from seaweed and twigs and are placed on rock ledges, caves or crevices; 3 egge are laid. The young fledge after 8 weeks.
Vocalisation
<flashmp3>Phalacrocorax aristotelis (song).mp3</flashmp3>
Listen in an external program
References
- Clements, J. F., T. S. Schulenberg, M. J. Iliff, B.L. Sullivan, C. L. Wood, and D. Roberson. 2012. The eBird/Clements Checklist of Birds of the World. 6th ed., with updates to October 2012. Ithaca: Cornell Univ. Press. ISBN 978-0801445019. Spreadsheet available at http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/downloadable-clements-checklist
- Wikiepedia
- Collins Field Guide 5th Edition ISBN 0 00 219900 9
Recommended Citation
- BirdForum Opus contributors. (2024) European Shag. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 6 May 2024 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/European_Shag
External Links
