Shag

Phalacrocorax aristotelis

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Brief #

Adults have a distinctive small crest in the breeding season.

Synonyms #

  • Cormorán moñudo (Spanish)
  • Corvo mariño cristado (Galician)

Red List Status #

The Shag is unlikely to become extinct in the near future.
Find out more about IUCN's Red List program here

Description #

It has a longish tail and yellow throat-patch. Adults have a small crest in the breeding season. It is distinguished from the great cormorant by its smaller size, lighter build, thinner bill, and, in breeding adults, by the crest and metallic green-tinged sheen on the feathers. Among those differences are that a shag has a lighter, narrower beak; and the juvenile shag has darker underparts.

Measurements #

Length: 68 - 78 cm
Wingspan: 0.95 - 1.1 m
Weight: 1.76 - 2.154 kg

Similar species #