European Shag
NameEuropean Shag
Common NameEuropean Shag
Scientific NamePhalacrocorax aristotelis
FamilyPhalacrocoracidae
Wingspan (cm)100
Length (cm)70
Weight (g)1850
Plumage DetailsAdults have glossy, dark green-bronze plumage with a metallic sheen, especially noticeable in good light. During the breeding season, they develop a prominent forward-curving crest on the head. The facial skin around the bill is dark, with a distinctive yellow patch at the base of the lower mandible and gular pouch.
Vocalization / CallGenerally silent away from breeding colonies. At colonies, they produce a variety of guttural grunts, hisses, and croaking sounds, particularly during courtship and when disturbed.
Primary Dietpiscivore
Primary Habitatscoastal
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Geographic RangeBreeds along the coasts of western and southern Europe, including the British Isles, Scandinavia, the Mediterranean, and the Black Sea. Winters largely within its breeding range, though some northern populations may move south.
Identifying Featuresprominent crest (breeding season), glossy dark green plumage, yellow gular patch, slender hooked bill, diving behavior, coastal habitat
Description
A medium-sized, dark-plumaged seabird, often seen with a distinctive crest during breeding season. It is an expert diver, foraging for fish in coastal waters and nesting on rocky cliffs and islands.
