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Cormorants, Shags

The Phalacrocoracidae family, commonly known as cormorants and shags, consists of around 40 aquatic bird species. They have a global distribution, with the great cormorant and the common shag being the most common species in Britain and Ireland. These birds possess dark plumage, long hook-tipped bills, and webbed feet, which contribute to their expert diving and underwater hunting abilities—sometimes reaching depths of 45 meters. Cormorants consume mostly fish and have high energy demands for flight due to their relatively short wings. They are social birds, nesting in colonies near shores, trees, and cliffs, and their ancestral origins point to freshwater habitats. The various species of cormorants and shags differ in size, plumage color, and facial skin coloration, and while there's no consistent distinction between the two, "cormorant" often refers to the larger species. The taxonomy of these birds has been debated, but in 2021 a consensus of seven genera was adopted by the international community. Finally, cormorant fishing—a tradition where cormorants catch fish and return them to fishermen—has been practiced for centuries in places like China, Japan, and Macedonia, although it is not as common now due to modern fishing methods. Cormorants also hold a significant place in human culture and symbolism, ranging from an emblem of greed in literature to avian representatives in heraldry and coats of arms.

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African & New World ParrotsAlbatrossesAnhingas, DartersAntbirdsAntpittasAntthrushesAustral Storm PetrelsBarn OwlsBlack-capped DonacobiusCaracaras, FalconsCardinals & AlliesChachalacas, Curassows, GuansChats, Old World FlycatchersCormorants, ShagsCotingasCrescentchestsCrows, JaysCuckoosDippersDucks, Geese, SwansFinches, EuphoniasFinfootsFlamingosFrigatebirdsGannets, BoobiesGnatcatchersGnateatersGrebesGulls, Terns, SkimmersHerons, BitternsHoatzinHummingbirdsIbises, SpoonbillsJacamarsJacanasKingfishersKites, Hawks, EaglesLarksLimpkinMagellanic PloverManakinsMitrospingid TanagersMockingbirds, ThrashersMotmotsNew World BarbetsNew World QuailNew World SparrowsNew World VulturesNew World WarblersNightjarsNorthern Storm PetrelsOilbirdOld World ParrotsOld World Sparrows, SnowfinchesOropendolas, Orioles, BlackbirdsOspreysOvenbirdsOwlsOystercatchersPainted-snipesPelicansPenguinsPetrels, Shearwaters, Diving PetrelsPheasants & AlliesPigeons, DovesPloversPotoosPuffbirdsRails, Crakes & CootsRheasSandpipers, SnipesSapayoaScreamersSeedsnipesSeriemasSheathbillsSkuasStarlings, RhabdornisStilts, AvocetsStone-curlews, Thick-kneesStorksSunbitternSwallows, MartinsSwiftsTanagers & AlliesTapaculosThrushesThrush-tanagerTinamousTityras, Becards, SharpbillToucan BarbetsToucansTrogonsTropicbirdsTrumpetersTyrant Flycatchers, CalypturaVireos, Greenlets, Shrike-babblersWagtails, PipitsWaxbills, Munias & AlliesWaxwingsWeavers, WidowbirdsWoodpeckersWrens

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A great app
Enjoying it immensely and finding it useful too. Recording the different birds and counting them is showing me how the present climate is affecting them all. I've trebled the numbers by planting native hedging. A great app.
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Just what birding needs
We need more fun in birding, for years it has had a reputation for being up tight and stuffy and only perused by retirees and anoraks. Birda helps change that perception and firmly brings birding into the 21st century! Fun, interactive while still contributing to science and conservation. If you aren’t on it, why not??
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Birding and wellbeing app
Birda is an excellent platform to share your love of Birding and is a great tool of encouragement for a Birding Beginner like me. Birda has a very kind and supportive community of Birding enthusiasts. For me BIRDA is not only a BIRDING but also a WELLBEING App.
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Great app
I use this app all the time as it’s quick and easy to log individual sightings or whole birding sessions. It’s an excellent way to meet new people and the forum is full of really friendly people. The challenges are a great way to get involved and learn more about birds. Cannot recommend it enough!
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I really enjoy using this app! It is such a friendly community of bird-lovers who are happy to help if I need ID advice. It’s been great motivation to get outdoors and go birding more! 10/10 😍😍
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Fun way to add to your birdwatching experience
I enjoy watching birds in my backyard, but this app helped me really pay attention while on vacation this summer. It was fun to add new birds to my bird watching app.
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Friendly and helps to identify birds
Great birding app, good for logging your sightings, also has nice species guide. I'm enjoying the social aspect more than I expected, everyone seems friendly and helps to identify unknown birds. Good mix of newbies and experienced users.
778
Great bird recording
For a while I’ve been trying to find an app to easily record bird lists and day out and struggled to find one that I like. Birda is great for this, straightforward and a great community!
Anonymous
The best bird logging app
Birda is honestly the best bird logging app I have seen. I love all the features it has from being able to do a session and log all the birds you see in one sitting, to being able to connect with other birders from all over the globe!
EandB17
Terrific App for Birders
Downloaded Birda around the time my interest in birding was sparked, and it has been a terrific app to help me (1) share my experience, (2) document my sightings, and (3) learn more about birds in general. That said, I also believe Birda is a fantastic app for birders of all experience levels. Great community!
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