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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.

Regions

A photo of a Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo)

Cormorant

Phalacrocorax carbo
A photo of a Pygmy Cormorant (Microcarbo pygmaeus)

Pygmy Cormorant

Microcarbo pygmaeus
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Birda is a birdwatching app and community aimed at curious people who want to deepen their connection with nature.
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Your birdwatching journey like never before

Connect with nature in minutes
Take a walk, look out of the window and log the birds that you see. Feel good about those little connections to nature.
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Find new birding spots, see more birds, share and celebrate with a like-minded community of nature lovers.
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What Our Birders Say
Hip An
Fantastic
Really enjoying Birda where I live i have a lot of Red kites really hard to photograph but I can video are you planning some place on the app where us Birda can post vids🦉🦅
Bryan C
Clean and easy to use
Really enjoying this app, it's clean and easy to use. I love the ease of being able to add those one-off birds without starting a whole checklist. I also like the social aspect, like the parts of my Facebook I like, without the ads and junk, just birds. Can't wait to see it become more populated.
Foxgirl100
Great app for beginner twitchers
I’ve had a passion of photographing birds for a long time now but have only just gotten into proper birdwatching, and this app is brilliant for those just getting started. There is a great sense of community among users and the app is very easy to use and professional. Awesome app altogether
Viperray5
Loving it
I really enjoy being able to interact with other birders on this platform! This seems like a great way to meet other birders and find some new spots.
Birdafan
Ideal Birdwatch Companion
Simply adds to the enjoyment of my birdwatching and helps me record what I’ve seen.
Robred 2
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.
Carl B
Helped me to identify more birds
Love this app and has helped me to identify more birds. The challenges and badges are great for keeping the motivation going to get out and keep birding.
Patricia L
Very encouraging birding app
Easy to use, fun to see progress and encouraging to receive feedback from other users.
Pdydhdrexgi
Fantastic App
This is a really lovely app, for everyone interested in birds - from newbies to old hands. There is a very friendly feel to the community and you will genuinely learn a lot as you record your sightings and photos. There are lots of badges and competitions to keep you engaged, and a host of really useful features.
Mike T
Sense of Community
A great app, which is continually being improved. What really comes through is the passion of those behind the app. The sense of community is brilliant, so much help and support provided to new and/or in experienced birders.
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