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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

Categories

Auckland Shag

Leucocarbo colensoi
A photo of a Australian Pied Cormorant (Phalacrocorax varius)

Australian Pied Cormorant

Phalacrocorax varius

Bounty Shag

Leucocarbo ranfurlyi

Campbell Shag

Leucocarbo campbelli

Chatham Shag

Leucocarbo onslowi
A photo of a Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo)

Cormorant

Phalacrocorax carbo

Foveaux Shag

Leucocarbo stewarti
A photo of a Little Black Cormorant (Phalacrocorax sulcirostris)

Little Black Cormorant

Phalacrocorax sulcirostris
A photo of a Little Pied Cormorant (Microcarbo melanoleucos)

Little Pied Cormorant

Microcarbo melanoleucos

Macquarie Shag

Leucocarbo purpurascens

New Zealand King Shag

Leucocarbo carunculatus

Otago Shag

Leucocarbo chalconotus
A photo of a Pelagic Cormorant (Urile pelagicus)

Pelagic Cormorant

Urile pelagicus

Pitt Shag

Phalacrocorax featherstoni

Spotted Shag

Phalacrocorax punctatus
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