European Shag

Description:

This is medium sized, about 70cm in length, seabird. Adults are all black (pic N° 1), while juveniles still keep the white chin and pale throat (pic N° 2 and 3). In comparison with Great Cormorant, Shag is slightly smaller, thinner and more 'elegant'... Breeding adults show small crest (unfortunately not caught in my pics) during courtship, for me the only way to be sure about the ID (unless told by the guide...)

Habitat:

Another difference from Great Cormoran is that Shag is never seen around freshwater. This spotting and its pics are from 7 island natural reserve, a reserve managed by French LPO - the Bird Protection League. In spite of its name, the reserve is composed of 5 rocky island and few other groups of rocks. This said, Shags are very common on many rocky shores in Brittany, all along its coast.