Cormorant & Shag

Prehistoric looking birds. Unmistakable from any other birds, but can you tell them apart?

Cormorant - A common waterbird, both on fresh water and the coast. Capable of taking large fish. Surprisingly they nest communally in trees. Many develop obvious white necks and a bold white spot under the wings in late Winter, as they ready themselves for breeding. Birds with white or pale bellies are juveniles (last two photos).

Bird in full breeding plumage.

Shag - Very similar to Cormorants but smaller and a true seabird. Very rarely do they come inland. They have less of a pale patch at the base of the bill and in direct sunlight their plumage shows a green sheen. On the Farne Islands, at least, they are very approachable when nesting.