What are shags?

Shags are close relatives of cormorants found on the seashore many regions around the world. In fact, cormorars and shags are in the same biological family, phalacrocorax and the differences between cormorants and shags are not hard and fast. Some species are referred to both names, depending on where they are discussed, and birds are obviously closely genetically, given that they are in the same family.

because the difference between Shags and Cormorants is somewhat foggy and both names are sometimes applied to one bird, the identification of shags can be frustrating. One of them is that Shags produce distinctive furry combs on their heads during the period of reproduction, while cormorars don't. The reproductive period for Shags is also longer than the cormorant season. However, some birds who grow ridges are equally called cormorars, and some "shagy" do not produce combs; This confusion is probably caused by variable messages from County Explorers who wouldThey saw birds in different life stages and gave them common names that were used too well to be eliminated. Many shags nest on exposed sea piles and rocky defaults, build large and chaos nests of seaweed and scrap materials that are associated with guan. Visiting the Shag community can be quite an attack on the nose, because the birds produce notoriously smelling guano thanks to their heavy fish diet.

Generally, birds that are considered to be shaggy are smaller than cormorars, with narrower beaks and slimmer bodies. They are also better divers than cormorars, and according to studies performed by ornithologists, they may be able to dive deeper than any other bird. Shags are what is called Benthic Feeders, which means they collect seabed food, so it's important for them to make deep dives. Many shags also have patch of bright colors on the neck and wings.

Shags are particularly common in Europe, especially in Britain, where one species, European or common Shag, so abundant. This species is sometimes also referred to as a green cormorant, thanks to the green tinge that its feathers acquire during the period of reproduction. Shags is also located in New Zealand, where several species including the bronze island and King Shag are threatened due to the destruction of habitats and limited reach.