Prehistoric bird, the Shag

The European Shag looks like a prehistoric remnant, with its almost scaly appearing feather coat, long slender neck, head, and beak, and glaring green eyes.

It’s a taller, more slender version of a cormorant, to which it is closely related. During the breeding season, the Shag’s feathers take on a greenish glow, the top crest of feathers becomes more elongated and erect, and the throat patch turns a bright yellow-orange.

My, what beautiful eyes you have…

Shag nested at the top of rocky outcrops in the Farne Islands, assembling a few sticks and rotting seaweed into a cup that holds the eggs (usually 3).  The breeding season may begin as early as February in the U.K., and may last until young are fledged as late as October.

Once the young have hatched both parents take turns bringing food to their chicks which are completely naked and vulnerable to attack.

Shag are among the deepest divers, bringing small fish like the sand eel up from 150-300 feet. Their dives might last less than a minute, but with less waterproofing as well as less air trapped in the feathers, and by using their webbed feet to kick them downwards, they quickly reach the bottom ocean sediments to harvest a resource other seabird divers might not.

Unmated Shags “hanging out” on the rocks of one of the Farne Islands, while looking for a mate and a good rocky crevice for their nest.