Cormorants and Shags

Cormorants and shags are medium to large water birds with long necks, hooked beaks, and noticeable throat pouches. There are about forty different types around the world, known for their dark, often shiny feathers and the way they sit upright when resting. Unlike most water birds, their feathers are not completely waterproof. This means you often see them standing with their wings spread out to dry after they have been diving. They are skilled underwater hunters that catch fish using strong webbed feet, with all four toes joined by webbing. They live in coastal waters, river mouths, lakes, and rivers on every continent except Antarctica. Most cormorants and shags nest in groups, choosing places like cliffs, trees, or the ground close to water to raise their young. When flying, their bodies show steady wing beats and their necks are stretched out. This is different from herons, which fly with their necks pulled back.