Shag

Name: Shag

Scientific name: Phalacrocorax aristotelis

Category: Birds

Nature Stars: 50

What are nature stars?

About: A large, dark waterbird, a little bit smaller than the cormorant. Feeds on fish, which it catches with its long, hook-tipped bill while swimming underwater. Nests on low cliffs around the coasts. Sometimes stands with its wings held out to dry.

How to identify: Smaller than Cormorant, with dark green plumage, a crest and a narrower bill with a yellow gape.

Where: Found on rocky shores all around our coasts.

Natural Superpowers

• Predator: 70
• Agility: 50
• Rarity: 40
• Cute factor: 20
• Traveller: 70

Fantastic fact: Shags can dive down to 45metres deep to catch fish from near the bottom of the sea.

Photograph credit: Wildstock