European Shag

Gulosus aristotelis (Linnaeus, 1761)

European Shag, Gulosus aristotelis, is a cormorant of the Palearctic, with breeding grounds on coastal parts of the north Atlantic and the Mediterranean, and also in Africa. It nests on rocky shores and is closely tied to the sea. The bird is the only species placed in Gulosus. In Britain it is usually called the shag. Its name was given by Linnaeus in 1761, and the species title honours Aristotle. The bird is found around western and southern Europe, southwest Asia and north Africa, with three recognised subspecies across those regions.

Order

Suliformes

Family

Phalacrocoracidae — Cormorants, Shags

Breeding range

Palearctic, Africa: coastal e North Atlantic and Mediterranean