Cormorants and Shags [Phalacrocoracidae]

Description

Phalacrocoracidae is the sole family within the order Suliformes that encompasses both cormorants and shags. These birds are medium-to-large coastal, with a few species being found in inland waterways. They have dark plumage, long necks, and strong, hooked bills. Cormorants and shags are excellent divers, using their webbed feet to pursue fish underwater. They are found worldwide except for the central Pacific islands. The family is known for their distinctive behavior of spreading their wings to dry after diving, as their feathers are not completely waterproof. This adaptation allows them to dive deeper and more efficiently than if they had fully waterproof plumage. The distinction between cormorants and shags is somewhat arbitrary, with shags generally being the smaller species with more slender bills and crests or more elaborate plumage in breeding season, but the classification varies geographically and historically.

Genera

Taxonomy