About the European Shag
The European shag or common shag is a species of cormorant. It is the only member of the monotypic genus Gulosus. It breeds around the rocky coasts of western and southern Europe, southwest Asia and north Africa, mainly wintering in its breeding range except for the northernmost birds. In Britain this seabird is usually referred to as simply the shag. The scientific genus name derives from the Latin for glutton. The species name aristotelis commemorates the Greek philosopher Aristotle.
Source: Wikipedia
Taxonomy & Classification
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Suliformes |
| Family | Cormorants and Shags (Phalacrocoracidae) |
| Species | Gulosus aristotelis |
| Species Codes | eursha1, EUSH |
Frequently Asked Questions
What family does the European Shag belong to?
The European Shag (Gulosus aristotelis) belongs to the Cormorants and Shags family (Phalacrocoracidae), in the order Suliformes.
How can I identify the European Shag?
The European shag or common shag is a species of cormorant. It is the only member of the monotypic genus Gulosus. It breeds around the rocky coasts of western and southern Europe, southwest Asia and north Africa, mainly wintering in its breeding range except for the northernmost birds. In Britain th...
Where can I report a European Shag sighting?
You can log sightings of European Shag on eBird (ebird.org) using species code eursha1, or on iNaturalist.
Related Species in Cormorants and Shags 34 species
More Birds in Order Suliformes
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