A coastal species, placed in its own genus after several taxonomic changes. Not uncommon, it is found on eastern North Atlantic and Mediterranean
coastlines as far as NW Russia and Spain, a second subspecies desmarestii inhabits the remainder of the Mediterranean, whilst riggenbachi is found in northwestern Morocco. Although
non-breeding and immature birds can superficially resemble Great Cormorants, with which they are often found, the jizz is quite different, Shag has a much slenderer bill and neck, and dives differently.
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