One over the roof N.E.London? (1 Viewer)

KenM

Well-known member

• Jan 15, 2021

• #1

Taken Oct/Nov transferred to Phone then deleted from camera hence poor quality ;( and promptly forgotten, however the more I look at it, the more I think why isn't this a Shag, overall the feel is small, as would appear to be the bill, steep forehead and the short neck?

Cheers

Cheers

 

PYRTLE

Old Berkshire Boy

• Jan 15, 2021

• #2

First thing I was drawn by is the short neck in relation to the overall silhouette. This seems to be a daintier bird than a Great Cormorant.

 

lou salomon

the birdonist

• Jan 15, 2021

• #3

sure, but as a single pic it's way too hazardous to make a call, methinks. pics like this can be really deceiving...do you have more of this bird, ken??

 

KenM

Well-known member

• Jan 15, 2021

• #4

lou salomon said:

sure, but as a single pic it's way too hazardous to make a call, methinks. pics like this can be really deceiving...do you have more of this bird, ken??

Click to expand...

Unfortunately no lou, this is the only image

 

Andy Adcock

Worst person on Birdforum

• Jan 15, 2021

• #5

I honestly thought, when I saw that shot, that Ken was going to claim Pygmy Cormorant

 

KenM

Well-known member

• Jan 15, 2021

• #6

Andy Adcock said:

I honestly thought, when I saw that shot, that Ken was going to claim Pygmy Cormorant

Click to expand...

I think you’re “size illusioning” in the right direction there Andy 👍 just wish it had reoriented over the house instead of shooting straight over. 😪

 

Deb Burhinus

Used to be well known! 😎

• Jan 15, 2021

• #7

A word of caution here (given the scarcity of inland Shags), Cormorants often fly with their necks kinked and bills raised above the horizontal. Viewed from below, that can give the impression of a proportionately much shorter neck and smaller bill
cf still from video



The head on Ken’s bird does look small which favours a Shag but it’s hard to say wether it’s the angle or actually small.

 

KenM

Well-known member

• Jan 15, 2021

• #8

Thanks for that Debs a very instructive video and stills. Initially I thought unlikely, hence my initial dismissal, always good to “air” these silhouettes, as they can be highly informative after the event down the line.👍

 

RafaelMatias

Unknown member

• Jan 15, 2021

• #9

The wings look huge for a Shag to me.

 

R

Rotherbirder

Well-known member

• Jan 16, 2021

• #10

Image not good enough to count rectrices either (12 in Shag, 14 in Cormorant), which would have given a good indication.

RB

 

Deb Burhinus

Used to be well known! 😎

• Jan 16, 2021

• #11

Rotherbirder said:

Image not good enough to count rectrices either (12 in Shag, 14 in Cormorant), which would have given a good indication.

RB

Click to expand...

Except in flight feather moult (which lasts for months in cormorants!) 😉

 

R

Rotherbirder

Well-known member

• Jan 17, 2021

• #12

Deb Burhinus said:

Except in flight feather moult (which lasts for months in cormorants!) 😉

Click to expand...

Of course, moult notwithstanding!

RB