Another request (Hartlepool, UK) Great Cormorant or Shag (1 Viewer)

[Earnest lad]

Please may I request ones run their eye over this bird and kindly grant confirmation as to species.

 

[Stonefaction]

Cormorant. The yellow bit on the bill is different on Shags (best looking at pics to see what I mean rather than me trying to explain what is different about it). Shag's feet are also paler. Shag's bill is also narrower and eye colour is different.

 

[Butty]

Cormorant (with rather a weedy/slim bill). Note shallow forehead, yellow bill-base, whitish face/chin.

 

[KC Foggin]

Yup! A Cormorant.

 

[Essex Tern]

Here’s one of mine for comparison.

 

[Steve Lister]

Probably a sinensis based on the shape of the gular patch.

Edit - that 's the original bird, not the photo above which appeared while I was replying.

 

[Butty]

Here’s one of mine

. . . i.e. a shag.

Probably a sinensis

I wonder if that's why the bill looks so weedy compared to a good beefy British cormorant? I see reference to that feature here >> Sinensis Cormorants

 

[Earnest lad]

Cormorant. The yellow bit on the bill is different on Shags (best looking at pics to see what I mean rather than me trying to explain what is different about it). Shag's feet are also paler. Shag's bill is also narrower and eye colour is different.

Thank you for this helpful information. The bit about the paler feet on Shags is especially useful and something to look out for in future.

 

[Earnest lad]

Cormorant (with rather a weedy/slim bill). Note shallow forehead, yellow bill-base, whitish face/chin.

Thank you so much for confirmation. I realize now he Cormorant sometimes has a weedy bill not always robust.

 

[Earnest lad]

Yup! A Cormorant.

Thank you

 

[Earnest lad]

Here’s one of mine for comparison.
View attachment 1434298

Oh, yes that one looks identical to my bird thanks

 

[Earnest lad]

Probably a sinensis based on the shape of the gular patch.

Edit - that 's the original bird, not the photo above which appeared while I was replying.

I need to study the sinensis and other subspecies more to grasp these matters

 

[Andrew Whitehouse]

There seems to be a bit of confusion here.

Earnest Lad - your photo shows a Cormorant. Note that the yellow facial skin joins up with the eye.
Essex Tern - This is a Shag. Note the gap between the yellow bill/ facial skin and the eye (i.e. there are dark feathers in between).

 

[Essex Tern]

Oh, yes that one looks identical to my bird thanks

Mine is indeed a Shag - note extent of yellow on bill, your bird doesn’t show yellow along lower mandible. Also note feathering around eye of my bird, where your bird has more fleshiness.

 

[Earnest lad]

There seems to be a bit of confusion here.

Earnest Lad - your photo shows a Cormorant. Note that the yellow facial skin joins up with the eye.
Essex Tern - This is a Shag. Note the gap between the yellow bill/ facial skin and the eye (i.e. there are dark feathers in between

 

[Earnest lad]

Andrew W. Please accept my thanks for clearing up the confusion . Sorry for my mistake

 

[Earnest lad]

Mine is indeed a Shag - note extent of yellow on bill, your bird doesn’t show yellow along lower mandible. Also note feathering around eye of my bird, where your bird has more fleshiness.

I see now - thank you for detailing the differences here which is most helpful especially for this bird of mine and for future reference too.