European shag

The European shag (Phalacrocorax aristotelis) is a dark coastal seabird in the cormorant family, found along European and North African shores. It dives underwater to catch fish.

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Cormorants: Cormorants are a family of aquatic birds that catch prey by diving underwater. The European shag belongs to this family of fish-catching divers.
Pursuit diving: Pursuit diving is underwater swimming used by animals to chase and capture prey. European shags swim underwater to pursue fish.
British Isles: The British Isles are an archipelago off northwestern continental Europe, including Great Britain and Ireland. They hold major European shag breeding populations.
Bird conservation: Bird conservation is the protection and management of wild bird populations and their habitats. European shag populations are monitored and managed as part of seabird conservation.
Phalacrocorax aristotelis: Phalacrocorax aristotelis is the scientific name of the European shag. This binomial identifies the species precisely.
Underwater locomotion: Underwater locomotion is movement through water by swimming, paddling, or propulsion. The shag's dives depend on powerful foot-driven swimming.
Farne Islands: The Farne Islands are a group of islands off the coast of Northumberland, England. Their seabird colonies include breeding European shags.
Seabird colony: A seabird colony is a breeding aggregation of seabirds at a shared coastal site. Colony size and breeding success are key measures of shag population health.
Atlantic puffin: The Atlantic puffin is a North Atlantic seabird that nests in colonies on coastal cliffs and islands. It shares many breeding sites with European shags along Atlantic coasts.
Fish: Fish are aquatic vertebrates that typically breathe through gills and use fins for movement. Fish make up the European shag's principal prey.