Juvenile Shag or Cormorant

[dbozkurt]

I took this picture at the Balranald RSPB reserve and wanted to post to Gallery but unsure whether Juvenile Shag or Cormorant. Looked through my book and it said a Shag Juvenile has white spot on chin, brown below. Also has as steep forehead. Could anyone either confirm my thoughts or put me right.

T[IMG][/IMG]hanks very much Debbie

[scholesy]

Wow, this is a lot harder than it seems.

I think it's a juvenile shag. There is white under the throat but doesn't seem exstensive enough for a cormorant. The main coulour of the underparts is dusy brownish, whcih would suggest shag.

If it was a cormorant the white underparts would be far more pronounced and run further down the bird.

The forehead does look quite steep denoting shag again, but to be honest it would be difficult to use that for id purposes without a cormorant photo to compare.

[shyfx]

I'd say its a immature Shag, the white area doesn't seem to be extensive enough,for it to be a cormorant.

[Tornado]

Juvenile Shag, as the bill of the cormorant is much stronger also its crown is peaked at the front whereas the cormorants is at the rear of the head.