Eric Baccega / Common cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo) catching a european eel (Anguilla anguilla) captive, Alsace, France.

Eric Baccega / Common cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo) catching a european eel (Anguilla anguilla) captive, Alsace, France.

Eric Baccega / Common cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo) catching a european eel (Anguilla anguilla) captive, Alsace, France.

Eric Baccega / Common cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo) catching a european eel (Anguilla anguilla) captive, Alsace, France.

Eric Baccega / Common cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo) catching a trout (Salvelinus) captive, Alsace, Franc

Eric Baccega / Common cormorant catching a trout (Phalacrocorax carbo) captive, Alsace, France.

Barry Mansell / Double-crested Cormorant (Phalacrocorax auritus) Everglades National Park, South Florida, USA. May

Wild Wonders of Europe / Préau / Common cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo) perched on post with wings stretched, Northern France, May 2010

Ben Lascelles / 'Ukai', a traditional (1300 year old) night fishing method in which an 'usho' Cormorant Fishing Master and 'u' Great cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo hannedae) work together to fish by the flames of 'Ka...

Ben Lascelles / 'Ukai', a traditional (1300 year old) night fishing method in which an 'usho' Cormorant Fishing Master and 'u' Great cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo hannedae) work together to fish by the flames of 'Ka...

Ben Lascelles / 'Ukai', a traditional (1300 year old) night fishing method in which an 'usho' Cormorant Fishing Master and 'u' Great cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo hannedae) work together to fish by the flames of 'Ka...

Ben Lascelles / 'Ukai', a traditional (1300 year old) night fishing method in which an 'usho' Cormorant Fishing Master and 'u' Great cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo hannedae) work together to fish by the flames of 'Ka...

Ben Lascelles / 'Ukai', a traditional (1300 year old) night fishing method in which an 'usho' Cormorant Fishing Master and 'u' Great cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo hannedae) work together to fish by the flames of 'Ka...

Ben Lascelles / 'Ukai', a traditional (1300 year old) night fishing method in which an 'usho' Cormorant Fishing Master and 'u' Great cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo hannedae) work together to fish by the flames of 'Ka...

Ben Lascelles / 'Ukai', a traditional (1300 year old) night fishing method in which an 'usho' Cormorant Fishing Master and 'u' Great cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo hannedae) work together to fish by the flames of 'Ka...

Ben Lascelles / 'Ukai', a traditional (1300 year old) night fishing method in which an 'usho' Cormorant Fishing Master and 'u' Great cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo hannedae) work together to fish by the flames of 'Ka...

Konrad Wothe / Common cormorants (Phalacrocorax carbo) nesting on a power pylon, Bulgaria, June

Terry Whittaker / 2020VISION / Common comorant (Phalocrocorax carbo) perched on statue drying out, Bushy Park, London, England, UK, November.

Terry Whittaker / 2020VISION / Two Common comorants (Phalocrocorax carbo) perched on statue drying out, Bushy Park, London, England, UK, November.

Terry Whittaker / 2020VISION / Common cormorants (Phalocrocorax carbo) perched on buoy with industrial buildings in the background, River Thames, London, England, UK, December.

Terry Whittaker / 2020VISION / Common cormorants (Phalocrocorax carbo) perched on buoy with boat passing in the background, River Thames, London, England, UK, December.

Terry Whittaker / 2020VISION / Common cormorants (Phalocrocorax carbo) perched on buoy with boat passing in the background, River Thames, London, England, UK, December.

Daniel Heuclin / Neotropic / Vigua / Brasilian cormoran (Phalacrocorax brasilianus) perched on branch over river, River Yapacani, Bolivian Amazonia.

Brent Stephenson / Antarctic shag / Blue eyed cormorant (Phalacrocorax atriceps) rests on the water between dives, Paradise Bay, Antarctic Peninsula, Antarctica, December.

Brent Stephenson / Spotted shag (Phalacrocorax punctatus) adult in breeding plumage, near the breeding colony. Kaikoura, Canterbury, New Zealand, October.

Brent Stephenson / Spotted shags (Phalacrocorax punctatus) flock flying over sea, Kaikoura, Canterbury, New Zealand, August.

Erlend Haarberg / Rear view of Shag (Phalacrocorax aristotelis) with wings stretched, Varanger, Finnmark, Norway, July

Markus Varesvuo / Shag (Phalacrocorax aristotelis) head portrait, Norway, March

Markus Varesvuo / Shag (Phalacrocorax aristotelis) in flight, Norway, March

Markus Varesvuo / Two Shags (Phalacrocorax aristotelis) in snow, Norway, March

Dave Watts / Five Black-faced cormorants (Phalacrocorax fuscescens) on coastal rocks, one with wings stretched out, Tasmania, Australia, February

Dave Watts / Black-faced cormorant (Phalacrocorax fuscescens) on rock, Tasmania, Australia, February

Dave Watts / Black-faced cormorant (Phalacrocorax fuscescens) on rock, Tasmania, Australia, February

Ben Hall / Common cormorants (Phalacrocorax carbo) silhouetted against the moon, Cheshire, UK

Mary McDonald / Blue Eyed / King Cormorant / Imperial Shag (Phalacrocorax atriceps) about to land. New Island North, Falkland Islands, South Atlantic.

Fabrice Cahez / Great cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo) standing portrait, Lac du Der, France, February.

Konrad Wothe / Olivaceous Cormorant (Phalacrocorax olivaceus) drying wings, Sandoval Lake, Tambopata National Reserve, Peru

Roy Mangersnes / European shag (Phalacrocorax aristotelis) portrait, Finnmark, Northern Norway, April

Jonathan Harrod / Spotted Shag (Phalacrocorax punctatus) on nest, Kaikoura, New Zealand

Jonathan Harrod / Pied Cormorant (Phalacrocorax varius) in breeding plumage, Christchurch, New Zealand

Mark Hughes / Pied Cormorant (Phalacrocorax varius) drying wings, Karori Wildlife Sanctuary, Wellington, New Zealand

Brent Stephenson / Antarctic Shag (Leucocarbo / Phalacrocorax [atriceps] bransfieldensis) (also known as blue-eyed shag) pair at their nest with a large chick. Port Lockroy, Antarctic Peninsula, Antarctica, January.

Brent Stephenson / Antarctic / Blue Eyed Shag (Phalacrocorax atriceps) perched on a rock. Near Vernadsky Station, Antarctic Peninsula, Antarctica, December.

Brent Stephenson / A pair of Spotted Shags (Phalacrocorax punctatus) preening at their nest with young. Ohau Point, Canterbury, New Zealand, October.

Brent Stephenson / Spotted Shags (Phalacrocorax punctatus) at their nests with young. Ohau Point, Canterbury, New Zealand, October.

Brent Stephenson / Spotted Shag (Phalacrocorax punctatus) in breeding plumage. Ohau Point, Canterbury, New Zealand, October.

Brent Stephenson / Pied cormorant (Phalacrocorax varius) resting on a rock. Note concentrated salt water droplet dripping from bill tip. Kaikoura, Canterbury, New Zealand, October.

Brent Stephenson / Pied Cormorant (Phalacrocorax varius) resting on a rock, yawning with bill open. Kaikoura, Canterbury, New Zealand, October.

Brent Stephenson / Pied Cormorant (Phalacrocorax varius) head in profile. Kaikoura, Canterbury, New Zealand, October.

Brent Stephenson / Pied Cormorant (Phalacrocorax varius) resting on rock. Kaikoura, Canterbury, New Zealand, October.

Brent Stephenson / Pied Cormorant (Phalacrocorax varius) on rock, spreading its wings to dry them. Kaikoura, Canterbury, New Zealand, October.

Brent Stephenson / Pied Cormorant (Phalacrocorax varius) resting on a rock. Kaikoura, Canterbury, New Zealand, October.

Brent Stephenson / Pied Cormorant (Phalacrocorax varius). Kaikoura, Canterbury, New Zealand, October.

Brent Stephenson / Pied Cormorant (Phalacrocorax varius) swimming in shallow water off shore. Kaikoura, Canterbury, New Zealand, October.

Brent Stephenson / Antarctic Shag (Leucocarbo / Phalacrocorax [atriceps] bransfieldensis) (also known as blue-eyed shag) swiming in clear water. Petermann Island, Antarctic Peninsula, Antarctica, January.

Tui De Roy / Flightless Cormorant (Phalacrocorax harrisi) carrying seaweed for nest, Galapagos Islands, Ecuador

John Abbott / Flightless / Galapagos cormorant (Phalacrocorax harrisi) Isabela Island, Galapagos Islands

Loic Poidevin / Common Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo) landing on water. The Vendeen Marsh, French Atlantic Coast, September.

Loic Poidevin / Common Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo) in flight. The Vendeen Marsh, French Atlantic Coast, March.

Loic Poidevin / Shag (Phalacrocorax aristotelis) with nesting material, at Guillemot (Uria aalge) colony. Farne Island, UK, June.

Loic Poidevin / Common Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo) about to swallow fish. The Vendeen Marsh, French Atlantic Coast, September.

Loic Poidevin / Common Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo) about to land on water. Breton Marsh, French Atlantic Coast, September.

Loic Poidevin / Common Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo) on water with prey in its beak. Breton Marsh, French Atlantic Coast, September.

Chris Gomersall / 2020VISION / Flock of Shags (Phalacrocorax aristotelis) perched and drying out on the Cairns of Coll, Inner Hebrides, Scotland, UK, July 2011

Sven Zacek / Common Cormorants (Phalacrocorax carbo) on coastal rocks, seen from the air. Estonia, Europe, July.

Florian Möllers / Chinese fisherman on his raft with Great Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo sinensis) removing a fish from the bird's gullet. Li River, Yangshuo, Guangxi, China, November.

Florian Möllers / Hunter taking shot Great Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo sinensis) out of Weimaraner's mouth. Bohmte, Germany, August 2009.

Florian Möllers / Weimaraner retrieving a shot Great Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo sinensis). Bohmte, Germany, August 2009.

Florian Möllers / Dead Great Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo sinensis), Weimaraner dog and shotgun. Shot by a fish breeder to prevent damage to his stock, Bohmte, Germany, August 2009.

Florian Möllers / Great Cormorants (Phalacrocorax carbo sinensis) sitting on the raft of a Cormorant fisherman. Li River, Yangshuo, Guangxi, China, November.

Florian Möllers / Great Cormorants (Phalacrocorax carbo sinensis), pair in breeding plumage on the nest, Berlin Zoological Garden, Germany, February.

Florian Möllers / Scarecrow and nets defending carp fishponds from birds including Great Cormorants (Phalacrocorax carbo sinensis). Molln, Northern Germany, August 2009.

Florian Möllers / Dead Great Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo sinensis) and shotgun. Shot by a fish breeder to prevent damage to his stock, Bohmte, Germany, August 2009.

Florian Möllers / Chinese Fisherman and one of his Great Cormorants (Phalacrocorax carbo sinensis). Li River, Yangshuo, Guangxi, China, November.

Florian Möllers / Fisherman holding Great Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo sinensis) retrieving a large fish from its throat. Li River, Yangshuo, Guangxi, China.

Florian Möllers / Great Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo sinensis), adult drying wings on the nest. Berlin Zoological Garden, Germany, February.

Florian Möllers / Great Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo sinensis), portrait, close-up of head and beak. Li River, Yangshuo, Guangxi, China, November.

Florian Möllers / Fisherman holding Great Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo sinensis) retrieving a large fish from its throat. Li River, Yangshuo, Guangxi, China.

Florian Möllers / Chinese Fisherman and one of his Great Cormorants (Phalacrocorax carbo sinensis), Li River, Yangshuo, Guangxi, China, November.

Florian Möllers / Great Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo sinensis), young bird drying wings, Berlin Zoological Garden, Germany, February.

Florian Möllers / Chinese fisherman on his raft with Great Cormorants (Phalacrocorax carbo sinensis) fishing at night on the Li River. Yangshuo, Guangxi, China, November.

Florian Möllers / Dead Great Cormorants (Phalacrocorax carbo sinensis), shot by a fish breeder to prevent damage to his stock, Bohmte, Germany, August 2009.

Florian Möllers / Great Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo sinensis), portrait, close-up of eyes. Li River, Yangshuo, Guangxi, China, November.

Florian Möllers / Great Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo sinensis) on water with caught whitefish. Berlin Zoological Garden, Germany, February.

Florian Möllers / Chinese fisherman on his raft with Great Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo sinensis), silhouetted against the karst hills at the Li River. Yangshuo, Guangxi, China, November.

Florian Möllers / Two Weimaraner dogs retrieving a shot Great Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo sinensis). Bohmte, Germany, August 2009.

Fabrice Cahez / Great cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo) with large fish, Allier river, France, February

Fabrice Cahez / Great cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo) on water, Allier river, France, February

Doug Allan / Cameraman Doug Allan filming Shags (Phalacrocorax aristotelis) on his first ever paid shoot. Signy Island, South Orkney Islands, Antarctica, 1984. Freeze frame book plate page 36.

Mark Carwardine / Flightless / Galapagos Cormorant (Phalacrocorax / Nannopterum harrisi) drying its wings after a dive. Galapagos Islands, July.

Andrew Parkinson / Shag (Phalacrocorax aristotelis) adult feeding chick, Farne Islands, Northumberland, UK, July.

Andrew Parkinson / Shag (Phalacrocorax aristotelis) adult threat display used to deter predators from approaching too close, July, Shetland Islands, Scotland, UK, June.

Andrew Parkinson / Shag (Phalacrocorax aristotelis) frontal face portrait, Farne Islands, Northumberland, UK, July.

Robert Thompson / Shag (Phalacrocorax aristotelis) perched on rocky coast, Great Saltee Island, County Wexford, Republic of Ireland, June

Robert Thompson / Shag (Phalacrocorax aristotelis) perched on rocky coast, Great Saltee Island, County Wexford, Republic of Ireland, June

Ernie Janes / Shag (Phalacrocorax aristotelis) portrait, Wells, Norfolk, UK. January