What are the typical nesting habits of European shags on Mallorca’s coastline?

European shags nesting along Mallorca’s coastline exhibit distinctive habits well-adapted to the island’s rugged marine environment. These seabirds typically select steep, rocky cliffs facing the sea, where they can find protection from predators and easy access to their fishing grounds. The sheer cliffs provide ideal ledges and crevices, which the shags use to construct their nests. Made primarily from seaweed, grasses, and other available vegetation, the nests are compact yet sturdy structures, carefully built to withstand strong coastal winds and the saline environment.

Nesting usually begins in late winter or early spring, when shags arrive at their breeding sites after months spent at sea. Both male and female shags participate in nest construction and incubation, sharing the responsibilities to ensure the eggs and later the chicks are well cared for. The female typically lays between three and five eggs, which are incubated for around four weeks. During this period, the birds remain vigilant, as their nests are exposed to occasional disturbances from weather and the presence of other seabirds.

Once hatched, the chicks are fed regurgitated fish by both parents and stay in the nest until they develop waterproof feathers and are ready to fledge, usually after a month or more. The young birds depend heavily on the parents’ continued feeding trips back to the nest, which often extend over several weeks. Mallorca’s coastline, with its clear waters and abundant fish, provides excellent feeding grounds that support the European shag’s breeding success. Throughout the breeding season, the shags maintain a quiet and relatively low-profile presence that harmonizes with the island’s natural coastal beauty.