Auckland Islands Shag

Leucocarbo colensoi

A medium-sized, black-and-white marine shag with a metallic green-and-blue glimmer on the black head and neck. Note the white wing patches. Breeding birds have a prominent crest, red facial skin, a red-orange throat pouch, and magenta-pink eye-rings. Nests and roosts colonially on steep cliffs and rock ledges. Non-breeding plumage fades to brown, and crest is absent. Juveniles have brown facial skin and upperparts. Endemic to the Auckland Islands and only found in shallow waters nearby. Only shag species regularly inhabiting the Auckland Islands.

Taxonomy

Scientific name
Leucocarbo colensoi
Authority
(Buller, 1888)
Order
Suliformes
Family
Phalacrocoracidae
Genus
Leucocarbo

Range and habitat

Migration
Resident species

Conservation

Population trend
stable

Photos

Distribution

Bird Calls

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Auckland Islands Shag | BirdLens