One of the 13 cormorants on WAnimals
Birds · Suliformes · Phalacrocoracidae
Imperial Shag
Leucocarbo atriceps
Least Concern
The species is abundant and widely distributed; it faces no significant short-term risk.
The imperial shag is a striking seabird of the Southern Cone of South America and the subantarctic islands, with a blue-black back, a white belly and orange caruncles at the base of the bill during the breeding season. It breeds in dense colonies on islets and cliffs and dives to considerable depth in pursuit of bottom-dwelling fish. Its taxonomy is the subject of constant debate: the blue-eyed shag complex of the southern hemisphere is split into more or fewer species depending on the author.
Weight
1.8 kg – 3.5 kg
Size
68 cm – 76 cm
Life expectancy
15 years
