Birds · Suliformes · Phalacrocoracidae

Spotted Shag

Phalacrocorax punctatus

Least Concern

The species is abundant and widely distributed; it faces no significant short-term risk. See full glossary

The spotted shag is a cormorant endemic to New Zealand, bluish grey with dark speckling on the back, two tufts of feathers on the head in the breeding season and facial skin of intense turquoise green and blue. It breeds in colonies on sea-cliff ledges and fishes in coastal waters, diving to considerable depth.

Weight

1 kg – 2.4 kg

Size

64 cm – 74 cm

Lifespan

15 years

Diet

Carnivore

Feeds mainly on other animals.

Activity

Diurnal

Active mainly during the day.

Social structure

Colony

Lives in large concentrations, often for breeding reasons.

Sighting difficulty

Easy

OceanIslandsCarnivore Diurnal Colonial Bird Ocean Islands

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Fun facts

In the breeding season its facial skin takes on a turquoise and green so intense that it looks like make-up, a feature visible only at close range and one that disappears for the rest of the year.
It is endemic to New Zealand, a country that holds an exceptional diversity of cormorants: more than a dozen species, many of them restricted to a few islands or fjords.
Like all cormorants, it spreads its wings in the sun after each dive because its plumage is not waterproof, which reduces buoyancy and makes diving easier.

Life cycle & biology

Skeleton type: Vertebrate - internal bony skeleton (bird)
Habitat & environment: Rocky coasts, fjords and bays of New Zealand; breeds on cliffs and islets
Sexual maturity: 3 years
Gestation / incubation: 30 days of incubation
Litter / clutch size: 3 eggs

Sources consulted: https://www.iucnredlist.org/ | https://animaldiversity.org/ | https://es.wikipedia.org/