Phalacrocorax featherstoni
The Pitt Shag (Phalacrocorax featherstoni) is a medium-sized, strikingly dark cormorant, typically measuring 70-80 cm (27-31 in) in length with a wingspan of 110-125 cm (43-49 in) and weighing 1.8-2.5 kg (4-5.5 lbs). Its plumage is a glossy, iridescent black with a distinct purplish-green sheen, especially noticeable in good light, contrasting with a vibrant orange gular pouch that intensifies during breeding season. Key field marks include bright emerald-green eyes, a relatively thick, hooke...
Primarily inhabiting exposed rocky coastlines, remote offshore islands, and steep coastal cliffs, the Pitt Shag favors areas with abundant marine prey. It is typically found at sea level, rarely venturing inland into freshwater systems.
The Pitt Shag's diet consists predominantly of small schooling fish such as herring and anchovies, supplemented by various crustaceans and cephalopods. They employ a pursuit-diving strategy, actively chasing prey underwater.
Pitt Shags are largely diurnal, spending their days foraging and resting, often roosting colonially on prominent rock outcrops, navigation buoys, or cliff ledges. They are expert pursuit-divers, propelling themselves underwater using their powerful webbed feet to chase and capture fish and crusta...
The Pitt Shag is endemic to the temperate and subarctic coastal regions of the North Pacific Ocean. Its primary breeding range extends from the Aleutian Islands eastward along the southern Alaskan coast, down the Pacific Northwest coastline of British Columbia, Washington, and Oregon, with signif...
Near Threatened
- The Pitt Shag's feathers, unlike many seabirds, are not entirely waterproof, allowing them to rapidly lose buoyancy for deeper, more efficient diving, necessitating their characteristic wing-drying posture. - They are capable of sustained dives exceeding 60 meters (200 feet) and remaining subme...