Leucocarbo chalconotus
The Stewart Island Shag, Leucocarbo chalconotus, is a captivating medium-sized marine bird endemic to the southern coasts of New Zealand, showcasing remarkable color dimorphism within its population. Adults typically measure 65-70 cm in length with a wingspan of approximately 110 cm, weighing around 2 kg. This species is unique for its two distinct morphs: the "pied" morph, featuring a striking black back and pure white underparts, often with white wing patches, and the "bronze" morph, which ...
Primarily a coastal marine species, inhabiting sheltered bays, rocky shores, and offshore islets. It forages in inshore waters, rarely venturing far from the coast or breeding colonies.
The diet primarily consists of small fish, including flatfish, sprat, and pilchards, supplemented by marine invertebrates such as crustaceans, molluscs, and squid. They are proficient pursuit divers, capturing prey underwater.
Stewart Island Shags are highly social birds, often observed foraging in small groups and nesting in dense colonies on inaccessible cliff ledges and rocky islets. Their daily activities revolve around fishing, preening, and roosting, typically returning to communal roosts on rocks or trees near t...
The Stewart Island Shag is endemic to the southern regions of New Zealand, with its core breeding and foraging grounds centered around Stewart Island/Rakiura and the Foveaux Strait. Its range extends northward along the Otago and Southland coasts of the South Island, particularly around the Catli...
Near Threatened
- The Stewart Island Shag is one of the few bird species globally that exhibits striking, genetically determined color dimorphism, with both completely black ("bronze") and black-and-white ("pied") individuals occurring within the same population. - Despite its common name, it is sometimes referr...