Fauna
Bird

New Zealand King Shag

Leucocarbo carunculatus

Also known as Rough-faced Shag, Kawau Pāteketeke, King Shag

New Zealand king shags command the sheltered marine waters of the Marlborough Sounds with impressive deep-diving prowess. Striking black-and-white plumage, bright pink feet, and small yellow bumps near the bill base make adults easy to identify on their rocky roosting ledges. Colonies remain tethered to a handful of tiny offshore islets, foraging for flatfish along seafloors up to 50 meters deep.

EndemicSeabirdCoastal
New Zealand King Shag reference1 / 7
(c) William Harland, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by William Harland · cc-by
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VulnerableConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXVulnerableRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preyFlatfish, Wrasse, Bottom-dwelling crabs
Predators
  • New Zealand fur seal
  • Kelp gull
ThreatsAccidental fishing bycatch, marine aquaculture expansion, human disturbance
HabitatsCoastal marine waters, sheltered bays, rocky islets
Life span15–20 years
Classification
  1. FamilyPhalacrocoracidae
  2. SpeciesLeucocarbo carunculatus
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskLow
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is low
Maintains safe distance from people; can deliver a sharp peck with its hooked bill if handled.
What to notice
Look for a large black-and-white cormorant with bright pink feet, white wing patches, and yellow facial caruncles.
Support conservation
Maintain a distance of at least 50 meters by boat, and never land on known breeding islets.
Responsible observation
  • Observe from Boats: View colonies using telephoto lenses or binoculars from watercraft, remaining at least 50 meters away.
  • Respect Nesting Sites: Avoid landing on small rocky roosting islets in Marlborough Sounds during winter.
  • Watch Deep Dives: Look for birds surfacing with flatfish after deep forage dives lasting over a minute.
Related species
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