Bird · GBIF taxon 6066497
Kerguelen Shag
Leucocarbo verrucosusAlso known as Kerguelen Cormorant, Kerguelen Island Cormorant
Kerguelen shags are distinctive black-and-white seabirds that inhabit the rugged coasts and sheltered fjords of the remote Kerguelen Archipelago. They plunge-dive into cold sub-Antarctic waters to catch bottom-dwelling fish and invertebrates, frequently foraging close to shore in dense kelp beds. Breeding pairs construct bulky nests of seaweed, grass, and mud on rocky coastal bluffs, where both parents share incubation and chick-rearing duties.
SeabirdEndemicSub-Antarctic
Licensed referenceBerlin: E. S. Mittler und Sohn. / Public domain · cc0
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—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Notothenioid fish
- Isopods
- Polychaete worms
Predators
- Brown Skua
- Southern Giant Petrel
- Feral Cat
ThreatsIntroduced predators, marine plastic pollution, commercial fishing interactions
HabitatsRocky coastlines, fjords, sub-Antarctic marine waters, kelp beds
Life span15–20 years
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- FamilyPhalacrocoracidae
- SpeciesLeucocarbo verrucosus
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe from a respectful distance to avoid disturbing nesting colonies.
- What to notice
- Look for a black-and-white cormorant with dark facial skin, pink feet, and yellow knobs above the bill during breeding.
- Support conservation
- Observe colonies strictly from a distance with binoculars, staying on established tracks to prevent nest abandonment.
Responsible observation
- Observation Distance: Remain at least 15 meters from nesting colonies to avoid flushing birds off their eggs.
- Cliff Safety: Exercise extreme caution on wet, slippery coastal rocks and exposed bluffs.
- Seasonal Timing: Look for bright yellow facial caruncles on breeding adults during the spring nesting season.
Predator Frequent Companion Close Relative
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