Birds
File:Leucocarbo carunculatus, Queen Charlotte Sound, NZ.jpg

New Zealand King Shag

New Zealand King Shag

100
23 hours ago
Not yet spotted on Fladder
Spotted
The New Zealand King Shag is a large, striking cormorant endemic to the Marlborough Sounds of New Zealand. It is distinguished by its white underparts, dark back, and prominent crests and facial markings during breeding.
Where to spot
Endemic to the Marlborough Sounds, South Island, New Zealand. Inhabits rocky coasts and sheltered waters of the sounds.
How to spot
Observation requires a visit to the Marlborough Sounds. Look for its large size, white underparts, dark upperparts, and especially the distinct white patches on its face, crests, and sometimes a white patch on the lower back during breeding. Often seen fishing in the sounds or perched on rocks.
When to spot
Can be observed year-round within its very restricted range. Breeding typically occurs during the austral winter and spring.
File:Leucocarbo carunculatus, Queen Charlotte Sound, NZ.jpg
File:Leucocarbo carunculatus (AM LB4266).jpg
File:Leucocarbo carunculatus (New Zealand King Shag) (48719289738).jpg
File:Rough-faced Shag (Leucocarbo carunculatus).jpg
File:Rough-faced Shag (Leucocarbo carunculatus) - 8604830357.jpg
File:Rough-faced Shag (Leucocarbo carunculatus) - 8604831871.jpg
File:Leucocarbo carunculatus, Queen Charlotte Sound, NZ.jpg
Credits: Wikimedia Commons
File:Leucocarbo carunculatus (AM LB4266).jpg
Credits: Wikimedia Commons
File:Leucocarbo carunculatus (New Zealand King Shag) (48719289738).jpg
Credits: Wikimedia Commons
File:Rough-faced Shag (Leucocarbo carunculatus).jpg
Credits: Wikimedia Commons
File:Rough-faced Shag (Leucocarbo carunculatus) - 8604830357.jpg
Credits: Wikimedia Commons
File:Rough-faced Shag (Leucocarbo carunculatus) - 8604831871.jpg
Credits: Wikimedia Commons
This rare shag has one of the most restricted distributions of any cormorant, breeding only at three small sites in the Marlborough Sounds.
Loading...

Spotted

Recently spotted
78 (Seen in the last 3 months)
Last spotted
23 hours ago

Monthly observations

No observations
Loading...
Nothing spotted yet

Also interesting

File:Double-crested cormorant - Nannopterum auritum.jpg
100

Double-crested Cormorant

Cormorants and Shags
File:Leucocarbo atriceps, ARG.jpg
100

Imperial Cormorant

Cormorants and Shags
File:Phalacrocorax punctatus punctatus 135944463.jpg
100

Spotted Shag

Cormorants and Shags
File:Australian Pied Cormorant (Phalacrocorax varius) at Port Kennedy Jetty, July 2023 01.jpg
100

Pied Cormorant

Cormorants and Shags
File:Leucocarbo chalconotus.jpg
100

Stewart Island Shag

Cormorants and Shags
File:Phalacrocorax capillatus, Jogashima Island, Japan 1.jpg
100

Japanese Cormorant

Cormorants and Shags
kerguelen shag, aalscholver, zee vogel
5

Great Cormorant

Cormorants and Shags
100

Brandt's Cormorant

Cormorants and Shags
100

Auckland Islands Shag

Cormorants and Shags
File:Black-faced Cormorant (Phalacrocorax fuscescens), Maria Island, Tasmania.jpg
100

Black-faced Cormorant

Cormorants and Shags