Photo: Calyponte / CC BY 3.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Imperial Shag
Leucocarbo atriceps
Imperial Shag (Leucocarbo atriceps) — Seabirds & Tubenoses of South America.
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The Imperial Shag (Leucocarbo atriceps) is a member of the Phalacrocoracidae family found in South America. Adults weigh 2 kg. The IUCN Red List lists it as Least Concern.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Widespread and abundant — not currently at risk.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Suliformes
- Family Phalacrocoracidae Cormorants, Shags
- Genus Leucocarbo
- Species atriceps
Where it lives
Coastal southern South America, Falkland Is., South Georgia and nearby islands, Antarctic Peninsula, and subantarctic islands of the southern Indian Ocean and Macquarie Island (southwestern Pacific Ocean)
Quick facts
- Weight
- 2 kg
- Diet
- Aquatic hunters
- Family
- Phalacrocoracidae
- Order
- Suliformes
- Habitat
- Wetland, lake & coast
How to identify
Similar birds
Vulnerable
Vulnerable
Vulnerable
Least Concern
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Imperial Shag hunts aquatic prey such as fish and aquatic invertebrates.
Behaviour
A bird of open sea and coastal waters, it swims and feeds in and around water.
Migration
The Imperial Shag is partially migratory: some populations move with the seasons while others stay resident year-round.
The Imperial Shag (Leucocarbo atriceps) belongs to the Phalacrocoracidae family of the order Suliformes. It is found across South America. Its distribution covers SA coastal s South America, Falkland Is., South Georgia and nearby islands, Antarctic Peninsula, and subantarctic islands of the s Indian Ocean and Macquarie Island (sw Pacific Ocean).
It is a very large bird. Adults weighs around 2 kg, with a wing length of about 28.4 cm and a tail of around 11.8 cm.
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
Its mapped global range covers an estimated 352,000 km².
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Imperial Shag?
The Imperial Shag is a very large bird that weighs around 2 kg.
Where does the Imperial Shag live?
The Imperial Shag is found across South America with a range covering SA coastal s South America, Falkland Is., South Georgia and nearby islands, Antarctic Peninsula, and subantarctic islands of the s Indian Ocean and Macquarie Island (sw Pacific Ocean), where it is associated with wetlands, lakes and other open water.
What family does the Imperial Shag belong to?
The Imperial Shag (Leucocarbo atriceps) belongs to the Phalacrocoracidae family, in the order Suliformes.
What does the Imperial Shag eat?
The Imperial Shag hunts aquatic prey such as fish and aquatic invertebrates.
Does the Imperial Shag migrate?
The Imperial Shag is partially migratory: some populations move with the seasons while others stay resident year-round.
Is the Imperial Shag endangered?
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
How large is the Imperial Shag's range?
The Imperial Shag has a mapped global range of about 352,000 km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
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