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Photo: By J. G. Keulemans, in W.L. Buller's A History of the Birds of New Zealand. 2nd edition. Published 1888. / CC BY-SA 3.0 nz (Wikimedia Commons)

Vulnerable

New Zealand King Shag

Leucocarbo carunculatus

New Zealand King Shag (Leucocarbo carunculatus) — Seabirds & Tubenoses of Australia & Oceania.

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The New Zealand King Shag (Leucocarbo carunculatus) is a member of the Phalacrocoracidae family found in Australia & Oceania. Adults weigh 2.6 kg. The IUCN Red List lists it as Vulnerable.

Conservation status

IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)
VU Vulnerable

Facing a high risk of extinction in the wild.

Where it fits

  1. Class Aves
  2. Order Suliformes
  3. Family Phalacrocoracidae Cormorants, Shags
  4. Genus Leucocarbo
  5. Species carunculatus

Where it lives

Cook Strait is. (north of South I., New Zealand)

Quick facts

Weight
2.6 kg
Diet
Aquatic hunters
Family
Phalacrocoracidae
Order
Suliformes
Habitat
Wetland, lake & coast

How to identify

Similar birds

Biology & behaviour

Diet

The New Zealand King 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 New Zealand King Shag is partially migratory: some populations move with the seasons while others stay resident year-round.

The New Zealand King Shag (Leucocarbo carunculatus) belongs to the Phalacrocoracidae family of the order Suliformes. It is found across Australia & Oceania. Its distribution covers AU Cook Strait is. (n of South I., New Zealand).

It is a very large bird. Adults weighs around 2.6 kg, with a wing length of about 28.8 cm and a tail of around 12 cm.

It is classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List and is a focus of conservation concern. Vulnerable species face a high risk of extinction in the wild if pressures continue.

Songs & calls

New Zealand King Shag — Begging call, call

Recorded by David Boyle Licence: CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

Frequently asked questions

How big is the New Zealand King Shag?

The New Zealand King Shag is a very large bird that weighs around 2.6 kg.

Where does the New Zealand King Shag live?

The New Zealand King Shag is found across Australia & Oceania with a range covering AU Cook Strait is. (n of South I., New Zealand), where it is associated with wetlands, lakes and other open water.

What family does the New Zealand King Shag belong to?

The New Zealand King Shag (Leucocarbo carunculatus) belongs to the Phalacrocoracidae family, in the order Suliformes.

What does the New Zealand King Shag eat?

The New Zealand King Shag hunts aquatic prey such as fish and aquatic invertebrates.

Does the New Zealand King Shag migrate?

The New Zealand King Shag is partially migratory: some populations move with the seasons while others stay resident year-round.

Is the New Zealand King Shag endangered?

It is classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List and is a focus of conservation concern Vulnerable species face a high risk of extinction in the wild if pressures continue.

What sound does the New Zealand King Shag make?

1 real field recording of the New Zealand King Shag — including its begging call — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.

Conservation

Vulnerable

Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.

How to help birds

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