The Antarctic shag, sometimes referred to as the imperial cormorant, king cormorant, imperial shag, blue-eyed shag or Antarctic cormorant, is the only species of the cormorant family found in the Antarctic. It is sometimes considered conspecific with the Imperial shag.
Region
Antarctic Peninsula and adjacent islands
Typical Environment
Found along rocky coasts, islands, and headlands of the Antarctic Peninsula and nearby archipelagos such as the South Shetland and South Orkney Islands. It nests on cliffs and rocky ledges, often forming large colonies exposed to strong winds. At sea, it favors nearshore waters, kelp beds, and shallow continental shelf zones where prey is accessible. The species generally avoids heavy pack ice, concentrating in areas with open leads and polynyas. Outside breeding, it remains coastal, making short local dispersal flights rather than long migrations.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 200 m
Climate Zone
Polar
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The Antarctic shag is a blue-eyed cormorant of the Antarctic Peninsula, often treated as part of the imperial shag complex. It is noted for its bright cobalt eye-ring and orange-yellow caruncle at the base of the bill. A powerful diver, it forages in cold nearshore waters for fish and invertebrates and breeds in dense cliffside colonies. Taxonomy is debated, but it is generally recognized as distinct around the Peninsula and nearby islands.
Temperament
social and colonial
Flight Pattern
low over water with rapid wingbeats and short glides
Social Behavior
Breeds in dense colonies on cliffs and rocky promontories, building nests of seaweed and grasses cemented with guano. Pairs are seasonally monogamous, sharing incubation and chick feeding duties. They often form creches of young near the colony once chicks are larger. Outside the breeding season they remain gregarious, roosting and foraging in small groups.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Vocalizations are guttural croaks, grunts, and hisses, most frequent at the colony. Displays include head-cocking and bill-pointing accompanied by low, rasping calls rather than melodious song.
Plumage
Glossy black upperparts with white underparts; clean white throat, breast, and belly; black head, back, and tail with a sharp contrast line along the flanks.
Diet
Primarily fishes of the Antarctic shelf, especially notothenioids, supplemented by crustaceans and cephalopods. It dives from the surface, pursuing prey underwater with powerful kicks. Foraging is often solitary or in loose groups, sometimes coordinating along kelp edges. Prey is swallowed at the surface after each dive.
Preferred Environment
Nearshore coastal waters, kelp forests, rocky reefs, and channels close to breeding cliffs. It typically feeds over shallow to moderately deep shelf areas where benthic and demersal prey are abundant.
