The South Georgia shag, also known as the South Georgia cormorant, is a marine cormorant native to South Georgia and a few other subantarctic islands in the South Atlantic Ocean.
Region
Subantarctic South Atlantic
Typical Environment
The species is confined to South Georgia, Shag Rocks, and the South Sandwich Islands, where it breeds on cliffs, sea stacks, and rocky headlands. It forages in cold, nutrient-rich coastal waters, especially over the continental shelf and around kelp beds. Birds typically feed close to their colonies but can range several tens of kilometers when conditions require. Nesting sites are exposed and windy, so nests are built from seaweed, grasses, and mud to resist the elements.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 200 m
Climate Zone
Polar
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Also called the South Georgia cormorant, this blue‑eyed shag is a coastal seabird confined to South Georgia and nearby subantarctic islands. It forages by deep, pursuit diving and often returns with bills coated in krill oil or fish slime. During breeding, adults show striking cobalt-blue eye skin and orange facial caruncles. Colonies can be noisy, with birds carrying seaweed to build sturdy nests on windy cliff ledges.
Temperament
social and colonial
Flight Pattern
strong flier with rapid wingbeats, usually low over the water
Social Behavior
Breeds in dense colonies on cliffs and rock ledges. Pairs are largely monogamous within a season and perform mutual displays at the nest. Nests are bulky piles of seaweed, grass, and mud, and both parents incubate and feed the chicks by regurgitation.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Generally quiet at sea, but at colonies gives grunts, croaks, and hisses. Calls are low and harsh, used for pair contact and territory at the nest.
Plumage
Glossy black upperparts with clean white underparts; crisp, pied contrast typical of blue‑eyed shags.
Diet
Primarily small fish such as nototheniids, along with cephalopods and crustaceans including krill. It is an adept pursuit diver, using powerful feet to chase prey underwater. Typical dives are to the sea floor over the shelf, where it picks or ambushes benthic and demersal prey.
Preferred Environment
Feeds in nearshore waters, around kelp forests, rocky reefs, and shelf edges close to breeding colonies. Often forages in small groups where prey is concentrated by tides and currents.
