A striking seabird found only in the Chatham Islands, a small archipelago east of New Zealand. With its distinctive black-and-white plumage, long crest, and pink feet, it’s one of the most eye-catching birds in the region — and also one of the rarest. This elegant species belongs to the blue-eyed shag group, although its eyes are actually brown, setting it apart from its relatives. The adult’s glossy black upperparts contrast beautifully with its white underparts, and during the breeding season, it develops bright orange-red facial caruncles and violet eye-rings that make it even more striking.

The Chatham Islands shag is entirely marine in its habits, rarely venturing inland. It breeds in small colonies on rocky headlands and offshore islets scattered across the Chatham archipelago, including Chatham Island, Pitt Island, and the Star Keys. Outside the breeding season, it can be found in coastal waters and occasionally in the large brackish Te Whanga Lagoon. It forages close to shore, diving with powerful strokes to catch fish, squid, and small crustaceans. The bird’s underwater agility and keen eyesight make it a skilled hunter even in turbulent seas. Nests are built on rocky ledges or flat coastal slopes, where pairs lay two to four pale blue-green eggs in scrapes lined with seaweed, grass, and guano.

Sadly, the Chatham Islands shag is Critically Endangered, with only a few hundred breeding pairs remaining. Its population has suffered a dramatic decline over the past few decades, largely due to predation by introduced mammals such as feral cats and possums, as well as disturbance from humans and livestock at breeding colonies. Even colonies on predator-free islets have shown declines, suggesting additional marine threats like food shortages, entanglement, or pollution. Because this shag depends heavily on nearshore waters, it is particularly vulnerable to changes in fish populations and coastal conditions.

Distribution

Country

Population est.

Status

Year

Comments

New Zealand

1,070

Official estimate

CR

2018

Breeding