Birds diurnal

Imperial Shag

Leucocarbo atriceps

The Imperial Shag is a master of the Southern Oceans, recognizable by its startling blue 'eyes' and tuxedo-like plumage. A deep-diving specialist, this regal bird brings a touch of Antarctic elegance to the rugged coastlines it inhabits.

2 Sightings

1 Habitats

Quick Identification

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Size

Length: 70–80 cm (28–31 in); Wingspan: 124 cm (49 in); Weight: 2.5–3.5 kg (5.5–7.7 lbs)

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Colors

Glossy black upperparts and white underparts; striking blue skin around the eyes; pinkish-flesh feet; orange-yellow bumps on the beak during breeding.

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Key Features

Vivid cobalt-blue ring of skin around each eye
Bright orange-yellow nasal caruncles at the base of the bill
Erectile black crest on the crown
Distinctive white patches on the wings (alars) during flight

When You’ll See Them

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Activity pattern diurnal

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Peak hours 7-11 AM and 3-6 PM

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Season October-February (Breeding season)

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Diet A carnivorous diver that feeds primarily on benthic fish, crustaceans (like krill and shrimp), and occasionally cephalopods or polychaete worms.

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Habitat Rocky coastal shorelines, subantarctic islands, and sheltered bays; locally found on large inland freshwater lakes in the southern Andes.

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Behavior

Imperial Shags are highly social and gregarious birds, known for forming massive, bustling colonies that can number in the thousands. They are master divers, capable of reaching depths of over 100 meters (330 feet) to pursue prey, using their powerful webbed feet for propulsion. On land, they exhibit fascinating social displays, particularly during the breeding season, which include rhythmic head-tossing and 'gargling' sounds to attract mates or defend nesting sites.

Unlike many other seabirds, they are frequently seen in close proximity to human settlements in coastal South America, often roosting on jetties, shipwrecks, or harbor walls. They are known to forage in 'rafts'—large communal groups that dive in synchronization to corral schools of fish. This cooperative behavior is a hallmark of their intelligence and social structure, making them a captivating subject for coastal observers.

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Camera Tips

To capture the Imperial Shag on a trail camera, you must focus on 'loafing' spots—high-traffic rocky outcrops or man-made piers where the birds gather to dry their wings. Because these birds inhabit high-moisture, salty environments, ensure your camera housing is weather-sealed and wiped clean of salt spray regularly. Mounting the camera at a low angle (12–18 inches from the ground) will provide an intimate perspective of their unique waddle and the brilliant blue of their eyes.

Lighting is your biggest challenge with this species due to their high-contrast black-and-white feathers. To avoid 'clipping' the whites (losing detail in the white plumage), try to position your camera so the sun is at its back, or utilize the softer light of early morning. If your camera has adjustable exposure settings, underexposing by a half-stop can help preserve the texture of their white bellies against the dark rocky background. High-speed trigger settings are a must, as these birds move surprisingly fast when landing or taking flight.

While traditional baiting isn't effective for these hunters, you can leverage their natural curiosity and social habits. They are often attracted to areas where other shags are already present; if you are monitoring a private pier or shoreline, placing a realistic decoy or ensuring there are flat, stable surfaces for them to land on can increase your capture rate. Set your camera to 'Burst Mode' to capture the sequence of them spreading their wings to dry, which is one of the most iconic behaviors of the species.

Similar Species

Species that look similar or are commonly confused with Imperial Shag.

Rock Shag

Features red facial skin instead of blue, and has a black foreneck compared to the Imperial Shag's white neck.

Guanay Cormorant

Has a red eye-ring and lacks the prominent white wing patches and orange caruncles of the Imperial Shag.

King Shag

Extremely similar but found in New Zealand; often distinguished by subtle differences in the extent of white on the wings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Imperial Shags are strictly diurnal, meaning they are active during daylight hours. They typically head out to sea to forage in the early morning and return to their roosts or nests in the late afternoon to dry their feathers and socialise.

Unless your 'backyard' is a rocky coastline in the Southern Hemisphere, you won't see them at a feeder. However, coastal residents can encourage them by maintaining undisturbed rocky shorelines and ensuring no plastic debris enters their hunting waters.

Their diet consists mainly of small fish and marine invertebrates. They are remarkable divers, often plunging deep into the water column to find prey hiding near the sea floor.

They are common in coastal towns and harbors within their range, such as in Ushuaia, Argentina, or Punta Arenas, Chile, where they often perch on piers and harbor infrastructure.

The easiest way to tell them apart is by the eyes and neck; Imperial Shags have a bright blue ring around the eye and a white neck, while Rock Shags have red skin around the eye and a black neck.

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