| Auckland shag | |
|---|---|
) | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Suliformes |
| Family: | Phalacrocoracidae |
| Genus: | Leucocarbo |
| Species: | L. colensoi |
| Binomial name | |
| Leucocarbo colensoi Buller, 1888 | |
| Synonyms | |
| Phalacrocorax colensoi | |
The Auckland shag (Leucocarbo colensoi) or Auckland Islands shag is a species of cormorant from New Zealand. The species is endemic to the Auckland Islands archipelago. It is a sedentary bird that primarily eats various crustaceans and fish. In recent years, roughly 1,000 pairs have been recorded. The Auckland shag is a colonial nester, building sizeable nests of, among other items, grass, twigs and seaweed. The Auckland shag lays three pale blue-green eggs in November–February. The incubation period is 26–32 days.
The Auckland shag is considered Vulnerable by the IUCN due to its small population size and restricted global range. Only around 2000 Auckland shags exist in their remote habitat.
Some taxonomic authorities, including the International Ornithologists' Union, place this species in the genus Leucocarbo. Others place it in the genus Phalacrocorax.
The binomial name of this bird commemorates the naturalist William Colenso.
References
- ^ BirdLife International (2012). "Phalacrocorax colensoi". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2012. Retrieved 26 November 2013.
- Shirihai, Hadoram (2002). A Complete Guide to Antarctic Wildlife. Degerby, Finland: Alula Press. ISBN 951-98947-0-5.
- Auckland Islands Shag (Phalacrocorax colensoi) – BirdLife International