About the Blue-eyed Shag

Blue-eyed Shags, also known as Imperial Shags, Antarctic Shags and Imperial Cormorants are cormorants with distinctive blue eye-rings and vivid facial caruncles during the breeding season. They have sleek black plumage and are agile divers.

Common in their localised areas, Blue-eyed Shags are often seen nesting in colonies, on cliffs overhanging the ocean.

Their populations are stable, but they face threats from oil pollution and entanglement in fishing gear.

The warming of the Antarctic Peninsula could disrupt their nesting sites and alter the abundance of their marine prey.

Where to see Blue-eyed Shags

They breed on the rocky coasts and islands of the Antarctic Peninsula and southern South America.

Interesting facts about Blue-eyed Shags

Blue-eyed Shags can dive up to 100 metres in pursuit of fish, using their feet to propel themselves with great speed and agility.

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