Birds
Campbell Shag
Leucocarbo campbelli · also called Campbell Island shag
One of several closely related blue-eyed shags each confined to its own single subantarctic island, a Campbell shag breeds nowhere on Earth except Campbell Island, diving to considerable depths for fish along its remote coastline.
Overview
The Campbell shag, Leucocarbo campbelli, is a Near Threatened seabird native to ocean and coastal habitat found only around Campbell Island south of New Zealand. Its single-island endemism, striking blue eye-ring, and place within a wider complex of similarly isolated shag species make it one of the more geographically distinctive blue-eyed shags found anywhere in the Southern Ocean.
One island, one shag, repeated across the subantarctic
The Campbell shag is part of a broader pattern found across New Zealand’s subantarctic islands, where closely related blue-eyed shag species have each settled onto their own separate island group, producing a cluster of near-identical species divided only by geography.
Status
Near Threatened, remaining relatively stable at a low level, though confined entirely to Campbell Island, leaving it vulnerable to any localised threat.
Campbell Shag: common questions
Where does the Campbell shag breed?
This species breeds only around Campbell Island, a single remote subantarctic island south of New Zealand, making it entirely endemic to that one site.
Why is the Campbell shag called a blue-eyed shag?
This species has a vivid ring of bare, blue-coloured skin around each eye, a feature shared with several closely related shag species collectively nicknamed blue-eyed shags.
Is the Campbell shag closely related to other single-island shags?
Yes, this species is one of several closely related blue-eyed shag species that each occupy their own single subantarctic island group, a pattern of tight geographic separation seen across the wider group.
How deep can the Campbell shag dive?
This species can dive to considerable depth in pursuit of fish, using its feet for propulsion underwater rather than relying primarily on its wings, a diving style typical of shags generally.