Head to head
King Shag vs South Georgia Shag
King Shag
VS South Georgia Shag
Both shags are endemic to a single small region, but their population sizes and conservation status differ significantly.
| King Shag | South Georgia Shag | |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Leucocarbo carunculatus | Leucocarbo georgianus |
| Range | A single sound in New Zealand | South Georgia and nearby islands |
| Population size | Low hundreds, one of the rarest shags | Larger, more stable population |
| Conservation status | Vulnerable | Least Concern |
| Population trend | Stable | Stable |
| Migration | Non-migratory, sedentary | A year-round resident |
| Breeding display | Orange caruncles appear | Orange caruncles appear |
| Habitat | Ocean, coastal | Ocean, coastal |
King Shag vs South Georgia Shag: common questions
Which one is the rarer shag?
The king shag is rarer, with a total population numbering only in the low hundreds, compared with the South Georgia shag's larger and more stable population.
Which one is confined to a single small area?
Both are confined to a single small region: the king shag to one sound in New Zealand, and the South Georgia shag to South Georgia and a small number of nearby islands.
Do both shags have orange caruncles?
Yes, both species develop small, fleshy orange caruncles above the base of the bill during the breeding season, used in courtship displays typical of this wider shag group.