Head to head
Pitt Shag vs Chatham Shag
Pitt Shag
VS Chatham Shag
Unlike most blue-eyed shags, which each claim their own separate island group, these two species share the very same archipelago.
| Pitt Shag | Chatham Shag | |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Leucocarbo featherstoni | Leucocarbo onslowi |
| Range | The Chatham Islands group | The Chatham Islands only |
| Distinct species status | A separate species sharing the archipelago | The other species sharing the same archipelago |
| Colony structure | Small, scattered colonies | Not specifically documented as scattered |
| Conservation status | Endangered | Endangered |
| Population trend | Decreasing | Decreasing |
| Blue eye-ring | Present | Present |
| Habitat | Ocean, coastal | Ocean, coastal |
Pitt Shag vs Chatham Shag: common questions
Are the Pitt shag and Chatham shag the same species?
No, despite both breeding within the same small Chatham Islands archipelago, they are genetically and physically distinct species, an exception to the usual pattern of one shag species per island group.
Which one breeds in small scattered colonies?
The Pitt shag breeds this way, nesting in small, scattered colonies on cliffs and rock stacks around the Chatham Islands group rather than one large concentration.
Do both face similar conservation challenges?
Yes, both species are classified as Endangered with declining populations, sharing the same small archipelago and many of the same pressures despite being genuinely distinct species.