Imperial Cormorant

01 · Identification

How to tell it apart

The Imperial Cormorant, also widely known as the Macquarie Shag, is a robust, heavily built seabird measuring 65 to 77 centimetres in length. It is distinguished by its starkly contrasting plumage: glossy black upperparts and clean white underparts, with the black extending onto the upper cheeks and ear-coverts. Key field marks include a prominent recurved black crest on the forehead, conspicuous white wing bars visible at rest, and bubblegum-pink feet. During the breeding season, adults develop striking facial features, including brilliant blue eye-rings and bright orange caruncles—fleshy lumps—above the base of the bill, set against orange-brown facial skin. Non-breeding birds and juveniles are generally duller and browner, lacking the prominent crest and vibrant facial ornaments. Highly gregarious, this species is often observed roosting on coastal rocks in groups ranging from a few individuals to several hundred. They forage in cooperative flocks in shallow coastal waters, diving from the surface to hunt for benthic fish and marine invertebrates. Flight is direct and powerful, usually maintained low over the ocean surface with the neck extended. While generally silent at sea, they produce deep, guttural croaks, grunts, and soft hisses at breeding colonies during territorial displays or when greeting partners. Endemic to Australian subantarctic territory, this species is strictly restricted to Macquarie Island and the nearby Bishop and Clerk Islets. It is a year-round resident of rocky shorelines, offshore stacks, and protected coastal waters. Within its remote range, it is the only resident cormorant and is virtually unmistakable. It bears a resemblance to the Black-faced Cormorant of the Australian mainland, which lacks white wing bars and orange facial ornaments, while the significantly larger Great Cormorant, a rare vagrant to the region, is distinguished by its entirely dark belly.

Description · BirdUp · CC BY-SA 4.0

1. 01

   Vivid cobalt-blue eye-ring

   Brilliant bare-skin ring around eye, often with bright orange-yellow caruncles at bill base in breeding adults.

2. 02

   Distinctive white dorsal patch (breeding)

   Noticeable white patch on the center of the back, between the wings, only present in breeding plumage.

3. 03

   Prominent white wing bars

   Clearly visible white bars on the upperwings against glossy black plumage.

4. 04

   Completely black cheeks and ear-coverts

   Forms a sharp, clean-cut border with the white throat, with no white extending up onto the face.