Kingdom Animalia Order Suliformes Genus Phalacrocorax Higher classification Phalacrocorax | Phylum Chordata Family Phalacrocoracidae Scientific name Phalacrocorax ranfurlyi Rank Species | |
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Similar Chatham shag, Auckland shag, New Zealand king shag, Phalacrocorax, Pitt shag | ||
The Bounty shag (Phalacrocorax ranfurlyi), also known as the Bounty Island shag, is a species of cormorant of the Phalacrocoracidae family. They are found only on the tiny and remote Subantarctic Bounty Islands, 670 km south east of New Zealand. Its natural habitats are open seas and rocky shores. In 2005 618 individuals were counted (with roughly 410 mature ones) and the population seems to have remained stable since.
Description
Size; 71 cm. Large, black-and-white cormorant. Black head, hind neck, lower back, rump, uppertail-coverts, all with metallic blue sheen. White underparts. Pink feet. White patches on wings appear as bar when folded. Caruncles absent. Voice: Male makes call during displays only.
IUCN classifies this species as Vulnerable because its very small population and breeding range renders it susceptible to stochastic events and human impacts. The Bounty Islands are a nature reserve and are free of introduced predators. In 1998, they were declared part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The islands are uninhabited and are seldom visited, so human interference is minimal.
