Falkland Islands 'Black Shag'. A resident breeder, widely distributed on all coasts, especially sheltered  bays and harbours. Generally keeps to inshore waters of beteen 2 and 12m deep, diving for small fish, crustaceans and cephalopods in coastal kelp, often alone. Smaller, length: 66cm ( 26 inches) than the Imperial Shag and easily identified by its black neck and red-facial skin around the eye. Immatures appear solid black. Nests in small colonies on cliff ledges.

Breeds on southern South America to 50°S in Argentina and is very common on Tierra del Fuego.

Sources include: Falkland Islands State of the Environment Report 2008 Otley H, Munro G, Clausen A, Ingham B. A Field Guide to the Wildlife of The Falkland Islands and South Georgia - Ian J Strange, Guide to Birds of the Falkland Islands- Robin W. Woods.

Photographic credits: Jeremy Richards/Shutterstock.com, Robert Maddocks

Photographs and Images Copyright: The images on this site have been bought under licence or have been used with the permission of their owners. They may not be copied or downloaded in any form without their owner's consent.