Data Zone
Justification of Red List category
This species has a very large range, and hence does not approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the range size criterion (Extent of Occurrence <20,000 km2 combined with a declining or fluctuating range size, habitat extent/quality, or population size and a small number of locations or severe fragmentation). The population trend is not known, but the population is not believed to be decreasing sufficiently rapidly to approach the thresholds under the population trend criterion (>30% decline over ten years or three generations). The population size may be moderately small to large, but it is not believed to approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the population size criterion (<10,000 mature individuals with a continuing decline estimated to be >10% in ten years or three generations, or with a specified population structure). For these reasons the species is evaluated as Least Concern.
Trend justification
The population trend is difficult to determine because of uncertainty over the extent of threats to the species.
The Spotted Shag breeds solely on the coastline of New Zealand, including offshore islands (del Hoyo et al. 1992).
This marine species forages in fairly deep offshore waters up to 16 km from the coast, but also in bays, inlets and estuaries. It feeds on fish, crusaceans and other invertebrates, which it catches by pursuit-diving. It can form flocks numbering thousands of birds. It breeds in colonies of variable size, breeding on rocky coasts and inshore islands. It nests on cliffs, occupying ledges or cracks (del Hoyo et al. 1992).
The species was previously shot on a huge scale throughout New Zealand, which led to the collapse and destruction of many colonies. At present, persecution continues on a much lower level, but may still be limiting the size of some colonies. Disturbance from recreational boats and tourists causes disturbance to many colonies, especially around the Hauraki Gulf; however, there is no evidence suggesting this is causing significant levels of abandonment or significant declines in reproductive success (Frost 2017).
Text account compilers
Calvert, R., Ekstrom, J., Fjagesund, T., Butchart, S., Martin, R., Miller, E.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Spotted Shag Phalacrocorax punctatus. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/spotted-shag-phalacrocorax-punctatus on 23/12/2024.
Recommended citation for factsheets for more than one species: BirdLife International (2024) IUCN Red List for birds. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/search on 23/12/2024.