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{{Short description|Species of bird}}
{{Taxobox
{{speciesbox
| image =
| image = Leucocarbo nivalis (AM LB11857-5).jpg
| image_width = 240px
| image_caption =
| status =
| status =
| genus = Leucocarbo
| status_system =
| status_ref =
| species = nivalis
⚫
| authority = ([[Robert Falla|Falla]], 1937)<ref>Falla (1937), p.226.</ref>
| regnum = [[Animal]]ia
| phylum = [[Chordate|Chordata]]
| classis = [[Bird|Aves]]
| ordo = [[Suliformes]]
| familia = [[Phalacrocoracidae]]
| genus = ''[[Phalacrocorax]]''
| species = '''P. nivalis'''
| binomial = '' Phalacrocorax nivalis ''
⚫
| binomial_authority = [[Robert Falla|Falla]], 1937<ref>Falla (1937), p.226.</ref>
| synonyms = *''Phalacrocorax atriceps nivalis''
| synonyms = *''Phalacrocorax atriceps nivalis''
*''Leucocarbo nivalis''
*''Phalacrocorax nivalis''
*''Leucocarbo atriceps nivalis''
*''Leucocarbo atriceps nivalis''
}}
}}


The '''Heard Island shag''' (''Phalacrocorax nivalis''), or '''Heard Island cormorant''', is a marine [[cormorant]] native to the [[Australia]]n territory comprising the [[Heard Island and McDonald Islands|Heard and McDonald Islands]] in the [[Southern Ocean]], about 4100&nbsp;km south-west of [[Perth, Western Australia|Perth]], [[Western Australia]].
The '''Heard Island shag''' ('''''Leucocarbo nivalis'''''), or '''Heard Island cormorant''', is a marine [[cormorant]] native to the [[Australia]]n territory comprising the [[Heard Island and McDonald Islands|Heard and McDonald Islands]] in the [[Southern Ocean]], which is about 4,100&nbsp;km south-west of [[Perth, Western Australia|Perth]], [[Western Australia]].


==Taxonomy==
==Taxonomy==
The Heard Island shag is one of the [[blue-eyed shag]]s, sometimes placed in the [[genus]] ''Leucocarbo'', and a [[subspecies]] of the [[imperial shag]]. It is now usually considered to be a full species.
The Heard Island shag is one of the [[blue-eyed shag]]s, sometimes placed in the [[genus]] ''Leucocarbo'', and a [[subspecies]] of the [[imperial shag]]. Others place it in the genus [[Phalacrocorax]]. It is now usually considered to be a full species.


==Distribution and habitat==
==Distribution and habitat==
The Heard Island shag is restricted to the [[subantarctic]] [[Heard Island|Heard]] and [[Heard Island and McDonald Islands|McDonald Islands]], and is only known to breed on Heard Island. Apart from breeding and roosting, its [[habitat]] is marine.
The Heard Island shag is restricted to the [[subantarctic]] [[Heard Island|Heard]] and [[Heard Island and McDonald Islands|McDonald Islands]], and is only known to breed on Heard Island. Apart from breeding and roosting, its [[habitat]] is marine.


==Description==
==Description==
The Heard Island shag has largely black upperparts and white underparts. The cheeks and ear-coverts are white; there are white bars on the wings, a black, recurved crest over the forehead, and pink feet.<ref name="Marchant & Higgins 1991, p.854">Marchant & Higgins (1991), p.854.</ref> A breeding adult has a pair of orange [[Caruncle (bird anatomy)|caruncles]] above the base of the [[beak|bill]] in front of the eyes as well as blue eye-rings.<ref name="Marchant & Higgins 1991, p.854"/> It is about 77&nbsp;cm in length, with a [[wingspan]] of 120&nbsp;cm and a weight of 3&nbsp;kg.<ref name="Marchant & Higgins 1991, p.854"/>
The Heard Island shag has largely black upperparts and white underparts. The cheeks and ear-coverts are white; there are white bars on the wings, a black, recurved crest over the forehead, and pink feet.<ref name="Marchant & Higgins 1991, p.854">Marchant & Higgins (1991), p.854.</ref> A breeding adult has a pair of orange [[Caruncle (bird anatomy)|caruncles]] above the base of the [[beak|bill]] in front of the eyes as well as blue eye-rings.<ref name="Marchant & Higgins 1991, p.854"/> It is about 77&nbsp;cm in length, with a [[wingspan]] of 120&nbsp;cm and a weight of 3&nbsp;kg.<ref name="Marchant & Higgins 1991, p.854"/>


==Behaviour==
==Behaviour==
Line 35: Line 26:


===Breeding===
===Breeding===
The birds are present year round at Heard Island, where they breed annually in [[seabird colony|colonies]]. Courtship takes place from late August to early October. Nests are mounds built largely of the [[Stipe (botany)|stipes]], [[root]]s and adhering soil of the [[tussock grass]] ''Poa cookie'' and average about 22&nbsp;cm high, with a minimum distance between nests of 50&nbsp;cm.<ref>Green (1997a), pp.61-62.</ref><ref>Green (1997b), p.68.</ref> The clutch of two or three eggs is laid mainly between mid-September and November, hatching from November to February. The chicks [[fledge]] from January to March.<ref name="DEWHA website">DEWHA website</ref>
The birds are present year round at Heard Island, where they breed annually in [[seabird colony|colonies]]. Courtship takes place from late August to early October. Nests are mounds built largely of the [[Stipe (botany)|stipes]], [[root]]s and adhering soil of the [[tussock grass]] ''[[Poa cookii]]'' and average about 22&nbsp;cm high, with a minimum distance between nests of 50&nbsp;cm.<ref>Green (1997a), pp.61-62.</ref><ref>Green (1997b), p.68.</ref> The clutch of two or three eggs is laid mainly between mid-September and November, hatching from November to February. The chicks [[fledge]] from January to March.<ref name="DEWHA website">DEWHA website</ref>


===Feeding===
===Feeding===
The birds forage locally in shallow coastal waters,<ref name="DEWHA website"/> with the diet consisting primarily of [[polychaetes]] and [[fish]]. The proportion of fish in the diet is higher when the birds are feeding chicks.<ref>Green et al. (1990), pp.139-141.</ref><ref>Green (1997c), p.76.</ref>
The birds forage locally in shallow coastal waters,<ref name="DEWHA website"/> with the diet consisting primarily of [[polychaetes]] and [[fish]].<ref name = Heard>Green, K., and Williams, R. (1997). ''Biology of the Heard Island Shag Phalacrocorax nivalis. 3. Foraging, Diet and Diving Behaviour.'' Emu 97: 76-83 {{doi|10.1071/MU97008}}</ref> The proportion of fish in the diet is higher when the birds are feeding chicks.<ref>Green et al. (1990), pp.139-141.</ref><ref>Green (1997c), p.76.</ref>


==Status and conservation==
==Status and conservation==
The Heard Island shag population is estimated to comprise about 1000 breeding pairs. It is listed as [[Vulnerable species|Vulnerable]] under Australia's [[Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999]],<ref name="DEWHA website"/> because the population is small, localised and subject to fluctuations in breeding success due to weather conditions and food availability. A potential threat is [[climate change]] affecting sea temperatures and thus food supply.<ref>Garnett & Crowley (2000).</ref>
The Heard Island shag population is estimated to comprise about 1000 breeding pairs. It is listed as [[Vulnerable species|Vulnerable]] under Australia's [[Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999]],<ref name="DEWHA website"/> because the population is small, localised and subject to fluctuations in breeding success due to weather conditions and food availability. A potential threat is [[climate change]] affecting sea temperatures and thus food supply.<ref>Garnett & Crowley (2000).</ref>


==Notes==
==Notes==
{{reflist}}
{{Reflist}}


==References==
==References==
* DEWHA [http://www.heardisland.aq/nature/animals/fact_file_heard_island_cormorant.html (Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts) - Heard Island and McDonald Islands Nature: Heard Island Cormorant.] Accessed 15 February 2009.
*{{Cite web|url=http://www.heardisland.aq/nature/animals/fact_file_heard_island_cormorant.html|title=Heard Island Cormorant - Fact File|publisher=[[Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts|DEWHA]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090912085459/http://www.heardisland.aq/nature/animals/fact_file_heard_island_cormorant.html|archive-date=12 September 2009|url-status=dead|access-date=15 February 2009}}
*{{Cite book|title=Birds|last=Falla|first=R. A.|publisher=[[British Australian and New Zealand Antarctic Research Expedition|The B.A.N.Z.A.R Expedition Committee]]|editor-last=Johnston|editor-first=T. Harvey|editor-link=Thomas Harvey Johnston|series=B.A.N.Z. Antarctic Research Expedition 1929–1931, Reports—Series B|volume=II|publication-date=20 August 1937|pages=226|author-link=Robert Falla}}
* Falla, R.A. (1937). Birds. in ''Reports of the B.A.N.Z. Antarctic Research Expedition, Series B, II''. p.&nbsp;226.
* Garnett, Stephen T.; & Crowley, Gabriel M. (2000). ''The Action Plan for Australian Birds 2000''. Environment Australia: Canberra. ISBN 0-642-54683-5 [http://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/threatened/publications/action/birds2000/index.html]
*{{Cite book|url=http://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/threatened/publications/action/birds2000/index.html|title=The Action Plan for Australian Birds 2000|last1=Garnett|first1=Stephen T.|last2=Crowley|first2=Gabriel M.|publisher=Environment Australia|year=2000|isbn=0-642-54683-5|location=Canberra}}
* Green, K. (1997a). Biology of the Heard Island Shag ''Phalacrocorax nivalis''. 1. Breeding Behaviour. ''Emu'' '''97''': 60-66.
*{{Cite journal|last=Green|first=K.|date=1997|title=Biology of the Heard Island Shag ''Phalacrocorax nivalis''. 1. Breeding Behaviour|journal=[[Emu (journal)|Emu]]|volume=97|issue=1|pages=60–66|doi=10.1071/MU97006}}
* Green, K. (1997b). Biology of the Heard Island Shag ''Phalacrocorax nivalis''. 2. Breeding. ''Emu'' '''97''': 67-75.
*{{Cite journal|last=Green|first=K.|date=1997|title=Biology of the Heard Island Shag ''Phalacrocorax nivalis''. 2. Breeding|journal=[[Emu (journal)|Emu]]|volume=97|issue=1|pages=67–75|doi=10.1071/MU97007}}
* Green, K. (1997c). Biology of the Heard Island Shag ''Phalacrocorax nivalis''. 3. Foraging, Diet and Diving Behaviour. ''Emu'' '''97''': 76-83.
*{{Cite journal|last1=Green|first1=K.|last2=Williams|first2=R.|date=1997|title=Biology of the Heard Island Shag ''Phalacrocorax nivalis''. 3. Foraging, Diet and Diving Behaviour|journal=[[Emu (journal)|Emu]]|volume=97|issue=1|pages=76–83|doi=10.1071/MU97008}}
* Green, K.; Williams, R.; Woehler, E.J.; Burton, H.R.; Gales, N.J.; & Jones, R.T. (1990). Diet of the Heard Island cormorant ''Phalacrocorax atriceps nivalis''. ''Antarctic Science'' '''2''': 139-141.
*{{Cite journal|last1=Green|first1=K.|last2=Williams|first2=R.|last3=Woehler|first3=E.J.|last4=Burton|first4=H.R.|last5=Gales|first5=N.J.|last6=Jones|first6=R.T.|date=June 1990|title=Diet of the Heard Island cormorant ''Phalacrocorax atriceps nivalis''|journal=[[Antarctic Science]]|volume=2|issue=2|pages=139–141|doi=10.1017/S0954102090000177|bibcode=1990AntSc...2..139G|s2cid=84260970 }}
* Marchant, S.; & Higgins, P.J. (eds). (1991). ''Handbook of Australian, New Zealand and Antarctic Birds. Volume 1: Ratites to Ducks''. Oxford University Press: Melbourne. ISBN 0-19-553244-9
*{{Cite book|title=[[Handbook of Australian, New Zealand and Antarctic Birds]] Volume 1: Ratites to Ducks|publisher=Oxford University Press|year=1990|isbn=0-19-553244-9|editor-last=Marchant|editor-first=S.|location=Melbourne|editor-last2=Higgins|editor-first2=P.J.}}


{{Suliformes}}
{{Suliformes}}


{{Taxonbar|from=Q1261443}}
{{taxonbar}}


[[Category:Birds of Australia]]
[[Category:Leucocarbo|Heard Island shag]]
⚫
[[Category:Phalacrocorax]]
[[Category:Fauna of Heard Island and McDonald Islands]]
[[Category:Fauna of Heard Island and McDonald Islands]]
[[Category:Animals described in 1937]]
[[Category:Birds described in 1937|Heard Island shag]]
[[Category:Taxa named by Robert Falla|Heard Island shag]]
⚫
[[Category:Birds of Australia]]

Latest revision as of 03:05, 22 March 2024

Heard Island shag
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Suliformes
Family: Phalacrocoracidae
Genus: Leucocarbo
Species:
L. nivalis
Binomial name
Leucocarbo nivalis
(Falla, 1937)[1]
Synonyms
  • Phalacrocorax atriceps nivalis
  • Phalacrocorax nivalis
  • Leucocarbo atriceps nivalis

The Heard Island shag (Leucocarbo nivalis), or Heard Island cormorant, is a marine cormorant native to the Australian territory comprising the Heard and McDonald Islands in the Southern Ocean, which is about 4,100 km south-west of Perth, Western Australia.

Taxonomy

[edit]

The Heard Island shag is one of the blue-eyed shags, sometimes placed in the genus Leucocarbo, and a subspecies of the imperial shag. Others place it in the genus Phalacrocorax. It is now usually considered to be a full species.

Distribution and habitat

[edit]

The Heard Island shag is restricted to the subantarctic Heard and McDonald Islands, and is only known to breed on Heard Island. Apart from breeding and roosting, its habitat is marine.

Description

[edit]

The Heard Island shag has largely black upperparts and white underparts. The cheeks and ear-coverts are white; there are white bars on the wings, a black, recurved crest over the forehead, and pink feet.[2] A breeding adult has a pair of orange caruncles above the base of the bill in front of the eyes as well as blue eye-rings.[2] It is about 77 cm in length, with a wingspan of 120 cm and a weight of 3 kg.[2]

Behaviour

[edit]

Heard Island shags are gregarious, roosting in groups of from 10-20 birds up to several hundred.[3]

Breeding

[edit]

The birds are present year round at Heard Island, where they breed annually in colonies. Courtship takes place from late August to early October. Nests are mounds built largely of the stipes, roots and adhering soil of the tussock grass Poa cookii and average about 22 cm high, with a minimum distance between nests of 50 cm.[4][5] The clutch of two or three eggs is laid mainly between mid-September and November, hatching from November to February. The chicks fledge from January to March.[6]

Feeding

[edit]

The birds forage locally in shallow coastal waters,[6] with the diet consisting primarily of polychaetes and fish.[7] The proportion of fish in the diet is higher when the birds are feeding chicks.[8][9]

Status and conservation

[edit]

The Heard Island shag population is estimated to comprise about 1000 breeding pairs. It is listed as Vulnerable under Australia's Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999,[6] because the population is small, localised and subject to fluctuations in breeding success due to weather conditions and food availability. A potential threat is climate change affecting sea temperatures and thus food supply.[10]

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ Falla (1937), p.226.
  2. ^ a b c Marchant & Higgins (1991), p.854.
  3. ^ Marchant & Higgins (1991), p.856.
  4. ^ Green (1997a), pp.61-62.
  5. ^ Green (1997b), p.68.
  6. ^ a b c DEWHA website
  7. ^ Green, K., and Williams, R. (1997). Biology of the Heard Island Shag Phalacrocorax nivalis. 3. Foraging, Diet and Diving Behaviour. Emu 97: 76-83 doi:10.1071/MU97008
  8. ^ Green et al. (1990), pp.139-141.
  9. ^ Green (1997c), p.76.
  10. ^ Garnett & Crowley (2000).

References

[edit]
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