Stewart Island Shag (Leucocarbo chalconotus): Photos, Range and Facts

Overview

The Stewart Island shag (Leucocarbo chalconotus; Māori: matapo) is a species of shag found on New Zealand's South Island and Stewart Island. The Stewart Island shag has sometimes been split into two species, the Foveaux shag and the Otago shag.

Summary from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Where to see it

Destination guides featuring this bird

New Zealand Stewart Island (Rakiura) Forest, beaches and predator-free Ulva Island with confiding endemics.

JJanuary: Best
FFebruary: Best
MMarch: Best
AApril: Good
MMay: Poor or no data
JJune: Poor or no data
JJuly: Poor or no data
AAugust: Poor or no data
SSeptember: Poor or no data
OOctober: Good
NNovember: Best
DDecember: Best

Range and habitat

Continents

Oceania

Countries

New Zealand

Sources and further reading

Wikipedia: Stewart Island shag
eBird: sightings, maps and photos
xeno-canto: sound recordings
Birds of the World: full species account (subscription)
BirdLife DataZone: status and threats
IUCN Red List (threat status)
AviList global checklist (taxonomy)

Last updated September 29, 2026.