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South AmericaImperial shag
Leucocarbo atriceps
The Imperial shag (Leucocarbo atriceps) is a bird found in Chile, Argentina, Antarctica, Falkland Islands and South Georgia & South Sandwich Islands. Rocky coasts of southern South America and Antarctica. It eats insects and other small invertebrates and fish. The IUCN Red List lists it as Least Concern.
See the Imperial shag on the 3D globe →| Scientific name | Leucocarbo atriceps |
|---|---|
| Region | South America |
| Found in | Chile, Argentina, Antarctica, Falkland Islands and South Georgia & South Sandwich Islands |
🏡 Where the Imperial shag lives
Rocky coasts of southern South America and Antarctica.
🍽️ What it eats
- 🐛 Insects & bugs50%
- 🐟 Fish50%
A rough guide to its diet over a year. Source: EltonTraits (Wilman et al. 2014).
Conservation status
Hear the Imperial shag
Recorded by Michele Peron (CC BY-NC-SA 4.0), xeno-canto XC187942. Trimmed to a few seconds.
Questions about the Imperial shag
Where does the Imperial shag live?
The Imperial shag lives in Chile, Argentina, Antarctica, Falkland Islands and South Georgia & South Sandwich Islands. Rocky coasts of southern South America and Antarctica.
What does the Imperial shag eat?
insects and other small invertebrates (about 50%), fish (about 50%). These are rough shares of its diet over a year, from the EltonTraits database.
Is the Imperial shag endangered?
There are plenty of these birds. Its IUCN Red List category is Least Concern.
More birds from South America
Sources: IUCN Red List (via Wikidata), EltonTraits 1.0 (Wilman et al. 2014), GBIF sightings for countries, Wikipedia. Last updated 2026-10-19.