Spotted Shag
Phalacrocorax punctatus
- KingdomAnimalia (Animals)
- PhylumChordata (Cordats)
- ClassAves (Aus)
- OrderSuliformes
- FamilyPhalacrocoracidae (Corbs marins)
- GenusPhalacrocorax (Typical Old World Cormorants)
- SpeciesPhalacrocorax punctatus (Spotted Shag)
The spotted shag or pārekareka (Phalacrocorax punctatus) is a species of cormorant endemic to New Zealand. Though originally classified as Phalacrocorax punctatus, it is sufficiently different in appearance from typical members of that genus that for a time it was placed in a separate genus, Stictocarbo, along with a similar species, the Pitt shag. Subsequent genetic studies show that the spotted shag's lineage is nested within the typical shags. Wikipedia →
10–20% of wildlife watchers report a Spotted Shag sighting in Fiordland National Park, based on 171 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.
Closest Relatives at Fiordland National Park
📅 Monthly Probability
☀️ When They're Spotted
Most active during daytime hours (6am–6pm) · across all parks (global)
Global Distribution
Where this species is recorded worldwide. Restricted to human observations from 2019 onwards — the same kind of record and the same period the probabilities on this page are built from, so collar-tracking studies, camera-trap arrays and museum specimens are excluded. Around Santa Rosa that removes 5,924 GPS fixes from a handful of tagged jaguars.
where this species is recorded (GBIF density — it tracks where observers go, not how likely a sighting is) · parks where it occurs — tap a pin for the sighting probability there
Parks Where Found
| # | Park | Country | Probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rakiura National Park | 🇳🇿 New Zealand | |
| 2 | Abel Tasman National Park | 🇳🇿 New Zealand | |
| 3 | Fiordland National Park | 🇳🇿 New Zealand |
Quick answers
What are the chances of seeing a Spotted Shag in Fiordland National Park?
About 10% of wildlife watchers report a Spotted Shag sighting in Fiordland National Park, based on 171 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.
When is the best time to see Spotted Shag in Fiordland National Park?
April has the highest sighting rate for Spotted Shag in Fiordland National Park in our monthly data.