Imperial Shags are
medium-sized,black & white marine birds found in sub-antarctic region.They are also known as Antarctic Shag or Blue-eyed shag.They have a ring of
blue skin around the eyes.They are strong swimmers & proficient predators
of fish.They have bones heavier than other seabirds which along with lack of
body fats help to float on water.
They have glossy black
feathers covering most of the body parts & a white body & neck.
They maintain a nest year
round where the sea remains ice-free.They don't venture too far from the
nest.Their nests are composed of mud,guano & vegetations.
Females lay2-3 eggs.Both the
parents take turn in incubating the eggs for around 28days.
Imperial shags have a total
length of 28 to 31 inches & weigh 1.8 to 3.5 kgs.They have wingspan of
49inches.They feed on marine worms,fish,squid & other mollusks.
They are native to sub-Antarctic
Islands,the Antarctic peninsula & south America.They inhabit rocky coasts
& islands surrounded by deep,sub-Antarctic waters.They can live 12-15years.
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