Bounty Shag | Lee's Birdwatching Adventures Plus

Bounty Shag (Leucocarbo ranfurlyi ) ©WorldBirds

“I will sing unto the LORD, because he hath dealt bountifully with me.” (Psalms 13:6 KJV)

“Return unto thy rest, O my soul; for the LORD hath dealt bountifully with thee.” (Psalms 116:7 KJV)

“GIMEL. Deal bountifully with thy servant, that I may live, and keep thy word.” (Psalms 119:17 KJV)

Avian and Attributes – Bountiful

BOUN’TIFUL, a. [bounty and full.] Free to give; liberal in bestowing gifts and favors; munificent; generous.

God, the bountiful author of our being.

It is followed by of before the thing given, and to before the person receiving.

BOUN’TIFULLY, adv. Liberally; largely; in a bountiful manner.

Bounty Shag (Leucocarbo ranfurlyi) Specimen ©WikiC

Bounty Shag

The Bounty Shag (Leucocarbo ranfurlyi), also known as the Bounty Island shag, is a species of cormorant of the Phalacrocoracidae family. They are found only on the tiny and remote Subantarctic Bounty Islands, 670 km south east of New Zealand. Its natural habitats are open seas and rocky shores. In 2005 618 individuals were counted (with roughly 410 mature ones) and the population seems to have remained stable since.

Some taxonomic authorities, including the International Ornithologists’ Union, place this species in the genus Leucocarbo. Others place it in the genus Phalacrocorax.

Size; 71 cm. Large, black-and-white cormorant. Black head, hind neck, lower back, rump, uppertail-coverts, all with metallic blue sheen. White underparts. Pink feet. White patches on wings appear as bar when folded. Caruncles absent. Voice: Male makes call during displays only.

This species as Vulnerable because its very small population and breeding range renders it susceptible to stochastic events and human impacts. The Bounty Islands are a nature reserve and are free of introduced predators. The islands are uninhabited and are seldom visited, so human interference is minimal. (Cormorants, shags – Phalacrocoracidae Family)