Although similar in appearence, thought to be more closely related to Pacific and Indian Ocean Shags than the previous species. Again
it is range restricted, confined to the Antarctic Peninsular, South Shetland and Elephant Islands, the last population estimate was 20,000 birds and stable. Unusually, it occurs in two
phases, but "light" and "dark" is somewhat of a misnomer, since the difference is confined to the extent or lack of black on the cheeks.
Taken Antarctic Peninsular and Elephant Island December 1995 & March 2005
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