Chestnut-bellied Seedeater

A large, pink-footed marine shag predominantly found around southern coastlines of South Island, New Zealand. Plumage varies between morphs: the pied morph has a dark head, a white throat and belly, and white patches on black wings, while the bronze morph is completely brownish-black with a glossy sheen. Bill color variable. Orange caruncles appear above the base of the bill during breeding season, along with a crest and bright blue eyes. Juveniles are dimorphic but duller with pale facial skin and no caruncles. Similar to Pied Shag and Great Cormorant, but has pink feet instead of black and does not perch in trees. King and Chatham Islands Shag are very similar, but the three do not overlap in range.

Utterly unmistakable in its costume of black, white, yellow, and pink. Wide, deep-based bill, typical of the broadbills, is bright blue. Forages at middle to high levels in lowland and hill forests, frequently moving with mixed-species flocks and sallying out from a perch. Song is disproportionately loud, a series of high-pitched coos that increases in pitch and speed, turning into a maddened series of loud whistles. Frequently gives a jay-like “jeer!” call.

Unique smallish wader with stumpy bright orange legs and a noticeably upturned bill. Plumage gray overall with white belly, but in flight shows conspicuous white trailing edge to wings. Breeds in valley floodplains in tundra and taiga. In the non-breeding season, occurs singly or in flocks in varied wetland habitats, from fresh marshes to tidal mudflats, and often apart from other shorebirds. Feeds by dashing after insects and also by probing bill in mud, like a mini-godwit.