Chatham Islands ShagLeucocarbo onslowiFairly large black-and-white shag with pink feet and orange facial skin that becomes purple during the breeding season. Adults have a striking appearance, with a black head and a clean white chin, neck, and belly. The white patches on the upperwing and back are visible both at rest and in flight. Juveniles are dark brown above, with wing and dorsal patches pale brown rather than white. Usually feeds alone, but breeds and roosts in colonies on exposed rocky headlands. Confined to the Chatham Islands, so cannot be confused with other black-and-white shags.Phalacrocoracidae bird family
Order Suliformes · 3 selected species
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Chatham Islands ShagLeucocarbo onslowiFairly large black-and-white shag with pink feet and orange facial skin that becomes purple during the breeding season. Adults have a striking appearance, with a black head and a clean white chin, neck, and belly. The white patches on the upperwing and back are visible both at rest and in flight. Juveniles are dark brown above, with wing and dorsal patches pale brown rather than white. Usually feeds alone, but breeds and roosts in colonies on exposed rocky headlands. Confined to the Chatham Islands, so cannot be confused with other black-and-white shags.Chatham Islands ShagLeucocarbo onslowiFairly large black-and-white shag with pink feet and orange facial skin that becomes purple during the breeding season. Adults have a striking appearance, with a black head and a clean white chin, neck, and belly. The white patches on the upperwing and back are visible both at rest and in flight. Juveniles are dark brown above, with wing and dorsal patches pale brown rather than white. Usually feeds alone, but breeds and roosts in colonies on exposed rocky headlands. Confined to the Chatham Islands, so cannot be confused with other black-and-white shags.
Spotted ShagPhalacrocorax punctatusA slim, medium-sized, gray-blue marine shag with yellow-orange feet and a long, slender bill. Breeding plumage is elegant with bright green facial skin, blue eye-rings, and two curved thick white stripes that extend from each eye down to the side of the neck. Non-breeding plumage is duller with crests absent, diminished but still visible neck stripe, and yellowish facial skin. Immatures are paler and browner, lacking head or neck markings. Endemic to New Zealand, where it is mainly found in the coastal waters around the South Island and parts of the North Island. Distinguished from Pitt Island Shag by neck stripe and by the lack of a purple patch in front of the eye. Other similar shags that overlap have pink feet, not yellow.