Adult © Cameron Eckert
Juvenile © Peter Taylor
Adult © County Lister Brendan
Juvenile © Cameron Eckert
+ 2
© Evan Lipton

Stewart Island Shag Leucocarbo chalconotus

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Identification

POWERED BY MERLIN

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.

POWERED BY MERLIN