From Opus

Phalacrocorax punctatus

Photo by janha
Photo taken: Bluff, New Zealand.

[edit] Identification

70cm. Black-spotted, greenish-grey upperparts, a greenish-black head and back and a broad white stripe down the sides of the neck. The facial skin is green and the feet are yellow. In nuptial phase the bird sports two prominent crests on forehead and nape.

[edit] Distribution

New Zealand.

[edit] Taxonomy

There are two subspecies the Spotted Shag S.p.punctatus which is locally distributed in the North Is and the northern and eastern South Island and the Blue Shag S.p.steadi which breeds around Stewart Island and Fiordland.

[edit] Habitat

Marine birds, coastal cliffs or on rocky islets.

[edit] Behaviour

They nest in colonies of 10-700 pairs on ledges of cliffs. The nest is a platform about 0.6m across made of seaweed, grass and iceplants. The clutch of 1 – 4 pale blue eggs is incubated for 28 – 35 days. The chicks fledge at 57 – 71 days. The young are fed by both parents while in the nest.

The diet includes small fish and crustaceans.

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