Alternative name: Auckland Shag
- Phalacrocorax colensoi
Identification
63cm. Black upperparts with a metallic blue sheen, white underparts and throat, pink legs and feet, there may be some white on the wings, appearing as a bar when folded, and some males have a white patch on the back, short black crest.
Distribution
Auckland Islands, New Zealand.
Taxonomy
Monotypic.
Habitat
Open sea and sheltered coastal waters.
Behaviour
It breeds and roosts on ledges, on the tops of sea cliffs, in hollows, and also sometimes on flat ground amongst grass tussock or in the shelter of overhanging rocks, bushes or trees. 3 eggs are laid and incubation lasts for 28 to 32 days.
The diet includes small fish and marine invertebrates.
