Little Shag

Scientific name: Phalacrocorax melanoleucos
Common name: Little Shag
Maori name: Kawaupaka

Found on all three islands of New Zealand around the coasts and on inland wetlands, lakes and rivers. It is the smallest shag, native to New Zealand and quite common. This is a juvenile as the beak is still dark, as it ages it becomes yellow and the plumage is sooty-black, from a distance can be confused with little black shags. Birds nest in colonies in willows overhanging fresh water or estuaries, but also sited on ledges in river gorges, in pohutukawa trees on sea cliffs, or low bushes on small islands. They lay three or four eggs, with both parents incubating.

A late blip, time to turn the light out.

Night :)