Pied shag in a bathing frenzy

Pied shag on the Avon River in Christchurch NZ washing the salt water from its wings prior to drying them. It has a favourite spot high in a willow tree where it sits at low tide drying its wings and resting till the tide comes in.

The water here is slightly brackish, and there are black and pied shags often spotted around the river and perching in the trees.

Shags have no oil gland so when their wings get wet they have to spend time drying them. The fact they have no oil on their wings helps with diving.

Maori name: Kawaupaka
Scientific name:Kawaupaka Microcarbo melanoleucos