- Suliformes
- Phalacrocoracidae
New Zealand King Shag Leucocarbo carunculatus
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Identification
POWERED BY MERLIN
A large, thick-necked black-and-white marine shag endemic to the Marlborough Sounds of New Zealand. Shows pink feet, a distinct white patch on the wings, and a blue eye-ring. Breeding adults have yellow, warty caruncles on either side of the bill. Very wary of humans and boats. Juvenile birds have dull brown upperparts and light facial skin. Similar to Pied Shag, but white facial feathers remain below the bill, and Pied Shag has a predominantly white face that reaches the eye and a slimmer neck. Also very similar to Stewart Island and Chatham Islands Shags, but the three do not overlap in range.
POWERED BY MERLIN