Stewart Shag

Leucocarbo colensoi

The Stewart Shag is a species of cormorant endemic to New Zealand, specifically found in the Chatham Islands and the subantarctic Auckland Islands. It is a medium-sized seabird with a distinctive black and white plumage, a long neck, and a hooked bill. These shags are often found in coastal areas, nesting on rocky cliffs and foraging in shallow marine waters. They are skilled divers, using their webbed feet to propel themselves underwater in search of fish and other small marine creatures. The Stewart Shag is known for its strong territorial behavior during the breeding season, with pairs fiercely defending their nesting sites.

Habitat: Coastal areas, rocky cliffs, shallow marine waters