Photo 70223, (c) Anita363, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)

Attribution © Anita363
some rights reserved
Source Flickr
Original http://www.flickr.com/photos/61897811@N00/379546031
Associated observations

Photos / Sounds

What

Otago Shag (Leucocarbo chalconotus ssp. chalconotus)

Observer

anita363

Date

December 15, 2006 06:06 PM EST

Description

The tip of the Otago Peninsula (off Dunedin) hosts, in addition to the only mainland nesting colony of the Royal Albatross, the only mainland nesting colony of the Bronze Shag (aka Stewart Island Cormorant). These were at extreme range and this is the best I could do -- posting this cropped shot showing individuals for the Field Guide group, since it doesn't have this species at all. You can also browse around an uncropped shot. This species has 2 morphs: an all-black bronze morph and a black-and-white pied morph. From left to right, the 5 whole birds in this shot are:

Pied morph adult (you can see the orange gular pouch), front view
2 pied morphs, back view
Bronze morph downy juvenile, front view
Bronze morph adult, front view (shows the characteristic pink feet and a bit of the bronzy sheen on the back)

Associated taxa
Sizes