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Little Shag
My first day at Lake McGregor was disappointingly overcast. After two minutes of exquisite light just after sunrise (of course at that point no birds were anywhere near me) it was heavily overcast all morning. I managed this shot of a rather timid little shag despite the weak lighting conditions. Details: Canon 350d, EF 400mm f/5.6, 1.4x TC, 1/200, f/5.6, 800 ISO, tripod. -
Little Shag
My second day at Lake McGregor was much clearer, after surviving the heavy morning frost, I found the little shag sitting on the same branch as the previous morning. Details: Canon 350d, EF 400mm f/5.6, 1/800, f/5.6, 100 ISO, tripod.
Little Shag (phalacrocorax melanoleucos)
Kawaupaka
Size: 61 cm, 700 gm
Description: Small shag with a variety of colour variations from pied to completely black. Short stumpy yellow bill, black feet. Tail is shorter than in little black shag. Juvenile browner with dark bill.
Habitat: Estuaries, harbours, streams, rivers, lakes and farm ponds - including areas far inland.
Status: Protected native. Widespread and common. 10,000 to 50,000 birds.
Breeding: August - May. 2-5 eggs in large nest of sticks and leaves. Often nest in large colonies overhanging fresh water estuaries. Frequently with other shag species.
Distinguishing Features: Markedly smaller than all other shags with yellow bills.
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