Location: -45° 2’ 5.68" +168° 39’ 40.64"
The Little shag (Microcarbo melanoleucos), or Kawaupaka in Māori, is a small cormorant found in New Zealand and surrounding regions. Three subspecies are recognized, with New Zealand’s birds belonging to brevirostris. Most have black-and-white plumage, but about 5% display an “intermediate morph,” featuring white faces and mottled black-and-white underparts.
These birds grow 56 cm long and weigh 400–880 g. They nest in colonies, often in trees overhanging water, on cliffs, or alongside other shag species like the pied shag. Nests may be reused and are sometimes placed just one meter apart. Breeding occurs from July to May, with peak activity between October and December. Clutches contain up to 5 eggs, from which 1–3 chicks are raised. Nestlings start life with bare black skin, a pink throat, and a bald head, later developing black down before fledging.
Little shags typically forage alone, though small groups may gather at food sources or perches. Males perform elaborate bowing displays during courtship. Colonies range from 5 to over 200 pairs.
Their diet includes small fish, eels, crustaceans, frogs, tadpoles, and insects, caught through shallow dives lasting around 20 seconds.
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