FOVEAUX SHAG

Photographed off Stewart Island, April, 2019

1282                FOVEAUX SHAG                Leucococarbo stewarti

NEW ZEALAND              99

Together with the Otago shag were formerly known as Stewart Island Shag, and in its dark phase as the Bronze Shag. Split after 2016. Endemic to Stewart Island, and Foreaux Strait. Dimorphic with two plumages. Less then 2,500 Foveaux Shags remaining.

OTAGO SHAG

Photographed at Oamaru, South Island, New Zealand, April, 2019

1278                    OTAGO SHAG                   Leucocarbo chalconotus

NEW ZEALAND                89

Was formerly known as Stewart Island Shag but DNA testing led to them being split into Otago Shag (found on rocky outcrops off Otago Peninsula, including as far north as Oamaru) and Foveaux Shag(found in Foveaux Straits and Stewart Island). Species is dimorphic, with two plumages; roughly a quarter of individuals are pied and the rest, known as Bronze or Dark Shags, are dark all over; both morphs breed together.