Cormorants (Pelecaniformes)

Stewart Island Shag

Stewart Island Shag (Leucocarbo chalconotus) (Kawau-mapua)

At 2.5kg this is one of the largest of New Zealand's Shag species. Because of its weight and short wing span it has to fly at 70 kph to remain airborne. Nests on large mounds like chimney pots from seaweed, mud and sticks, cemented together with guano.