Pied shag (Phalacrocorax varius)

Almost as large as the black shag. Distinctively coloured, large black and white coloured seabird. Pied shags have a large and distinctive hooked beak. Breeds throughout New Zealand with colonies in macrocarpa and pohutakawa trees being a distinctive feature of northern New Zealand’s coastal environment. Like the black shag, pied shags were persecuted by fisherman, being seen as competitors for fish with fisherman.