Spotted Shag

Description:

Endemic to Aotearoa, the Parekareka (in Māori) has "a long, slender bill and yellow-orange feet. Adult breeding birds have small black spots on their back and wings. A distinctive curved broad white stripe runs from above the eye down both sides of the neck. They have a black crest on the front and back of the head. Bare facial skin between the eye and bill turns green-blue before the breeding season. They make loud grunts at resting, roosting and nesting areas, but are otherwise silent." (DOC - https://www.doc.govt.nz/nature/native-an... )

Habitat:

Feeding in the water near the Harbour Side Grill.

Notes:

An interesting article in New Zealand Geographic: https://www.nzgeo.com/stories/where-are-...