Kōrero: Shags

Colour variation in Stewart Island shags

Colour variation in Stewart Island shags

Within some species, you will find birds displaying different colours (known as morphs). These different forms may breed with each other. Photographed on Codfish Island, near Stewart Island, are a bronze-morph and three pied-morph Stewart Island shags, warming up in the sun after a fishing trip. The enlarged neck shows they have recently eaten. They also display the purple eye ring and red throat pouch that are prominent at breeding time.

Te whakamahi i tēnei tūemi

Department of Conservation
Reference: 10038256
Photograph by Brian D. Bell

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Ngā whakaahua me ngā rauemi katoa o tēnei kōrero

Te tuhi tohutoro mō tēnei whārangi:

Gerard Hutching, 'Shags - Pink-footed shags', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/mi/photograph/5410/colour-variation-in-stewart-island-shags (accessed 25 April 2024)

He kōrero nā Gerard Hutching, i tāngia i te 12 Jun 2006, reviewed & revised 11 Jul 2016