These king shags are part of a colony on a rocky slope in the Marlborough Sounds. Adult shags are able to live in three worlds: sky, water and land. Compromises have to be struck between these requirements, and the birds are least adept at walking. However, land offers a dry surface for building nests for their eggs and chicks, until they too are capable of flying and swimming. King shags are rare, and the population is vulnerable to human disturbance of various kinds.
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Reference: 10038112
by Andy Cox
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