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Story: Shags

Pitt Island shags

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Pitt Island shags

The Pitt Island shag has lime-green facial marking and fine, white-flecked neck feathers during breeding. Like the spotted shag it has a double crest and black points on its wing feathers. It nests in coastal cliffs. These eroded pockets in volcanic rock provide an ideal site, sheltered from weather and predators.

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Department of Conservation

Reference: 10038250

by J. L. Kendrick

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How to cite this page

Gerard Hutching, Shags – Yellow-footed shags, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/5416/pitt-island-shags (accessed 4 June 2026).

Story by Gerard Hutching, published 2 March 2009.