This slender grey shag has small black spots on the back and wings and a black rump, tail and thighs.  The brown bill is long and slender and the feet are yellow.  During the breeding season the bird sports a broad white stripe from above the eye, down the sides of the neck and sparse white streaks (filo plumes) on the neck and thighs. A conspicuous double head crest is curled forward and the facial skin is green.  The non – breeding adult lacks crests and has an obscure white stripe on the neck, yellow facial skin and paler underparts.  Silent away from their colonies, displaying males make noisy grunts and guttural sounds but females remain silent.

Small fish (ahuru, red cod, gudgeon, bullies, sprat, squid) and marine invertebrates make up their diet.

The Spotted Shag nests in colonies of 10 – 700 pairs located on coastal cliff edges or rocky islets.  The breeding season is variable from year to year and in different parts of New Zealand.  In the Hauraki Gulf peaks of laying are in March, August and December.  The nest is a platform about 0.6m across made of seaweed, grass and iceplants.  The clutch of 1 – 4 pale blue eggs is incubated for 28 – 35 days.  The chicks fledge at 57 – 71 days.

Photography by:  Dr Kerry Rodgers ©

References: Heather, B.D.; Robertson, H.A. 2000 The Field Guide to the Birds of New Zealand. Auckland, Viking.
Moon, G The Reed Field Guide to New Zealand Birds.