Pied Cormorant

In New Zealand its range on the east coast extends as far south as Christchurch, though this is a recent extension—older books report it no further south than Kaikoura.

The Pied Cormorant is classified as Least Concern. Does not qualify for a more at risk category. Widespread and abundant taxa are included in this category.

The Little Pied Cormorant is one of the most common of Australia's waterbirds, occurring on water bodies of almost any size. It is entirely black above and white below. The face is dusky and, in adult birds, the white of the underside extends to above the eye. Immature birds resemble the adults except there is no white above the eye. More

The Pied Cormorant is a large black and white bird with a long, grey, hooked bill and black legs and feet. It has an orange eye-patch and bare throat skin, with a blue eye-ring and the eye is green. Its black back is glossed green, and its underparts are all white, except for black stripes on the thighs. Flocks normally fly in V-shaped formations and sometimes in lines. More

A colony of Pied Cormorants in New Zealand is shown (below); the North American Double-crested Cormorant (left) does the same. Speaking of Double-crested Cormorant, it is among the most misnamed species in English, as its "double crest" of black-and-white wisps is present only during a transient time during the breeding season (above left), when the pouch and eye color also intensify. More

Pair of Pied Cormorants in Abel Tasman National Park In New Zealand its range on the east coast extends as far south as Christchurch, though this is a recent extension—older books report it no further south than Kaikoura. In Australia it is only moderately common in the eastern states, but abundant in the west. More

The species is known as the Little Pied Cormorant in Australia, and as the Little Shag or by the Maori name of Kawaupaka in New Zealand. The term White-throated Shag is also reserved for the melanistic form there. The Little Pied Cormorant was originally described by French naturalist Louis Jean Pierre Vieillot in 1817. Its specific epithet is derived from the Ancient Greek words melano- "black", and leukos "white". More

The Little Pied Cormorant is a benthic feeder, i.e. it finds its prey on the sea floor. It feeds in relatively shallow water, often near the shore. Dive times are short, around 15 to 20 seconds, with recovery times on the surface of 5 to 10 seconds unless prey are being swallowed. In New Zealand waters it mostly eats the local flounder and other small flatfish. More

Pied CormorantsThe Pied Cormorant (Phalacrocorax varius) is a medium-sized member of the cormorant family. It is found around the coasts of Australasia. In New Zealand it is usually known as the Pied Shag or by its Maori name of Karuhiruhi. Older sources may refer to it as the "Yellow-faced Cormorant". Range In New Zealand its range on the east coast extends as far south as Christchurch, though this is a recent extension—older books report it no further south than Kaikoura. More

Pied Cormorant Size: 65-75cm Habitat: Found throughout Australia except dry arid areas. Often seen near dams, rivers, creeks and other water reservoirs. Their diet consists of small fish, yabbies, and various other small aquatic creatures. Notes: Head and body black, beak pale yellow, underbody white. Breeds all year. For more information on Pied Cormorant see references. Images have been uploaded in low resolution for storage efficiency, ( they do not reflect the true image quality). More

IMG_7085 Little Pied Cormorant, making it look easy? It left ripples on the water IMG_7085 Little Pied Cormorant... * IMG_7079 Little Pied Cormorant had my attention IMG_7079 Little Pied Cormorant... * IMG_7082 Little Pied Cormorant, now I had it's attention IMG_7082 Little Pied Cormorant... * IMG_7093 Little Pied Cormorant, landing IMG_7093 Little Pied Cormorant... More

The Pied Cormorant appears to feed largely on benthic fish. It will dive both in shallow, still water and in rapidly moving currents. Typical dive times are around 40 seconds, with a recovery period of 10-15 seconds between dives. References - * BirdLife International (2004). Phalacrocorax varius. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006. Retrieved on 12 May 2006. More

The Pied Cormorant (Phalacrocorax varius) is a medium-sized member of the cormorant family. It is found around the coasts of Australasia. In New Zealand it is usually known as the Pied Shag or by its Maori name of Karuhiruhi. Older sources may refer to it as the "Yellow-faced Cormorant". More