NEW ZEALAND KING SHAG, QUEEN CHARLOTTE SOUND, SOUTH ISLAND, NEW ZEALAND

   We can ID this shag as a New Zealand King Shag  (also known as Rough-faced Shag or King Shag) by its black head, nape, upperparts and tail; white wing bars; white underparts; black thighs; pink legs and blue eye-rings.  The New Zealand King Shags with yellow-orange swellings  (caruncles) above the base of the bill are breeding adults.

   The New Zealand King Shag is endemic to New Zealand, only occurring in the Marlborough Sounds  (of which Queen Chatlotte Sound is one).

   The New Zealand King Shag is a new species to our Photographic Life List, which now stands at 744.

VIEWS OF PICTON & HARBOR, SOUTH ISLAND, NEW ZEALAND

SOUTHERN BLACK-BACKED GULL (KELP GULL) ON WATER & IN FLIGHT, FROM WELLINGTON TO PICTON ABOARD FERRY "BLUEBRIDGE", NEW ZEALAND

RED-BILLED GULL (SILVER GULL) IN FLIGHT, FROM WELLINGTON TO PICTON FERRY "BLUEBRIDGE ", NEW ZEALAND

VIEWS FROM WELLINGTON TO PICTON TRIP ABOARD FERRY "BLUEBRIDGE ", NEW ZEALAND

HARBOR & FERRY TO PICTON "BLUEBRIDGE ", WELLINGTON, NORTH ISLAND, NEW ZEALAND