Shag

• 33% of the worlds Shag species are found in NZ
• They live in the coastal landscapes and near lakes
• Rich marine and freshwater resources are the best habitats of these elegant straight flying birds
• You will notice shags standing on a rock with wings spread to dry out in the sun
• The main shags in the park tend to be the black footed shag, the pied shag and the little shag
• Shags spot their fish from the air and dive headfirst sometimes from great heights
• If successful, the fish are captured in the shags bill
• Shags eat fish, frogs and crayfish, diving for their prey and chasing it through water
• Breeding begins in May/June
• The female lays 1-3 eggs
• The female hatches the eggs and normally the males are not present
• Shags are nervous and are easily scared off by people