Black Cormorant

Maori Name: Kawau

Scientific Name: Phalacrocorax carbo novahollandiae

The Black Cormorant is one of four species of Cormorant that has been recorded on the Styx River, and is one of only two species that recorded on the freshwater stretches (the little cormorant shares this trait).

The Black Cormorant, also known as the Black Shag in New Zealand, is a very wide spread and common bird world wide. 

They generally nest on cliffs or trees in a nest of seaweed or twigs, and produce so much potent guano that they eventually kill the trees they roost in regularly.