Little Black Cormorant

Maori name: Kawau Tui

Scientific Name: Phalacrocorax sulcirostris

Also known as the Little black shag, the little black cormorant is more common in the north island than in the south.

On the Styx river, this shag has only been recorded in the salt water sections of the river, not the fresh water areas. The other uncommon, salt water only cormorant on the Styx River is the Pied Cormorant. Together with the Black & Little Cormorants, who are found on both parts of the river, these are the four species of Cormorant that have been recorded in the area.

However, some have been seen in the Styx river catchment, which is fitting as they prefer to inhabit fresh water system, unlike their relatives who are equally happy in salt water or fresh.