Great Cormorant

Māpunga is New Zealand’s largest widespread shag, usually seen alone or in small groups beside fresh or salt water. Adults are black with cream-white cheeks, yellow facial skin and green eyes; little black shag is smaller and lacks yellow facial skin.

It occurs sparsely from Northland to Rakiura/Stewart Island and the Chathams, using habitats from harbours to subalpine lakes. Māpunga usually dive alone in water less than 3 m deep for fish up to about 35 cm, and pairs build large stick nests.

Great cormorant is At Risk — Relict (NZ Threat Classification). Fishing hooks, set nets, disturbance and occasional shooting kill birds. Large lakes, rivers and urban estuaries throughout New Zealand hold birds year-round.