These may be of some interest - pictures of the New Zealand Little Shag, a sub-species of the Little Pied Cormorants. Seen today in a (introduced) gum tree on shores of Dunedin harbour. They have a variety of appearances from all black juvenile, full white front, smudgy white front, and just white throat and face.
Variations
Juvenile
Smudgy
White Throated
White Fronted
According to a great website for NZ birds, the little shag "exhibits bewildering plumage variation" - http://nzbirdsonline.org.nz/?q=node/244 .
How very interesting - what a range of colourings.
I love the Smudgy ones, and the white-throated one sitting rather oddly on the branch.
Very interesting, and very gorgeous shots! Are there any other common species of Little Shag/Cormoront in N.Z.? Would make ID'ing an interesting debate at times if so wouldn't it? As if ID's aren't challenging enough at time. Love the smudgy look too.
West Coast Tasmania
Thanks for viewing and the comments.
Hi AnnieJ, NZ has the other cormorant species same as Australia, I think the only tricky one is distinguishing the little black cormorant from the juvenile all black little shag. Not too hard if you get a good sighting as they have different bills.