Biology:Pitt shag

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Short description: Species of bird

Pitt shag
File:Phalacrocorax featherstoni 1.jpg
A Pitt shag at Pitt Island
Scientific classification edit
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Suliformes
Family: Phalacrocoracidae
Genus: Phalacrocorax
Species:
P. featherstoni
Binomial name
Phalacrocorax featherstoni
Buller, 1873
Phalacrocorax featherstoni map.svg
Approximate distribution
  Range

(Chatham Islands, New Zealand, Oceania)

Synonyms

Stictocarbo featherstoni

The Pitt shag (Phalacrocorax featherstoni), also known as the Pitt Island shag or Featherstone's shag, is a species of bird in the family Phalacrocoracidae. It is endemic to Pitt Island. Its natural habitats are open seas and rocky shores. It is threatened by habitat loss.

This representative of the shags in the Chatham Group was discovered by H.H. Travers in 1871. Buller dedicated the species to Dr Featherston, superintendent of the Province of Wellington at that time.

Apparently never a common species, it was reported as nearly extinct in 1905. The Department of Conservation does have a recovery plan for this bird.

Members of the shag family belong to three groups, based on the colour of their feet: black, yellow or pink. Outside New Zealand, the black-footed shags are better known as cormorants. The Pitt shag belongs to the yellow footed group.

References

External links


Wikidata ☰ Q288868 entry