About the Spotted Shag
The spotted shag or pārekareka is a species of cormorant endemic to New Zealand. Though originally classified as Phalacrocorax punctatus, it is sufficiently different in appearance from typical members of that genus that for a time it was placed in a separate genus, Stictocarbo, along with a similar species, the Pitt shag. Subsequent genetic studies show that the spotted shag's lineage is nested within the typical shags.
Source: Wikipedia
Taxonomy & Classification
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Suliformes |
| Family | Cormorants and Shags (Phalacrocoracidae) |
| Species | Phalacrocorax punctatus |
| Species Codes | sposha1, SPSH |
Frequently Asked Questions
What family does the Spotted Shag belong to?
The Spotted Shag (Phalacrocorax punctatus) belongs to the Cormorants and Shags family (Phalacrocoracidae), in the order Suliformes.
How can I identify the Spotted Shag?
The spotted shag or pārekareka is a species of cormorant endemic to New Zealand. Though originally classified as Phalacrocorax punctatus, it is sufficiently different in appearance from typical members of that genus that for a time it was placed in a separate genus, Stictocarbo, along with a similar...
Where can I report a Spotted Shag sighting?
You can log sightings of Spotted Shag on eBird (ebird.org) using species code sposha1, or on iNaturalist.
Related Species in Cormorants and Shags 34 species
More Birds in Order Suliformes
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