American pied shag

The American pied shag (Microcarbo americanum) is a species of black and white cormorant, most closely related to the little pied cormorant, that originally did not exist, but has since been created by SciiFii and introduced throughout the temperate, subtropical, and tropical coasts of both Pacific and Atlantic regions of North America to help boost biodiversity, making it the only living member of the genus Microcarbo found in the New World. The American pied shag is a small cormorant measuring 56–58 centimeters (22–23 inches) with a shorter 3 centimeters (1.2 inches) bill and longer tail than the little black cormorant; it has a small black crest. It has a pied morph, hence its name, being black (with a slight green tinge) above and white beneath; the bill is yellow with black on top. Chicks have dark brown down, with pied morph having patches of paler down. Immature birds are a dull blackish brown, with pied morph birds having paler underparts. The American pied shag makes a low cooing during courtship. The little pied cormorant is a benthic feeder, i.e. it finds its prey on the sea floor. It is a solitary feeder, normally diving in relatively shallow water, often near the shore. Dive times are short, around 15 to 20 seconds, with recovery times on the surface of 5 to 10 seconds unless prey are being swallowed. It takes a variety of fish prey but an unusually high proportion (nearly 30% by weight on average, and up to 80% in some individuals) of crustaceans. In Californian waters it is most often seen preying on the local flounder and other small flatfish. Eels and insect larvae are also consumed. These are brought to the surface to be swallowed: the bird will sometimes put a fish down on the surface of the water in order to re-orient it and swallow it head first. Because of this habit, they suffer some kleptoparasitism from California gulls. Breeding occurs once a year in spring or early summer. The nest is a platform built of branches and sticks, often still green with leaves in the forks of trees. Nests are often located near other waterbirds such as other cormorants, herons, ibises or spoonbills. Four or five pale blue oval eggs measuring 46 x 31 mm are laid. The eggs are covered with a thin layer of lime, giving them a matte white coated appearance. They become increasingly stained with faeces, as does the nest, over the duration of the breeding season. The conservation status of the American pied shag is Least Concern due to successful conservation efforts and the American pied shag's wide range.