Native to Australasia, the little pied cormorant (Microcarbo melanoleucos) has striking black-and-white plumage and a stubby yellow bill. In New Zealand, the species is commonly referred to as the little shag. While most of these birds are "pied" (glossy black on top, white underneath), New Zealand populations exhibit a melanistic morph where the birds are almost entirely black with just a white throat and cheeks, looking like a completely different species. They have a translucent nictitating membrane (a third eyelid) that snaps shut underwater to protect their eyes while hunting.
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