kawau
1. (noun) cormorant, shag - a general term for several varieties of shags which are medium to large diving birds. They are all black or black on top and white below, with short legs and webbed feet, long necks, long hooked bills and mainly dark plumage. Commonly found near coastal waters, rivers, streams and lakes.
Synonyms: kōau
2. (noun) black shag, great cormorant, Phalacrocorax carbo novaehollandiae - largest shag, black with browner wings and tail and white patch on cheeks and throat. Facial skin yellow. Bill grey, eye green, feet black. Found on rivers, streams, lakes, estuaries, harbours and coastal waters.
Synonyms: kawau tuawhenua, kawau pū
