White-fronted tern
White-fronted tern | |
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File:Sterna striata -Bayswater, Auckland City, New Zealand -adults and nest-8.jpg | |
A pair and their nest at Bayswater, Auckland City, New Zealand | |
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S. striata
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Binomial name | |
Sterna striata Gmelin, 1789
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The white-fronted tern (Sterna striata) is the most common tern of New Zealand. It rarely swims, apart from bathing, despite having webbed feet. The species is protected.
White-fronted terns feed in large flocks by plunge diving on shoals of smelt and pilchards which have been driven to the surface by larger fish and are easily caught. Like all terns they fly with their heads and bills pointing down to see their prey.
Breeding is between October and January in large colonies on rocky cliffs and offshore islands. Originally this occurred only in New Zealand, but since 1979 they have also bred on islands in Bass Strait, north of Tasmania. Many of the birds winter in south-eastern Australia, especially juveniles.[2]
Gallery
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Sterna striata - Adam Mark Lenny crop.JPG
Adult flying at Tiritiri Matangi Island conservatory
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White-fronted tern flying past with beak open.jpg
Adult flying past
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White-Fronted Tern.jpg
Adult head markings, note the white band between the bill and the black cap
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Juvenile white-fronted tern begging parent for food.jpg
Juvenile and adult at Kapiti Coast
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White-fronted tern chick standing on rock.jpg
Young chick
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White-fronted terns (Sterna striata) at Takapuna.jpg
Small flock at rest
References
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Sterna striata. |
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Wikispecies has information related to: Sterna striata |