Sterna albostriata
Other names - Sea Martin, Ploughboy, Plough
Bird, Black-cap Tern, Grey Tern, Inland Tern, Riverbed Tern.
Identification - Small tern with grey body
and wings, conspicuous white rump and black cap. Bill and legs are
dull orange.
Similar species - The White-fronted tern
but the Black-fronted tern is smaller and greyer with no white band
on forehead and has an orange bill.
Range - Inland of east coasts of both islands
south of Bay of Plenty but more common in south. Moves coastwards
in winter.
Status - Common.
Where to see - Inland in summer. In winter
in Cook Strait and coastal waters of North and South Islands south
of East Cape.
Notes - Our only inland breeding tern which
is now often preyed upon by introduced predators.
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