White-fronted Tern

Sterna striata, the tara, is New Zealand’s common medium-sized coastal tern. It differs from black-fronted tern through its larger size, black bill and white underparts. Adults are pale grey and white with a black cap and slim black bill. A white band separates the cap from the bill outside peak breeding condition.

It breeds widely around mainland and offshore-island coasts, then disperses across regional seas. Harbours, beaches, cliffs and islands all support colonies. It plunge-dives for small fish and joins feeding flocks over bait balls. Dense colonies nest on rock ledges, sand and shingle.

The New Zealand classification is Declining. Kaikōura Peninsula, Muriwai and Otago Harbour provide regular close views.