White-winged Black Tern

Chlidonias leucopterus is a Eurasian marsh tern regularly reaching New Zealand in small numbers. It differs from black-fronted tern through its smaller size and dramatically black body with white wings in breeding plumage. Non-breeding birds are pale grey and white with a dark ear patch and crown markings. Breeding adults become black-bodied with white shoulders, wings and tail.

It occurs seasonally and irregularly at wetlands throughout New Zealand. Birds breed across Eurasia and migrate to Africa, Asia and Australasia. It hawks insects above water and picks small fish and invertebrates from the surface. Flight is buoyant and frequently changes direction.

The New Zealand classification is Migrant. Lake Ellesmere Te Waihora and Wairarapa Moana are established places to check in summer.