New Zealand Fairy Tern
Encyclopedia
The New Zealand Fairy Tern (Sterna nereis davisae) also known as tara-iti is a small tern
which breeds on the lower half of the Northland Peninsula of the North Island of New Zealand
. It is the smallest tern breeding in New Zealand and is a subspecies of the Fairy Tern
.
Breeding is limited to four regular sites: Waipu
, Mangawhai
, Pakari and the South Kaipara Head. The wintering range of the birds extends over the Kaipara Harbour
. Outside of the breeding season fairy terns form flocks on the harbour, often around Tapora
.
The total population of 40 -45 individuals including 10 breeding pairs is critically endangered. It nests on sand and shell banks just above high tide mark and nesting is highly vulnerable to introduced predators, domestic animals, storms, very high tides and disturbance by humans on foot and in vehicles on the beach. The bird is further threatened by a proposed residential subdivision at Te Arai, next to one of its prime breeding sites.
Tern
Terns are seabirds in the family Sternidae, previously considered a subfamily of the gull family Laridae . They form a lineage with the gulls and skimmers which in turn is related to skuas and auks...
which breeds on the lower half of the Northland Peninsula of the North Island of New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
. It is the smallest tern breeding in New Zealand and is a subspecies of the Fairy Tern
Fairy Tern
The Fairy Tern is a small tern which occurs in the southwestern Pacific.There are three subspecies:* Australian Fairy Tern, Sterna nereis nereis - breeds in Australia...
.
Breeding is limited to four regular sites: Waipu
Waipu
Waipu is a small town in Bream Bay, in the Northland Region of New Zealand, with a Scottish heritage. The population was 1,491 in the 2006 Census, an increase of 222 from 2001. A highlight of the town's calendar is the annual Highland Games held at New Year...
, Mangawhai
Mangawhai
Mangawhai is a locality in Northland, New Zealand around the Mangawhai Harbour. The township of Mangawhai is at the south west extent of the harbour, and the township of Mangawhai Heads is 5 km north east...
, Pakari and the South Kaipara Head. The wintering range of the birds extends over the Kaipara Harbour
Kaipara Harbour
Kaipara Harbour is a large enclosed harbour estuary complex on the north western side of the North Island of New Zealand. The northern part of the harbour is administered by the Kaipara District and the southern part is administered by the Rodney District...
. Outside of the breeding season fairy terns form flocks on the harbour, often around Tapora
Tapora
-Locating Tapora:Tapora is a locality on the Okahukura Peninsula, which is on the eastern side of the Kaipara Harbour in New Zealand. It is part of the Rodney District...
.
The total population of 40 -45 individuals including 10 breeding pairs is critically endangered. It nests on sand and shell banks just above high tide mark and nesting is highly vulnerable to introduced predators, domestic animals, storms, very high tides and disturbance by humans on foot and in vehicles on the beach. The bird is further threatened by a proposed residential subdivision at Te Arai, next to one of its prime breeding sites.