- New Zealand Fairy Tern
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New Zealand Fairy Tern Conservation status Scientific classification Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Aves Order: Charadriiformes Family: Sternidae Genus: Sterna Species: S. nereis Subspecies: S. n. davisae Trinomial name Sterna nereis davisae
Mathews & Iredale, 1913The 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.
External links
- Department of Conservation: Fairy Tern
- K. Hansen (2006). "New Zealand fairy tern (Sterna nereis davisae) recovery plan, 2005–15 (Threatened species recovery plan 57)". Department of Conservation, Wellington, New Zealand. http://www.doc.govt.nz/upload/documents/science-and-technical/tsrp57.pdf.
- New Zealand Fairy Tern Charitable Trust
- Endangered Birds at Te Arai (Te Arai Beach Preservation Society)
- Future Problem Solving
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