The White Fronted Tern is the most common tern in New Zealand.  It has a long black bill and short black legs.  The head is capped in black to below the eye, leaving a white area above the bill.  The upperparts and upperwings are a pearly grey/white whilst the neck, underparts and underwings are white.  The call is a high pitched 'siet'.

The white fronted terns feed in large flocks on small fish by plunge diving. Shoals of smelt and pilchards which have been driven to the surface by larger fish are easily caught by the terns.

Breeding is between October and January in large colonies on rocky cliffs and offshore islands.

Photography by:  Dr Kerry Rodgers © (white fronted tern with fledgling - left) and by Simon Fordham © (right)

References: Heather, B.D.; Robertson, H.A. 2000 The Field Guide to the Birds of New Zealand. Auckland, Viking.