Caspian tern

Commonly seen over the bays and harbour, easy to pick out by its bright red bill.

Story

The world's largest tern may be a newcomer here. Evidence suggests it colonised New Zealand recently, or was very restricted, until the early twentieth century. It now hunts the sheltered bays and harbours of all the main islands.

Behaviour

Caspian terns usually hunt alone. They cruise up to 15 m above the water, then dive steeply, often vanishing below the surface, and swallow their mullet, piper or smelt in flight. Their guttural call often comes first.