New Zealand fairy tern

The New Zealand fairy tern is currently considered a subspecies of the fairy tern (Sternula nereis). Two other subspecies exist: Sternula nereis nereis, which breeds in western and southern Australia, and S. n. exsul, which breeds in New Caledonia. Fairy terns were first described from the Bass Strait in Australia in 1843. The New Zealand subspecies was first identified by Dunedin naturalist Thomas Potts in the Rakaia riverbed in Canterbury; it was breeding in the Rakaia Gorge. He noted there were already two specimens in the collections of Canterbury Museum. The New Zealand fairy tern is distinguishable from the other two subspecies on the basis of its morphology and behaviour, and has a distinct genetic haplotype. Genetic studies found there was almost no gene flow or migration between the New Zealand and Australian populations. == Distribution and habitat ==

The New Zealand fairy tern was noted as being common in the late 19th century. However, these records have been suggested as inaccurate as the birds can be difficult to distinguish from little terns. From 1940 to 1983, the New Zealand fairy tern was known to have bred at several sites along the northern coastline of the North Island. Their breeding range extended from Ruakākā, in Northland, to Tauranga in the Bay of Plenty. However, from the mid-1970s, the population declined rapidly. In August 2018, the Department of Conservation and the New Zealand Defence Force worked to build a nest site ahead of the breeding season at Papakanui. == Ecology ==

Unlike other species of terns which forage in the open ocean, the New Zealand fairy tern is not a plunge diver, but instead feeds in the top 5–8 cm of the water; it can capture prey in extremely shallow water such as estuaries and tidal pools. Adult birds have been observed feeding gobies (Favonigobius lentiginosus and F. exquisitus) and flounders (Rhombosolea sp.) to their chicks, and adult diet may include a substantial number of shrimps. Birds were observed foraging in Te Arai Stream, the mouth of which is a popular flocking for post-breeding fairy terns, but appeared to be getting most of their food from elsewhere. == Breeding ==

Courtship begins in September, with egg laying occurring between late October and early January. Birds typically lay 1–2 eggs per nest. Nests are small unlined scrapes in the sand and are roped off and monitored by The Department of Conservation.Females spend more time incubating eggs than males, while males provide the majority of food to the chicks. The chicks are mobile from hatching, and ready to fully fledge from 30 days old. They are vulnerable to environmental events, such as storms, high tides, and predation. The encroachment of human activity on their nesting grounds (often, popular beaches) is a major threat to these birds. Beach narrowing, mainly due to housing developments and weed invasion, forces the terns to nest closer to the sea, putting their eggs at risk during storms. Introduced predators and human disturbance also threaten nesting sites. 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. File:DOC Fairy Tern photos 18.jpg|Nesting habitat, Mangawhai File:DOC Fairy Tern photos 16.jpg|Nest File:DOC Fairy Tern photos 11.jpg|Chicks in nest File:DOC Fairy Tern photos 19.jpg|Juvenile using an artificial shelter File:DOC Fairy Tern photos 09.jpg|Chick, hand held == Conservation ==

The number of birds had plummeted to three breeding pairs and eleven individuals by 1983, but intensive conservation efforts were put in place by the New Zealand Wildlife Service. Mangawhai and Papakanui Spit nest sites became protected in 1983, and a site at Waipu in 1994. In 2019, there are 45 individuals and approximately 12 breeding pairs. A fairy tern recovery plan was created in 2005, and aimed to cover strategy over 10 years, but the recovery group was dissolved before the end of that term. The New Zealand Fairy Tern Trust, established in 2008, contributes to the conservation effort by donating up to $40,000 annually for predator trapping. == Threats ==

The New Zealand fairy tern has been classified as "Nationally Critical" by the national Department of Conservation (DOC), meaning it is the most severely threatened and facing imminent risk of extinction. The DOC considers that this bird is "probably New Zealand's most endangered indigenous breeding bird." As part of its Treaty settlement, Te Uri o Hau purchased land in the Mangawhai Forest, and signed a co-governance agreement with developer Te Arai North. Two thousand homes were originally proposed for the development, however after opposition from The Te Arai Beach Preservation Society, Fairy Tern Charitable Trust, and others, this was scaled back to 46 homes and a 196-hectare public park. Disagreement stems from the damming of the Te Arai Stream, interfering with the life cycle of fish said to be key to the diet of fairy-terns. In 2019, scientists who have been studying fairy terns at Mangawhai on Northland's east coast now suspect the bird's decline may be linked to the removal of mangroves from the harbour. ==References==