Black-fronted Tern
A species of Marsh terns Scientific name : Chlidonias albostriatus Genus : Marsh terns
Black-fronted Tern, A species of Marsh terns
Botanical name: Chlidonias albostriatus
Genus: Marsh terns
Content
Description General Info
Photo By Francesco Veronesi , used under CC-BY-SA-2.0 /Cropped and compressed from original 
Description
Measuring 29 cm (12 in) in length, the adult tern has predominantly grey plumage with a black cap typical of many terns. The underparts and rump are white, and there is a thin white streak running along the cheeks underneath the cap. The bill is red and legs orange. The black cap recedes from the bill in non-breeding plumage and becomes flecked with white. 
Size
30 cm
Nest Placement
Ground
Feeding Habits
Black-fronted Tern's diet is diverse, including small fish, mayflies, stoneflies, earthworms, grass grub larvae, skinks, and planktonic crustaceans. It forages via aerial-dipping, plunge-diving for fish, aerial hawking for insects, and scavenging in fields or coastal waters, sometimes following ploughs.
Habitat
Black-fronted Tern's habitat is characterized by riverine environments, particularly fast-flowing braided rivers where they breed on gravel and sandy bars. Their habitats extend to include lake beaches and surrounding agricultural fields, where they forage. Geographically, these birds are found across broader temperate regions with such river systems. During winter, black-fronted Tern frequents coastal habitats, such as harbours, estuaries, and adjacent tidal flats and islands, though they typically remain close to shore, rarely venturing more than 10 kilometers offshore.
Dite type
Insectivorous
General Info
Feeding Habits
Bird food type
Distribution Area
Within New Zealand, the black-fronted tern is found from the southern tip of the North Island, and along much of the eastern South Island from Marlborough to Southland, and to Stewart Island. There is an outlying population along the Buller and upper Motueka Rivers in southern Nelson.
Species Status
Numbers of black-fronted terns are decreasing across its range, and the species is classified as endangered. Threats include several species introduced to New Zealand - stoats (Mustela spp.), feral cats, the brown rat (Rattus norvegicus), hedgehog, dog, and from Australia, the common brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula), and Australian magpie (Gymnorhina tibicen).
Scientific Classification
Phylum
Chordates Class
Birds Order
Shorebirds Family
Gulls Genus
Marsh terns Species
Black-fronted Tern 
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