Rare Common Tern seen on Manukapua (Sand Island)
The Common Tern spotted on Manukapua (Big Sand Island) by Bird Watcher Darren Markin
The name ‘common tern’ is a misnomer in New Zealand as this species is a very rare vagrant here. It is similar in appearance to some other tern species, particularly the white-fronted tern, and so is very hard to identify. The common tern was first positively identified in New Zealand only in 1984.