Critically endangered, the indigenous New Zealand Fairy Tern (which is the smallest tern that breeds in New Zealand) breeds on a small area of the Northland Peninsula of the North Island of New Zealand. It is a subspecies of the Fairy Tern, and due to intensive conservation efforts, they have increased in numbers from only three breeding pairs thirty-five years ago, to present day numbers of under fifty birds - which includes only ten pairs of breeding birds.
The nests are vulnerable to introduced predators, domestic animals, storms, very high tides and disturbance by humans and vehicles on the beach. The bird is further threatened by a proposed residential subdivision at Te Arai, next to one of its prime breeding sites.
RosinaBloom
The nests are vulnerable to introduced predators, domestic animals, storms, very high tides and disturbance by humans and vehicles on the beach. The bird is further threatened by a proposed residential subdivision at Te Arai, next to one of its prime breeding sites.