CASPIAN TERN

Photographed at Miranda, June 2017

(*   542)               CASPIAN TERN               Hydroprogne caspia

NEW ZEALAND            48

An uncommon native in New Zealand; about 4,00 birds in NZ, breeding widely; colonies found on sandpits, and shellbacks of coast and harbours, some parts of riverbeds and lake shores. Feeds in off-shore waters.

CASPIAN TERN

Photographed Coffin Bay National Park, South Australia March 2015

542          CASPIAN TERN              Sterna caspia

Australia       (383)

Largest of the terns. 48-55 cm; wingspan 1.1-1.4 m. Found coastal, offshore waters; beaches, mudflats, estuaries, larger rivers, reservoirs, lakes, some inland. Range Aust, including Tasmania: seldom numerous. Not in driest parts of central Western Australia.