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Story: Bird migration

White-fronted terns

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White-fronted terns

White-fronted terns and gannets are among the seabird species that breed in New Zealand and then migrate. It is mostly juveniles that leave, crossing the Tasman Sea to feed along the Australian coastline. Some banded dotterels also migrate to Australia, particularly those that breed in the South Island high country.

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Department of Conservation

Reference: 10033935

by Peter Blok

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How to cite this page

Christina Troup, Bird migration – New Zealand’s migratory birds, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/7224/white-fronted-terns (accessed 10 June 2026).

Story by Christina Troup, published 2 March 2009.