White-winged Black Tern

1. Breeding adults are black with white wings; non-breeding birds are pale with dark eye patches

2. Exceptionally buoyant, swallow-like flight pattern

3. Short, stubby black bill, noticeably smaller than other tern species

White-winged Black Terns are primarily summer visitors to New Zealand, with most birds arriving from northern hemisphere breeding grounds. They're insect specialists, catching their prey on the wing with remarkable agility. While breeding is rare in New Zealand, a few pairs have nested here, always in association with colonies of native tern species.

Look for White-winged Black Terns in shallow coastal wetlands or along braided riverbeds, particularly in the South Island. They're most active during daylight hours, often seen in the company of other tern species. The best time to spot them is during the New Zealand summer when northern hemisphere migrants visit. Focus on areas with abundant aquatic insects, and watch for their distinctive flight pattern just above the water's surface.

The White-winged Black Tern has no specific Māori name, reflecting its status as an uncommon visitor rather than a resident species. Its presence in New Zealand was first recorded in the early 20th century, and since then, it has captured the imagination of birdwatchers as a symbol of the remarkable journeys undertaken by migratory birds.