The white-fronted tern (Sterna striata) is often seen in large flocks along the New Zealand coastline. Their relationship with fish is complicated: the white-fronted tern is also known as the kahawai bird, from its habit of flocking over shoals of kawahai. It’s not the kahawai, they’re interested in, though, because terns are after the smaller fish that are found along with kahawai. The name “white-fronted” refers to the white stripe that separates its black cap from its bill. Otherwise, the bird is a soft grey on top with white undersides. The Latin name, Sterna striata, refers to… nothing at all to do with the adult bird. Juvenile white-fronted terns have broken speckle-stripes on their backs, and it is this striation that lent itself to the tern’s species name.
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