Wingspan-wise, the Caspian tern (Hydroprogne caspia) is around the same size as the black-backed gull. The Caspian tern is not only New Zealand’s largest tern species, it is also the world’s largest tern species. The black cap and black legs are typical of adults, although the black cap will fade to grey outside of the breeding season. The chicks are born with a pale orange-yellow bill; the orange traffic-cone version is for grown-up terns.
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