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Story: Gulls, terns and skuas

Ground-nesting birds

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Ground-nesting birds

Black-fronted terns and black-billed gulls are among the birds which breed at braided shingle river beds, typical in Canterbury and Otago. Their nests and eggs are on open ground, and vulnerable to disturbance by vehicles and animals. Hydroelectric schemes and introduced weeds have modified some of this habitat.

Using this item

Department of Conservation

Reference: 10051850

by Poma Palmer

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How to cite this page

Gerard Hutching, Gulls, terns and skuas – Black-fronted terns, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/6127/ground-nesting-birds (accessed 4 June 2026).

Story by Gerard Hutching, published 2 March 2009.