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I came across this small tern, noticeably smaller than the white-fronted terns that he/she was peripherally hanging out with at a high tide roost (Taupata Point Golden Bay). Black bill, red legs, different from the immature wf terns who were also present. The little tern seemed to be keeping it's distance and at one point a small group of the main mob of wf jumped it and tried to chase it off (top image). White-winged black tern?

Looks like imm Black Fronted to me but let the experts confirm.

I considered that but the bill was dead straight, no slight downward curve, and the legs were red rather than more orange.

Coming through as orange on my screen Ken. Plumage pattern seems to fit BF better than WW or whiskered tern too. Bill might still be growing?

Cheers,

Russ

Agreed with all those above. Juvenile black fronted tern.

Thanks guys, much appreciated.