About the White-fronted Tern
The white-fronted tern, also known as tara, sea swallow, black-billed tern, kahawai bird, southern tern, or swallow tail, was first described by Johann Friedrich Gmelin in 1789. A medium-sized tern with an all-white body including underwing and forked tail, with pale grey hues on the mantle and upper side of the wing. In breeding adults a striking black cap covers the head from forehead to nape, leaving a small white strip above the black bill.
Source: Wikipedia
Taxonomy & Classification
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Charadriiformes |
| Family | Gulls, Terns, and Skimmers (Laridae) |
| Species | Sterna striata |
| Species Codes | whfter1, WFTE |
| Conservation | NT Near Threatened |
Frequently Asked Questions
What family does the White-fronted Tern belong to?
The White-fronted Tern (Sterna striata) belongs to the Gulls, Terns, and Skimmers family (Laridae), in the order Charadriiformes.
What is the conservation status of the White-fronted Tern?
The White-fronted Tern is classified as "Near Threatened" (NT) by IUCN Red List.
How can I identify the White-fronted Tern?
The white-fronted tern, also known as tara, sea swallow, black-billed tern, kahawai bird, southern tern, or swallow tail, was first described by Johann Friedrich Gmelin in 1789. A medium-sized tern with an all-white body including underwing and forked tail, with pale grey hues on the mantle and uppe...
Where can I report a White-fronted Tern sighting?
You can log sightings of White-fronted Tern on eBird (ebird.org) using species code whfter1, or on iNaturalist.
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More Birds in Order Charadriiformes
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