- Conservation status
- In serious trouble
A slate-grey bird that wears a black cap with a bright orange bill, the tarapirohe nests on the braided rivers of the eastern South Island. These birds are fiercely territorial. Wander into their patch and you’re likely to find yourself on the wrong end of a high‑speed dive‑bombing run. Outside breeding season, they swap river life for the coastlines all over Aotearoa, but they’re still keeping an eye on you.
Campaign Manager
The East Coast Protection Group
We’re the East Coast Protection Group, a bunch of coastal volunteers who care deeply about Marlborough's Limestone Coast. This Bird of the Year, we’re backing the Tarapirohe | black-fronted tern: a sleek, sharp, and endangered bird that swaps inland rivers for Marlborough’s coastline in winter. With only around 5,000 birds left, we’re aiming for 5,000 votes for 5,000 birds. It’s time more people knew this elegant visitor even existed, let alone needed our help. Vote Tarapirohe and help every bird count.
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