Geography and seasonal movements of the Common Tern in Australia.

Abstract

The status of the Common Tern in Australian waters is examined in the light of specimen records from the mainland, Lord Howe Island, Torres Strait, and Papua, and of limited observations from Queensland, New South Wales, and Victoria. These data suggest that south-eastern Australia is a minor wintering area for the black-billed race, Sterna hirundo longipennis, which breeds in north-eastern Asia. The occurrence of the nominate race, hirundo, is confirmed by banding, and a South Australian specimen is tentatively assigned to a third form, turkestanica.