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IUCN 2008: T22694691A93463245
Scope: Global
Language: English
Sternula nereis, Fairy Tern
Assessment by: BirdLife International
View on www.iucnredlist.org
Citation: BirdLife International. 2016. Sternula nereis. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
2016: e.T22694691A93463245. http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.20163.RLTS.T22694691A93463245.en
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THE IUCN RED LIST OF THREATENED SPECIES™
Taxonomy
Kingdom
Phylum
Class
Order
Family
Animalia
Chordata
Aves
Charadriiformes
Laridae
Taxon Name: Sternula nereis Gould, 1843
Synonym(s):
• Sterna nereis (Gould, 1843)
• Sternula nereis ssp. nereis Gould, 1843 — Christidis and Boles (2008)
Common Name(s):
• English:
Fairy Tern
Taxonomic Source(s):
del Hoyo, J., Collar, N.J., Christie, D.A., Elliott, A. and Fishpool, L.D.C. 2014. HBW and BirdLife
International Illustrated Checklist of the Birds of the World. Lynx Edicions BirdLife International,
Barcelona, Spain and Cambridge, UK.
Taxonomic Notes:
Sternula nereis (del Hoyo and Collar 2014) was previously placed in the genus Sterna.
Identification Information:
25 cm. Very small white and grey tern with black cap. Upperparts pale grey; white forked tail;
underparts white; legs orange-yellow; bill yellow-brown; white forehead with black crown, nape and line
to eye. Similar species: Very similar to Little Tern S. albifrons except upperwings more uniformly grey and
forehead steep. Hints: . Voice: Flight call high pitched 'zwitt'.
Assessment Information
Red List Category & Criteria:
Vulnerable C1 ver 3.1
Year Published:
2016
Date Assessed:
October 1, 2016
Justification:
This species is classified as Vulnerable owing to recent declines over much of its breeding range.
Predation by introduced species, disturbance and inappropriate water level management are thought to
have contributed most to this decline. However, data is patchy, and a clarification of trends in its
strongholds may lead to its status being revised.
Previously Published Red List Assessments
2012 – Vulnerable (VU) – http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2012-1.RLTS.T22694691A38884165.en
2010 – Vulnerable (VU)
2008 – Vulnerable (VU)
© The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Sternula nereis – published in 2016.
http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T22694691A93463245.en
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2004 – Least Concern (LC)
2000 – Lower Risk/least concern (LR/lc)
1996 – Vulnerable (VU)
1994 – Vulnerable (VU)
1988 – Near Threatened (NT)
Geographic Range
Range Description:
Sternula nereis occurs in Australia (subspecies nereis), New Caledonia (to France) (exsul) and northern
New Zealand (davisae). In Australia, subspecies nereis may number less than 5,000 mature individuals
at up to 170 sites, with less than 1,600 pairs in Western Australia, a few hundred pairs in each of
Tasmania and South Australia and just a few pairs in Victoria (B. Baker in litt. 2007, D. Paton in litt. 2007,
A. Burbidge n litt. 2007, D. Saunders in litt. 2007). Though it may be stable in Western Australia,
numbers elsewhere in Australia have declined rapidly during the last thirty years. In New Zealand,
davisae plummeted to three pairs in 1983 but, due to intensive conservation efforts has increased and
in 1998, totalled 25-30 birds and 8-10 pairs over three sites. In 2006 this had increased to 30-40
individuals and 10 pairs (Parrish and Honnor 1997, Taylor 2000, S. Garnett in litt. 2007). By 2011, this
had increased again to 40-45 individuals and c10 pairs (P-J. Pridham in litt. 2011). In New Caledonia, exul
numbers 100-200 pairs, but was formerly much more abundant (F. Hannecart per. M. Pandolfi in litt.
1999, N. Barre in litt. 2007). One small population in the Southern Lagoon of New Caledonia may be
increasing (Baling et al. 2009).
Country Occurrence:
Native: Australia; New Caledonia; New Zealand
Vagrant: Fiji
© The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Sternula nereis – published in 2016.
http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T22694691A93463245.en
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Distribution Map
Sternula nereis
© The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Sternula nereis – published in 2016.
http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T22694691A93463245.en
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Population
In Australia, subspecies nereis may number fewer than 5,000 mature individuals at up to 170 sites, with
less than 1,600 pairs in Western Australia, a few hundred pairs in each of Tasmania and South Australia
and just a few pairs in Victoria. In New Zealand, davisae numbers 35-40 pairs. In New Caledonia, exul
numbers 100-200 pairs. The total population is best placed in the band 2,500-9,999 mature individuals.
Trend Justification
Data indicates a decline of 23% due to, perhaps most importantly, disturbance and predation.
Current Population Trend: Decreasing
Habitat and Ecology (see Appendix for additional information)
It breeds on sheltered mainland coastlines and close islands, usually on sandy beaches above the high
tide line but below where vegetation occurs (Higgins and Davies 1996). Breeding occurs at different
times at different locations, but generally occurs from mid to late October until February (Higgins and
Davies 1996). Adults have been observed to conduct post-fledgling parental care in New Zealand
(Preddey 2008). It feeds almost entirely on fish mainly by following shoals of feeding predatory fish, and
is rarely found out of sight of land (Higgins and Davies 1996). It lays one or two eggs. The oldest
recorded individuals are at least 13 (New Zealand) and 17 years (Australia). Observations over one
season on New Caledonia revealed a low rate of nesting success, with only one in five nests producing a
fledgling (Baling et al. 2009).
Systems: Terrestrial, Marine
Threats (see Appendix for additional information)
Threats include habitat degradation by encroaching weeds and housing developments, predation by
introduced mammals and gulls, extreme weather events (which locally at least can put an entire
breeding season at risk) (Parrish and Honnor 1997), and disturbance by humans (particularly tourists in
New Caledonia), dogs and vehicles, either causing the direct destruction of eggs or desertion of nests
(Higgins and Davies 1996, Parrish and Honnor 1997, F. Hannecart per. M. Pandolfi in litt. 1999). In South
Australia inappropriate water level management has lead to a collapse in the numbers of prey fish, and
a subsequent decline in colonies (D. Paton in litt. 2007).
Conservation Actions (see Appendix for additional information)
Conservation Actions Underway
Many colonies in Australia are regularly monitored, and intensive management has led to an increase in
the population on New Zealand. Conservation Actions Proposed
Monitor all breeding colonies annually to assess trends. Control introduced mammals and other nest
predators at important breeding sites. Oppose developments which would encroach on breeding
colonies. Restrict access to important breeding colonies.
Credits
Assessor(s):
BirdLife International
© The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Sternula nereis – published in 2016.
http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T22694691A93463245.en
4
Reviewer(s):
Butchart, S. & Symes, A.
Contributor(s):
Baker, P., Barré, N., Burbidge, A.H., Burbidge, A., Christidis, L., Ford, H., Garnett, S.,
Herman, K., Holmes, D., Lacey, G., Menkhorst, P., Paton, D. & Saunders, D.
Facilitators(s) and
Compiler(s):
Anderson, O., Butchart, S., Calvert, R., Ekstrom, J., Garnett, S., Harding, M.,
Mahood, S. & McClellan, R.
© The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Sternula nereis – published in 2016.
http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T22694691A93463245.en
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Bibliography
Baling, M.; Jeffries, D.; Barré, N.; Brunton, D. H. 2009. A survey of Fairy Tern (Sterna nereis) breeding
colonies in the Southern Lagoon, New Caledonia. Emu 109(1): 57-61.
del Hoyo, J., Collar, N.J., Christie, D.A., Elliott, A. and Fishpool, L.D.C. 2014. HBW and BirdLife
International Illustrated Checklist of the Birds of the World. Lynx Edicions BirdLife International,
Barcelona, Spain and Cambridge, UK.
Higgins, P. J.; Davies, S. J. J. F. 1996. Handbook of Australian, New Zealand and Antarctic birds vol 3: snipe
to pigeons. Oxford University Press, Oxford.
IUCN. 2016. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2016-3. Available at: www.iucnredlist.org.
(Accessed: 07 December 2016).
Parrish, R.; Honnor, L. 1997. New Zealand Fairy Tern (Tara-iti) Sterna nereis davisae recovery plan 19972002. Department of Conservation, Wellington.
Preddey, J. M. 2008. Post-fledging parental care of a juvenile New Zealand Fairy Tern (Sterna nereis
davisae). Notornis 55(3): 159-161.
Taylor, G. A. 2000. Action plan for seabird conservation in New Zealand. Department of Conservation,
Wellington.
Citation
BirdLife International. 2016. Sternula nereis. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016:
e.T22694691A93463245. http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T22694691A93463245.en
Disclaimer
To make use of this information, please check the Terms of Use.
External Resources
For Images and External Links to Additional Information, please see the Red List website.
© The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Sternula nereis – published in 2016.
http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T22694691A93463245.en
6
Appendix
Habitats
(http://www.iucnredlist.org/technical-documents/classification-schemes)
Habitat
Season
Suitability
Major
Importance?
9. Marine Neritic -> 9.1. Marine Neritic - Pelagic
Breeding
Suitable
No
9. Marine Neritic -> 9.1. Marine Neritic - Pelagic
Nonbreeding
Suitable
No
12. Marine Intertidal -> 12.2. Marine Intertidal - Sandy Shoreline and/or
Beaches, Sand Bars, Spits, Etc
Breeding
Suitable
Yes
12. Marine Intertidal -> 12.3. Marine Intertidal - Shingle and/or Pebble
Shoreline and/or Beaches
Breeding
Suitable
Yes
13. Marine Coastal/Supratidal -> 13.3. Marine Coastal/Supratidal - Coastal
Sand Dunes
Breeding
Suitable
Yes
Threats
(http://www.iucnredlist.org/technical-documents/classification-schemes)
Threat
Timing
Scope
Severity
Impact Score
1. Residential & commercial development -> 1.2.
Commercial & industrial areas
Ongoing
Minority (50%)
Unknown
Unknown
Stresses:
1. Ecosystem stresses -> 1.1. Ecosystem conversion
1. Ecosystem stresses -> 1.2. Ecosystem degradation
Ongoing
Minority (50%)
Stresses:
1. Ecosystem stresses -> 1.2. Ecosystem degradation
Ongoing
Majority (5090%)
Stresses:
2. Species Stresses -> 2.2. Species disturbance
Ongoing
Minority (50%)
Stresses:
1. Ecosystem stresses -> 1.2. Ecosystem degradation
2. Species Stresses -> 2.3. Indirect species effects ->
2.3.7. Reduced reproductive success
Ongoing
Minority (50%)
Stresses:
1. Ecosystem stresses -> 1.2. Ecosystem degradation
11. Climate change & severe weather -> 11.4. Storms
& flooding
6. Human intrusions & disturbance -> 6.1.
Recreational activities
7. Natural system modifications -> 7.2. Dams & water
management/use -> 7.2.4. Abstraction of surface
water (unknown use)
8. Invasive and other problematic species, genes &
diseases -> 8.1. Invasive non-native/alien
species/diseases -> 8.1.2. Named species (Spartina
alterniflora)
© The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Sternula nereis – published in 2016.
http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T22694691A93463245.en
Slow, significant
declines
Slow, significant
declines
Slow, significant
declines
Negligible declines
Low impact: 5
Medium
impact: 6
Low impact: 5
Low impact: 4
7
8. Invasive and other problematic species, genes &
diseases -> 8.1. Invasive non-native/alien
species/diseases -> 8.1.2. Named species (Canis
familiaris)
8. Invasive and other problematic species, genes &
diseases -> 8.1. Invasive non-native/alien
species/diseases -> 8.1.2. Named species (Vulpes
vulpes)
8. Invasive and other problematic species, genes &
diseases -> 8.1. Invasive non-native/alien
species/diseases -> 8.1.2. Named species
(Ammophila arenaria)
8. Invasive and other problematic species, genes &
diseases -> 8.1. Invasive non-native/alien
species/diseases -> 8.1.2. Named species (Paspalum
distichum)
8. Invasive and other problematic species, genes &
diseases -> 8.1. Invasive non-native/alien
species/diseases -> 8.1.2. Named species (Malva
arborea)
8. Invasive and other problematic species, genes &
diseases -> 8.1. Invasive non-native/alien
species/diseases -> 8.1.2. Named species (Euphorbia
paralias)
8. Invasive and other problematic species, genes &
diseases -> 8.1. Invasive non-native/alien
species/diseases -> 8.1.2. Named species (Elymus
farctus)
8. Invasive and other problematic species, genes &
diseases -> 8.2. Problematic native species/diseases
-> 8.2.1. Unspecified species
Ongoing
Majority (5090%)
Slow, significant
declines
Stresses:
2. Species Stresses -> 2.1. Species mortality
Ongoing
Minority (50%)
Stresses:
2. Species Stresses -> 2.1. Species mortality
2. Species Stresses -> 2.3. Indirect species effects ->
2.3.7. Reduced reproductive success
Ongoing
Minority (50%)
Stresses:
1. Ecosystem stresses -> 1.2. Ecosystem degradation
Ongoing
Minority (50%)
Stresses:
1. Ecosystem stresses -> 1.2. Ecosystem degradation
Ongoing
Minority (50%)
Stresses:
1. Ecosystem stresses -> 1.2. Ecosystem degradation
Ongoing
Minority (50%)
Stresses:
1. Ecosystem stresses -> 1.2. Ecosystem degradation
Ongoing
Minority (50%)
Stresses:
1. Ecosystem stresses -> 1.2. Ecosystem degradation
Ongoing
Minority (50%)
Stresses:
2. Species Stresses -> 2.1. Species mortality
2. Species Stresses -> 2.3. Indirect species effects ->
2.3.7. Reduced reproductive success
Rapid declines
Negligible declines
Negligible declines
Negligible declines
Negligible declines
Negligible declines
Slow, significant
declines
Medium
impact: 6
Medium
impact: 6
Low impact: 4
Low impact: 4
Low impact: 4
Low impact: 4
Low impact: 4
Low impact: 5
Conservation Actions in Place
(http://www.iucnredlist.org/technical-documents/classification-schemes)
Conservation Actions in Place
In-Place Research, Monitoring and Planning
© The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Sternula nereis – published in 2016.
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Conservation Actions in Place
Action Recovery plan: Yes
Systematic monitoring scheme: Yes
In-Place Land/Water Protection and Management
Conservation sites identified: Yes, over entire range
Occur in at least one PA: Yes
Invasive species control or prevention: No
In-Place Species Management
Successfully reintroduced or introduced beningly: No
Subject to ex-situ conservation: No
In-Place Education
Subject to recent education and awareness programmes: No
Included in international legislation: No
Subject to any international management/trade controls: No
Conservation Actions Needed
(http://www.iucnredlist.org/technical-documents/classification-schemes)
Conservation Actions Needed
1. Land/water protection -> 1.1. Site/area protection
2. Land/water management -> 2.2. Invasive/problematic species control
5. Law & policy -> 5.2. Policies and regulations
Research Needed
(http://www.iucnredlist.org/technical-documents/classification-schemes)
Research Needed
3. Monitoring -> 3.1. Population trends
Additional Data Fields
Distribution
Continuing decline in area of occupancy (AOO): Unknown
Extreme fluctuations in area of occupancy (AOO): No
Estimated extent of occurrence (EOO) (km²): 12000000
© The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Sternula nereis – published in 2016.
http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T22694691A93463245.en
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Distribution
Continuing decline in extent of occurrence (EOO): Unknown
Extreme fluctuations in extent of occurrence (EOO): No
Number of Locations: 11-100
Continuing decline in number of locations: Yes
Extreme fluctuations in the number of locations: No
Population
Number of mature individuals: 2500-9999
Continuing decline of mature individuals: Yes
Extreme fluctuations: No
Population severely fragmented: No
No. of subpopulations: 2-100
Continuing decline in subpopulations: Unknown
Extreme fluctuations in subpopulations: No
All individuals in one subpopulation: No
Habitats and Ecology
Continuing decline in area, extent and/or quality of habitat: Unknown
Generation Length (years): 11
Movement patterns: Full Migrant
Congregatory: Congregatory (and dispersive)
© The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Sternula nereis – published in 2016.
http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T22694691A93463245.en
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The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™ is produced and managed by the IUCN Global Species
Programme, the IUCN Species Survival Commission (SSC) and The IUCN Red List Partnership.
The IUCN Red List Partners are: Arizona State University; BirdLife International; Botanic Gardens
Conservation International; Conservation International; NatureServe; Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew;
Sapienza University of Rome; Texas A&M University; and Zoological Society of London.
THE IUCN RED LIST OF THREATENED SPECIES™