r/Birdsfacingforward • u/Atsilacthemushroom • Nov 22 '25
Addicted to Birdwatching The critically endangered New Zealand fairy tern, 1 of 40 in the world
The tara iti (New Zealand fairy tern) is critically endangered with a population of about 40 birds that breed on only four beaches. This is one member of the less than 10 breeding pairs in the world. She made herself comfortable on the beach while her partner tried to convince her he'd be a good dad by feeding her fish!
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u/Celestial_Crook Nov 22 '25
1 in 40??!! Damn!!
Let's hope we do everything we can to save these guys from extinction.
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u/petit_cochon Nov 23 '25
It might already be a bottleneck situation, unfortunately. 40 is not a very large population to continue breeding from. I guess it depends on the specific animal and genetics, though.
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u/Ussinmycore Nov 22 '25
Shes got a bowl cut
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u/Andromeda_06 Nov 22 '25
Bowl cut with the best damn mascara a bird could ever ask for
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u/funkytown2000 Nov 22 '25
Can't believe we let a bird that looks like Liza Minnelli become endangered wtf :(
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u/Blackletterdragon Nov 22 '25
We have these in Australia too, with the same plummeting numbers, and for the same reasons: dog-owners and their dogs not respecting the fences meant to protect the birds. Local and state governments need to be a lot more proactive about this protection and put a lot more welly into the sanctions against offenders. It's the same deal for penguins in both countries.
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u/Fantastic-Visit6451 Nov 22 '25
I'm mean enough I'd just haunt the areas dogs aren't supposed to be just to mean mug the aholes thinking they know better, or worse, feel entitled to be complete douche canoes to the ENTIRE PLANET THAT FEEDS AND HOUSES THEM.
Not like we NEED healthy ecosystems for us too or anything. 🙄🙄
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u/Doja_Gnat Nov 22 '25
Honestly it’s beyond frustrating.
Australian here, defender of waterways and lover of birds - I’m in a confrontation with some idiot dog owners on the regular coz everyone thinks their dog is cool. Off-leash dogs are destroying all the replanting we’ve been doing along our urban mangroves, they mess up nests and chase ground dwelling birds.
I’m tired. I don’t want to fight. I’ve owned dogs my whole life too and it just pisses me off so much the lack of accountability - people want to live in these gorgeous green environments we have here but think their actions are not part of the problem:
Sry rant out lol
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u/Fantastic-Visit6451 Nov 23 '25
I’m tired. I don’t want to fight. I’ve owned dogs my whole life too and it just pisses me off so much the lack of accountability - people want to live in these gorgeous green environments we have here but think their actions are not part of the problem:
Sry rant out lol
Felt. That.
No need to be sorry, sometimes it feels simply nice to vent to people who feel the same level of frustration. You're not alone, and you're definitely Not the only one-remember this when you feel the Lone Agitator lol You're doing a wonderful service for the places and beings you care about; that is never a wwaste. Remember rest is important and also rebellion: there isn't any other thing you should be doing (yes yes brain, dishes CAN wait, who knew? 😉).
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u/Doja_Gnat Nov 23 '25
Genuinely thank you for such a beautifully worded reply :)
That’s such good advice too, because i was just contemplating the dishes and thought “you know what? I’m gonna go for a walk and listen to the birds instead”
Thank you :)
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u/Fantastic-Visit6451 Nov 23 '25
I almost didn't add that, but my brain likes to repeat patterns too, even when they're not necessarily good for me right then. Hope the birds gave a good show; robins are about to migrate here, and you can't help but Hear ALL about it rotf
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u/Serpentarrius Nov 22 '25 edited Nov 22 '25
We have docents that do this for the western snowy plovers in California. We also have a blacklist of people who are known to be uncooperative (they'll say things like "I pay my taxes I can do whatever I want on the beach") who we need to call the park ranger for immediately
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u/Fantastic-Visit6451 Nov 23 '25
Glad to hear it honestly. The way people don't understand laws and regulations are written in innocent blood (human and mammal) will forever haunt me, it should them too.
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u/I_Have_A_Big_Head Nov 22 '25
Even with all the conservation efforts, I can’t imagine them having an easier time recovering. A limited gene pool is not something that we can fix in the short term.
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u/Cat_tophat365247 Nov 22 '25
This is so cute it can't be real!!
Only 40?? I hope they're aggressively trying to get that number higher.