Use of supplementary feeding in the management of tara-iti (Sternula nereis davisae)

We attempted to supplementally feed 11 wild tara iti (Sternula nereis davisae) chicks aged 6–41 days using live and dead gobies, triplefins, and post-migratory galaxiids. Chicks less than 9 days old did not pick up fish placed near them or take food from tweezers in situ; however, one chick rescued at 8 days old was successfully tweezer-fed. Chicks older than 23 days old took fish from plates and paint trays. Supplementary feeding assisted three chicks to fledge successfully, and all survived to