Rare and endangered New Zealand bird seen in Australia for first time

A rare New Zealand bird has flown in the face of the current travel bans and made it all the way to NSW.

Birdwatcher Michael Kearns spotted the feathery tourist late June in Newcastle, in the state's Hunter region.

Thinking it was a strange he snapped a picture of it.

At the same time another member of his birdwatching group the Hunter Bird Observers Club, Jon Spicer-Bell, also saw and photographed the bird.

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File picture of a black-fronted tern.

It was later identified as a black-fronted tern, a species endemic to New Zealand.

It's the first time the endangered species is known to have crossed the Tasman Sea to Australia.

The black-fronted tern is commonly seen on braided rivers, estuaries and harbours of the eastern South Island, New Zealand Birds Online said on their website.

The species has a small global population, estimated to be between 5000 - 10,000 individuals.

It's believed strong winds may have blown the creature off course.

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Rare and endangered New Zealand bird seen in Australia for first time
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