Fauna: White Tern
White tern at Honolulu Harbor. 17 June 2020.
White Tern (Gygis alba)
Hawaiian Name: Manu o Kū (Kū’s bird)
White terns, also known as fairy terns, are a common sight at Honolulu Harbor. They often fly in pairs high overhead or above the water.
These small, native seabirds are notable for their nesting habits. They do not build nests. Instead, the female lays a single egg directly on to a large, bare tree branch or a suitable flat (natural or man-made) surface.
In 2007, the white tern was designated as the official bird of the City and County of Honolulu.
You can learn more about this fascinating bird at Hui Manu-o-Kū’s website.
A white tern with Matson’s ship Kauai in the background. 24 June 2018.
A white tern perched on a plumeria tree branch in Tamarind Park, downtown Honolulu. 29 May 2021.
A white tern chick on a breadfruit tree branch at Pier 7, Honolulu Harbor. 10 April 2022.
Edit: Added white tern in tree image (18 July 2021); white tern chick in tree (27 November 2024).
