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Friends of Midway Atoll

Friends of Midway Atoll

Preserving, protecting, and restoring the biological diversity and historic resources of Midway Atollal Wildlife Refuge

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Home/Explore & Learn/Plants & Wildlife/Birds/Gray-backed Tern

Gray-backed Tern

Hawaiian name: Pokalakala

Scientific name: Onychoprion lunatus

Gray-backed Tern
Photo credit: Wieteke Holthuijzen
  • Life Span: > 20 years
  • Wingspan: 73-76 cm (29-30 in)
  • Breeding Ecology:
    • Breeds singly or in loose colonies; nest is small depression on ground
    • 1 egg/clutch, 1 clutch/year (egg replacement may occur)
    • Egg-laying occurs from February through March
    • Incubation lasts around 30 days
    • Fledging occurs from September through October
  • Distribution limited to central Pacific Ocean, breeds in Northwestern Hawaiian Islands.
  • Nesting pairs breed on Eastern and Spit Islands.  Extirpated from Sand Island during military era.

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Friends of Midway Atoll

17 Katrina Lane
San Anselmo, CA 94960

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