• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Friends of Midway Atoll

Friends of Midway Atoll

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

  • Home
  • About Us
    • What We Do
    • Board of Directors
  • Explore
  • Get Involved
    • Resources to Learn More
    • Advocate
    • Volunteer
    • Join & Give
    • Subscribe
  • Shop
  • Contact
  • Show Search
Hide Search
Home/Explore & Learn/Plants & Wildlife/Birds/White Tern

White Tern

Hawaiian name: Manu-o-ku

Scientific name: Gygis alba

White Tern
Photo credit: Daniel Clark/USFWS
  • Life Span: > 20 years
  • Wingspan: 70-87 cm (27.5-34 in)
  • Breeding Ecology:
    • Pantropical distribution, breeds throughout tropical and subtropical oceans of the world
    • Single egg laid on a small depression on a branch or other surface
    • Eggs laid year-round; peak season from December through May
    • 1 egg/clutch; up to 2 successful broods per season
    • Incubation lasts around 36 days; chicks fledge after 50 days
    • Chicks receive only whole fish or squid
  • The Northwestern Hawaiian Island population is estimated to be around 80,500 individuals.
  • In 1984, about 7,500 breeding pairs nested on Sand and Eastern Islands, representing the largest population in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands.

Primary Sidebar

Preserving, protecting, and restoring the biological diversity and historic resources of Midway Atoll

📨 Don’t miss out!

Sign up to receive email updates and to hear about the latest news from Midway and FOMA!

We will never share your information + promise to keep your email address safe.

Stay connected with FOMA

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • YouTube

Explore more

👕 Shop💳 Donate📰 Subscribe

Footer

Friends of Midway Atoll

17 Katrina Lane
San Anselmo, CA 94960

Copyright © 2022 Friends of Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge (FOMA)

Stay Connected

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • YouTube
  • Terms of Use & Privacy Policy
  • IRS Form 990