White Terns Thrive in Honolulu's Urban Landscape

Native Hawaiian seabird population grows over 50% in Honolulu's concrete jungle

Apr. 2, 2026 at 9:51am

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A seabird native to Hawaii, the white tern, is surprisingly thriving in the middle of Honolulu's dense urban environment, with the number of adult breeding birds increasing by more than 50% in recent years. These graceful seabirds, traditionally seen by Polynesian navigators as a sign of land, have adapted to nesting on the branches of trees and buildings in the city's concrete jungle.

Why it matters

The white tern's ability to adapt to Honolulu's urban landscape is an unexpected ecological success story, showcasing the resilience of native Hawaiian species and the potential for coexistence between wildlife and dense human development. This trend challenges assumptions about the incompatibility of cities and nature, providing hope for conserving other threatened species in similar environments.

The details

White terns, also known as fairy terns, have historically nested in the forests and coastlines of the Hawaiian islands. But in recent decades, the birds have increasingly made their homes in the trees, ledges and other nooks and crannies of buildings and infrastructure across Honolulu. Researchers attribute this shift to the terns' opportunistic foraging and nesting behaviors, as well as the lack of predators in the urban setting.

  • The white tern population in Honolulu has increased by over 50% in the last 10 years.
  • Researchers first documented white terns nesting in urban Honolulu in the 1980s.

The players

Kaʻiulani Murphy

A traditional Polynesian voyaging canoe guide who recognizes the white tern as a sign of land when navigating the Pacific Ocean.

Melody Bentz

A photographer who has captured images of white terns nesting on the University of Hawaii at Manoa campus in Honolulu.

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What they’re saying

“Kaʻiulani Murphy is quick to spot white terns flapping their wings when she's guiding Polynesian voyaging canoes across the Pacific.”

— Kaʻiulani Murphy, Polynesian voyaging canoe guide

The takeaway

The white tern's successful adaptation to Honolulu's urban environment demonstrates the potential for native species to thrive alongside human development, challenging assumptions about the incompatibility of cities and nature. This ecological success story provides hope for conserving other threatened species in similar settings.