Urban Terns Thrive in Honolulu

0:00It's April 2nd. This is Durham News today, powered by AI. White turns, known as Manu Ok in Hawaii, are booming in downtown Honolulu. Their numbers have surged more than 50% over the past decade, with 691 eggs and chicks spotted in city trees this week. These sea birds signal land to traditional navigators crossing the Pacific, and now they're thriving right amid skyscrapers and traffic. Unlike most native Hawaiian birds facing extinction from diseases and predators, these turns are defying the odds. They breed year-round without nests, laying eggs on bare branches or ledges, and their chicks cling tight until they fly. Oahu is the only main island where they've settled, despite housing 1 million people. Navigators like Kha'u Lani Murphy, who sell to Tahiti and beyond, call a while that they're multiplying in the big city. Volunteers from Hwe Manu, OKC, mark trees with blue ribbons to protect nests from trimmers and share spots via an online map for bird watchers.

1:03New data from a 2023 survey reveals breeding adults hit 3600, up 1.5 times since 2016. Scientists point to fewer rats and cats near buildings, busy roads scaring off predators, and trim trees creating perfect egg spots. Urban noise and lights don't phase them, mirroring the resilience of native Hawaiian plants who bounce back from past plagues. Spotting these birds offshore feels like reuniting with old friends, a bright sign amid Hawaii's wildlife struggles.