White Terns Thrive in Honolulu's Urban Jungle

0:00It's April 2nd. This is Canada News today. AI-powered stories from your city. White turns, known as Manu OKC in Hawaii, are booming right in the heart of Honolulu. These sea birds have seen their numbers jump more than 50% over the past decade, with 691 eggs and chicks spotted in city. Trees this week. Unlike most native Hawaiian birds facing decline from diseases and predators, these birds are thriving amid skyscrapers, traffic, and tourists. Traditional navigators like Kha Yulani Murphy use the turns as a natural signal that land is near, since the birds hunt at sea but nest on shore. They breed year-round, peaking in winter and early spring, laying eggs directly on bare branches or ledges without building nests. Their chicks cling tight with strong claws until they can fly. It's wild how Honolulu's urban jungle suits them, busy roads and human activity key predators like rats, cats, and mongooses at bay. Nail-maintained trees provide perfect spots for eggs and scarred branches, and the noise

1:03and lights don't phase them. This stands in stark contrast to Hawaii's other birds, where 71 of 113 native species have gone extinct since humans. Array! New data from a 2023 survey by volunteers at Hwei Manu OK shows breeding adults on Oahu have risen one and a half times to three. 1,600 since 2016. The group ties blue ribbons on trees to protect nests from trimmers and shares an online map for bird watchers. As Murphy spots these resilient birds offshore heading home, she draws parallels to native Hawaiians who bounce back too. In a city of 1 million, Manu OK reminds us nature adapts in unexpected places, keeping ancient navigation vibes alive amid the modern grind.