Aug 10, 2025
Day 10 of Avian August 2025, Birds of Hawaii, hosted by @cookiedoves: Manu-o-KÅ« or White Tern (Gygis alba)
Definitely one of the cutest baby birds out there, white tern chicks look like little balls of fluff with big black eyes. The most amazing thing about them, though, is that when they hatch, they have no nest to keep them safe in their tree. The mother simply lays an egg on the safest-looking bare branch she can find and hopes there are no strong wind gusts.
It may seem risky, but the lack of a nest actually helps reduce the risk of parasites and makes it harder for predators to spot them.
*Flowers featured are those of the native Hawaiian tree species Kou, or Kerosene Tree (Cordia subcordata)
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