8 Things You Need to Know About Adorable White Fairy Tern

These birds are more than just adorable avians with pale feathers, dark black eyes and really cute chicks. They’re connected to Hawaii’s history and culture, and have become icons of adoration for many of the city’s residents and visitors. Below you can learn more about what makes the white fairy tern so special.

The white tern (sometimes mistaken called fairy tern) is a widespread species that breeds on tropical islands. While these birds also nest on rocky slopes, cliffs and buildings, they are unique among terns in using branches, a habit famously observed on Bird Island.