Manu-o-ku / White Tern

Manu-o-ku are white birds that dive for small fish at sea. They fly erratically but effortlessly above the waves. They roost and nest in trees or low vegetation or rocks. Colonies live in parks around Honolulu. Found in small flocks or alone. Like the noio, or noddy tern, they return to land daily, so their flights can be used as clues to the direction of land--from islands in the morning and to islands in the late afternoon, though they sometimes leave an island before dawn to return at dawn to feed their young. Non-breeding white terns sometimes range far from shore. Approximate Range from Land: 120 miles.