The ʻewaʻewa, or sooty tern, nest in dense colonies and are the most abundant tern in Hawaiʻi. They will nest in the same area each year and lay only one egg. You can often find them feeding in mixed flocks, searching for small fish and squid. They have a black back and upper wings with white underneath as well has a black stripe from their dark bill to their eyes. Look for them inflight with their pointed wings and forked tail.

The map below shows hotspots along our birding trails where you might see this bird. Learn more by visiting our species profile page for ‘ewa‘ewa.