The least tern is the smallest of American terns at about 8 inches. They are white with a black eye strip, white head, and black bill. During breading season, they have a yellow bill and black cap. Although rare in Hawaiʻi, a few documented nests have been found but they seem to be increasing on Hawaiʻi Island and are occasionally seen along the Kona coast.

The map below shows hotspots along our birding trails where you might see this bird.