Growing up in Chicago, seabirds were not something that I normally encountered. Here in Hawai`i, we are blessed with a number of species that regularly visit our shores. And this species in particular we on O`ahu are quite proud of.

While quite common elsewhere in the Pacific and especially the northwest Hawaiian islands, Manu-O-Ku (Gyrgis alba) has a uniquely restricted range in the main Hawaiian islands. Their main population is in the urban core of Honolulu. They along with the kolea, are one of the few native species that one will easily come across while visiting O`ahu.

I mentioned them in a post about 15 years ago, and the population has only grown since then. This pair were sitting on a egg for a while on a tree above a sidewalk and I was happy to see that it had recently hatch. Given my work with trying to saving native species and the rather intensive energy needed, seeing the continued success of these little seabirds amongst the urban hustle and bustle with little aid gives me all the more resolve to keep going. Small efforts like planting baby plants and watching baby seabirds thrive.