Islands of Wonder

In Hawaii's busiest city, Honolulu, a fluffy White Tern, just a few days old. (sirens sounding) With no nest to protect him, he must clink carefully to his street perch while he waits for his parents to deliver regular supplies of squid and small fish. (bird chirping) (uplifting music) These birds were revered by the ancient Polynesians. They knew that if they saw a White Tern with a bill full of fish, it was a sure sign that land was nearby. And yet, it's likely the arrival of humans wiped them out from the main islands. But now, the Terns are making a comeback. In the last 60 years, their numbers have risen from a single pair to over two-thousand birds. Busy roads may help keep predators away (car horn honks) and trees planted within the city provides safety and prime nesting habitat. In six weeks time, this chick will take to the air joining the islands now thriving White Tern population. (birds chirping)