Colony

Akau Island

Akau Island
Colony Name
Akau Island
Atoll
Akau Island
EEZ
Johnston Atoll EEZ
Island Name
Akau Island
Coordinates
16° 45.717' N, 169° 30.967' W
Species Period Count Derivation Breeding Status Data Source Data Quality
Grey-backed Tern
Onychoprion lunatus
(Laridae)
1964
March
(Breeding)
200 Individuals
Estimated (directly)
Non-Breeding
Amerson & Shelton (1976)
Medium
Survey Breeding Notes
Because high tides destroyed their eggs on Sand Island in late February 1964, about 200 Gray-backed Terns moved to the then newly constructed Akau Island in March and laid at least 85 eggs. Unfortunately, continued construction destroyed this new colony; only one chick hatched, which did not survive. None has been recorded since.