GRAY-BACKED TERN-Annotated List 
NIHOA 
Bee. 9 - 16 , 1961 
(Kramer) 
June 10, 1963 
(Kramer & B) 
Not mentioned in notes 
Seen on eggs and with downy chicks 
March 6-7? 1964 
(Amerson, FOBS?) 
(Walker) 
Population estimate 
No* of nests 
No* of young - 
Remarks: few eggs 
One on eggs just beginning to nest* .. [AT night] Many more .. 
Grey-backed Terns .. roosting on ground* **. Grey-backed Tern 
seem to be using the entire North face for nesting, roosting* 
July 2§, 1964 
(Kridler) _ Grey-backed Terns were very common; they were found nesting along 
the ridges and in the gulliws where the vegetation was sparse. 
Young ranged in si^e from very small chicks to those at least one-half to two-t hr ids 
grown. 
.Sept. 23-2 4,1964 
(Fleet, POBSP) 
(Kridler) 
Counted : 1 adult and 6 immatures. 
Estimated total population- 
50 
Estimated population of 20-25. 6 flying immatures were seen. 
March 13-14,1965 
(Banko, POBSP) 
(Kridler) 
Estimated island total population-5? 000 
Breeding: Eggs only 
Banded -: 91 
Estimated 2,500 nests and 6 ,500 total bird population. All nests 
contained eggs. These birds were widely scattered over most of 
the island. They prefer the more open areas and cliff-faces than the Sooty Tern. 
Their distribution on the island ranged from below the camp site almost to the top 
of Miller Peak. 91 birds were banded, mainly in the central gulch from the top 
to the bottom. 
July 28- 
August 1, 1966 
(Heiden, POBSP) 
Estimated number -----—-- 8,000 + 25 
No. of nests ---- -T 
No. of young-- 
Age of young-0-10 days- 
11-20 days- 
21 + days - 
Banded ---- 
4,000 + 25 i 
25 1 
70 i 
24 young and 6 adults 
Population in breeding status, distributed over entire island. 
Nestlings abundant throughout heavy vegetation, though greater concen- 
trations were noted in the more open gorge areas# 
