FAQ
Q: What is The Hoboken Tern Parade?
A: The Hoboken Tern Parade is an event organized by Our Tern and the Hoboken Business Alliance aiming to generate enthusiasm for Hoboken’s Honorary Bird, the Common Tern. The Parade brings together 30 local businesses, organizations, and local artists to design Tern decoys in engaging, creative styles. The “Parade” is the period of time that these artistic expressions will be showcased in Hoboken—from April 1st to June 1st, 2025. Afterwards, the birds will be showcased together in the Hoboken Public Library, and – for a day in June – on the public pier adjacent to the actual nesting Terns.
Q: Wait, Hoboken has an honorary bird?
A: Yes! The Common Tern is a migratory bird which resides over the water and feeds on various species of fish. Hoboken has been host to a colony of more than 50 birds for the past decade.
Q: Why is the Common Tern Hoboken’s bird, and not, say, the Pigeon?
A: While Hoboken plays home to more than 100 temporary and permanent avian residents throughout the year, which are all amazing, the Common Tern is special in that it symbolizes the shared efforts of our community to live sustainability beside the Hudson River. The Common Tern thrives because of the small bait fish once again swimming in our waters. The bait fish thrive because of the microorganisms and invertebrates that have returned to our shores. This healthy system has reTERNED because of the collective efforts of our residents, and all of this is symbolized in the graceful Terns flying above and thriving beside our city. Read more here.
Q: Ok, but what about the high school mascot, the Redwing? Why isn’t that Hoboken’s official bird?
A: While the Redwing is a terrific mascot, it is not actually a bird! The Redwing was an iteration of the Detroit Red Wings Flaming Wheel, and over the years, Hoboken artists detached the wings from the wheel and transformed the symbol into a mythical Mile Square Bird. Read the full story about this transformation here on HobokenGirl.
Q: How can I stay up-to-date on Hoboken’s Honorary Bird, The Common Tern?
A: Follow us on Instagram: @ourternhoboken, join our Facebook Group, sign up for updates on our website, and participate in some of the following events running now until June 14:
- Hoboken Public Library: Beginning 4/10 pick up your Passport to Fun: The Hoboken Tern Parade Scavenger Hunt. Fun and Facts for young and old alike with opporTERNities for prizes!
- Sparrow Wine and Liquor: Stop by on Thursday 4/10 and taste 902 Brewery’s Tern inspired creation “Our Tern on Tap.”
- As The Earth Terns Sponsored by FBW: Learn about the remarkable comeback story of the Common Tern Thursday 4/17 at the Hoboken Public Library
- Main Street Pops: Spend time with Our Tern, Urban Arts, Resilience Paddle Sports, and much more at the Earth Day celebration on 4/27
- Little City Books: Stop in and Tern the Pages of some amazing bird books and field guides.
- Hoboken Historical Museum: Take time to explore the TERNiffic exhibit: The Hoboken Meadows, which explores Hoboken’s Salt Marsh history.
- Fleet Feet Turn our for Terns: Join us Wednesday 6/11 for a fun run with a pit stop to observe the Tern Colony near their nesting grounds
- Mario’s Pizza: Pop in and enjoy a slice of RigaTERNi Pizza
- Better Birding & Beyond: Join Mr. Train for birdwalks, jokes, and facts at the Public Library on Wednesday afternoons in May
- Dozzino: Enjoy some great food while coloring and creating a unique Tern ornament.
- Tunes: Stop by and request a song on the “Tern Table.”
- Hoboken Public Library: Learn the answers to the scavenger hunt questions, vote for your favorite decoy, and find out if you won any prizes on Saturday 6/14
- Schmitty’s Pub: Take time to see the Terns together in one space as we celebrate and “tern, tern, tern” with Dave Lambert on Saturday 6/14
- 12th Street Public Pier: The Terns will be on “parade” parallel to the stars of our show, the Tern Colony
Q: What is it your organization is trying to do?
A: We are attempting to develop an artificial island in Weehawken Cove to provide a safe nesting place to bring more Common Terns and other species of birds to Hoboken. We hope this project will foster community engagement and a greater appreciation for the nature that’s all around us.