adult entering breeding plumage (California, USA; 2007-02-24)


Royal Tern
Sterna maxima

Native Range: North America, Latin America, and Africa

Notes: similar in behavior and appearance to Elegant Tern but with more robust and slighty straighter bill; plunge-dives for fish; nests in colonies.

adult in full breeding plumage; black cap (Texas, USA; 2006-04-08)
pair entering breeding plumage (California, USA; 2006-03-12)

courting group (California, USA; 2007-02-24)
juvenile plumage; yellower bill (Florida, USA; 2007-12-21)

adult in nonbreeding plumage; orange bill(California, USA; 2006-11-24)
nonbreeder; white on forehead area (California, USA; 2006-11-24)

note mmoderately forked tail (Florida, USA; 2008-12-29)
a graceful, agile flyer (Florida, USA; 2008-12-29)

a graceful, agile flyer (Panama; 2008-06-12)
group of four birds in non-breeding plumage (Florida, USA; 2012-12-21)

dorsal view of bird in non-breeding plumage (Florida, USA; 2012-12-21)