ID Keys: Light gray above, white below. Adults have dark legs,
orange-red bill, black cap (breeding), black-band behind eye
(non-breeding)
The
Royal Tern is a relatively common seabird with a distribution in both North
and South America. In North America, they are primarily found in and
around the warmer coastal waters of the Gulf Coast and Atlantic Coast,
although in winter, non-breeding birds are distributed much more widely,
including along the California coast. They are similar in appearance
to the Caspian Tern, but are more
lightly built and with a thinner and lighter-colored bill.
Habitat
During the summer breeding season, they are most often found on sandy beaches on islands or elsewhere on the coast. Non-breeding birds are found on coastlines with warmer waters, although they can sometimes be found far from shore.
Diet
Feeds on fish, crustaceans, squid, and shrimp.
Behavior
Foraging is typically done by flying over the water's surface and plunging down into the water to capture prey when spotted. They will also sometimes capture prey by skimming the water's surface in flight.
Nesting
Royal Terns nest in colonies, sometimes in very high densities. The nest is a shallow scrape in the sand, sometimes with a lining of bits of vegetation or other debris. The female usually lays just one egg, and both parents help to incubate it. Upon hatching, both parents take care of the young and help feed it. Juvenile birds often remain with their parents for 6 months or more.
Song
Primary call is a loud, hoarse rolling call, with a variety of other vocalizations.
Migration
In North America, can be found at all times of the year around breeding habitats in the Caribbean, Gulf Coast, and locally on the Atlantic Coast. Birds in the northern part of the breeding range do tend to move further south for the winter. Non-breeding birds are dispersed widely along the Gulf and Atlantic coasts, and are found on the California coast as well in winter.
Caspian Tern, Elegant Tern. The Royal Tern, Caspian Tern, and Elegant Tern can be separated by a few key field marks. Caspian Tern is the largest and heaviest of the three, with a massive thick red bill, broad wings, and a more powerful, gull-like flight. Royal Tern is somewhat smaller and slimmer, with a long orange bill, pale gray upperparts, and a shaggy black crest that often gives it a tousled appearance. Elegant Tern is the most slender and graceful, with narrower wings, a longer neck, a noticeably thinner drooping orange bill, and a cleaner, more delicate overall look than Royal. In breeding plumage all three show black caps, but Caspian appears bulkier and more robust, Royal looks intermediate with a strong crest, and Elegant appears the sleekest and palest with the most refined proportions.
