Royal Tern

Sterna maxima

Royal Terns gather into large, tightly packed colonies on sandy beaches to breed. Their nests are sometimes washed away by storm waters, but the birds usually make a second nest often at a new location. This species has fewer young than other terns. It feeds almost entirely on small fish.

Look For : A black-capped tern with gray wings and back; larger than the Common Tern and doesn't have black tip on orange-red bill.

Length : 18-21".

Habitat : Sandy beaches by salt water.

Range : Eastern and southern coasts.