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Thalasseus maxima (Boddaert, 1783)
Royal Tern
Synonym(s): Sterna maxima
Florida native
Royal terns breed in select coastal areas along the southeast coast from Texas to Maryland, including Florida. They can be found year-round on both coasts from central California and North Carolina through parts of Mexico's coasts and much of coastal Central America. During migration they may stray north as far as Massachusetts.
Adults have black legs, a substantial bill and a mostly even-toned gray back. Breeding plumage includes a shaggy black cap and bright orange bill. Non-breeding adults have a less brilliant yellowish-orange bill and a white forehead. Juveniles have yellow bill and legs and a mottled gray back.
Royal terns nest in large colonies on sandy beaches, barrier islands and spoil islands.
Thalasseus maxima is a member of the Laridae - Gulls, Terns & Skimmers family.
Other species of the Thalasseus genus in the Wild Florida Photo database:
Thalasseus sandvicensis var. acuflavidus - SANDWICH TERN
iNaturalist profile for this species
For more information on this species, visit the following link:
Cornell Lab of Ornithology All About Birds page for this species
Date record last modified: Mar 03, 2025
