Royal Tern (Sterna maxima)

Royal Terns breed along the coast of North Carolina and may be seen there year around. Royal Terns are rarely seen inland except after the passage of hurricanes.
Royal Tern (Sterna maxima)
Marco Island, Collier Co., FL
31 Dec 2007

Note orange bill, shaggy black crest, and black legs on this large tern. In winter, forehead becomes whitish.

Ring-billed Gull (left)
Royal Tern (right)

Marco Island, Collier Co., FL
2 Jan 2006

Royal Terns (Sterna maxima)
Marco Island, Collier Co., FL
2 Jan 2004

Note a few Ring-billed Gulls, Laughing Gulls, and a Black Skimmer in the flock, too!

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Created on ... January 6, 2008 | Updated on ... January 6, 2008 | jspippen@duke.edu