A large, bulky, broad-winged tern. At a distance, this species may be suggestive of a gull due to broad wings and heavy flight. Alternate Adult: Silvery-gray wings and back, dark wingtips, short, shallow-forked white tail, white underparts, black legs, black cap, and thick, dark red bill with a dusky tip. Basic Adult: Similar to alternate adult, but the bill is slightly paler and the cap is finely streaked with white. Sexes are similar. Juvenile: Paler back is heavily-scalloped with dusky brown to tawny brown edges. Upper surface of wingtips darker than adults. Bill is pumpkin orange and barely shows any dark on the tip. Both Royal and Elegant terns are smaller overall. Their thinner bodies and narrower wings cause them to look less bulky and more languid in flight. Both Royal and Elegant Terns have thinner bills that are entirely orange (yellow on juveniles).

Length: 53 (cm) Wingspan: 127 (cm)

Voice:

Rasping, harsh, one-note calls; juveniles give a high begging whistle. During late Summer and throughout Fall migration it is common to hear adult/juvenile pairs doing a call (adult) and response (juvenile).

Habitat:

Coastal areas, large rivers, and lakes.

Behavior:

Flies over water, often perching on sandbars, muddy spots, beaches, or pilings. Sometimes breeds colonially. Nest is a scrape in the sand, lined with grass. May be aggressive toward other seabirds.

Feeding:

Plunge-dives into water to catch fish.