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Manatee County

Audubon Society

Royal Tern

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Name

Royal Tern

Scientific Name

(Thalasseus maximus)

Why they are special:
  • A large, elegant coastal tern common along Florida’s beaches, easily recognized by its orange bill and black cap during breeding season.

  • Often seen fishing in flocks, diving gracefully into shallow waters.
Size and color:
  • Large tern, 18–22 inches long with a wingspan of 50–54 inches.

  • White body, gray back and wings, black bill (orange in breeding adults), and black cap during breeding.

  • Juveniles have grayish caps and paler bills.

Seasonality in Florida:
  • Year-round along coasts, more abundant during winter and breeding season.

Habitat:
  • Sandy beaches, barrier islands, estuaries, and shallow coastal waters.

  • Often roosts in large flocks near nesting colonies.

Diet:
  • Feed primarily on small fish, occasionally shrimp or crabs, caught by plunge-diving or surface feeding.

Behavior:
  • Highly social; often feeds in mixed-species flocks with skimmers and other terns.

  • Nest in scrapes on sandy beaches, sometimes in dense colonies with other terns.

Conservation notes:
  • Populations are generally stable but vulnerable to disturbance at nesting sites.

  • Protected areas and seasonal beach closures help ensure reproductive success.
Best time to see:
  • Year-round, especially during low tide along barrier islands.
Fun Fact:
  • Royal Terns can dive from up to 15 feet in the air to catch fish, making them spectacular aerial hunters.
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