Royal Tern

The Royal tern is second in size after the Caspian Tern (the world's largest tern).

Royal Terns breed on the Atlantic and Pacific coasts of the southern United States, Mexico and the Caribbean. The slightly smaller subspecies Thalasseus maximus albididorsalis breeds in coastal west Africa. American birds winter south to Peru and Argentina, and African breeders move both north and south from the breeding colonies. African birds may reach as far north as Spain.

Royal Terns have a long yellow bill, pale grey upperparts, white underparts, and black legs. In winter, the black cap becomes patchy.

Family:	Terns & Gulls
Latin name:	Thalasseus maximus
Order:	Charadriiformes
Family:	Sternidae
Genus:	Thalasseus
Species:	T. maximus
Size:	18 to 19 inches in length (45 to 48 cm)
Range:	West Europe, West Africa, Central Africa, North America, Central America, Caribbean, South America, Western North America, Eastern North America
International names:
Rybák Královský Czech
Kongeterne Danish
Koningsstern Dutch
Kuningastiira Finnish
Sterne Royale French
Königsseeschwalbe German
Sterna Reale Italian
アメリカオオアジサシ (Amerikaooajisashi) Japanese
Kongeterne Norwegian
Rybitwa królewska Polish
Garajau-real Portuguese
Trinta-réis-real Portuguese (Brazilian)
Королевская крачка Russian
Charrán Real Spanish
Kungstärna Swedish