Royal Tern
Thalasseus maximus
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<birdfyi-bird slug="thalasseus-maximus"></birdfyi-bird>The Royal Tern (Thalasseus maximus) is a bird species in the family Laridae (gulls & terns), within the order Charadriiformes (shorebirds & gulls). Recorded measurements include a wingspan of 72.7 cm and a weight of 402.3 g. The IUCN Red List classifies it as Least Concern.
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About
Royal Tern, 45–50 cm, is a large, powerful tern of American and West African coasts. Orange bill, shaggy black crest (full only briefly in spring), pale grey mantle. Piscivore; plunge-dives from 10 m for mullet and menhaden. Nests in dense colonies; often seen loafing on beaches year-round.
Physical Description
| Measurement | Value | Imperial |
|---|---|---|
| Wingspan | 72.7 cm | 28.6 in |
| Weight | 402.3333333333333 g | 14.19 oz |
Habitat & Range
Conservation Status
Behavior & Breeding
Nesting
Nest type: SC. Incubation: 28-35 days. Fledging: 28-35 days.
Clutch Size
1-2
Taxonomy
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Charadriiformes (Shorebirds & Gulls) |
| Family | Laridae (Gulls & Terns) |
| Genus | Thalasseus |
| Species | Thalasseus maximus |
Distribution
Royal Tern has been recorded in 5 countries.
countries highlighted
External Databases
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Royal Tern endangered?
How does the Royal Tern nest?
How big is the Royal Tern?
What order and family does the Royal Tern belong to?
Similar Birds
Other species in the Laridae family