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MarineScrapeLarge · 415 g
ID tip
This is a large tern, second only to the Caspian tern among terns in the Americas, but is unlikely to be confused with this "carrot-billed" giant, which has extensive dark underwing patches. Adults have an average wingspan of 130 cm (51 in) for both sexes, with a range from 125–135 cm (49–53 in). Its bill-to-tail length ranges from 45–50 cm (18–20 in) and the weight is anywhere from 350–500 g (12–18 oz). The Old World West African crested tern T. albididorsalis and greater crested tern T.
Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
When to see the Royal Tern
One bar for each month, and every month is filled: this bird is recorded here in all twelve. The wide bar is April, the month with the most records.
Where to see the Royal Tern
The map shades 52 countries with regular records, and 12 more in a lighter tone where the bird turns up only as a stray. Everything unshaded has no records. Countries are listed below the map.
Recorded as a rare visitor in Canada, France, United Kingdom, Chile, Ireland, Australia, Germany, Côte d’Ivoire, Guernsey, Namibia, St. Pierre & Miquelon, Norway.
About the Royal Tern
The royal tern is a tern in the family Laridae. The species is endemic to the Americas, though vagrants have been identified in Europe.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
Easily confused with
Sandwich TernThalasseus sandvicensisThis is a medium-large tern, 36–41 cm (14–16 in) long with an 95–105 cm (37–41 in) wingspan, which is unlikely to be confused within most of its range.
Greater Crested TernThalasseus bergiiThe greater crested tern is a large tern with a long (5.4–6.5 cm or 2.1–2.6 in) yellow bill, black legs, and a glossy black crest that is noticeably shaggy at its rear.
Elegant TernThalasseus elegansThis is a medium-large tern, with a long, slender, slightly downcurved orange bill, pale gray upperparts and white underparts.
Side by side: Royal Tern vs Sandwich Tern · Greater Crested Tern vs Royal Tern · Elegant Tern vs Royal Tern
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