Royal Tern Similar Species Comparison
Similar Species
Caspian Tern
Breeding adult
Caspian Terns have a heavier and redder bill than Royal Terns which have a thinner and more orange bill. Caspians also have a dark tip on the bill that Royals don't have.
© Esme Rosen | Macaulay LibraryWestern Australia, July 28, 2014Similar Species
Caspian Tern
Breeding adult
In flight, note the darker color under the primaries on adult Caspian Terns, but not on adult Royal Terns.
© Kyle Blaney | Macaulay LibraryOntario, May 13, 2015Similar Species
Caspian Tern
Nonbreeding adult
Caspian Terns have a heavier bill with a dusky tip, unlike Royal Terns that have a thinner orange bill without a dusky tip. Nonbreeding Caspians have a fuller black cap than nonbreeding Royals.
© António Gonçalves | Macaulay LibraryFaro, February 07, 2009Similar Species
Elegant Tern
Breeding adult
Elegant Terns have a longer and thinner bill than Royal Terns.
© David Weber | Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, July 07, 2014Similar Species
Elegant Tern
Nonbreeding adult
Nonbreeding adults have a wider black rear crown patch than nonbreeding Royal Terns. Also note the longer and thinner bill on Elegant Terns than on Royals.
© Brian Sullivan | Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, September 08, 2015Similar Species
Forster's Tern
Breeding adult
Forster's Terns have a black tip on the bill that Royal Terns don't have. They also have orange legs unlike Royals, which have black legs.
© Brendan Klick | Macaulay LibraryMichigan, May 15, 2016Similar Species
Forster's Tern
Nonbreeding adult
Forster's Terns are smaller than Royal Terns with a thinner bill. Nonbreeding adult Forster's Terns have a black bill, whereas nonbreeding Royals have an orange bill.
© Alex Lamoreaux | Macaulay LibraryFlorida, February 15, 2017Similar Species
Common Tern
Breeding adult
Common Terns are smaller than Royal Terns with a thinner and shorter bill.
© Mikaela Kropp | Macaulay LibraryDelaware, August 10, 2017Main Species
Royal Tern
Nonbreeding adult
Large tern with pointed wings, a long forked tail, and a bright orange bill. Nonbreeding birds have a narrow often shaggy band at the back of the head.
© Christoph Moning | Macaulay LibraryFlorida, December 31, 2012Breeding adult
Large tern with a daggerlike orange bill. Breeding birds have a shaggy black crown that is sometimes held flat. Note black legs.
© Denny Swaby | Macaulay LibraryWest Bay, May 26, 2020Nonbreeding adult
Plunge dives into shallow water to capture fish and crustaceans such as shrimp.
© Benjamin Clock | Macaulay LibraryLouisiana, July 13, 2010Not all videos have sound
Nonbreeding adult
Nonbreeding birds have a narrow often shaggy band at the back of the head.
© Brendan Klick | Macaulay LibraryFlorida, December 19, 2017Immature
Immature birds have darker wingtips and a narrow shaggy crest.
© Etienne Artigau🦩 | Macaulay LibraryFlorida, March 09, 2017Juvenile
Juveniles are spotted with black and gray above with a partial cap. Note gray bar across the wings.
© S. K. Jones | Macaulay LibraryFlorida, July 18, 2017Breeding adult
Pale gray above with a long forked tail and pointed wings. Flies with strong rowing wingbeats.
© Mary Catherine Miguez | Macaulay LibraryVirginia, April 25, 2017Breeding adult
Social and colonial nesting waterbird found in groups year-round. Breeding adults have a shaggy black cap and a bright orange bill.
© Patrick Maurice | Macaulay LibraryGeorgia, April 04, 2017Flock
Found along coastal warm waters and sandy beaches.
© Dave Spier | Macaulay LibraryNorth Carolina, April 19, 2006Rotate Your Device to Better Compare
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Species in This Family
Gulls, Terns, and Skimmers(Order: Charadriiformes, Family: Laridae)
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