(Sterna maxima)
18 - 21 inches

photograph © Walker Golder

Status: No special status in North Carolina.

Identification: This large crested tern is easily identified by its size, orange bill and deeply forked tail. The species has a black cap in spring and early summer. The cap turns to white with black fringes by mid-summer.

Nesting Habitat: Royal Terns nest on natural islands and shoals, and dredged-material islands. Royal Terns will also nest on barrier beaches in other regions. Bare sand or shell substrate is preferred, but these terns will tolerate some herbaceous vegetation.

Breeding Biology: Royal Terns usually nest in large colonies ranging from a few hundred to over 5,000 nesting pairs. Courtship begins in mid-April and is soon followed by egg-laying in late April and early May. Nests are unlined shallow depressions, usually containing a single egg (occasionally two eggs are laid). This species nests in dense colonies with six or seven nests per square meter. Eggs are buff-colored to whitish with brown blotches and average. Incubation requires 30 to 31 days. Chicks leave their nests when less than one week of age and gather in large groups. They continue to be fed by their parents until they begin to fly at about 30 days of age. Colony sites in North Carolina are occupied from April to mid-August.

Food: Food consists primarily of small fish and crustaceans.

State Nesting Population: Declining, approximately 11,000 nesting pairs.

Major Threats: Human disturbances at nesting sites, loss of nesting habitat, fish kills and discarded monofilament fishing line.

Waterbirds:
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Last Revision 5/21/98