Royal Tern
The "American" Royal Tern (Thalasseus maximus) is wholly confined to the Americas since 2021 when the African Crested (Royal) Tern (T. albididorsalis) was elevated from a subspecies of Royal Tern to a full species. Royal Tern is found on both coasts of North America but generally in the warmer, southern parts, and it has occurred as a vagrant in Britain a few times. It is the second largest species of Tern in the world after Caspian Tern. The wingspan is up to 145cm and they weigh up to 450g, which is about three times heavier than a Common Tern. I photographed this adult in breeding plumage at San Ignacio lagoon where they breed, and occur year-round.
Royal Tern
The "American" Royal Tern (Thalasseus maximus) is wholly confined to the Americas since 2021 when the African Crested (Royal) Tern (T. albididorsalis) was elevated from a subspecies of Royal Tern to a full species. Royal Tern is found on both coasts of North America but generally in the warmer, southern parts, and it has occurred as a vagrant in Britain a few times. It is the second largest species of Tern in the world after Caspian Tern. The wingspan is up to 145cm and they weigh up to 450g, which is about three times heavier than a Common Tern. I photographed this adult in breeding plumage at San Ignacio lagoon where they breed, and occur year-round.