Royal Tern

Royal Tern taking off near the Kingston Jetty, Georgetown. (Photo by Kester Clarke www.kesterclarke.net)

The Royal Tern (Thalasseus maximus) is found along ocean beaches. The adult Royal Tern has a slender orange bill, a short, forked tail, a black narrow, shaggy band around the back of head and a white forehead. It has a complete black cap only briefly during breeding. It is mostly white all over, with some dark in wingtips. The Royal Tern feeds on fish and shrimp.