Royal Tern
Thalasseus maximus
Large orange-billed tern of the Inlet and ocean, often loafing with other terns on sandbars.
Quick facts
| Group | Gull / tern |
|---|---|
| Likelihood nearby | ★★★★☆ |
| Habitats | Ocean beach, Inlet, Offshore / ocean, Assateague National Seashore, Assateague State Park |
| Seasons (this coast) | spring, summer, fall |
How to recognize them
- Large tern with a heavy orange bill, black cap (shaggy crest), pale gray back.
- Winter birds show a white forehead with the black crest reduced.
Biology notes
- Plunge-dives for fish; roosts on sandbars and jetty rocks.
Where to see them around Ocean City
- Ocean City Inlet sandbars and jetty roosts.
- Assateague ocean beach roosts at mid to high tide.
When to look
- Common in the warm half of the year; fewer mid-winter.
Viewing tips & etiquette
- Compare with Caspian Tern (even heavier red bill) when both are present.
