Elegant Tern
Thalasseus elegans
About This Species
This slender seabird nests colonially on bare or sparsely vegetated ground on coastal islands and beaches along the Pacific coast of the Americas, and can be seen fishing by plunge-diving in nearshore waters outside the breeding season. Its slim orange bill, shaggy black crest and graceful flight distinguish it from other terns at loafing flocks on beaches and estuaries. Breeding colonies in spring and summer, and post-breeding gatherings on mudflats and beaches, offer the most reliable viewing.
Ethical Viewing Guidelines
- Stay at least 50-100 metres from any nesting colony, since terns are easily flushed and repeated disturbance can cause parents to abandon eggs or chicks to predation and heat; use a scope rather than approaching.
- As a Near Threatened species with a concentrated breeding range, disturbance at colonies is a significant conservation concern, and many nesting beaches are legally protected or seasonally closed to access in the countries where it breeds.
- Keep dogs leashed and away from posted colony areas, and never walk through a colony even if birds appear calm.
NTAvesCharadriiformesLaridae
Seasonal Activity
239,346 sightings · 2000–2026
Citizen science records via GBIF
All monthsThis month
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Aves
- Order
- Charadriiformes
- Family
- Laridae
Photo
(c) Ad Konings, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Ad Konings
CC-BY-NC-4.0
Occurrence data from GBIF.