Elegant Tern vs Royal Tern

In short

Elegant Terns and Royal Terns are both medium-sized terns with long, slender bills and similar plumage, making them challenging to differentiate. The Elegant Tern is best identified by its longer, more slender orange bill and a distinctive shaggy crest. In contrast, the Royal Tern has a thicker, slightly shorter orange bill and a less pronounced crest.

Identification tips

1. Bill Shape: Elegant Terns have longer, more slender orange bills, while Royal Terns have thicker, slightly shorter orange bills. 2. Crest: Look for the shaggy crest of the Elegant Tern, which is more pronounced than the Royal Tern's. 3. Plumage: In breeding season, Elegant Terns may show a pinkish wash on the belly. 4. Size and Structure: Royal Terns are slightly larger and bulkier. 5. Habitat: Consider the location; Elegant Terns are more likely in Mexico, while Royal Terns are found in the U.S. coastal areas.

Size

Both species are similar in size, but the Royal Tern is slightly larger and bulkier than the Elegant Tern.

Plumage

Elegant Terns have a more pronounced shaggy crest and a subtle pinkish wash on the belly during the breeding season. Royal Terns have a cleaner white appearance and a less pronounced crest.

Behaviour

Both species are social and often found in large flocks. Elegant Terns tend to nest in tighter groups compared to the more spaced-out nesting of Royal Terns.

Habitat

Elegant Terns primarily breed on islands off the coast of Mexico, while Royal Terns prefer isolated sites, often on dredge-spoil islands in the U.S. Both species disperse along coastal areas after breeding.

Voice

Both species are noisy and social, but specific vocal differences are not well-documented in the sources.