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Royal Tern | Sterna maxima
The Royal Tern is a Southern African bird that belongs to the Laridae bird family group which includes birds such as Typical Shrikes. The description for the Royal Tern (Latin name Sterna maxima) can be found in the 7th Edition of the Roberts Birds of Southern Africa. The Sterna maxima can be quickly identified by its unique Roberts identification number of 323 and the detailed description of this bird is on page 452. You will find a picture of the Royal Tern on page 417. NOTE: The reference for the information following is "Roberts Birds of Southern Africa", 7th Edition*. This edition contained a number of taxonomic changes as well as changes to English names used traditionally and in earlier editions of most bird books in South Africa. The following paragraph notes such changes if any. There have been no changes in the common name between the Roberts 6th and Roberts 7th Edition. There have been no changes in the Latin name for the Royal Tern between the Roberts 6th and Roberts 7th Edition The Royal Tern has a height of 47 cms and weighs around 400 gms. The head is coloured black while the bill is coloured orange. The Sterna maxima has a white coloured throat, black legs and a grey coloured back. The eyes are brown. Take note of the main distinguishing features such as colour, size and leg length relative to the body size. Colours of body parts can be helpful. Be aware what may appear brown to one person is described in Roberts using some other word ... for example brown, black. See colours used in Roberts. Head is black Eyes are brown Bill is orange Legs are black Throat is white Back is grey Feeding Habits ...This bird has a specially adapted bill which helps it hunt for fish, crabs, shrimp and other aquatic animals in the water. Breeding, Habitat and Nesting Habits ...You can see the Royal Tern bird on coastal regions and on the sea shore where the bird will be foraging with other birds Seen in Flocks, Singles or Pairs Normally ... |
