About the Royal Tern
The Royal Tern (Thalasseus maximus) is a species of bird in the Gulls, Terns, and Skimmers family (Laridae), within the order Charadriiformes. This family contains 105 recognized species worldwide.
Use the eBird species code royter1 when logging sightings in eBird or other citizen science platforms.
Taxonomy & Classification
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Charadriiformes |
| Family | Gulls, Terns, and Skimmers (Laridae) |
| Species | Thalasseus maximus |
| Species Codes | royter1, ROYT, ROTE |
Frequently Asked Questions
What family does the Royal Tern belong to?
The Royal Tern (Thalasseus maximus) belongs to the Gulls, Terns, and Skimmers family (Laridae), in the order Charadriiformes.
How can I identify the Royal Tern?
The Royal Tern is a member of the Gulls, Terns, and Skimmers family. Check field guides or upload a photo to our AI Bird Identifier for help.
Where can I report a Royal Tern sighting?
You can log sightings of Royal Tern on eBird (ebird.org) using species code royter1, or on iNaturalist.