Royal tern

Introduction: Royal terns (Sterna maxima) inhabit shallow coastal waters and sheltered bays, usually with other terns notably the Caspian, swift, sandwich and Damara terns.

Distribution: Walvis Bay and the Kunene River estuary.

Diet: Hunts singly or in small groups for offal from fishing boats or plunge-diving for small fish.

Description: Distinctive full black cap, rich orange bill, dark eyes and black feet and legs. Maxima is Latin for large.

Breeding: Females lay between 1 and 4 eggs. Breeds wOrange Riverdwide.

Size: 47cm.

Weight: 400g.

Wingspan: 130cm.