I’ve got a couple places in La Jolla that I go to to photograph animals or seabirds. Lately, one of those spots has had many Royal Terns (Sterna maxima). These images illustrate both non-breeding plumage (which is distinguished by the tern’s black head cap only covering the back of the head) and breeding plumage with a black cap covering the entire top of the head. Cheers, and thanks for looking!
![Royal Tern in flight, adult breeding plumage with black head cap, La Jolla, Sterna maxima Royal Tern in flight, adult breeding plumage with black head cap, La Jolla, Sterna maxima](/stock-photo/royal-tern-flight-adult-breeding-plumage-la-jolla-image-38946-28033.jpg)
Royal Tern in flight, adult breeding plumage with black head cap, La Jolla.
Image ID: 38946
Species: Royal tern, Sterna maxima
Location: La Jolla, California
![Royal Tern in flight, adult non-breeding plumage, La Jolla, Sterna maxima Royal Tern in flight, adult non-breeding plumage, La Jolla, Sterna maxima](/stock-photo/royal-tern-flight-adult-non-breeding-plumage-la-jolla-photo-38952-27190.jpg)
Royal Tern in flight, adult non-breeding plumage, La Jolla.
Image ID: 38952
Species: Royal tern, Sterna maxima
Location: La Jolla, California
![Royal Tern in flight, breaking waves and surf in the background, adult non-breeding plumage, La Jolla, Sterna maxima Royal Tern in flight, breaking waves and surf in the background, adult non-breeding plumage, La Jolla, Sterna maxima](/stock-photo/royal-tern-flight-adult-non-breeding-plumage-la-jolla-picture-38953-10383.jpg)
Royal Tern in flight, breaking waves and surf in the background, adult non-breeding plumage, La Jolla.
Image ID: 38953
Species: Royal tern, Sterna maxima
Location: La Jolla, California
![Royal Tern in flight, adult breeding plumage with black head cap, La Jolla. California sea lion in the background, Sterna maxima Royal Tern in flight, adult breeding plumage with black head cap, La Jolla. California sea lion in the background, Sterna maxima](/stock-photo/royal-tern-flight-adult-breeding-plumage-la-jolla-photograph-38955-76768.jpg)
Royal Tern in flight, adult breeding plumage with black head cap, La Jolla. California sea lion in the background.
Image ID: 38955
Species: Royal tern, Sterna maxima
Location: La Jolla, California
![Royal Tern in flight, adult non-breeding plumage, La Jolla, Sterna maxima Royal Tern in flight, adult non-breeding plumage, La Jolla, Sterna maxima](/stock-photo/royal-tern-flight-adult-non-breeding-plumage-la-jolla-picture-38669-83618.jpg)
Royal Tern in flight, adult non-breeding plumage, La Jolla.
Image ID: 38669
Species: Royal tern, Sterna maxima
Location: La Jolla, California
![Royal tern, winter adult phase, Sterna maxima, La Jolla, California Royal tern, winter adult phase, Sterna maxima, La Jolla, California](/stock-photo/royal-tern-winter-adult-phase-photograph-37723-83199.jpg)
Royal tern, winter adult phase.
Image ID: 37723
Species: Royal Tern, Sterna maxima
Location: La Jolla, California
![Royal Tern in flight, adult non-breeding plumage, La Jolla, Sterna maxima Royal Tern in flight, adult non-breeding plumage, La Jolla, Sterna maxima](/stock-photo/royal-tern-flight-adult-non-breeding-plumage-la-jolla-photo-38640-71026.jpg)
Royal Tern in flight, adult non-breeding plumage, La Jolla.
Image ID: 38640
Species: Royal tern, Sterna maxima
Location: La Jolla, California
![Royal Tern in flight, adult non-breeding plumage, La Jolla, Sterna maxima Royal Tern in flight, adult non-breeding plumage, La Jolla, Sterna maxima](/stock-photo/royal-tern-flight-adult-non-breeding-plumage-la-jolla-picture-38641-54219.jpg)
Royal Tern in flight, adult non-breeding plumage, La Jolla.
Image ID: 38641
Species: Royal tern, Sterna maxima
Location: La Jolla, California
![Royal Tern in flight, adult non-breeding plumage, La Jolla, Sterna maxima Royal Tern in flight, adult non-breeding plumage, La Jolla, Sterna maxima](/stock-photo/royal-tern-flight-adult-non-breeding-plumage-la-jolla-image-38666-34040.jpg)
Royal Tern in flight, adult non-breeding plumage, La Jolla.
Image ID: 38666
Species: Royal tern, Sterna maxima
Location: La Jolla, California
![Royal Tern in flight, adult non-breeding plumage, La Jolla, Sterna maxima Royal Tern in flight, adult non-breeding plumage, La Jolla, Sterna maxima](/stock-photo/royal-tern-flight-adult-non-breeding-plumage-la-jolla-photo-38668-426.jpg)
Royal Tern in flight, adult non-breeding plumage, La Jolla.
Image ID: 38668
Species: Royal tern, Sterna maxima
Location: La Jolla, California
![Royal Tern in flight, adult non-breeding plumage, La Jolla, Sterna maxima Royal Tern in flight, adult non-breeding plumage, La Jolla, Sterna maxima](/stock-photo/royal-tern-flight-adult-non-breeding-plumage-la-jolla-photograph-38643-20605.jpg)
Royal Tern in flight, adult non-breeding plumage, La Jolla.
Image ID: 38643
Species: Royal tern, Sterna maxima
Location: La Jolla, California
![Royal Tern in flight, adult non-breeding plumage, La Jolla, Sterna maxima Royal Tern in flight, adult non-breeding plumage, La Jolla, Sterna maxima](/stock-photo/royal-tern-flight-adult-non-breeding-plumage-la-jolla-photo-38644-3798.jpg)
Royal Tern in flight, adult non-breeding plumage, La Jolla.
Image ID: 38644
Species: Royal tern, Sterna maxima
Location: La Jolla, California