Exceeded in size only by the Caspian Tern, this species is identified by longer forked tail. They are equally tenacious of their homes altho not quite so vociferous in defense. Pearson says a colony that had been "washed out" by high tide, calmly appropriated a section of Black Skimmer land, burying or scattering the rightful owners' eggs and starting housekeeping on the stolen territory.
From San Francisco Bay south on Pacific coast. From Virginia south thru Gulf Coast States.