Celebrating World Migratory Bird Day with Elegant Terns & Royal Terns 💙

Elegant Terns and Royal Terns at Solana Beach, January 2025 by Azi S./©Wildlife Jewels

Celebrating World Migratory Bird Day with Elegant Terns & Royal Terns 💙

The Elegant Tern, symbol of Wildlife Jewels’ logo, is classified as 'Near Threatened' on the IUCN Red List. This majestic seabird represents the grace and resilience of migratory birds. We've had the delight of observing Elegant and Royal Terns along the Southern California coast throughout the year — often seen traveling, roosting, and foraging together in striking coastal flocks.

These graceful seabirds migrate along the Pacific Flyway, nesting in places like Baja California and Southern California, then dispersing along the coast. Their journeys reflect the deep connection of our coastal ecosystems — and the urgent need to protect vital nesting and stopover habitats.

This year’s World Migratory Bird Day theme is all about making our cities and communities more bird-friendly. As urban areas grow, it’s essential that we plan and design spaces that are safe and welcoming for migratory birds—through native plantings, clean water sources, and fewer hazards.

Let’s honor the beauty and incredible journeys of migratory birds like the Elegant and Royal Terns — and take action to address the growing threats they face due to human activities. Together, we must protect our majestic migratory birds before it’s too late. 🌍✨

Elegant Terns and Royal Terns at La Jolla Cove, Crystal Cove Beach, and Solana Beach by Azi S./©Wildlife Jewels

Discover Wildlife Jewels’ Rubellite the Elegant Tern the precious inspiration for Wildlife Jewels’ Signature Logo!

Wildlife Jewels Rubellite the Elegant Tern at Crystal Cove, Photo & Artwork by Azi S. / © Wildlife Jewels®

Threats to Elegant Terns

• Restricted Breeding Range: Over 90% of the global Elegant Tern population nests on Isla Rasa in the Gulf of California, making the species highly vulnerable to localized disturbances and environmental changes.

• Overfishing of Prey Species: The depletion of small fish like sardines due to overfishing reduces the availability of essential food sources for Elegant Terns, impacting their breeding success and survival.
  Entanglement in Fishing Gear: Elegant Terns face risks of injury or death from becoming entangled in fishing lines, nets, and other gear, which can impede their ability to feed and care for their young.

• Ocean Pollution: Exposure to pollutants such as oil spills, tar balls, and plastic debris contaminates their habitat and threatens both adult and juvenile birds.

• Drone Crashes and Disturbance: Recreational drones flown near nesting colonies have caused mass panic among breeding birds. In one incident, a drone crashed into a nesting site in Southern California, leading to thousands of Elegant Terns abandoning their nests and eggs.

• Human Disturbance: In addition to drones, beachgoers and boats too close to nesting islands can scare off adults, leaving eggs and chicks exposed to heat, predation, or abandonment.

• Unleashed Dogs on Nesting Sites: Unleashed dogs running near nesting sites can cause direct harm to the birds, disturbing their nests, chasing them away, and even attacking eggs and chicks.

• Climate Change: Rising sea temperatures and shifting ocean currents affect fish populations and may force Elegant Terns to relocate or delay breeding.

• Habitat Degradation: Coastal development and destruction of key nesting and roosting sites reduce safe spaces for Elegant Terns to thrive.