The forehead is white, the crown gray, and the black nape extends forward to the eyes. Postbreeding birds commonly occur north to the central California coast from midsummer through fall. This species winters along the coast of western South America, from Peru to Chile. It is seen only on the coast, frequenting estuaries and beaches along the California coast in summer and fall. When the birds are in a flock, and all calling simultaneously, the resulting din can be heard at a distance of a quarter mile.
Terns are gregarious birds and breed colonially.
One to two pinkish eggs are laid, and incubation lasts about 20 days. They eat primarily small fish, which they catch by diving from the the air. The Elegant Tern has a remarkably restricted distribution.