Habitat

Northeastern colonies are on rocky offshore islands, barrier beaches, or salt marsh islands, but less flexible in nesting sites than Common Tern. Most colonies close to shallow-water fishing sites with sandy bottoms, bars, or shoals. Some North American colony sites are preempted by nesting gulls, forcing terns to use some sites more accessible to predators (Nisbet 1973, 1981a). Northeastern Roseates characteristically select dense vegetation, rocks, or other shelter and hide their nests (Jones 1906), but occasionally nest in open (see Breeding: nest site, below). Readily use inverted boxes or half-buried tires, which provide covered nest sites (Spendelow 1982). European Roseates likewise nest in denser cover, and also at higher elevation than Common Terns (Ramos and del Nevo 1995). May nest on beaches above high-tide line; nests seldom flooded.

Tropical birds in Caribbean and Australia nest in relatively open areas, often with no cover nearby (Serventy and White 1951, MG, JB). Caribbean individuals breed on variety of small cays or islands with rocky, grassy, coral rubble, or sand substrate. In Culebra, Puerto Rico, nests amid boulders and sedges on steeply sloping cays and cliffs, or in pockets in coral limestone with scant ground foliage (Burger and Gochfeld 1988b). Occasionally nests on roofs in Florida (Smith 1995). Off Tanzania, nested on undercut, densely vegetated coral islet 50 m circular and 4.5 m high, about 4 km offshore, but eggs laid on bare coral or sparse plant mat (Thomas and Elliott 1973). In Seychelles, nests in grassy and wooded areas (Warman 1979).

Little information. Migrates mainly offshore. Small numbers seen on coastal beaches and inlets between wintering and breeding areas.

Little information. Some, mostly young birds, found roosting on sandbars or beaches at river mouths, estuaries, or ocean front, where they can be caught by humans (Trull 1988). In some areas, spend much time offshore, returning to beaches after dark (H. Hays pers. comm.). Occasional band recoveries from fishing boats offshore (Nisbet 1989).