Thalasseus elegans breeds along the Pacific coast from south California, USA, to Baja California and the Gulf of California, Mexico. There are also breeding Elegant Terns at L’Albufera de Valencia, in eastern Spain. This species is considered Near Threatened as it has a restricted breeding range, with more than 90% of the breeding population being restricted to a single island.
Factsheet: Elegant Tern Thalasseus elegans