Thalasseus elegans, commonly known as the Elegant Tern, inhabits coastal regions along the Pacific Ocean from the United States to South America. It is distinguished by its slender, orange bill, and a black crest during breeding season. Known for its agile flight, it often hovers before diving for fish.

The Elegant Tern (Thalasseus elegans) is primarily found along the Pacific coast of North and Central America. Its geographical distribution spans from the southern United States, particularly southern California, through Mexico, and down to Peru and Chile in South America. It is also occasionally found as a vagrant along the Atlantic coast and in other regions.

The Elegant Tern typically inhabits coastal environments, favoring sandy beaches, estuaries, and lagoons. It is often found on islands and coastal sandbars where it forms nesting colonies. The species is adapted to a marine climate, with a preference for warm, temperate regions.

As a seabird, the Elegant Tern is primarily piscivorous, feeding on small fish which it catches by plunge diving. It plays a role in the coastal marine ecosystem as both predator and prey. Its nesting colonies are often situated in biodiverse coastal areas, contributing to the ecological dynamics of these regions.