Arctic tern

Arctic Tern (Sterna paradisaea) is a seabird of the tern family Sternidae. This bird has a circumpolar breeding distribution covering the Arctic and sub-Arctic regions of Europe, Asia, and North America. The species is strongly migratory, seeing two summers each year as it migrates from its northern breeding grounds along a winding route to the oceans around Antarctica and back, a round trip of about 70,900 km (44,300 miles) each year. This is by far the longest regular migration by any known animal.

Description

The Arctic Tern is a medium-sized bird around 33–39 cm (13–15 in) in length and with a wingspan of 76–85 cm (26–30 in). Adults have a pale grey body, white forehead, a black nape and crown (streaked white), and a deeply forked tail. The bill is dark red, as are the short legs and webbed feet.

Distribution and habitat

Arctic Terns breed in colonies on coasts and islands and often close to water. In North America, they can be found in coastal regions from Massachusetts to the Arctic. They are found throughout northern Europe, with large populations in the United Kingdom and Scandinavia. In Asia, they are found in coastal regions of Siberia and also in northern Kazakhstan.

Behaviour and ecology

Arctic Terns are known for their long-distance migratory habits. They travel from their Arctic breeding grounds to the Antarctic and back again each year, ensuring that they see two summers per year. They feed mainly on fish and small marine invertebrates.

Conservation

The Arctic Tern is not currently considered to be threatened with extinction. However, changes in climate and overfishing could potentially impact their food supply, which could have significant effects on population numbers in the future.

See also

• List of birds of the Arctic
• Bird migration
• Seabird