Sterna paradisaea
The Arctic Tern, Sterna paradisaea, is a medium-sized seabird renowned for undertaking the longest migratory journey of any animal, experiencing two summers annually. Adults are characterized by their sleek, elegant form, measuring 33-39 cm in length with a wingspan of 76-85 cm and weighing 86-127 grams. Breeding plumage features a distinctive solid black cap extending to the nape, a brilliant blood-red bill (lacking a black tip), short red legs, and long, forked tail streamers. Their upperpa...
Arctic Terns primarily inhabit coastal areas, rocky islands, and open tundra for breeding, often choosing treeless expanses. During their non-breeding season, they are found over open ocean and Antarctic waters, foraging in highly productive marine environments at sea level.
Their diet primarily consists of small fish, such as sand eels, herring, and capelin, which they catch by plunge-diving. They also consume crustaceans and other marine invertebrates, especially during the non-breeding season.
Arctic Terns are highly diurnal, spending their days actively foraging or engaged in colonial activities during the breeding season, often roosting in dense groups on ground scrapes or open water. Their primary foraging strategy involves spectacular plunge-diving, hovering briefly over the water ...
The breeding range of the Arctic Tern is circumpolar, encompassing the high Arctic and sub-Arctic regions of North America, Europe, and Asia. Key breeding locations include coastal Alaska, the Canadian Arctic archipelago, Greenland, Iceland, Scandinavia, Russia's Siberian tundra, and even parts o...
Least Concern
- Arctic Terns undertake the longest migratory journey of any animal, covering approximately 70,900 to 80,000 kilometers (44,000 to 50,000 miles) annually. - They experience two summers each year – one in the Arctic for breeding and another in the Antarctic for wintering, ensuring continuous dayl...