A medium-sized seabird renowned for its remarkable migratory journey, it undertakes an extraordinary odyssey between its breeding grounds in the high Arctic and its wintering habitats in Antarctica. This epic migration spans thousands of miles, making it one of the most impressive feats of avian navigation in the animal kingdom.
During its annual migration, the Arctic tern traverses vast distances, navigating across continents and oceans to reach its destination. This incredible journey allows the bird to capitalize on optimal breeding and wintering conditions in different hemispheres, ensuring access to abundant food resources and favorable environmental conditions throughout the year.
In preparation for its arduous migration, the Arctic tern must fuel up on a substantial amount of food to sustain its energy levels during the long journey. To accomplish this, the bird often makes a crucial stopover in the nutrient-rich waters of the North Atlantic Ocean, where it spends several weeks feasting on fish and crustaceans to replenish its reserves before continuing its migration southward.
Breeding colonies of Arctic terns can be found clustered along coastlines, where they establish nests on various substrates such as shingle beaches, gravel ridges, and lichen-covered rocks. These colonies provide essential breeding habitat for the terns, offering protection from predators and access to suitable nesting sites.
During the breeding season, Arctic terns engage in elaborate courtship rituals, with males performing aerial displays and offering gifts of fish to attract potential mates. Once paired, the terns work together to construct their nests and incubate their eggs, taking turns to care for the offspring until they are ready to fledge.
In addition to their impressive migratory feats, Arctic terns are known for their exceptional longevity, with some individuals living for over 30 years. This longevity, combined with their widespread distribution and adaptability to various habitats, underscores the resilience of these remarkable seabirds in the face of changing environmental conditions.
Distribution
Algeria
Angola
Antarctica
Argentina
Australia
Austria
Belarus
Belgium
Benin
Bermuda
Bolivia
Bouvet Island
Brazil
British Indian T.
Bulgaria
Cameroon
Canada
Cape Verde
Central Af. Rep.
Chile
Colombia
Congo-Brazzaville
Costa Rica
Croatia
Cuba
Cyprus
Czechia
Côte D’ivoire
DR Congo (Kinshasa)
Denmark
Ecuador
Egypt
Equatorial Guinea
Estonia
Falkland Islands
Faroe Islands
Finland
France
French Southern T.
Gabon
Gambia
Germany
Ghana
Gibraltar
Greece
Greenland
Guadeloupe
Guatemala
Guinea-Bissau
Guinea
Heard & McDonald
Hungary
Iceland
India
Indonesia
Ireland
Israel
Italy
Japan
Jordan
Kuwait
Latvia
Lesotho
Liberia
Libya
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Marshall Islands
Mauritania
Mexico
Montenegro
Morocco
Mozambique
Namibia
Netherlands
New Zealand
Nigeria
Norway
Oman
Panama
Paraguay
Peru
Poland
Portugal
Puerto Rico
Russia
Saint Helena
Saint Pierre
Senegal
Serbia
Sierra Leone
Slovakia
Somalia
South Africa
South Georgia
Spain
Sudan
Svalbard
Sweden
Switzerland
Togo
Turkey
UAE
US Virgin Islands
Ukraine
United Kingdom
United States
UruguayAnything we've missed?
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Terrestrial / Aquatic
Altricial / Precocial
Polygamous / Monogamous
Dimorphic (size) / Monomorphic
Active: Diurnal / Nocturnal
Social behavior: Solitary / Pack / Herd
Diet: Carnivore / Herbivore / Omnivore / Piscivorous / Insectivore
Migratory: Yes / No
Domesticated: Yes / No
Dangerous: Yes / No
