Arctic Tern

Sterna paradisaea

This remarkable seabird holds the record for the longest migration on Earth, flying from pole to pole each year.

Share this bird:

Visual Identification

Appearance

The Arctic Tern is a slender, medium-sized seabird with a distinctive appearance. Its plumage is predominantly white and pale grey, with a black cap extending to the nape. The bird's long, pointed wings and deeply forked tail contribute to its graceful, buoyant flight.

During the breeding season, adults sport a full black cap and bright red bill. Non-breeding adults have a white forehead and darker bill. Juveniles can be identified by their black-tipped wings and shorter tail streamers.

Size

Length

33cm to 39cm

Wingspan

76cm to 85cm

Weight

86g to 127g

Colours

Males and females have similar plumage

Primary Colour

White Grey

Secondary Colour

Black

Beak Colour

Red

Leg Colour

Red

Special Accolade

Marathon Migrator

Longest annual migration of any bird

Record: Annual round trip of 70,900 km (44,100 miles)

Habitat and Distribution

Habitats

Woodland

The Arctic Tern is not typically found in Woodland habitats.

Garden

The Arctic Tern is not typically found in Garden habitats.

Wetland

The Arctic Tern can be found in Wetland habitats.

Coastal

The Arctic Tern can be found in Coastal habitats.

Urban

The Arctic Tern is not typically found in Urban habitats.

Farmland

The Arctic Tern is not typically found in Farmland habitats.

Grassland

The Arctic Tern is not typically found in Grassland habitats.

Desert

The Arctic Tern is not typically found in Desert habitats.

Tundra

The Arctic Tern can be found in Tundra habitats.

Rainforest

The Arctic Tern is not typically found in Rainforest habitats.

Mountain

The Arctic Tern is not typically found in Mountain habitats.

Savanna

The Arctic Tern is not typically found in Savanna habitats.

Distribution

Arctic Terns have a circumpolar breeding distribution, nesting in coastal areas and tundra regions of North America, Europe, and Asia. They prefer open, treeless habitats near water, including rocky islands, beaches, and coastal tundra.

During the non-breeding season, Arctic Terns undertake an impressive pole-to-pole migration. They can be found along the coasts of South America, Africa, and Antarctica. In the UK, they breed along the northern and eastern coasts, with significant populations in Scotland.

Elevation Range

Sea level to 100 meters

Climate zones

Arctic, Temperate, Antarctic

Distribution Map

This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Arctic Tern. The coloured areas show countries where these birds have been seen.

A few things to keep in mind:

Birds might not be everywhere in the coloured areas, for example, they may be present around the coast of that country
Where birds live can change with seasons and available food
This map is quite simple - it doesn't show exact locations

We're working on making our maps even better! Soon, we hope to show you:

More detailed maps for bigger countries, including state and region
How birds move around during different seasons