Arctic Tern Bird Facts (Sterna paradisaea)

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

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

Resident

Breeding

Non-breeding

Vagrant

Distribution by Region

Species that can be found in the area throughout the year

Angola Argentina Australia Benin Bermuda Bolivia Brazil Cameroon Canada Cape Verde Chile Colombia Congo Côte D'Ivoire Cuba Denmark Ecuador Equatorial Guinea Falkland Islands Finland France Gabon Gambia Germany Ghana Greece Guinea Guinea-Bissau Ireland Japan Liberia Mauritania Morocco Namibia New Zealand Nigeria Paraguay Peru Poland Portugal Puerto Rico Saint Pierre and Miquelon Sierra Leone Somalia South Africa South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands Sweden Togo

Species that are present in the area during their breeding season

Belgium Estonia Faroe Islands Greenland Iceland Latvia Lithuania Netherlands Norway Russia Spain Svalbard and Jan Mayen Islands The United Kingdom United States of America

Species that are present in the area outside their breeding season

Species that appear infrequently (rare) and unpredictably outside their normal range

Algeria Belarus Bouvet Island Bulgaria Central African Republic Croatia Cyprus Czechia Democratic Republic of the Congo Egypt Gibraltar Guadeloupe Heard Island and McDonald Islands Hungary India Indonesia Israel Italy Jordan Kuwait Lesotho Libya Luxembourg Mozambique Oman Panama Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha Senegal Slovakia Sudan Switzerland Turkey Ukraine United Arab Emirates US Virgin Islands

Behaviour and Ecology

Bird Attributes

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Bird Attributes Explained

Our bird attributes system rates various aspects of a bird's capabilities on a scale of 0-100, based on data from field observations, scientific studies, and expert knowledge.

Attribute Categories:

Agility: Manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.
Strength: Physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.
Adaptability: Ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.
Aggressiveness: Territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.
Endurance: Stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.

Understanding the Ratings:

0-20: Very Low
21-40: Low
41-60: Average
61-80: High
81-100: Very High

Remember, these attributes are relative to other bird species and don't necessarily indicate superiority.

Hover over the icon next to each attribute for more information.

Tap the icon next to each attribute for more information.

Agility 95

Agility

Reflects the bird's manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.

The Arctic Tern's exceptional agility is evident in its graceful, buoyant flight and ability to hover precisely before plunge-diving for fish. Its long, pointed wings and deeply forked tail contribute to remarkable manoeuvrability, essential for its pole-to-pole migration and hunting techniques.

Strength 60

Strength

Indicates the bird's physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.

Whilst not particularly strong for its size, the Arctic Tern possesses sufficient strength to undertake its marathon migrations and carry fish to its young. Its ability to dive-bomb potential predators also indicates a respectable level of strength for its compact frame.

Adaptability 98

Adaptability

Represents the bird's ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.

The Arctic Tern demonstrates extraordinary adaptability, thriving in diverse environments from Arctic tundra to Antarctic waters. Its ability to navigate vast oceanic expanses, adjust to varied climates, and even sleep whilst flying showcases remarkable adaptability to challenging conditions.

Aggressiveness 85

Aggressiveness

Measures the bird's territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.

Arctic Terns exhibit high aggression, particularly during breeding season. They fearlessly dive-bomb potential threats, including much larger predators and humans, to protect their nests. This fierce territoriality is crucial for safeguarding their offspring in exposed coastal habitats.

Endurance 100

Endurance

Reflects the bird's stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.

The Arctic Tern's endurance is unparalleled in the avian world. Its annual pole-to-pole migration, covering up to 70,000 kilometres, represents the longest known animal migration. This incredible feat, sustained over a potential 34-year lifespan, firmly establishes the Arctic Tern as the epitome of avian endurance.

Diet

Arctic Terns primarily feed on small fish and marine invertebrates. They hunt by hovering above the water's surface before plunge-diving to catch their prey.

Their diet may also include small crustaceans and insects, particularly during the breeding season when they forage in coastal waters and tundra pools.

Behaviour

Arctic Terns are renowned for their agility in flight, often hovering gracefully before plunge-diving for fish.

They are fiercely territorial during breeding, fearlessly dive-bombing potential predators, including humans, that approach their nests. These birds are also highly social, often seen in large, noisy colonies during the breeding season.

Vocalisation

Arctic Terns are vocal birds, especially in their breeding colonies. Their most common call is a sharp, high-pitched 'kee-arr' or 'kip', often repeated rapidly when alarmed.

During courtship, they produce a softer, more musical 'krrrr-krrrr' sound, creating a cacophonous atmosphere in large colonies.

Nesting & Breeding

Arctic Terns typically form monogamous pairs, with courtship beginning shortly after arrival at breeding grounds in late spring. Males often present fish to females as part of their courtship display.

Nests are simple scrapes on the ground, sometimes lined with vegetation. Females usually lay 1-3 eggs, which are olive-brown with dark speckles, providing excellent camouflage.

Both parents share incubation duties for about 21-24 days. Chicks fledge after 21-28 days but continue to be fed by parents for several more weeks as they develop their flying skills.

Conservation and Status

Global Conservation Status

Least Concern ^[1]

While currently listed as Least Concern, Arctic Terns face threats from climate change, which affects their breeding habitats and food sources.

Ocean pollution, particularly plastic waste, poses a significant risk. Conservation efforts focus on protecting breeding sites and marine ecosystems along their extensive migratory routes.

Population Data

Global Population Estimate

2,000,000 mature individuals ^[2]

Global Population Trend

^[3]

Trend data may be uncertain or fluctuating

Birdwatching Tips

Look for Arctic Terns along coastal areas, especially near nesting colonies during summer months.
Observe their distinctive, graceful flight pattern and listen for their sharp, high-pitched calls.
In the UK, visit coastal areas in Scotland and Northern England for the best chances of spotting them.
Use binoculars to distinguish their red bills and legs, which sets them apart from similar tern species.

Additional Information

Quick Facts

Other names:

Sea Swallow, Arctic Sea Tern

Family:

Laridae

Average Lifespan

13 years

Max Lifespan

34 years ^[4]

Predators

Main predators include large gulls, skuas, foxes, and rats, which primarily target eggs and chicks. Adult Arctic Terns have few natural predators due to their agility in flight.

Did You Know?

Arctic Terns can live up to 30 years and potentially cover over 2.4 million kilometres in their lifetime—equivalent to three round trips to the Moon.
They experience more daylight than any other creature on Earth due to their pole-to-pole migration.
Arctic Terns can sleep while flying, entering a state of half-sleep where one brain hemisphere remains alert.