The Arctic tern (Sterna paradisaea) is a fascinating species of seabird found across the Arctic and subarctic regions. Known for its incredibly long migration, the Arctic tern flies further than any other bird in the world. This small seabird breeds in the Arctic during the summer months before making an epic journey southwards to spend the rest of the year in the Antarctic. The round trip can cover over 90,000 km (over 50,000 miles), meaning the Arctic tern sees more daylight each year than any other animal on Earth! But what makes this incredible bird so special?
Extremely long migration
The most distinctive feature of the Arctic tern is undoubtedly its extraordinarily long migration. Breeding in the high Arctic during the summer months of constant daylight, the terns then fly huge distances southwards to spend the rest of the year in the Antarctic oceans.
Some key facts about the Arctic tern’s migration:
- Makes a round trip of up to 90,000 km (50,000 miles) each year
- One of the longest migrations in the animal kingdom
- Sees more daylight than any other animal on Earth
- Travels from the Arctic summer to Antarctic summer each year
- Migratory route spans multiple continents and oceans
This phenomenal round trip migration is driven by the terns’ need to experience endless daylight. After breeding in the 24-hour Arctic sunshine, they fly south to the Antarctic region which has constant daylight at that time of year. No other bird undertakes such a remarkably long migratory journey on an annual basis.
Highly aerial lifestyle
The extreme migrations of the Arctic tern are facilitated by the bird’s highly aerial lifestyle. Terns are supremely adapted for sustained flying and spend most of their lives on the wing. Even when hunting and feeding, Arctic terns catch prey while flying and do not land on the water.
Some key facts about the aerial abilities of Arctic terns:
- Spend most of their lives in flight
- Expert aerial hunters – catch prey on the wing
- Fly huge distances non-stop over oceans
- Have long, narrow wings for energy-efficient flying
- Migrate immense distances each year
The Arctic tern’s aerial mastery allows it to complete its marathon migrations and spend endless daylight hours on the wing. These consummate flyers are designed for life in the air.
Unique polar breeding
Unlike most birds, the Arctic tern breeds in the extreme conditions of the polar regions. During the summer months, it nests in the high Arctic tundra, finding refuge in coastal regions and inland lakes. The terns form breeding colonies, nesting on the ground in small scrapes.
Some key facts about the Arctic tern’s polar breeding:
- Nests on the ground in small scrapes in Arctic tundra
- Forms colonies of up to several thousand pairs
- Breeding sites located along Arctic coasts and inland lakes
- Lay 1-3 eggs in early summer months of 24-hour daylight
- Chicks hatch after 3-4 weeks incubation
- Both parents share incubation and feeding of chicks
Nesting in the tundra during the Arctic summer allows the terns to take advantage of the abundant food resources and continuous daylight. It’s an extremely challenging place to raise chicks, but gives the terns the long days required for successful breeding.
Impressive endurance
The huge migrations and challenging breeding lifestyle of the Arctic tern require incredible physical endurance. These small seabirds demonstrate astounding stamina as they fly thousands of kilometres between polar regions annually. Even more amazingly, Arctic terns can live for over 30 years, continuing their arduous journeys each breeding season.
Some key facts about the endurance of Arctic terns:
- Make huge migratory journeys spanning polar regions
- Capable of flying thousands of kilometres non-stop
- Persist challenging breeding conditions in Arctic summer
- Survive 30 years or more undertaking migrations annually
- Display incredible physical stamina despite small size
The non-stop endurance flights and lifelong migrations of the Arctic tern are among the most impressive demonstrations of perseverance in the animal kingdom. These tough birds certainly earn their title of ‘champion of champions’ for endurance.
Special adaptations
The Arctic tern has evolved a number of special adaptations that enable it to complete such extreme migrations and breed in polar environments. Physically, the Arctic tern has long, narrow wings which provide aerodynamic efficiency for long flights. Its streamlined body shape also reduces drag during sustained flight. Since it can’t land on water, the Arctic tern has water-repellent plumage to avoid getting waterlogged. Its short legs and webbed feet are designed for swimming and pushing off from floating ice. Behaviorally, Arctic terns demonstrate incredible navigational skills and orientation, enabling them to fly directly between polar regions. They travel in flocks which may aid navigation. Their adaptation to using 24-hour daylight for breeding and feeding underpins their whole migratory cycle.
Conservation status
Despite their extreme lifestyle, Arctic terns have an extensive breeding range and large total population. Their global population is estimated at 1.6 million to 4.4 million mature individuals. Overall, Arctic terns are listed as ‘Least Concern’ on the IUCN Red List. However, some specific populations are declining, especially in southern parts of their breeding range such as the Netherlands. Threats come from disturbances, habitat loss, pollution and predation. Continued protection of breeding sites and foraging habitats is needed to ensure the survival of this epic polar migrant.
Incredible traveler
The Arctic tern is surely one of the most incredible global travelers in the animal kingdom. Its migration between Arctic and Antarctic polar regions is unmatched by any other species. Traveling up to 90,000 km annually just to experience endless summer daylight, the Arctic tern sees more of our planet than any other living thing. Combining supreme aerial agility with impressive endurance, this epic polar seabird earns its reputation as the ultimate migrant. If there is one bird that deserves the title ‘champion of champions’, it is surely the unbelievable Arctic tern.
Conclusion
The Arctic tern is a truly remarkable species thanks to its combination of extreme long-distance migration, aerial lifestyle, polar breeding, impressive endurance and special adaptations. No other bird undertakes an annual journey as far or experiences as much daylight. For its epic migration from the Arctic to Antarctic and back again each year, the Arctic tern deserves recognition as one of nature’s most awe-inspiring travelers. Understanding and protecting this unique polar seabird provides a chance to safeguard one of the animal kingdom’s greatest marathon migrants.