Birds › Sea cliffs › Arctic Tern

Arctic Tern

Sterna paradisaea

Makes the longest migration of any animal, from the Arctic to the Antarctic and back, so it sees two summers each year.

Where to see it for real: Nests in colonies on northern coasts; it dives at anyone who comes too close.

Lives in the Sea cliffs habitat (North Atlantic coast, in summer).

Arctic Tern facts

Family: Gulls and terns
Length: 14 in (35 cm)
Wingspan: 31 in (78 cm)
Weight: 3.9 oz (110 g)
Diet: Small fish and krill, caught by hovering and diving.
Range: Breeds around the Arctic and the North Atlantic; spends the northern winter in Antarctic waters.
Nest: A scrape on bare ground, gravel or moss.
Song: Harsh "kee-arr" calls; it dive-bombs intruders.
Active: by day
Status: Least Concern on the IUCN Red List: widespread and not at risk.