Arctic Terns are ultimate Sun Worshippers

Small, light and fast the Arctic Tern can fly 6,000 miles without stopping! The Arctic Tern is monogamous, and the longest flyer on earth. Each year it migrates over 60,000 km (37,000 miles).

They also sleep while they are still aloft. Thus, they fly through the nighttime, forever looking for the lands of the 24-hour sun.

During their migration, arctic terns can be found in the Arctic and Antarctica. Their routes take them north from May to June, and south from November to February.

Practically from birth, Arctic Tern chicks are able to fend for themselves. Parents of other birds spend many months hunting, and going back to their nests, to feed their voracious young. A juvenile arctic tern however, can feed itself after only four weeks.

This bird may fly up to 1,250,000 km (775,000 miles) during its approximately 34-year lifespan. Arctic terns are also tough and make sure other birds know it. They steal other birds’ meals, thus they are known as kleptomaniacs—or kleptoparasites—in the animal world.

Their long-distance secret is their pointed, long wings that are approximately 25 to 30 inches long (65-75 cm), and their forked tails. They also weigh only about 90 to 120 g (3-4 oz), and can fly at speeds up to 40 kph (25 mph).

A loud, and screeching bird—heaven help any other seabird—rat, polar bear, minx, or fox—who want to make off with their chicks. They are aggressive and peck at and dive-bomb any intruders, (including humans).

Mating for life, arctic terns have a courtship ritual. The male bird offers the female a fish.

These terns are also acrobatic. While hovering they can catch insects on the wing. They also eat mollusks, crustaceans, sandeel, krill, crabs, worms, capelan, cod, and herring.

Climate change is expected to take a toll on arctic tern populations, and might affect up to 50 percent of their habitat.

Rising temperatures, habitat loss, and melting ice also can mean a big part of their diet is in decline. Sandeel, or eel-like fish loss can mean arctic terns can no longer feed their chicks, and end up abandoning them. That, or the birds do not mate for the season.

Arctic Tern Migration Routes

Sources

Arctic Tern. (2024, 22 January). Wikipedia.  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arctic_tern

Arctic Tern Facts. (2024). Fact Animal. https://factanimal.com/arctic-tern/

17 Head-Turning Facts About the Arctic Tern. (2023, October 26). Polar Guidebook. https://polarguidebook.com/arctic-tern-facts/

Arctic tern. (2024). National Geographic Society. https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/birds/facts/arctic-tern