Species Profile
Arctic Tern
Sterna paradisaea
Arctic Tern
Quick Facts
Conservation
LCLeast ConcernAlso known as: Sea Swallow, Arctic Sea Tern
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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.
Identification & Characteristics
Colors
- Primary
- White
- Secondary
- Black
- Beak
- Red
- Legs
- Red
Markings
Black cap, red beak
Tail: Deeply forked
Attributes
Understanding Attributes
Rated 0–100 based on research and observation. A score of 50 is average across all bird species. These attributes are relative and don't necessarily indicate superiority.
Habitat & 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.
Distribution
Where to See This Bird
Explore regional guides for locations where this bird has been recorded.
Northern Ireland
Scotland
Rutland
East Riding of Yorkshire
Merseyside
Northumberland
Tyne and Wear
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.
Calls & Sounds
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
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
Estimated: 2,000,000 mature individuals[3]
Trend: Decreasing[2]
Stable but vulnerable to environmental changes
Elevation
Sea level to 100 meters
Additional Details
- Egg size:
- Medium-sized, oval
- 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.
- Alarm calls:
- High-pitched, rapid 'kip-kip-kip'
- Breeding age:
- 4 to 5
- Maturity age:
- 3 to 4
- Feeding times:
- Daylight hours, peaking at dawn and dusk
- Major threats:
- Habitat loss, climate change, human disturbance
- Parental care:
- Both parents involved in care and feeding
- Primary calls:
- Piercing 'kee-arr' sound
- Social habits:
- Breeds in colonies, otherwise often solitary
- Egg appearance:
- Buff-colored with dark blotches
- Feeding habits:
- Dives into water for prey, catches insects in flight
- Breeding season:
- May to July in Arctic regions
- Diet variations:
- Varies seasonally and geographically
- Fledging period:
- 3 to 4 weeks
- Average lifespan:
- 20 years
- Call description:
- Sharp, repetitive, often heard during flight
- Daily activities:
- Foraging, flying over water, often seen hovering
- Nesting location:
- Open ground, often on islands or coastal areas
- Incubation period:
- 22 to 27 days
- Nest construction:
- Shallow scrape in soil, little or no material
- Migration patterns:
- Extensive migratory routes between Arctic and Antarctic
- Migratory patterns:
- One of the longest migrations of any bird species
- Age related changes:
- Plumage wear and fading with age
- Prey capture method:
- Diving and aerial foraging
- Conservation efforts:
- Protected areas, migration monitoring
- Territorial behavior:
- Aggressive during breeding season
- Reproductive behavior:
- Annual breeding, monogamous pairs
- Special dietary needs:
- None known
- Clutch characteristics:
- Typically 1-3 eggs
- Interaction with other species:
- Mixes with other terns and seabirds
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.
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.
Records & Accolades
Marathon Migrator
Annual round trip of 70,900 km (44,100 miles)
Longest annual migration of any bird
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