The Arctic Tern

They are elegant, beautiful and remarkable birds that fly extraordinary distances. Arctic Terns are one of the most famous seabirds in the world, known for their long-distance migrations from one pole to another.

Antarctica is a bird lover’s dream and seeing magnificent birds like the Arctic Tern and learning about the many species of birds we see on our voyages is a special experience. We always have a resident bird expert or Ornithologist onboard to offer insight and knowledge into the world of Antarctic birds.

World Wanderers

• Weighing at just 85-100g(that’s 3-5 ounces) they are the world record holder for longest distance traveled
• Arctic Terns fly annually between the Northern and Southern hemispheres, making the incredible return trip of around 44,000 miles or more each year
• That’s the equivalent of THREE round trips to the moon and an estimated 2.4 million kilometres in their lifetime
• Because of their migratory pattern, Arctic Terns see more daylight than any other animal in the world.

It’s Not Just About Looks

• These beautiful birds are identifiable by their slender appearance, white body, black head, and red bills and legs
• Non-breeding adults and juvenile Arctic Terns have grey and white feathers as well
• Arctic Tern hatchlings can be grey or brown, and chicks from the same parents aren’t necessarily the same color.

Nest of the North

• Arctic Terns nest in the Arctic during the winter months
• They molt their feathers and rest on small blocks of ice at the edge of the pack ice, rarely flying
• These birds breed in the Arctic and then travel to Antarctica to enjoy the Antarctic summer from about November to March.
• While migrating, Arctic Terns tend to stay out at sea. They will take big detours in order to find better feeding grounds or avoid inclement weather
• They can be spotted in coastal North America from late April through May as they return from Antarctica on their way back to their breeding grounds

Friends & Foes

• Arctic Terns are social birds that forage in groups and nest on the ground in large colonies
• They have many social calls for each other as well as calls that identify them to other birds
• These birds will ferociously defend their nests, so much so that even other bird species take advantage of their protection by building nests nearby

Dine & Dash

• Arctic Terns dine on fish and crustaceans which they obtain by dive-bombing the water
• Other than hummingbirds, they are the only birds that can hover
• Much of their time in the air is spent gliding, so much so that they can sleep while gliding