# Arctic Tern (*Sterna paradisaea*) The Arctic Tern is a small, graceful bird that migrates long distances every year. It's known for its beautiful white and gray feathers! - **Category:** [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/bird) - **Rarity:** Rare - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Habitat:** Coastal areas and open oceans - **Also known as:** Sterna ![Arctic Tern](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771426037/objects/4624.jpg) ## Appearance The Arctic Tern has a striking grey back, white underparts, and a distinct black cap atop its head. It features a bright red bill and short, red legs, appearing streamlined with long, pointed wings that aid its incredible flight. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Aves - **Order:** Charadriiformes - **Family:** Laridae - **Genus:** Sterna ## Interesting facts - Arctic Terns see more daylight than any other animal on Earth, thanks to their pole-to-pole migration! - Arctic Terns sometimes nest very close to fierce predators like snowy owls, using them for protection! - Their bright red bill gets even more vibrant during breeding season, signaling their health and readiness. - They can drink saltwater, using special glands in their heads to filter out the excess salt. ## Special abilities - **Global Voyager:** Arctic Terns can fly over 70,000 km each year, traversing from pole to pole, which helps them experience two summers annually. - **Plunge Diver:** Arctic Terns can dive rapidly into the water to snatch fish, using their sharp eyesight and streamlined bodies to hunt effectively. - **Fierce Protector:** Arctic Terns can fiercely defend their nests by dive-bombing intruders, using sharp bills to deter predators. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 33-39 cm - **Wingspan:** 76-85 cm - **Weight:** 0.086-0.125 kg - **Lifespan:** 15-30 years - **Speed:** 60 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 1-3 - **Incubation:** 20-25 days - **Migration Distance:** 71000 km ## Diet & Feeding These graceful birds mainly eat small fish and tiny sea creatures they catch from the ocean. - **Primary Foods:** Small fish, Capelin, Sand eels, Crustaceans, Marine invertebrates - **Foraging Method:** Pursuit ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Arctic Fox](https://www.snappit.app/explore/arctic-fox) (*Vulpes lagopus*) — Hunts eggs and chicks in nesting colonies. - **Eaten by:** [Glaucous Gull](https://www.snappit.app/explore/glaucous-gull) (*Larus hyperboreus*) — Preys on eggs and young terns in coastal colonies. - **Hunts:** Capelin (*Mallotus villosus*) — Major food source, caught by plunge-diving into water. - **Hunts:** Sandeel (*Ammodytes marinus*) — Often targeted prey fish in shallow coastal waters. ## Traits - [Wildlife](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wildlife): Wildlife encompasses all undomesticated animal and plant life existing in their natural habitats. - [Feathered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/feathered): Feathered describes animals, primarily birds, possessing a covering of feathers. - [Aerial](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/aerial): Aerial creatures spend a significant portion of their lives airborne, utilizing flight for various activities such as hunting, migration, or nesting. - [Piscivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/piscivorous): Piscivorous organisms are animals that primarily subsist on a diet of fish. - [Longevous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/longevous): This trait characterizes organisms with an exceptionally long lifespan compared to others of their kind. - [Coastal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/coastal): Coastal habitats are dynamic environments located along the interface between land and sea, influenced by tides, waves, and saltwater. - [Migratory](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/migratory): Migratory animals undertake seasonal movements from one region to another, typically in response to changes in climate or food availability. ## Collections - [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/birds) ## Safety **Danger:** 2/5 · Low Watch quietly from a distance and never try to feed or chase wild animals. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Arctic Tern? Compare the silhouette, bill shape, tail length, wing bars and markings around the eyes. The same small brown bird at your feeder can look quite different in breeding plumage, winter plumage or its first year. Bird Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Arctic Tern? 33-39 cm ### What is Arctic Tern's wingspan? 76-85 cm ### How much does Arctic Tern weigh? 0.086-0.125 kg ### How long does Arctic Tern live? 15-30 years ### How fast can Arctic Tern move? 60 km/h ### What does Arctic Tern eat? These graceful birds mainly eat small fish and tiny sea creatures they catch from the ocean. ### Where is Arctic Tern usually found? Coastal areas and open oceans ## Where to spot - [Hamburg Wadden Sea National Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/hamburg-wadden-sea-national-park) — Hamburg, DE · Park ## More Birds - [Black-crowned Night Heron](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-crowned-night-heron) (*Nycticorax nycticorax*) - [Anna's Hummingbird](https://www.snappit.app/explore/annas-hummingbird) (*Calypte anna*) - [Great Egret](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-egret) (*Ardea alba*) - [Blue Jay](https://www.snappit.app/explore/blue-jay) (*Cyanocitta cristata*) --- Source: [Arctic Tern: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/arctic-tern)