The Arctic Tern is a seabird that makes the longest migration of any animal. The Arctic Tern's circumpolar migration pattern allows it to see two summers each year. Its breeding grounds are in the Arctic, but as the seasons change, it flies south to the oceans around Antarctica and then back--that's about 24,000 miles every year!
Arctic Tern are medium sized birds, with a wingspan of 26-30 inches. Their plumage is mostly gray with black on top of their heads white bellies, and red beaks. Their tails are forked and pointed. They can live for a very long time (for a bird), averaging a 30 years. Their estimated population is 1 million birds. They eat mostly fish and marine invertebrates.
Arctic Terns mate for life and live in large colonies. Their nests are usually just small depressions in the ground. The eggs are speckled gray or brown, so they are camouflaged well.
Links about Arctic Terns:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arctic_tern
http://www.hww.ca/hww2.asp?id=69
Arctic Terns mate for life and live in large colonies. Their nests are usually just small depressions in the ground. The eggs are speckled gray or brown, so they are camouflaged well.
Links about Arctic Terns:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arctic_tern
http://www.hww.ca/hww2.asp?id=69
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