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Arctic Tern (Sterna paradisaea) — photo 1 of 5
© W. Bulach CC BY-SA 4.0

Gulls and terns · Shorebirds

Arctic Tern

Sterna paradisaea

Voice

Alarm

Doug Hynes

0:12

How to recognize it

  • Medium tern, slim with long wings

  • White below, grey above; black cap and nape

  • Breeding plumage: red bill and short red legs

  • Low over water; deeply forked tail, agile buoyant flight

About the species

The Arctic tern spends much of its life in motion, and even at rest it looks ready to take off. On land it walks with a short, rocking gait, but over water it moves with quick, light wingbeats and a deep fork in the tail.

It feeds low over the sea, dipping to pick up small fish, crustaceans, and other prey near the surface. In the breeding season it can also catch insects in the air, and it defends its nest and young aggressively, driving at intruders from close range. Its call is sharp and nasal.

It breeds in colonies on coasts, islands, and tundra near water. After breeding, it leaves for the southern oceans, then returns north months later, following one of the longest migrations of any animal. In some places it also takes berries and insects, but fish make up most of its food.

Where to find

  • Along canal banks, river mouths, and shallow pond edges — watch for quick dives at the surface and a slim forked tail flashing over the water.

  • On seawalls, piers, and long breakwaters — the sharp, rasping calls give away Arctic tern before the pale-grey wings do.

  • Near sandy beach edges and small offshore islets — a disturbed colony rises together and circles noisily above the path.

  • Over open water by bridges and dam walls — it often hunts low, then snaps down to grab tiny fish close to the surface.

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