The Arctic Tern is a long-distance migratory species in Eurasia and the northern parts of North America. Of all the bird species in the world, it migrates the farthest: from Finland, the Arctic Terns fly all the way to Antarctica to spend the winter. In one year, the bird may thus fly almost 10000 kilometres on its migratory journeys. In appearance, the Arctic Tern is very similar to the more southerly Common Tern (Sterna hirundo). However, its beak is completely red, the tail streamers are longer and the legs shorter.
In Finland, there are some 60 000 - 90000 pairs of Arctic Terns in Lapland and the outer archipelago. The Arctic Terns usually return to their old breeding places. The species often breeds in colonies, and aggressively defend their nests on the ground by rushing toward invaders. The main food of the species is small fish and, in the north, often insects. The Arctic Tern is a long-lived species, with an age record in Finland of almost 28 years, according to ringing data.
Texti: Jukka Jokimäki & Marja-Liisa Kaisanlahti-Jokimäki
Read more about Arctic Tern:
Flying Arctic -frontpage.