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  • Arctic tern

Arctic tern

Arctic tern (adult)
Arctic tern (adult)
Arctic tern in flight (adult)
Arctic tern in flight (adult)
Arctic tern (juvenile)
Arctic tern (juvenile)
  • Scientific name: Sterna paradisaea
  • Bird family: Gulls and terns
  • UK conservation status: Amber
  • Protected by The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981

Arctic tern call audio

Your browser does not support this audio feature.

Niels Krabbe, Xeno-canto

Key information

With its long tail streamers and general shape the Arctic tern deserves the local name of 'sea swallow'. Appearing white with a black cap, it is largely coastal although it can be seen inland on migration. It depends on a healthy marine environment and some colonies have been affected by fish shortages. Arctic terns are the ultimate long distance migrants - summer visitors to the UK and winter visitors to the Antarctic.

What they eat:

Mainly fish but also crustaceans and insects.

Measurements:

Length:
33-35cm
Wingspan:
75-85cm
Weight:
95-120g

Population:

UK breeding is the number of pairs breeding annually. UK wintering is the number of individuals present from October to March. UK passage is the number of individuals passing through on migration in spring and/or autumn.
UK breeding:
53,000 pairs
Europe:
500-900,000 pairs

Identifying features:

This bird species has different identifying features depending on sex/age/season.

Arctic tern (adult)

Arctic tern
Feather colour: Black Grey White
Leg colour: Red
Beak: Red Long Thin
Natural habitats: Marine and intertidal Wetland

Arctic tern (juvenile)

Arctic tern juvenile in flight
Feather colour: Black Grey White
Leg colour: Red
Beak: Red Long Thin
Natural habitats: Marine and intertidal Wetland

Similar birds:

Common tern
Common tern
Roseate tern
Roseate tern

Where and when to see them

Breeding terns can best be seen on island such as the Farne Islands in Northumberland or on the Northern Isles where the greatest breeding densities occur. Look out for them on spring passage at inland reservoirs and around the coast in autumn as they head south.

* This map is intended as a guide. It shows general distribution rather than detailed, localised populations.
  • Resident
  • Passage
  • Summer
  • Winter
Arctic tern distribution map

European birds start to arrive back from their Antarctic winter break in May, with northernmost birds getting back in June. Many birds occur inland during their migration north, passing through central England in late April/early May. Migration south commences after breeding in late July and August.

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RSPB reserves

  • RSPB North Hill
  • RSPB Mousa
  • RSPB Noup Cliffs

Video

Watch arctic tern in their natural habitat.

Watch arctic tern in their natural habitat.

Arctic tern video screenshot

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