Arctic Tern

Estimated Population: 25,000

Ways to identify this species: red bill, short legs, long deeply forked tail,

 white forehead with black mask over head (Aleutian tern has white mark on head), gray

Biology

•  The arctic tern migrates up to 25,000 miles, which is the largest migration distance of any bird

•  They nest along the coasts of Europe, Canada, Alaska and New England, often choosing offshore islands during the summer, and then traveling to the Antarctic region for the winter.

• While hunting for fish, their primary food, they hover over an area searching and then plunge into the water to catch their food.

•  Arctic terns usually lay two eggs in small depressions in the ground.  Most chicks make their first migration with their parents and then remain in the Antarctic region for two years before they make the migration back to their birthplace.    

Threats

•  Eggs and hatchlings are especially vulnerable without protection from a nest.  However, arctic terns are particularly aggressive and will attack predators and intruders of their nesting ground.

•  Overfishing of sandeels, an important fish in the bird's diet, could threaten the arctic tern population.