adult summer

adult summer adult summer European distribution adult birds on ground

Identification

Most Arctic Terns differ from Common Terns in their shorter blood-red bill. However, this feature is often difficult to see. Other features include the shorter red legs and the crown which arches upwards behind the eye and doesn't extend down the neck. This gives it a relatively skull-capped appearance. Also, the breast is clearly diffused with dark grey making the cheeks conspicuously whiter. In flight, Arctic Terns have a uniformly pale upperwing; whiter not darker towards the tips and the long, springy tail streamers. Indeed, the whole bird looks shorter-headed and longer-tailed than a Common Tern.

Habitat

Breeds on coastal islands and shingle banks.

Behaviour

Arctic Terns are particularly aggressive at the nest and will dive-bomb potential predators, sometimes stabbing them on the head with their sharp bill.

Migration

These birds are famous for their long distance travels, migrating further than any other bird. Their chief wintering zones are among the Antarctic pack ice but may be found as far north as the Cape in South Africa. Birds migrate along several southerly routes, depending on their northerly location.

This information is taken from the BirdFile on the appropriate BirdGuides DVD-ROM. As well as video and sounds, our CD- and DVD-ROMs contain additional text on Voice, Sexing, Ageing, Food, Nests and Eggs and more.

For the purposes of our bird news services, Arctic Tern is classed as Local: generally fairly regular or common species that a 'county lister' or a birding beginner might be interested in going to see. (Note that rarity levels are currently applied nationally and may not reflect local variations in abundance.)

Farne Is., Northumbs 26/06/2010	Filey, N Yorks 25/07/2010	Farne Is., Northumbs 18/07/2010	Grutness, Shetland 29/06/2010	Grutness, Shetland 23/06/2010
Ny Alesund, Spitzbergen, Svalbard 10/07/2010	Ny Alesund, Spitzbergen, Svalbard 10/07/2010	Longyearben, Spitzbergen, Svalbard 09/07/2010	Farne Is., Northumbs 02/07/2010	West Sandwick, Yell, Shetland 28/06/2010

 View all pictures of Arctic Tern

Arctic Tern breeds in the following countries (Bird News Extra subscribers will see population statistics and information on trends for each country):

Britain
Denmark
Estonia
Faroe Islands
Finland
France
Germany
Greenland
Iceland
Ireland
Latvia
Netherlands
Norway
Russia
Svalbard
Sweden

http://blx1.bto.org/birdfacts/results/bob6160.htm   BTO BirdFacts: Arctic Tern	Edit this link
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