The Arctic Tern makes the longest migration of any animal on Earth — a round trip of over 44,000 miles between the Arctic and Antarctic each year. Over its approximately 30-year lifespan, an individual may travel the equivalent of three round trips to the Moon. It aggressively dive-bombs intruders near its nesting colony, drawing blood with its sharp bill.
Best time to see a Arctic Tern
The best time to see a Arctic Tern is May–June, when about 64% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 1,949 research-grade iNaturalist observations.
Not certain it is a Arctic Tern? What bird is this? walks through what to check first and the lookalikes that catch people out.
Recent Arctic Tern sightings near you
Live, research-grade observations from iNaturalist. Allow location to center the map on you.
Spotted an Arctic Tern?
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