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Arctic Tern
(Sterna paradisaea)
German name(s): "Küstenseeschwalbe"
Size: 34-37 cm, incl. tail streamers; wing span 70-80 cm
Weight: 85-125 g
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Similar species |
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Physical description |
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Click here for a physical description
Arctic Terns are medium-sized terns.
When in Europe,
adults
are always found in
breeding
plumage.
During the
breeding season they have a black cap that extends well onto
the nape of the neck, white cheeks and off-white to light-grey
front (chin, neck, chest, belly and vent), of which usually the
belly is darkest, and off-white to light-grey wings.
The black eyes are surrounded by the black cap. The bill, the
very short legs and feet are all dark-red.
Although the bill does not have a black tip, it does in many
individuals darken towards the tip.
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Twitcher's tip |
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Compared to
Common Terns, the Arctic Tern has even shorter legs
and NO black tip to its bill, just some darkening towards
the tip.
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Taxonomy, classification |
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See Arctic
Tern at Wikipedia .
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Range, habitat, finding this species |
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Click here for information on habitat
and range
In Europe Arctic Terns are summer breeding migrants. Their
breeding range extends from parts of the coastlines of the
British Isles (excluding south-facing coasts), the northern
Dutch and the German North Sea coastline, around Denmark
and around the Baltic Sea (except the coastlines of Poland
and the Baltic States). Their breeding range continues
northwards, including all islands in the northern Atlantic
and the entire Scandinavian coastline, plus the entire
northern half of Scandinavia (including inland waters).
They are also found throughout northern European Russia.
During migration they can be observed mostly along the coastlines
of the North Sea and the Atlantic Ocean, to the southern tip
of Iberia.
Arctic Terns breed in both marine habitats (coastal, islands)
and also inland (usually in tundra, near water).
During migration and throughout the non-breeding season Arctic
Terns remain exclusively in marine habitats, usually on the
open oceans.
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Sightings |
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Click here for sighting information
M. Eaton reports spotting Arctic Terns
at Skjerval, near Tromso, Norway, in June 2018.
All sighting and photographic information presented on this
page has kindly been contributed by M. Eaton.
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Photos |
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ADULT |
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BREEDING |
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Near-lateral view of two Arctic Terns in breeding
plumage
riding a wave; note the darkening of the bill towards
the tip, without a pronounced black tip
(photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Skjerval, near Tromso, Norway, June 2018]
Lateral view of an Arctic Tern in breeding
plumage
perched on a rock; note the characteristic very short legs
and the black-and-white edge lining on the outermost flight
feather (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Skjerval, near Tromso, Norway, June 2018]
Arctic Terns in breeding
plumage
in low flight looking for fish (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Skjerval, near Tromso, Norway, June 2018]
Arctic Terns in breeding
plumage
in low flight looking for fish (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Skjerval, near Tromso, Norway, June 2018]
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Food, Diet |
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Like all terns, Arctic Terns feed on fish, which they catch
with their bills just under the surface of water in a dive
from small height.
Arctic Terns in breeding
plumage
in low flight looking for fish (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Skjerval, near Tromso, Norway, June 2018]
Arctic Terns in breeding
plumage
diving from low height to catch fish (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Skjerval, near Tromso, Norway, June 2018]
Arctic Terns in breeding
plumage
diving from low height to catch fish; in this photo one
can see clearly the tail streamers with their black outer
edges (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Skjerval, near Tromso, Norway, June 2018]
Arctic Terns in breeding
plumage
diving from low height to catch fish; note the hunting
technique with the extended wings remaining above water
(photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Skjerval, near Tromso, Norway, June 2018]
These pages are largely based on our own observations and those of our
contributors. The structure of these bird pages is explained HERE. For more salient facts on any bird species
please refer to a field guide.