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Arctic Tern![]() Size: 34-37 cm, incl. tail streamers; wing span 70-80 cm Weight: 85-125 g |
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Similar |
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See Arctic
Tern at Wikipedia |
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Photos |
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ADULT |
Sex unknown |
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BREEDING |
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 |
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.
Close-up view of an Arctic Tern in breeding
plumage
with its prey, a Sand Eel
(photo courtesy of M. A. Pears)
[Farne Islands, off the North-east coast of England, April 2014]
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]