The Amazing Migration of the Arctic Tern
The Arctic Tern (Sterna paradisaea) is a relatively small bird that is able to achieve staggering feats of flight. They are easily recognizable by their rounded heads that are covered in smooth black plumage, while the rest of their bodies are white in color. Another interesting fact about the Arctic Tern is that its bright orange beak changes color to red during the breeding. But it is the Arctic Tern migration that has made this little bird specie famous.
The Artic Tern spends most of its life is spent in the air and fishing, very rarely coming onto land. Even searching for food is done whilst in flight, by catching insects out of the air or diving down to the water’s surface to snatch a fish. The only time this wonderful bird is seen on land is in the breeding season. They form great colonies of over fifty birds and are known to be extremely aggressive while tending to their young. As these remarkable birds are born to fly, it only takes a hatchling twenty-five days to fledge the nest and start its airborne life.
As soon as the young chick spreads its wings, it is able to join its parents on the world famous Arctic Tern migration. It has been determined, by ringing young hatchlings, that these remarkable birds fly approximately 35,000 kilometers each year. If you total up all its flying time over the length of a bird’s lifetime, it could have flown to the moon and back.
Another interesting fact about the Artic tern is that for some reason a young bird is separated from his parents, they are instinctively able to find their way back to their birthplace. In the year 1982, it was widely reported among bird experts that a ringed chick left the Farne Islands in the United Kingdom and was picked up three months later in Melbourne (Australia). Another example of their flying ability was demonstrated in 1928, when a ringed chick left Canada on the 23rd of July and was located four months later. The chick had flown from Canada to South Africa in only four months! It is believed that the Arctic Tern enjoys more sunlight than any other bird on the planet, as it constantly searching for warm skies and an all year summer season.
The usual migration path of the Arctic Tern starts in the Arctic, as soon as the days start getting shorter. They will travel past North America, cross the great Atlantic Ocean; fly over the southern region of Europe and the glide down the African coastline, with the Antarctic as their final destination. This migration path of the Arctic Tern may vary, as their path greatly depends on food supply.
This absolutely amazing bird is a natural marvel that still intrigues and fascinates scientists and researchers. There is no doubt that the Arctic Tern is the champion of all migratory animals on earth.
