Arctic Tern, Arctic Circle

One of the most remarkable stories about the Arctic tern is its epic migration, an extraordinary journey that defies imagination. Every year, this small, elegant bird makes a round-trip migration from the Arctic to the Antarctic and back, essentially chasing summer and sunlight from pole to pole. That means the Arctic tern experiences more daylight than any other creature on Earth.

In fact, satellite tracking has revealed that some Arctic terns travel over 43,000mi (70,000km) in a single year. One bird tagged in the UK’s Farne Islands was tracked flying all the way to Antarctica and back, covering 60,000mi (96,000km) in one year, making it the longest known annual migration of any animal.

What's even more astonishing is the lifelong mileage of an Arctic tern. These birds can live for 30 years or more; over a lifetime, they may cover close to 1.5 million miles (2.4 million km). That’s about three trips to the Moon and back.

Their journey isn’t a straight line, either. Arctic terns often follow a looping path, riding global wind systems and seizing feeding opportunities. Heading south, they might trace the curves of Africa or South America’s coastlines and zigzag across the open sea on the return journey north. They navigate with instinct, magnetic sensing, and an ancient memory of Earth’s geography. All this from a bird that weighs barely 3.5oz (100g). Yet, year after year, they complete a globetrotting odyssey.

Arctic terns are skilled hunters, diving to catch small fish and crustaceans below the surface. They are quite adept at eating while flying, snatching quick meals mid-air as they follow rich feeding grounds along coastlines and ocean currents. When they reach Antarctica, it’s time for a summer feast. The Southern Ocean is bursting with life during the Antarctic summer, and the terns take full advantage, gorging on krill and other sea creatures in the nutrient-rich waters. This gives them vital fuel for the long journey back to the Arctic. 

After months at sea, they return during the Arctic’s brief summer, when the ice retreats and the landscape begins to thaw. Here, they find rocky shores and tundra to nest. Courtship follows, often marked by elaborate aerial displays. Once paired, they lay their eggs in shallow depressions in the ground. These simple nests rely on the natural camouflage of their surroundings to protect the eggs. While one parent stays behind to guard the nest, the other heads out to fish, bringing food back for the chicks. As the short season swiftly comes to an end, with days growing shorter, the long journey south begins once more.