How long does it take for Arctic terns to migrate?

How long does it take for Arctic terns to migrate?

Arctic terns follow the coastlines of northwest Europe and Africa, feeding as they go. Some are great wanderers. One ringed in Wales was recovered 20,000 km (12,500 miles) away in New South Wales, Australia, after just six months. Arctic terns can live for up to 29 years.

What do arctic terns do?

Arctic Terns are social birds, foraging in groups and nesting on the ground in colonies. They often rest on ice and fly on graceful and buoyant wings.

Where do terns go in the winter?

After the breeding season, the terns migrate south to spend their winter along the coasts of the tropics and the southern hemisphere in areas including Africa, South America and South-east Asia. They have one of the longest migrations of all birds, with an average round trip of 35,000km each year.

Where does a Arctic tern live?

Arctic terns can also be seen along the eastern coast of South America, Western Europe, Iceland, Australia, New Zealand, and on Pacific islands. Their winter habitat extends to the northernmost points of Antarctica. Breeding grounds range in type and include boreal forests, islands, tundras, and rocky beaches.

What causes the Arctic tern to migrate?

Terns migrate in search of summer sunlight. Sunlight illuminates the ground and the ocean surface, so the birds can see fish or insects more clearly. Summer weather is also usually calmer at sea, allowing the birds to fly more easily. “It’s really difficult to migrate this far, for this long.

Which bird does the longest migration?

Arctic tern Sterna
The Arctic tern Sterna paradisaea has the longest-distance migration of any bird, and sees more daylight than any other, moving from its Arctic breeding grounds to the Antarctic non-breeding areas.

Do Arctic terns sleep while flying?

Arctic terns are made for migration. They prefer to glide in the air for most of the year. Arctic terns can sleep and eat, all while gliding. In fact, arctic terns are one of the few birds, besides hummingbirds, that can hover in midair.

How long do Arctic terns migrate?

Since the birds often live 30 years or more, the researchers estimate that, over its lifetime, an arctic tern migrates about 1.5 million miles (2.4 million kilometers)—equal to three trips to the moon and back.

Why do Arctic terns migrate?

Migration Reasons. The arctic tern usually migrates because of breeding reasons. They breed up in the northern parts of the arctic ocean and around the coasts, as well as places like Alaska and northern Canada. Another reason they migrate is because the drop in temperature over the winter in the northern hemisphere .

Where do Arctic terns nest?

Arctic Terns ( Sterna paradisaea ) nest on Matinicus Rock, Seal Island National Wildlife Refuge, and Eastern Egg Rock. They often dive-bomb the people who are going out to do research.