Arctic Tern
Sterna paradisaea
The Arctic Tern is a rare but regular migrant to Britain, typically seen during the summer months, particularly in the northern and western coastal regions, where it can be found in areas such as the Outer Hebrides and the Isle of May. It is a long-distance migrant, traveling from its Arctic breeding grounds to the Antarctic and back again each year, making it a highly sought-after sighting for British birdwatchers.
Field Identification Guide
Use these features to identify Arctic Tern in the field.
The Arctic Tern can be identified by its sleek, grey and white plumage, distinctive black cap, and long, forked tail, as well as its sharp, pointed wings and black bill.
The Arctic Tern is slightly smaller than a Black-headed Gull, but larger than a Sandwich Tern.
The male Arctic Tern has a grey back and wings, white underside, and a black cap that extends from the forehead to the back of the head, with a white forehead patch during the breeding season, which fades to a more uniform grey outside of breeding.
The female Arctic Tern is similar to the male, with no significant differences in plumage, although females may have a slightly more subdued colouration.
The Arctic Tern's call is a sharp, piercing "kee-kee-kee" or "kik-kik-kik", often repeated in a series of high-pitched notes.
Arctic Terns are highly agile and acrobatic flyers, feeding on small fish, crustaceans, and insects, which they catch by diving and plunging into the water, and are known for their bold and curious nature, often approaching boats and people.
The Arctic Tern can be confused with the Common Tern, but can be distinguished by its longer tail, more pronounced black cap, and greyer back, as well as its more agile and erratic flight pattern.
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