The world's ultimate traveler: the Arctic Tern

International flights are nothing for this amazing bird!

Are you ready to take a journey with the world's ultimate traveler? Then buckle up, because we're going to follow the migration of the Arctic Tern! :D

Image credit: American Oceans

This little bird is a true champion of the skies and holds the world record for the longest migration of any bird species on the planet. But it's not just the distance that's impressive, it's the speed too.

So, pack your bags and let's go!

First, a little background on our flighty, feathered friend

The Arctic Tern is a small, adorable seabird that weighs in at just over 100 grams, with a wingspan of about 75 cm. Despite its small size, this bird is strong, and full of vigor!!

The arctic tern is a water-loving bird that hatches during summer in the Arctic Circle, the northernmost part of the Northern Hemisphere. Like its name suggests, the Arctic Tern lives in the Arctic (only during the summer months, though, when there is sunlight and food). There, it feeds on small fish and invertebrates.

Image credit: Sara Jenner, Oceanwide Expeditions

But, during the unbearably cold, dark arctic winter, the arctic tern flies south, following the summer season all the way to the Antarctic Circle on the other side of the Earth.

Their epic journey is one that would make even the most seasoned traveler green with envy (or green with sickness, perhaps, if days-long travel isn’t your thing).

So, where does the Arctic Tern fly?

In search of food and sunlight, the Arctic Tern flies all the way from the Arctic to the Antarctic and back again. Because arctic terns do not fly in a straight line, the distance they fly every year is even longer than the approximately 30,000-kilometer (18,641-mile) from Arctic Circle to Antarctic Circle. This makes the arctic tern’s migration one of the longest of any animal on Earth.

Image credit: eBird

Scientists estimate their round trip journey is over 44,000 km - that's like flying from New York to London and back, twice! (At at one go, too…)

Can you imagine making that trip, not once, but twice a year for your entire life? That's what the Arctic Tern does, year after year. These birds also live for an average lifespan of over 30 years - so it’s a commitment, for sure!

A never-ending summer vacation

But wait, there's more! The Arctic Tern not only flies the farthest distance of any bird, but it also experiences the most daylight.

During summer, the Arctic and the Antarctic get almost 24 hours of sunlight. During winter, it is almost entirely dark.

The earth is rotating at a tilted axis relative to the sun, and during the summer months, the North Pole is angled towards our star. That's why, for several weeks, the sun never sets above the Arctic Circle. Svalbard is the place in Norway where the midnight sun occurs for the longest period.

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.

This bird gets to bask in the sun for months on end as it follows the summer from the Arctic to the Antarctic, and back again. It's like a never-ending summer vacation for this little bird!

How many days do they fly for?

The Arctic Tern flies at an average speed of about 55 km/h, which means it covers the 44,000 km in about 800 hours of flying time. That's about 33 days of non-stop flying! :O

Can you imagine walking or running for 33 days straight? Yikes.

But the Arctic Tern doesn't seem to mind. In fact, it thrives on the journey, even fattening up on the abundant food supply along the way to fuel its flight.

But the Arctic Tern's migration is not without its challenges. The bird has to navigate treacherous storms, fierce winds, and even avoid predators like gulls and skuas. It's like a game of "Survivor: Bird Edition" with millions of dollars on the line (well, not really, but you get the idea).

Image credit: Bernd Thaller, Flickr

So the next time you're feeling tired from your travels, just remember the Arctic Tern and all it's accomplished. It's a bird of a feather that truly stands out in the flock.

Until next time, happy flying!