Arctic Tern Welfare During Extreme Annual Migration

Arctic terns undertake the longest migration of any animal, travelling from Arctic breeding grounds to Antarctic wintering areas, facing welfare challenges from exhaustion, starvation, and habitat loss along the route.

Key Facts

Arctic terns migrate approximately 70,000-90,000 km annually from pole to pole
They experience more daylight hours than any other animal by following summer across both hemispheres
The migration involves crossing multiple ocean basins with limited rest opportunity
Chick survival depends on abundant small fish prey near nesting colonies
Climate change is affecting prey availability at both breeding and wintering areas

Welfare Considerations

Arctic tern welfare across the annual cycle involves extreme physiological demands that push the boundaries of avian endurance physiology. The migration is fuelled by fat reserves that must be maintained throughout the journey, and starvation during periods of low prey availability along the route causes welfare compromise. At breeding colonies, sea surface temperature changes alter fish prey availability, causing chick starvation in poor years. Despite covering extraordinary distances, arctic terns show strong site fidelity and nest in dense colonies that are vulnerable to a single disturbance event wiping out an entire season's breeding.

What You Can Do

Support marine protected area networks along arctic tern migration routes
Contribute tern colony count data to national seabird monitoring schemes
Protect nesting colonies from disturbance during the breeding season
Advocate for climate action that maintains productive marine ecosystems for seabird prey fish
Donate to seabird conservation organisations monitoring arctic tern population trends