breeding adult; black cap; red bill with black tip (Norway; 2009-05-24)


Arctic Tern
Sterna paradisaea

Native Range: Eurasia and North America

Notes: migrates circumglobally and hence is one of the world's longest-distance migrants, nesting in the Arctic and "wintering" in the Antarctic; accordingly, probably sees more total hours of daylight during the year than any other species on Planet Earth; very similar to the Common Tern but has noticeably shorter legs at rest; no sexual dimorphism.

note the short legs compared to other similar terns (Norway; 2009-05-24)
breeding pair; note again the short legs (Norway; 2009-05-24)