Arctic Tern

Inuktitut name - Imiqqutailat

Colour - bill and legs blood red, head with black cap, lower face grey with white line above

Length - 35 to 42 cm

Shape - tail long and deeply forked; legs short; wings long and quite pointed

Behaviour - often dives from 10 metres above the water; feeds near shore, eating small fish; nests on sandy beaches or rocky islets, usually nests with one or a few pairs present, but occasionally forms large colonies (up to 100 pairs)

Distribution - migrates to Antarctic in winter, returning north in spring; widespread in the Arctic in summer

Sensitivity - see Sensitivity Information on the Birds - General Information page

Arctic Tern (33 KB)

Lancaster Sound Area Distribution Maps: Spring (Ice Scenario 1) Spring (Ice Scenario 2) Spring (Ice Scenario 3) Summer Scenario

Coronation Gulf Area Distribution Maps: See the Birds - General Information page.