Arctic Tern

A delicate tern famous for its exceptionally long migrations.

A recording has not been added yet. Use the identification notes below for now.

I know this bird · Record a sighting Where to look & how to find it ↓

FIELDCRAFT · FIND WITH CARE

Finding guide

Season first

Choose the season, find the habitat, then watch patiently. Search guidance is not a measure of rarity or conservation status.

When to go: Mainly spring to autumn
Where to start: Safe public harbour walls and coastal viewpoints.
What to do when you arrive: In spring and summer, watch terns from safe coastal viewpoints, comparing tail length and bill colour with Common Tern. Leave distant birds unidentified if necessary; keep out of colonies.

Habitat and behaviour reference: BirdWatch Ireland ↗ · The practical steps are editorial advice based on the references, not live sightings.

SPECIES NOTESSpecies notes

How to identify it

Adults usually have an all-red short bill, very short red legs, long tail streamers and grey underparts. Very similar to Common Tern; combine proportions with underwing pattern.

Habitat

Bays, harbours, coastal waters and offshore islands.

Behaviour

Plunge-dives for fish and crustaceans and defends breeding colonies.

When to look

Mainly spring to autumn

Where to look

Safe public harbour walls and coastal viewpoints.

Reference photos do not show every sex, age, season or geographic form; use the identification notes too.

Further reading:BirdWatch Ireland ↗ · Wikipedia ↗

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