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Arctic Tern

Sterna paradisaea

Bird · family Laridae · order Charadriiformes

  1. G1
    Critically imperiled
  2. G2
    Imperiled
  3. G3
    Vulnerable
  4. G4
    Apparently secure
  5. G5
    Secure

NatureServe global rank G5: secure[2].

Updated October 30, 2026. Published by Humblebee.

Arctic Tern
Photo: W. Bulach, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Endangered Species Act
Not listed[1]
NatureServe global rank
G5 Secure[2]
Native in
14 states[3]
Oldest known wild bird
33 years[4]

The Arctic Tern is a seabird in the family Laridae, and NatureServe ranks it G5 (Secure) worldwide[5][2]. In the US it is recorded as native in 14 states and territories[3].

Conservation status

NatureServe gives the Arctic Tern a global rank of G5, which means Secure[2]. Its US breeding rank is N5B, also Secure[6]. The IUCN Red List category recorded by NatureServe is Least concern[7]. The bird is not listed as endangered or threatened under the US Endangered Species Act[1]. It is on the federal list of migratory birds protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act[8].

Status Value
Endangered Species Act[1] Not listed
NatureServe global rank[2] G5 (Secure)
NatureServe US rank[6] N5B (Secure (breeding))
IUCN Red List (via NatureServe)[7] Least concern
Migratory Bird Treaty Act[8] Protected
Total population (NatureServe estimate)[9] >1,000,000 individuals

Where Arctic Tern lives

NatureServe lists the Arctic Tern as native in Alaska, California, Delaware, Florida, Idaho, Massachusetts, Maine, North Carolina, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Virginia and Washington[3]. NatureServe state ranks differ from state to state, and they are shown in the table on this page[10]. Records on GBIF come most often from Alaska, Maine, California, Massachusetts and Washington, but those counts follow where people look and report, not where the birds are most numerous[11].

Alaska: native, state rank S4BAKMaine: native, state rank S2BMEWisconsin: not recordedWIVermont: not recordedVTNew Hampshire: native, state rank S1BNHWashington: native, state rank S2BWAIdaho: native, state rank SNAIDMontana: not recordedMTNorth Dakota: not recordedNDMinnesota: not recordedMNIllinois: not recordedILMichigan: not recordedMINew York: native, state rank SNRNNYMassachusetts: native, state rank S1B,S1NMAOregon: native, state rank SNAORNevada: not recordedNVWyoming: not recordedWYSouth Dakota: not recordedSDIowa: not recordedIAIndiana: not recordedINOhio: not recordedOHPennsylvania: not recordedPANew Jersey: native, state rank SNANJConnecticut: not recordedCTRhode Island: not recordedRICalifornia: native, state rank SNACAUtah: not recordedUTColorado: not recordedCONebraska: not recordedNEMissouri: not recordedMOKentucky: not recordedKYWest Virginia: not recordedWVVirginia: native, state rank SNAVAMaryland: not recordedMDDelaware: native, state rank S2MDEArizona: not recordedAZNew Mexico: not recordedNMKansas: not recordedKSArkansas: not recordedARTennessee: not recordedTNNorth Carolina: native, state rank SNANCSouth Carolina: not recordedSCDistrict of Columbia: not recordedDCOklahoma: not recordedOKLouisiana: not recordedLAMississippi: not recordedMSAlabama: not recordedALGeorgia: not recordedGAHawaii: not recordedHITexas: not recordedTXFlorida: native, state rank SNAFLPuerto Rico: not recordedPR
State presence as recorded by NatureServe[10].
Show state ranks (14 states)
StateRankMeaning
AlaskaS4BApparently Secure (breeding)
CaliforniaSNANot Applicable
DelawareS2MImperiled (migrant)
FloridaSNANot Applicable
IdahoSNANot Applicable
MaineS2BImperiled (breeding)
MassachusettsS1B,S1NCritically Imperiled (breeding), Critically Imperiled (nonbreeding)
New HampshireS1BCritically Imperiled (breeding)
New JerseySNANot Applicable
New YorkSNRNNot Ranked (nonbreeding)
North CarolinaSNANot Applicable
OregonSNANot Applicable
VirginiaSNANot Applicable
WashingtonS2BImperiled (breeding)

Habitat

NatureServe records habitat types such as tundra, grassland, bare rock, herbaceous wetland, riparian areas, shallow and deep water, near shore waters and open sea[12]. When breeding, the bird nests on the ground along rocky, sandy, gravelly or grassy coasts and islands[13]. Farther north it also nests in marshes and on gravel bars, and sometimes on open tundra[13]. Outside the breeding season it stays mostly out at sea[13].

Habitat types recorded by NatureServe[12]

Size, diet and lifespan

The Arctic Tern eats small fish and crustaceans, which it catches by diving into the water from the air[14]. One source estimates its diet at 80% fish, 10% invertebrates and 10% carrion[15]. A typical adult is about 39 cm (15 in) long and weighs about 110 g[16][17]. A clutch is 2 to 3 eggs, and both sexes incubate for 20 to 24 days[18]. The longest recorded lifespan in the wild is 34 years[19]. The oldest known wild bird in US and Canadian banding records was at least 33 years 11 months old[4].

Trait Value
Typical length[16] 39 cm (15 in)
Typical adult weight[17] 110 g (3.9 oz)
Longest recorded lifespan (AnAge)[19] 34 years (wild)
Oldest known wild bird (banding)[4] 33 years 11 months
Litter or clutch size[20] 2
Gestation or incubation[21] 21 days
Female maturity[22] 1,095 days (about 3.0 years)
Food habits[23] Piscivore, Invertivore
Migration[24] long-distance migrant

Estimated diet composition (EltonTraits 1.0)[15]

  • 80% fish
  • 10% invertebrates
  • 10% carrion

When to look for it

NatureServe describes the Arctic Tern as a long-distance migrant[24]. It arrives in breeding areas from April to June and leaves by August or September[25]. Eggs are laid in June and July[18]. It travels mainly well offshore[25]. GBIF observation records in the US peak in May, June and July, which shows when people report the bird, not how many there are[26].

January: 4 recordsJanFebruary: 0 recordsFebMarch: 5 recordsMarApril: 1,760 recordsAprMay: 25,486 recordsMayJune: 35,090 recordsJunJuly: 18,970 recordsJulAugust: 6,972 recordsAugSeptember: 3,064 recordsSepOctober: 1,058 recordsOctNovember: 164 recordsNovDecember: 68 recordsDec
US observation records on GBIF by month, all years. The three months with the most records are highlighted. Records show when people look and report, not how many animals there are[26].
Show records by month
MonthRecords
January4
February0
March5
April1,760
May25,486
June35,090
July18,970
August6,972
September3,064
October1,058
November164
December68

Where to see it

National Park Service species lists record Arctic Tern as present in 28 park units[27]. Present means the park has a confirmed record, not that sightings are common.

And 4 more park units.

States with the most GBIF observation records: Alaska, Maine, California, Massachusetts, Washington[11]. These counts follow where people look and report, not population size.

Questions people ask

Is the Arctic Tern endangered?
No. It is not listed as endangered or threatened under the US Endangered Species Act[1]. NatureServe ranks it G5 (Secure) globally[2].
Where does the Arctic Tern live in the US?
NatureServe lists it as native in 14 states and territories, including Alaska, Maine, Massachusetts, California and Washington[3].
What does the Arctic Tern eat?
It eats small fish and crustaceans, which it catches by diving into the water from the air[14].
How big is the Arctic Tern?
A typical adult is about 39 cm (15 in) long and weighs about 110 g[16][17].
How long does the Arctic Tern live?
The longest recorded lifespan in the wild is 34 years[19]. The oldest known banded bird was at least 33 years 11 months old[4].

Facts and sources

  1. Arctic Tern is not listed as endangered or threatened under the US Endangered Species Act in USFWS ECOS data (checked 2026-10-30). USFWS ECOS
  2. NatureServe global conservation status rank for Arctic Tern: G5 (Secure). NatureServe Explorer
  3. NatureServe lists Arctic Tern as native in 14 US states and territories: Alaska, California, Delaware, Florida, Idaho, Massachusetts, Maine, North Carolina, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Virginia, Washington. NatureServe Explorer
  4. Oldest known wild Arctic Tern from US and Canadian bird banding records: at least 33 years 11 months old (USGS Bird Banding Laboratory). USGS Bird Banding Lab
  5. Arctic Tern (Sterna paradisaea) is a bird in the family Laridae, order Charadriiformes. NatureServe Explorer
  6. NatureServe national rank in the United States: N5B (Secure (breeding)). NatureServe Explorer
  7. IUCN Red List category as recorded by NatureServe: Least concern. NatureServe Explorer
  8. Arctic Tern is on the federal list of migratory birds protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (50 CFR 10.13). eCFR, 50 CFR 10.13
  9. NatureServe estimate of total adult population (global, as a range): >1,000,000 individuals. NatureServe Explorer
  10. NatureServe state ranks for Arctic Tern (map and table on this page). NatureServe Explorer
  11. US states with the most GBIF observation records of Arctic Tern: Alaska, Maine, California, Massachusetts, Washington. Record counts follow observer effort, not population size. GBIF
  12. Habitat types NatureServe records for Arctic Tern: Grassland/herbaceous, Tundra, Bare rock/talus/scree, Herbaceous wetland, Riparian, Deep water, Shallow water, Pelagic, Near shore. NatureServe Explorer
  13. NatureServe notes on habitat for Arctic Tern. NatureServe Explorer
  14. NatureServe notes on food for Arctic Tern. NatureServe Explorer
  15. Estimated diet composition in EltonTraits 1.0: 80% fish, 10% invertebrates, 10% carrion. EltonTraits 1.0
  16. Typical length recorded by NatureServe: 39 cm (15 in). NatureServe Explorer
  17. Typical adult weight recorded by NatureServe: 110 g (3.9 oz). NatureServe Explorer
  18. NatureServe notes on reproduction for Arctic Tern. NatureServe Explorer
  19. Maximum recorded lifespan in AnAge: 34 years in the wild. This is a record, not a typical lifespan. AnAge
  20. Typical litter or clutch size in AnAge: 2. AnAge
  21. Gestation or incubation period in AnAge: 21 days. AnAge
  22. Age at female sexual maturity in AnAge: 1,095 days (about 3.0 years). AnAge
  23. Adult food habits recorded by NatureServe: Piscivore, Invertivore. NatureServe Explorer
  24. NatureServe migration category for Arctic Tern: long-distance migrant (populations can differ). NatureServe Explorer
  25. NatureServe notes on migration for Arctic Tern. NatureServe Explorer
  26. GBIF observation records of Arctic Tern in the US by month (chart on this page). GBIF
  27. NPSpecies park lists recording Arctic Tern as present (list on this page). NPS NPSpecies

Status, range and habitat come from NatureServe Explorer (CC BY 4.0) and USFWS ECOS at the snapshot date. Listings change by federal rule. State lists are where NatureServe records the species, not a promise that you will see it there. Never name a place smaller than a state. GBIF and park records count observations and checklists. They show where and when people report the species, not how many animals live there.

NatureServe. 2026. NatureServe Explorer [web application]. NatureServe, Arlington, Virginia. Available https://explorer.natureserve.org. (Accessed: October 30, 2026). Licensed under CC BY 4.0; SpeciesFacts selected and summarized it.

Photo: W. Bulach, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.