Arctic tern
size:
length: 33-35 centimeters
wingspan: 80-95 centimeters
weight:
110 grams
color:
light gray back, black head cap, red legs and bill
age:
maximum 30 years
food:
small fish, such as lesser sandeel, shrimp and small crabs
reproduction:
maturity: 4 years
number of eggs: 1-2 per nest
- Dut: Noordse Stern
- Eng: Arctic Tern
- Fren: Sterne arctique
- Ger: Küstenseeschwalbe
- Dan: Havterne
- Nor: Rødnebbterna
- Fries: Noardske stirns
- Ital: Sterna codalunga
- Lat: Sterna paradisaea
print
- Arctic tern, Jeroen Reneerkens
Arctic tern
Arctic terns are the champion of all migrating birds. They migrate the furthest south to overwinter, as far as the South Pole ice. In the spring, they return to their breeding grounds in the North Sea area or further northwards. In total, they make an annual trip of around 35,000 kilometers per year!
On Texel
The first certain nesting pair of Arctic terns in the Netherlands was on Texel, in 1898. In the early 21st century, the birds were having a difficult time. From 2004 to 2006, only a handful of pairs nested on the island. Fortunately, the situation has improved somewhat. In 2009, 39 pairs were counted, 21 of them in the nature area Wagejot.
- Threatened
- Brood colony of Arctic terns (Farne Islands), Foto Fitis, www.fotofitis.nl
The number of Arctic terns in the wadden region has decreased by 50% in the last ten years. A record of 2000 pairs was counted in 1999 however the numbers have declined since then. Studies have shown that the terns have been having problems for years now in rearing enough chicks. To maintain a healthy population, they need to produce 0.75 chicks per year, but in reality they are only producing 0.24. Unsuccessful breeding seasons are often caused by floods in the nesting areas. High water levels during breeding season occur more often nowadays, probably due to climate change. Other problems include many young being eaten by others and adults not being able to find enough food.
Arctic terns are sensitive to the industrial fisheries tha catch their prey, which happened in the early 1980s by the Shetland Islands. By 1987, nesting success had diminished by 70%.
The Arctic tern is protected by the Bird Directive of the EC.Almost all of the Arctic terns in the Netherlands breed in the wadden region. The largest colony is on the island Griend.
WWW
See also
Info
Copyright Ecomare
