If there’s one bird that could win the title of “World’s Greatest Traveler,” it’s the Arctic tern. This tiny bird is a migration superstar, flying an incredible 44,000 miles round-trip every year from the Arctic to the Antarctic and back! That's like flying around the Earth twice in a single year—talk about frequent flyer miles!

Why the Long Haul?
The Arctic tern's migration is all about chasing endless summer. These birds breed in the Arctic during the northern summer and then fly all the way to Antarctica to enjoy the southern summer, making sure they’re always in the sun. This journey ensures they have access to plenty of food, like fish and small marine creatures, which thrive in the long daylight hours.

Built for Distance
So how does this small bird manage such an epic journey? Arctic terns are built for endurance. Their long, slender wings allow them to glide effortlessly over the ocean for hours at a time, using wind currents to conserve energy. They also take advantage of stopovers on their journey, resting and refueling along the way, especially near rich feeding grounds where they can stock up on fat reserves.

Navigational Ninjas
Arctic terns have an uncanny sense of direction. They can navigate vast distances with pinpoint accuracy, using a combination of the sun, stars, and even Earth’s magnetic field to guide them. These birds know exactly where to go, year after year, without getting lost—a natural GPS system that never fails.

A Lifetime of Flight
Over the course of its life, an Arctic tern can fly more than 1.5 million miles. That’s the equivalent of three trips to the moon and back! Their incredible endurance and ability to travel such distances have earned them the title of longest migration of any bird on Earth.