Why Does the Arctic Tern Fly From Pole to Pole?

What Crafty Clover says in this video

Intro

Hi there, curious minds! I'm Crafty Clover! Let's discover something amazing. Why does the Arctic tern fly from pole to pole?

The Big Idea

The Arctic tern flies from pole to pole to enjoy two summers every year! It nests in the Arctic summer, then flies south to the Antarctic summer. It follows the sunshine and the food.

Arctic Summer

Step one: summer in the Arctic. Arctic terns nest in the Arctic during the northern summer. The Sun shines almost all day, and there is plenty of food for chicks.

Long Flight South

Step two: fly south. When the Arctic gets dark and cold, the terns fly all the way to Antarctica. Their round trip is about 44,000 miles every year, the longest known migration.

Antarctic Summer

Step three: a second summer. While it is winter in the Arctic, it is summer in Antarctica. Living in two summers, terns see more daylight than any other animal on Earth.

A Closer Look

Let's take a closer look! The Arctic tern is a small, graceful seabird. It travels from one end of the world to the other. That gives it two summers a year. It snacks on small fish and tiny sea creatures along the way.

Quick Facts

Quick facts! An Arctic tern can live about 30 years, flying many trips. In a lifetime, that adds up to more than a trip to the Moon and back. Terns rest and eat on the way, and do not fly nonstop. Watch wild birds from a safe distance.

Think Like a Scientist

Now, think like a scientist! Use a string on a globe to trace a tern's path from Greenland to Antarctica. Then stretch the string out and measure how long it is. Now double it, because the tern flies home again! Share what you discover with a grown-up.

Outro

The Arctic tern flies pole to pole for two summers. Science is amazing! Crafty Clover can be found on Amazon Books, Google Bookstore, and Apple Books. Available for purchase or download! Bye for now!