Citation
Arctic Tern Pole-to-Pole Migration Studies
TL;DR
44,000 miles annual migration (longest of any animal)
Documents the longest migration of any animal - 44,000 miles annually, pole-to-pole. Demonstrates extreme migration economics: 5-10% annual mortality during migration vs 100% mortality if stayed during polar winter. No tern survives winter at poles.
Key Findings from researchers (2020)
- 44,000 miles annual migration (longest of any animal)
- 30-year lifespan = 1.3 million lifetime miles
- 5-10% annual migration mortality
- 100% mortality if stayed during polar winter
- 24-hour daylight feeding in both polar summers