Tracking of Arctic ternsSterna paradisaeareveals longest animal migration

• DOI: 10.1073/pnas.0909493107
• Publication Date: 2010-01-12T03:29:07Z
• Authors: Carsten Egevang; Iain J. Stenhouse; Richard A. Phillips; Aevar Petersen; James W. Fox; Janet R. D. Silk
• Keywords: Sterna; Tern

The study of long-distance migration provides insights into the habits and performance organisms at limit their physical abilities. Arctic tern Sterna paradisaea is epitome such behavior; despite its small size (<125 g), banding recoveries at-sea surveys suggest that annual from boreal high breeding grounds to Southern Ocean may be longest seasonal movement any animal. Our tracking 11 terns fitted with miniature (1.4-g) geolocators revealed these birds do indeed travel huge distances (more than 80,000 km annually for some individuals). As well as confirming location main wintering region, we also identified a previously unknown oceanic stopover area in North Atlantic used by least two populations (from Greenland Iceland). Although same colony took one alternative southbound routes following African or South American coast, all returned on broadly similar, sigmoidal trajectory, crossing east west region equatorial Intertropical Convergence Zone. clearly target regions marine productivity both areas, exploit prevailing global wind systems reduce flight costs commutes.