Learn more about the birds that feel right at home in the Arctic’s icy climate. Arctic birds, like snow buntings and arctic terns, have made some amazing adaptations to be able to withstand the polar cold.
Arctic Terns Migrate the Farthest
Talk about an incredible journey! Arctic terns hold the record for the farthest migration. One trip from their breeding grounds in the Arctic to their winter territory in Antarctica is about 29,000 miles. That impressive zigzagging flight south is done at sea—they are rarely spotted from land.
Common Ravens Are Super Smart
The common raven is one of the smartest birds on the planet. Thanks to that ingenuity, ravens survive in all kinds of habitats—from Arctic tundra to Texas heat.
Most Ptarmigans Stay in the Arctic
Two of the three ptarmigan species, rock and willow, live mainly in the Arctic. The third, white-tailed, also lives as far south as Colorado. (Psst! The “p” in ptarmigan is silent.)
Look for Peregrine Falcons Around the World
You probably know that peregrine falcons are fast flyers but it might surprise you to learn these birds of prey are found on six continents. You can spot them nearly everywhere on earth except Antarctica.
Common Redpoll Name Change
After studying the DNA of 77 redpolls, researchers found almost no genetic difference between common and hoary redpolls. As of 2024, the American Ornithological Society reclassified them as one species, known simply as redpolls.
Snow Buntings Breed in Snow
Male snow buntings head to their breeding grounds in the high Arctic in early April. The area is still covered in snow, and temperatures are as low as 22 degrees below zero.
Sources
- All About Birds – arctic tern
- Kaufman Field Guide to Birds of North America
- http://www.audubon.org/news/one-redpoll-rule-them-all
- All About Birds – snow bunting
- All About Birds – common raven
- Birds of the World – white-tailed ptarmigan
- National Audubon Society – peregrine falcon
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