File:Arctic tern in flight - DPLA - a1cba99ef72e4f2362968764cce43156.jpg

35 mm slide; color. Scientific Classification: Kingdom: Animalia; Phylum: Chordata; Class: Aves; Order: Charadriiformes; Family: Laridae; Genus: Sterna; Genus species: Sterna paradisaea. Animal characteristics: Head-Body Length: 36-43 cm; Identification: The Arctic tern has a deeply forked tail, white and black cap, pale gray back and wings, gray underparts, and a red bill; Habitat: Coasts, tundra, open oceans; Diet: Carnivore: fish, crustaceans, insects; Reproduction: Arctic terns are colonial nesters, building their individual nests on open ground. Both parents incubate their 1-3 eggs for a total of 20-24 days. Even though the chicks can fly by the time they are 28 days of age, they will remain with their parents for an additional 1-2 months; Social Structure: Arctic terns are very sociable and will nest in large colonies; Behavior: After much aerial chasing and screaming, the male tern offers a small fish to the female in a courtship ritual. Most terns mate for life; Status: No special status; Interesting Facts: This bird migrates farther than any other bird species - from the high Arctic to Antarctica.