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Recordings
Scientific Name
Sterna paradisaea
Arabic Name
الخرشنة القطبية
Kuwaiti name
خطاف
Family
Width
80.0 cm
Length
38.0 cm
Similar species
Information
Vagrant, usually seen on spring passage. A world-record long-distance migrant breeding in the Arctic and wintering as far south as the Antarctic waters. Otherwise, very similar-looking to the Common Tern.
Where in Kuwait
Only 5 records for Kuwait, with the last seen in June 2011 at Jahra Pools, all other records are from the Jahra Bay area
In the world
It has an extremely large range with a decreasing population and has a circumpolar range, breeding in the Arctic and subarctic regions of Europe, Asia and North America. It is a transequatorial migrant, and can be found wintering throughout the Southern Ocean to the edge of the Antarctic ice and the southern tips of South America and Africa. It makes exceptional long-distance movements offshore or along western continental coastlines between its high Arctic breeding grounds and Antarctic wintering grounds during migration.This is probably the longest migration undertaken by any bird and means that the Arctic Tern sees more sunlight each year than any other animal, as they experience a 'second summer' by travelling south in winter.
Local threats
Marine oil spills and pollution