Watercolor portrait of Arctic Tern (Sterna paradisaea)

Arctic Tern

Sterna paradisaea
Arctic Terns breed in the far north, the… Breeds on Arctic and subarctic coasts, t… Uncommon Colony chatter

Learn to identify the Arctic Tern by ear. Master the "kip-kip-kip, kee-ar!" phrase and tell it apart from similar species.

“kip-kip-kip, kee-ar!”

What the Arctic Tern sounds like

A sleek, silvery tern with a jet-black cap, blood-red bill, and long tail streamers that seem to trail behind like ribbons. In flight it looks light and buoyant, with quick wingbeats and graceful glides over cold water.

“kip-kip-kip, kee-ar!”

How to tell it apart

Listen for:Not a true song, but a lively mix of sharp, scratchy notes around the colony. It sounds busy, excited, and a little argumentative. Often written as “kip-kip-kip, kee-ar!”.
Don't confuse with:The Common Tern — common tern usually looks heavier-billed, with a slightly longer bill. in breeding plumage it often shows a black tip, but by late summer that tip can be reduced or missing, so bill color alone is not always safe.

Where you'll hear it

Breeds on Arctic and subarctic coasts, tundra ponds, rocky islands, and gravel spits. Outside the breeding season it lives far out at sea, often over cold, productive oceans.

Look for them on breeding grounds from late spring through summer, when they are noisy, bold, and fiercely protective of nests. During migration they can pass offshore in loose flocks, and in winter they remain mostly pelagic near Antarctic waters.

Similar species

Common Tern

Common Tern usually looks heavier-billed, with a slightly longer bill. In breeding plumage it often shows a black tip, but by late summer that tip can be reduced or missing, so bill color alone is not always safe.

Arctic Tern song FAQ

What does an Arctic Tern sound like?
Not a true song, but a lively mix of sharp, scratchy notes around the colony. It sounds busy, excited, and a little argumentative. Listen for the "kip-kip-kip, kee-ar!" phrase.
How do I tell an Arctic Tern from a Common Tern by sound?
Common Tern: Common Tern usually looks heavier-billed, with a slightly longer bill. In breeding plumage it often shows a black tip, but by late summer that tip can be reduced or missing, so bill color alone is not always safe.; In flight, Arctic Tern often shows paler, more uniform gray upperwings with less black in the outer wing. Common Tern typically shows a darker wedge in the outer primaries, while its underparts are usually paler than Arctic Tern’s grayer belly.; Arctic Tern usually looks shorter-legged and longer-tailed, with tail streamers that often reach past the wingtips when perched. Common Tern often looks a bit longer-winged and less delicate overall..
When is the best time to hear an Arctic Tern?
Look for them on breeding grounds from late spring through summer, when they are noisy, bold, and fiercely protective of nests. During migration they can pass offshore in loose flocks, and in winter they remain mostly pelagic near Antarctic waters.