Which bird makes the longest annual migration?

The Arctic tern makes the longest annual migration of any bird.

It breeds across Arctic and sub-Arctic regions, then travels south to the Antarctic coast before returning north for the next breeding season. The journey gives it two summers each year and exposes it to more daylight than almost any other animal experiences.

Tracking studies showed that the route is much longer than a simple Arctic-to-Antarctic measurement because the birds follow winding paths that take advantage of prevailing winds and productive ocean areas. Birds breeding in Iceland and Greenland average about 70,900 kilometers per year, while some tracked individuals have covered considerably more.

The record is often confused with the bar-tailed godwit. That species holds the record for the longest known nonstop flight, including journeys across the Pacific from Alaska to New Zealand. The Arctic tern’s distinction concerns total annual migration distance, not one uninterrupted flight. Arctic terns can live for roughly 30 years, potentially traveling millions of kilometers over their lifetimes.