A tern is a seabird that looks like a small, elegant gull with a sharply pointed beak and long, narrow wings. Terns are amazing fliers, famous for their graceful dives into the ocean to catch fish. They hover above the water, spot their prey, then plunge straight down in a spectacular splash.

These birds live near oceans, lakes, and rivers around the world. The Arctic tern holds one of nature's most remarkable records: it migrates from the Arctic to Antarctica and back each year, a round trip of about 44,000 miles. That's nearly twice around the Earth! This tiny bird, weighing less than a sandwich, sees more daylight than any other creature because it experiences summer at both poles.

Terns nest in colonies on beaches and islands, often becoming fierce protectors of their territory. If you walk too close to a tern's nest, the bird might dive at your head, shrieking loudly to drive you away. Despite their small size, terns are fearless defenders of their chicks.