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Record-breaking! Arctic Tern makes longest annual migration, covers 59,650 miles
The previous record of 56,545 miles was also held by an Arctic Tern, who covered this distance on its polar flight from Netherlands
New Delhi: An Arctic Tern , one of the smallest sea-bird, made the longest ever annual migration between July 25th, 2015 to May 4th, 2016, covering a distance of 59,650 miles from their North-East homes, according to The Guardian reports.
For the first time, scientists at Newcastle University in collaboration with BBC's springwatch have mapped the annual migration of Arctic Terns from Northumberland to Antarctica and back with the help of electron tags fitted on their body.
Scientists revealed that the total distance covered by the tiny bird in its meandering journey is more than twice the circumference of the our home planet.
The bird, which weighs just 100g, left its breeding grounds last July and flew down the west coast of Africa, rounded the Cape of Good Hope into the Indian Ocean and arrived in Antarctica in November.
The previous record of 56,545 miles was also held by an Arctic Tern, who covered this distance on its polar flight from Netherlands