Category: Birds
These handsome little birds are native to Australia, East Timor, and Indonesia. They can be found in many different types of habitats, including human-disturbed areas. They are able to nest almost anywhere – this can include bushes, rabbit holes, termite mounds, nests of other birds, and ledges of buildings. They are popular as pets and used extensively in genetic research.
A Truly Amazing Race…
Many species of birds migrate when the weather changes, but some species take their journeys to extremes. The Arctic tern tops this list: it flies from the Arctic to Antarctic and back again every year of its life! In 2013, scientists tracked Arctic terns nesting in the Netherlands and discovered that they flew 56,000 miles per year! With a lifespan of approximately 30 years, this means these birds fly over 1.5 million miles over the course of their lives! Because the distance they migrate is so enormous, they don’t just get better weather and more abundant food each year, they get more daylight than any other animal on the planet!
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Discover Animals is a web-based educational resource offered by the NAIA
