What animal holds the record for the longest migration journey?

The Arctic Tern holds the record for the longest migration journey of any animal in the world. These seabirds breed in the Arctic during the northern hemisphere summer and then fly south to the Antarctic for the southern hemisphere summer, which means they experience two summers each year. The total distance of this journey is approximately 44,000 miles (71,000 km) round-trip, making it the longest migration ever recorded by an animal.

The Arctic Tern's migration pattern is shaped by the seasonal variations of the earth's light and temperature. As the sun shifts southward in the sky during the northern hemisphere fall, the terns begin their journey to the Antarctic where the days are longer and there is more daylight. As the Antarctic summer comes to an end and the sun shifts northward again, the terns fly back to the Arctic to breed once more. This migration requires a tremendous amount of energy and the birds must eat nearly constantly during their journey in order to survive.

The Arctic Tern's ability to travel such an incredible distance is due to a combination of their lightweight body, their excellent flying skills, and their ability to feed while in flight. These birds are capable of flying for months at a time without touching down on land or water, and their wings are perfectly suited for long-distance travel. They are also able to feed on small fish and plankton while in flight, which allows them to conserve energy and remain airborne for longer periods of time.