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Birds of Iceland: An Introductory Guide

icelandic snow owl

With its relatively isolated location in the frigid north Atlantic, Iceland might not be the first country that comes to mind when you think about the world’s best birdwatching destinations. 

It’s true that the harsh winters of the 40,000 square mile island ensures that there are few breeding land birds among the country’s resident avian species.

And its remoteness (around 750 miles from Greenland, and 850 miles from the United Kingdom) limits the annual influx of summer migrants.

Yet still the list of the birds of Iceland tops 370 different species, with approximately 85 species that are regularly seen during an Iceland birds’ tours.

Birdwatching in Iceland has become one of the island’s more popular things to do, particularly at the Tjörnin pond in downtown Reykjavík, the nature reserve at Seltjarnarnes, and the entire Lake Mývatn region.

While this brief Icelandic bird guide is by no means complete, it should provide an overview of the major species you might expect to see when birding Iceland. 

READ MORE: The Norse Gods: An Intro to Viking Mythology

Snowy Owl via Canva

Birds of Iceland Guide

  1. Puffins
  2. Auks
  3. Guillemots
  4. Ducks
  5. Geese
  6. Gyrfalcon
  7. Loons
  8. Rock Ptarmigan
Iceland Puffin
Iceland Puffin via Canva

Atlantic Puffins in Iceland

Arguably among the most iconic species of Iceland animals, the Atlantic puffin is a highlight of any Iceland bird tour.

Though these beautiful birds can be seen in other parts of the world, approximately 60% of their total population of around 12 million can be found nesting in huge cliff-top colonies in Iceland from May to September each year. 

It’s easy to see why these iconic Arctic animals are so popular. With their penguin-like bodies, awkward waddling gait, and colorful red, yellow, and white bills, the cute “clown of the sea” (a.k.a. “sea parrot”) is adorably unusual.

The fact that Puffins are one of the few endangered species that mate for life and have virtually no fear of humans just makes them all the more endearing.

There are plenty of places to see Atlantic puffins in Iceland. If you’re looking for quantity, start at the cliffs at Látrabjarg (in the Westfjords) or the Westman Islands (a.k.a. Vestmannaeyjar, an archipelago off the country’s southern coast).

You can find them nesting there by the millions, with helping lost puffin chicks trying to reach the water a popular pastime for kids in the summer. 

Other good places to see them include the dynamic Dyrhólaey cliffs in the south, the Tjörnes…

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