What are the most common birds in Iceland, and how are birds connected to Icelandic culture? There are 370 varieties of birds registered on Iceland because of which tourists and bird behaviour enthusiasts throng to Iceland, especially towards the cliffs where these birds breed and live. Continue reading for all you need to know about Iceland's wealth of avian life. The Gyrfalcon is actually the largest of the falcon species and is a bird of prey. Those seeking White-Tailed Eagles should look to the coastal regions of the West (including the Westfjords). Read on and find out all you need to know about Iceland's wonderful fjords. Iceland is also the perfect place to see the puffin a very popular bird in Iceland among bird watchers and photographers. About 330 species of birds have been recorded in Iceland. Tourism may imply that the national bird of Iceland is the puffin, folklore may imply that it is the raven, yet in truth, it is the Gyrfalcon. Which mountains are the most beautiful mountains in Iceland, where are they located and what kind of mountains can you find in Iceland? The Atlantic puffin may be the most popular bird of Iceland, but the Gyrfalcon–the largest of the world’s falcon species–is actually the country’s official bird. Can I still take tours? Photo by Andreas Weith, from Wiki Creative Commons. While this work needs to be maintained for a full recovery to occur, Icelanders are active in promoting this animals’ interests. The national bird of Iceland is gyrfalcon. Some of the most distinguishing features of the Gyrfalcon include; Birds of Iceland. No edits made. Northern Fulmar can still be found around the country, numerous in popular birdwatching locations such as Látrabjarg in the Westfjords and Krýsuvíkurbjarg on the Reykjanes Peninsula. If there are no bird-watching houses in the area it is important to consider how to approach the birds without disturbing them. The individuals that nest here have the second-longest migration route of any animal in the world, travelling up to 80,000 kilometres every year on a round trip from Iceland to Antarctica. However, the number of breeding pairs in Iceland is declining, defying trends across the rest of their range. What season is best for birdwatching in Iceland, and where are the prime locations for such an activity? The Ptarmigan is most relevant to Icelandic culture as very popular festive food, often served as the main dish on Christmas Eve. During spring, from April to May, a huge number of birds come to Iceland in large groups so it is easy to find them. During courtship, the male performs a 'winnowing' display by flying high in circles and taking shallow dives. Also there are some areas or places that have been defined as a bird watching areas with the aim to protect the nature and the birdlife in the specific area. There are not many wild mammals in Iceland and few bird species compared to many other countries. This page ("entries start") can be used as a starting point. In summer, there are up to two million breeding pairs of Northern Fulmar, although in winter, unlike most of the other birds found in Iceland, this number actually increases to up to five million. For example, last decade more farmers are growing grain in Iceland so increasing number of the Greylag Goose stays throughout the year in the country. Many different species can be seen in urban areas including Reykjavík, especially around the downtown pond of Tjörnin and the nature reserve at Seltjarnarnes. Even though there are not many different types of birds in Iceland there is a vast numbers of individual birds of each specie and the country therefore ideal for bird-watching and bird-photography. As one, all the nesting birds will rise into the air, and unless you make a sharp exit from their eggs and young, they will proceed to swoop upon your head, talons open. Photo by Marek Ślusarczyk, from WIki Creative Commons. Are there waterfalls all around the country? Photo by Avenue, from Wiki Creative Commons. Iceland's endemics include taxa of Black-tailed Godwit, Rock Ptarmigan, Common Raven, Common Redpoll, Redwing, Eurasian Wren, and Merlin, some of which show marked differences from continental forms. Media in category "Birds of Iceland" The following 56 files are in this category, out of 56 total. Several species of migrating bird pass through Iceland due to its location in the North Atlantic between North America and Europe, making it a great place to see birds from both continents, as well as some native ones that you shouldn’t miss on your Iceland bird-watching adventures. A 2 Hour whale and bird watching tour starting from the floating pier in Akureyri. Whooper swan – Cygnus cygnus. They are most commonly found in areas where they are protected, as they have little fear of people here and often will approach travellers. The birds can be observed from close quarters on these cliffs. The midnight sun occurs during the summer in Iceland which means the days are very long and a good time to see the birds is late night and early in the morning. They can be found all around Iceland's freshwater bodies, such as in Lake Þingvallavatn in the south and Lake Mývatn in the north. While the arrival of the Golden Plover to the wetlands and moors signals the arrival of spring, however, the movement of the ravens to towns and cities signals the beginning of winter. Photos of vagrants recorded in Iceland. We are all some kind of bird ! Two Eurasian CurlewsNumenius arquataat Höfn (SE). The coastal cliffs alone carry a mind-boggling array of seabirds in massive numbers. Auks, including Puffin and Guillemots. IUCN Red List least concern species (572) Cite iucn maint (467) Taxa named by Carl Linnaeus (459) Birds described in 1758 (335) Birds of Europe (226) A rather sedentary species, it prefers walking to flying and thus relies on its seasonal camouflage for protection; in the summertime its feathers are brown but they turn white come winter. There is a saying in Iceland that the Golden Plover brings with it the springtime. Travellers to North Iceland, meanwhile, will find them in excess on the Tjörnes Peninsula, which is otherwise known for its fossil-hunting opportunities. With its bright and colorful bill striking a stark contrast with its black and white colouring, the Puffin is internationally considered a symbol of Iceland as a country, filling its souvenir stores with cuddly replicas and ornamentals. No edits made. A lot of travellers come to Iceland seeking its thriving birdlife. They mainly eat seabirds, waterfowl, and sometimes rabbits. While the draining and agricultural development of these areas in places such as England have depleted their numbers, Iceland's amount of untouched nature means they are still numerous here, throughout its lowland regions. -- (written by Jack, shown with sample pages at Avian Review, July 2008) Other Related Books: 1) Icelandic Bird Guide by Hilmarsson 2) Birds of Iceland by Bardarson 3) Birds of Europe by Mullarney et.al. How long does a sunset or a sunrise last? Several aspects of our itinerary are important to point out, as no other bird tour of Iceland offers this combination of essential features: Around 70 to 80 bird species regularly nest in Iceland which is considered rather few compared with other European countries, but over 30 additional species breed in the country even though they choose not to permanently live in Iceland. Puffins are also regularly seen on whale-watching tours from the three major whale-watching destinations in the country: Reykjavík, Húsavík and Akureyri. Forty percent of breeding pairs nest in Iceland throughout summer, with around half-a-million individuals, though they largely winter on the sunny coastlines of West Africa. What is your favourite bird in Iceland? The Meadow Pipit (Anthus pratensis) is a small passerine bird which breeds in much of the northern half of Europe and also northwestern Asia, from southeastern Greenland and Iceland east to just east of the Ural Mountains in Russia, and south to central France and Romania; there is also an isolated population in the Caucasus Mountains. Also the increased planting of forest in Iceland and global warming has led to rise in the number of passerine species attempting to breed. This tour is an adventure of a lifetime were you will explore both whales and puffins in a RIB boat. In Iceland, they went from just a few breeding pairs before 1980 to over seventy today. Why puffins are so popular is little wonder to any who see them. How has Guide to Iceland changed since its conception? They have, in fact, become the signature symbol of the archipelago, and are so common that it is a summer tradition for children to seek out and help along lost pufflings trying to reach the ocean. In the highlands, moors and mountains, there is even more diversity. It is not just coastal locations that boast such great birdwatching opportunities. There are also a lot of birds that stop in Iceland on their way to and from the north like Greenland and Canada. They are beaten only by their counterparts that nest in the Netherlands, whose route covers around 90,000 kilometres. Hunting was banned in 2003-2004 but has been allowed since 2005 for only a few days each year and only for personal consumption; all trade in the ptarmigan is banned. In particular, they nest around Jökulsárgljúfur in the northern Vatnajökull National Park, a canyon that holds the most powerful waterfall in Europe, Dettifoss. Refer to our Privacy Policy for details. Birding Diary. 4) Birds of … Bird-Watching houses have been set up in many places where you can sit calmly and watch the birds without disturbing them. Jul 2, 2015 - The birdlife in Iceland is as dramatic and varied as the rugged landscape that provides a spectacular setting to view nearly 300 different species of birds. Bird watching in Iceland is different from season to season. The Icelandic Club 200. This article will discuss in depth some of the most unique and popular species of bird in Iceland, and where you can find them on your travels. Find out more in our Icelandic bird guide below. This section presents information on bird species on Iceland. They have been much more successful in Iceland than the owls, with a larger wild population, although still are not numerous; there are thought to be only about 400 breeding pairs. The reason for this is that their eggs do not need natural defences considering the fierceness with which both parents protect them. How was your puffin watching experience? Iceland is, in many ways, unique and not only because of the nature, but also because of the biota. The Rock Ptarmigan, unlike most others on this list, is a bird that lives in Iceland throughout the year. Due to the fact they nest in cliff faces, they are found most often in the Highlands, East Fjords, Westfjords, and mountainous parts of the North. Birds of Prey are classified as belonging to the order Falconiformes which has 5 families, the 2 largest being the falcon family (Falconidae) and the accipiter family (Accipitridae). Arctic Terns are fascinating birds. Though they greatly resemble seagulls, they can be differentiated by their thicker necks, shorter bills and rigid wings when in flight. It is not uncommon to see them even on boat tours from Reykjavík, particularly around Hvalfjörður. The reason they only reside in Iceland throughout the summer months is that their diet is largely worms, which they cannot reach when the ground is frozen in winter. Iceland is an incredible country, filled with lovely people, delicious food, and a rich (and active) geology. Shags are more common in the western region (Snaefellsnes and Breidafjordur) while gannets frequent the south-western coasts of Iceland. Time somehow stands still. No article on the birds of Iceland can really begin without a mention of the Atlantic Puffin. Iceland’s national bird, the Gyrfalcon (Falco rusticolus) habitually nests on cliff faces. There are countless poems and stories in Iceland about this species, and folk songs such as ‘Krummavísur (Krummi svaf í klettagjá)’ and ‘Krummi krunkar úti’ are known by every Icelander. Iceland supports a healthy population of this species and careful scanning of rocky islets should prove successful. The Highlands form a plateau some 500 m (1,640 ft) above sea level, lying in the central and southeastern part of the island, and occupy about 40% of the landmass; they consist largely of volcanic deserts interspersed with glaciers. The biggest problem for Whimbrels in Iceland are its volcanic eruptions, the ash from which kills en masse the invertebrates on which they largely feed. During bird watching, it is important to keep few things in mind to minimize interference with the nature and disruption of nature. In Icelandic, the sound has been compared more to neighing, and thus its Icelandic name - Hrossagaukur - translates to ‘Horse Cuckoo’. 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