They are most commonly found in areas where they are protected, as they have little fear of people here and often will approach travellers. Iceland is, in many ways, unique and not only because of the nature, but also because of the biota. Puffins are also regularly seen on whale-watching tours from the three major whale-watching destinations in the country: Reykjavík, Húsavík and Akureyri. Shags are more common in the western region (Snaefellsnes and Breidafjordur) while gannets frequent the south-western coasts of Iceland. Of these only about 85 nest or have attempted to nest, and about 12 are common passage migrants or winter visitors. Whooper swan – Cygnus cygnus. However, Iceland’s national bird is, in fact, the Gyrfalcon. Rock ptarmigans are not just a festive meal for Icelanders; they also are the main food for Snowy Owls. Since then, they have been deeply associated with mysticism and knowledge. Most of the bird species in Iceland stay only during the summer, the birds come from Europe, Africa and the northern hemisphere in April and May to nest and raise their chicks. While ravens are one of the most widely spread animals on earth, in Iceland, they have a special connection with the nation's folklore. There is a saying in Iceland that the Golden Plover brings with it the springtime. Many different species can be seen in urban areas including Reykjavík, especially around the downtown pond of Tjörnin and the nature reserve at Seltjarnarnes. What season is best for birdwatching in Iceland, and where are the prime locations for such an activity? However, the number of breeding pairs in Iceland is declining, defying trends across the rest of their range. 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. This tour combines two fun activities ideal for nature lovers; Whales and Puffins as well as other sea birds. Other birds identified in Iceland mostly come from Europe and, in a much lesser number, from North America. They can be found all around Iceland's freshwater bodies, such as in Lake Þingvallavatn in the south and Lake Mývatn in the north. Follow us on facebook. Can I still take tours? In Iceland, they went from just a few breeding pairs before 1980 to over seventy today. South Iceland has a great deal to offer visiting birdwatchers with its wide variety of habitats, including wetlands, seabird colonies, highland oases and unique coastlines. The long-staying drake White-winged ScoterMelanitta deglandiremains at Keflavík (SW). Photo by Marek Ślusarczyk, from WIki Creative Commons. Book your complete trip with the best companies only. There are also a lot of birds that stop in Iceland on their way to and from the north like Greenland and Canada. Furthermore, their excellent camouflage against the snow, their silent method of flight, and the fact that they are most numerous in the dark months of the winter simply makes them difficult to spot. Book one of these Fjor... Guide to Iceland | The Story of the Leading Travel Agency of Iceland, Iceland in December | An Unbeatable Guide & the Impact of COVID-19, Snaefellsnes National Park | Small Group Day Tour, Brian Gatwicke, from Wiki Creative Commons, Marek Ślusarczyk, from Wiki Creative Commons, Ómar Runólfsson, from Wiki Creative Commons, Andreas Weith, from Wiki Creative Commons, Marek Ślusarczyk, from WIki Creative Commons. About 85 species of birds nest or are at least regularly seen in Iceland, although there are about 330 species that have been recorded visiting here since Settlement. It is still said that if a raven allows you to stroke its feathers, that it will whisper to you a secret of your future. 1024 Vogelkolonie Djúpivogur (Austurland) 6538.jpg 1,024 × 656; 342 KB Icelandic observations on eBird. This website uses cookies to provide full user experience. During courtship, the male performs a 'winnowing' display by flying high in circles and taking shallow dives. The most known thing about the Common Snipe in Iceland is not its looks, but the sounds it makes. The cute, cuddly bird has proven so popular with visitors that special puffin tours have been established so people can get up close and personal with them. Auks, including Puffin and Guillemots. 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. The country plays a bigger role every year for many species as here are large numbers of homelands and protected areas like Lake Mývatn and the national parks.The moorlands are very important nature reserve. The coastal cliffs alone carry a mind-boggling array of seabirds in massive numbers. That way the birdwatchers can also sit inside, which is usually a great option when watching birds in Iceland where it can be rainy, windy and cold. Iceland is of volcanic origin with the landscape being influenced by water and wind erosion, abrasion and frost action. Photo by Andreas Weith, from Wiki Creative Commons. A raven behaving noisily on a rooftop is supposed to be a warning of someone drowning, and one flying directly overhead warns of death or promises prosperity, depending on its direction. Here you can find a list of bird watching areas in Iceland with houses. This produces a drumming sound through the vibrating of the bird’s tail feathers, which many Icelanders have come to identify with summer. No edits made. While they can do little more than give you a good scratch, the tactic works well as a deterrent for any getting too close. Birds of South Iceland is a program offering excellent year-round services for birdwatchers. Throughout summer, they are thus abundant in coastal areas. Lundi – Puffin. During spring there are many birds in Iceland and also during the early part of the summer when migrant birds arrive in Iceland, for breeding, lay eggs and raise their chicks. Continue... See a selection of wonderful photographs that capture the magic of the Northern Lights throughout Iceland. What is Guide to Iceland? The fact they have little fear of people and will let visitors approach them within mere metres only adds to their appeal. Like the Snowy Owl, they feed largely on ptarmigans, but are not beneath taking other birds; they're able to take prey from the sky as easily as they can pluck it off the ground. The smell of this oil is pungent and incredibly difficult to remove, and so thick that it can clog the feathers of larger birds, leading to their deaths. 1 talking about this. During spring, from April to May, a huge number of birds come to Iceland in large groups so it is easy to find them. Bird-Watching houses have been set up in many places where you can sit calmly and watch the birds without disturbing them. The reasons for their rarity are manyfold; they do not breed here, and due to the lack of rodents, it is hardly a prime feeding ground for them. Hátún 6a105 ReykjavíkIceland+354 855 9080. 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. -- (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. Why puffins are so popular is little wonder to any who see them. In North Iceland you can expect to see over 80 species of birds, 23 species of cetacean and 7 land mammals plus a Polar Bear now and then. How do you sleep during the... Iceland is a country of many amazing waterfalls, but which are the best ones? It is recommended to go bird-watching in areas where houses have been built for bird-watching, where conditions have been created for both the birds and bird enthusiasts can enjoy themselves without disturbing the behaviour of the birds. The winter is a good time to explore the local birds who stay in Iceland all year round, they are usually easy to find if you know where to look. Photo by Ómar Runólfsson, from Wiki Creative Commons. The Gyrfalcons are the top predators in the sky known for their lethal precision hunting skills. Like seagulls, they have also adjusted well to urban areas, and can be found in towns and cities, often even nesting on rooftops; although renowned for their dramatic dives when hunting for ocean-based prey, many of them have noted that an easier ‘catch’ can be found in human garbage. Let us know in the comment section below! They tend to nest in flat moorland or tundra with low-lying vegetation away from human settlements (which is the landscape across much of the country), and feed along coastlines and wetlands (considering Iceland is an island with many glaciers and river systems, feeding grounds are also abundant). Iceland’s landscapes, particularly in the south, perfectly suit the lifestyle and habits of Whimbrels. These beautiful birds of prey are one of the nation’s most elusive animals, only being seen five to ten times a year, but one of the most rewarding for birdwatchers to catch sight of. Particular areas of note are the Skaftafell Nature Reserve and Hrísey Island in the North. Fulmar, Petrels, Shags and Gannets. Media in category "Birds of Iceland" The following 56 files are in this category, out of 56 total. There are around 20 species that stay in Iceland all year round but they are increasing. 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. Whimbrels are classic waders, or ‘shorebirds’ in North American terminology, with their long, thin legs and beaks. White-Tailed Eagles are a great example of successful conservation efforts. During bird watching, it is important to keep few things in mind to minimize interference with the nature and disruption of nature. 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. Birds of Iceland. They are beaten only by their counterparts that nest in the Netherlands, whose route covers around 90,000 kilometres. They nest here in higher numbers than anywhere else in the world. Iceland is an incredible country, filled with lovely people, delicious food, and a rich (and active) geology. Stray too close to a colony, and a scene that would seem fit for Alfred Hitchcock's 'The Birds' tends to play out. The Icelandic bird list. What is the weather like? In Iceland, there are also some species from North America that are not found anywhere else in Europe than in Iceland, such as Harlequin Duck and Great Northern Diver. While this number of different types of bird is relatively low compared to other European countries, the number of individuals more than compensates for this. When was Guide to Iceland founded and why? Birds of Sea Cliffs-- Gulls & Related Sea Birds-- Waterfowl-- Birds of heather lands & scrubs-- Marsh birds-- Passerine's-- Migratory species Passerine's When taking into account that Iceland lies far away from the mainland too, it becomes logical that both numbers of passerine species and numbers of passerine individual birds are low. When they are found, it tends to be in cold, remote reaches, such as in the East Fjords and the Highlands. Get closer to the puffins in their natural habitat and see other birds like eider ducks, arctic terns, guillemots and cormorants. While this work needs to be maintained for a full recovery to occur, Icelanders are active in promoting this animals’ interests. 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