Birds in Iceland

Iceland has 73 breeding bird species. Most of them are very numerous and can be easily seen everywhere in Iceland. The most numerous bird on the island is Atlantic Puffin. There are around three millions pairs of puffins in Iceland. In total over 350 species of birds have been recorded in the country, that's a lot considering a small number of breeding species. Common birds on the Icelandic cliffs are auks and guillemots, higher parts of the cliffs are occupied byrazorbills. Other birds, typical for the cliffs are kittiwakes, shags, gannets and fulmar. Birds are very easy to see in Iceland. Even in down town Reykjavik it is possible to find such birds as Arctic Tern, Greater Scaup, Tufted Duck,Gadwall, Common Eider, Common Ringed Plover and many others. The largest Icelandic bird is White-tailed Sea Eagle, sadly it is also the rarest bird. Since 1913 it is protected, but the last number was only 57 pairs. The Icelandic Society for the Protection of Birds has taken part in establishing the nature reserve in the Southern Lowlands of Iceland. This is a wetland area rich in bird life. The best time for bird watching in Iceland is May and June, when all migrants have arrived.

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