WIceland is a top spot for bird-watching, home to puffins, gyrfalcons, and many more. Its varied landscapes offer amazing views and great chances to see birds in the wild. In this guide, we’ll cover the top birds in Iceland, the best times to visit, and more.
Have you ever traveled in Iceland during the midnight sun season? This time of year offers picturesque landscapes for summer vacation packages and the best time to witness the most fascinating birds in Iceland.
While about 85 species of birds are regularly spotted in this island nation, about 330 species have been recorded visiting here since human settlement. Read on to learn about Iceland's most iconic birds and where you can find them on your travel adventures.
Key Takeaways
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Iceland is a prime destination for birdwatchers, especially during breeding season. Various regions offer unique experiences.
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It’s home to over 300 bird species, including Puffins, Arctic Terns, and Gyrfalcons.
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The best time to see birds in Iceland is during the summer months.
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Respecting and following ethical birdwatching practices will help protect the birds and other Icelandic wildlife.
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There are many birdwatching tours to choose from for your time in Iceland.
Puffins in Iceland
Let’s start with the bird Iceland is most famous for: the Atlantic Puffin. Between May and September, over seven million puffins make their home in Iceland. There are many places around the country where you can glimpse these adorable birds.
The Latrabjarg Cliffs in the Westfjords Region are the best destination to see puffins in Iceland, and you can find even more in the Westman Islands during puffin season.
In fact, they’ve become the signature symbol of the islands, where it’s a common summer tradition for children to seek out and help lost pufflings that get attracted to the town's city lights.
While the Latrabjarg Cliffs and the Westman Islands are puffin hot spots, they represent just the tip of the iceberg when finding these charming birds.
More Puffin-Watching Locations
Head to Iceland’s South Coast to spot thousands of puffins nesting on the Dyrholaey Cliffs. In North Iceland, you’ll find plenty of them along the Tjornes Peninsula, which is also known for its fossil-hunting opportunities.
If you join whale-watching and puffin tours, you can marvel at these adorable yet industrious birds while sailing from Reykjavik, Husavik, and Akureyri.
On this family-friendly boat tour from Reykjavik, sailing from Reykjavik's Old Harbor to the appropriately named Puffin Island only takes a few minutes.
The puffin's charm is undeniable, with its colorful beak and cute waddling walk. But you may be wondering whether these little puffins can actually fly.
Yes, they can! Puffins fly as far as 25,000 miles (40,000 kilometers) during their yearly migration period, spending most of their lives soaring above the sea for food.
Puffins only return to Iceland for nesting, but you can spot them all over the country during that time.
European Golden Plover in Iceland
The Golden Plover is a true symbol of spring. According to Icelandic tradition, the arrival of this colorful bird signals the end of winter. Every year, the first sighting makes national headlines, marking the official arrival of spring (typically between March 20 and 30).
You can find Golden Plovers all around Iceland, but especially near freshwater bodies like Lake Thingvallavatn in the south and Lake Myvatn in the north. While they appear most commonly near lakes and rivers, they’re by no means limited to these locations.
The Golden Plover usually stays in Iceland until late September, but some can stick around as long as the beginning of November. You may hear their renowned chirp while hiking through nature, long before you see one.
Ravens in Iceland
Perhaps the Northern Raven is the most significant bird in Icelandic history and culture.
Known affectionately as “krummi” (a nickname Icelanders use more often than the formal “hrafn”), Ravens have a special place in Icelandic folklore. They date back to the Old Norse beliefs of the first settlers of Iceland.
Odin, the god of wisdom, had two ravens — Huginn and Muninn (“Thought” and “Memory”) — who traveled the world gathering information to whisper in his ear. Even Iceland’s first explorer, Hrafna-Floki (Raven-Floki), used ravens to navigate his way to the island.
There are also countless poems and stories that are dedicated to the raven or use it as a symbolic motif. Famous folk songs about the raven, such as “Krummavisur” and “Krummi krunkar uti,” are beloved by nearly every Icelander.
It is still said that if a raven allows you to stroke its feathers, it will whisper to you a secret of your future. A raven behaving noisily on a rooftop is supposed to be a warning that someone drowning, and one flying directly overhead either warns of death or promises prosperity, depending on its direction.
Ravens are incredibly adaptable and can be found all around Iceland. They’re one of the few birds that remain in Iceland throughout the year and do not migrate in the winter.
Common Snipes in Iceland
Photo from Wikimedia, Creative Commons, by Alpsdake. No edits made.
The most distinctive feature of the Common Snipe in Iceland isn’t in its appearance, but its unique sounds.
During courtship, the male performs a “winnowing” display, flying high in circles and taking shallow dives. This creates a drumming sound as its tail feathers vibrate, which is now a summer sound to local Icelanders.
The unique drumming sound is comparable to the bleating of a farm animal. For this reason, the snipe is known by nicknames such as the “Flying Goat” in several languages.
However, Icelanders more often compare the sound to the neighing of a horse, earning it the name “Hrossagaukur,” or “Horse Cuckoo.”
Like other waders, the snipe prefers wetlands with plentiful insects and worms. While draining and agricultural development in places such as England have depleted their numbers, Iceland's untouched nature allows the Common Snipe to thrive.
Arctic Terns in Iceland
Arctic Terns are fascinating birds. No other animal species on earth has a longer migration route. These great flyers can travel up to 50,000 miles (80,000 kilometers) in a single year.
During the summer, they’ll travel between their arctic breeding grounds, including Iceland. And they’ll go as far as South Africa or even Antarctica for their winter destinations.
Fun Fact: Over the course of their life, an Arctic Tern will travel a distance equivalent to going to the moon and back three times.
Where To Spot Arctic Terns in Iceland
You can usually find Arctic Terns nesting around the coast of Iceland during summer months, with high populations in Iceland’s Southwest region. Notable spots include:
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Grotta Nature Reserve on the Seltjarnarnes Peninsula, near Reykjavik
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Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon, a main nesting ground that many visitors overlook
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Black sand beaches around Iceland
Unlike puffins, they don’t nest on cliffs but prefer simple burrows on flat ground. Their eggs do not need natural defenses — both parents guard their nests with aggressive “dive-bombing” tactics.
While these birds can’t do much more than give you a good peck, the attacks are enough of a deterrent for anyone getting too close. Their fierce swooping attacks can even deter polar bears in places like Greenland.
Rock Ptarmigans in Iceland
Rock Ptarmigans in brown summer plumage. Photo from Wiki Creative Commons by Marek Ślusarczyk. No edits made.
The Rock Ptarmigan, much like the Common Raven, lives in Iceland throughout the year. But unlike the raven, it keeps itself far away from human settlements. A rather sedentary species prefers walking to flying and thus relies on its seasonal camouflage for protection.
Its feathers are brown in the summertime but surprisingly turn white in winter.
Rock Ptarmigan in white winter plumage. Photo from Wiki Creative Commons by Jakub Hałun. No edits made.
The Ptarmigan is most relevant to Icelandic culture as a popular festive food often served as the main dish on Christmas Eve. Hunting season is usually in November each year, and the ptarmigan is only for personal consumption. All trade of the ptarmigan is banned.
While their main foods are berries, seeds, buds, and insects, Ptarmigans mostly eat in vegetated scrubland and prefer higher elevations. The Skaftafell Nature Reserve and Hrisey Island in North Iceland are particularly noteworthy for their colonies of ptarmigans.
Owls in Iceland
Photo from Wikimedia, Creative Commons, by Ólafur Larsen. No edits made.
Owls are some of the most mysterious and rarely seen birds in Iceland, making them a true prize for dedicated birdwatchers. While sightings are infrequent, those lucky enough to spot an owl in the wild are rewarded with a glimpse of one of Iceland’s most silent and captivating predators.
The most commonly observed species is the Short-eared Owl, known for its broad wings, yellow eyes, and preference for open lowland areas such as moorlands, heath, and grasslands. It can occasionally be seen hunting during daylight, especially in the spring and summer months.
Photo from Wikimedia, Creative Commons, by Gllawm. No edits made.
The Long-eared Owl is even more elusive. These shy, nocturnal birds tend to roost deep in forests or dense groves, often going unnoticed thanks to their excellent camouflage. Their populations are small, and while they do breed in Iceland, sightings are rare and typically confined to areas with tree cover.
The Snowy Owl, with its striking white plumage and large size, is the rarest of the three. These majestic birds are occasional winter visitors rather than year-round residents, as Iceland lacks the rodent populations they depend on for food.
Photo from Wikimedia, Creative Commons, by Kathy & sam. No edits made.
Their snowy camouflage and soundless flight make them incredibly hard to detect, and they are usually only spotted a few times per year.
When they are seen, it’s typically in the cold, remote regions of the Eastfjords or Icelandic Highlands during the darker months.
Though they remain hidden from most, owls in Iceland continue to inspire awe with their stealth, grace, and quiet resilience in one of the world’s harshest environments.
Gyrfalcons in Iceland
Photo from Wikimedia, Creative Commons, by Ólafur Larsen. No edits made.
While tourists might associate Iceland with puffins, and folklore might point to the raven, the Iceland national bird is the majestic gyrfalcon. This powerful bird was even featured on Iceland's coat of arms in the early 20th century. It remains a symbol of the nation today. In fact, the Falcon Cross is the highest honor the Icelandic state can bestow upon individuals.
The gyrfalcon is a true apex predator in the sky, having been used in falconry for centuries. Found across the Arctic region, Icelandic gyrfalcons are the most unique of the world’s bird populations.
Their precision in hunting is legendary, where they can reach a speed of 130 mph (210 km/h) when diving on their prey.
For this reason, they were an important part of Icelandic trade with wealthy Europeans as far back as the medieval era, being one of the country’s most prized exports.
Gyrfalcons prefer to nest on cliff faces, which makes Iceland the perfect home. They’re most common in the Highlands, Eastfjords, Westfjords, and mountainous regions of the North.
In particular, they nest around Jokulsargljufur Canyon in the northern Vatnajokull National Park. It’s a canyon that holds one of the most powerful waterfalls in Europe, Dettifoss.
White-Tailed Eagles in Iceland
Photo from Wikimedia, Creative Commons, by Andreas Weith. No edits made.
With a wingspan of over 8 feet (2.5 meters), White-Tailed Eagles are Iceland's largest and undoubtedly one of its most impressive birds.
They’re a coastal species that prey on fish, rodents, and smaller birds, though they’ll occasionally prey on lambs, much to the frustration of farmers.
Facing extinction across Europe in the late 19th century, successful conservation efforts have helped White-Tailed Eagles make a remarkable comeback. From nearly twenty pairs before 1980, their numbers grew to over eighty pairs by 2020.
While ongoing conservation is key for the eagle population to make a full recovery, Icelanders actively promote their protection. To learn more about this species and the conservation efforts, visit the White-Tailed Eagle Center in the village of Reykholar in the Westfjords.
Those looking to spot the White-Tailed Eagles should look to the coastal region of West Iceland (including the Westfjords). It is not uncommon to even see them on boat tours from Reykjavik, particularly around Hvalfjordur Fjord.
- See also: Wildlife and Animals in Iceland
Whimbrels in Iceland
Photo from Wikimedia, Creative Commons, by Marek Ślusarczyk. No edits made.
Whimbrels are the true definition of shorebirds, with their long, thin legs and beaks making them easily recognizable. Roughly half a million breeding pairs nest in Iceland each summer, and around 40 percent of them head to the sunny coastlines of West Africa for the winter.
Iceland’s diverse landscapes, particularly in the south, perfectly suit the lifestyle and habits of whimbrels. They tend to nest in flat moorland or tundra with low-lying vegetation, away from human settlements, while feeding along coastlines and wetlands.
Though their nests are vulnerable to Arctic Foxes, whimbrels will fiercely defend their eggs like the Arctic Terns. Despite their reclusive nature, they sometimes swoop down on people who get too close.
While usually seen on Iceland's shores, you may occasionally spot a whimbrel in Reykjavik.
The Great Auk in Iceland: A Bird of the Past
While you can spot most of Iceland’s incredible birdlife today, one iconic species you won’t find is the Great Auk.
Sadly, this bird went extinct in 1844, with the last confirmed specimens killed on Eldey Island off the coast of the Reykjanes Peninsula in Iceland.
This flightless bird had a habitat along the shores of Western Europe, Iceland, Greenland, and the east coast of Canada. It’s estimated to have had a population of over one million at its peak.
Great Auks were skilled swimmers and primarily fed on fish, using their strong bodies to dive and hunt underwater.
Illustration from Wikimedia, Creative Commons, by John James Audobon. No edits made.
Since they were large birds that couldn't fly, they were easy targets for humans. Their bones were even discovered among Neanderthal remains. By the 19th century, Great Auks had become rare and sought after by collectors and museums.
About 70 taxidermy specimens exist today, including one at the Icelandic Museum of Natural History. You can also try to spot the closest living relative to the Great Auk, the razorbill bird, while in Iceland.
Great Auk Memorial in Reykjavik. Photo by Sigurður Árni Þórðarson.
Two memorials are dedicated to the Great Auk to commemorate the last pair of the species: One is near Reykjavik Domestic Airport, created by Icelandic artist Ólöf Nordal. The other one is on the Reykjanes Peninsula by American artist Todd McGrain, near where the last pair of Great Auks died.
The memorials of the Great Auk serve as reminders of the importance of conservation efforts to protect the thriving birdlife in Iceland today.
Best Birdwatching Locations in Iceland
Iceland is a birdwatcher’s dream, offering some of the best birdwatching opportunities in the world. From coastal cliffs to tranquil nature reserves, plenty of landscapes exist to explore. Here are some of the best birding spots to add to your tour list.
Coastal Cliffs
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Latrabjarg Cliffs: Home to millions of puffins and razorbills, these cliffs in the Westfjords are one of Iceland's most famous birdwatching spots, especially for puffin spotting.
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Dyrholaey Cliffs: Another hot spot for puffins, this stunning South Coast coastal location has panoramic ocean views and is perfect for birdwatching.
Wetlands and Lakes
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Lake Myvatn: This volcanic area in North Iceland is a birdwatching paradise, home to over 14 species of resident ducks and migratory birds!
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Hornstrandir Nature Reserve: There are few areas as remote as the Hornstrandir Nature Reserve in the Westfjords. The region offers great views of diverse birds, from seabirds to arctic species.
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Tjornin Lake: The Tjornin Lake in Reykjavik is a fantastic spot for urban birdwatching, where you can find the Arctic Tern, Tufted Duck, Whooper Swan, and many more.
Other Top Locations
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Thingvellir National Park: Famous for its geological wonders, Thingvellir National Park is home to various bird species, especially around its Thingvallavatn Lake.
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Westman Islands: Known for their large puffin colonies, these islands offer the ultimate birdwatching experience.
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Reykjanes Peninsula: A hidden gem for birdwatchers, boasting seabird colonies and other unique species.
Tips for Birdwatching in Iceland
To truly experience Iceland’s avian wonders, going during the right time of year and migration periods is essential. Following ethical birding practices in Iceland is also a must. Here’s what you need to know:
Best Time To Visit Iceland for Birdwatching
When it comes to birdwatching, timing is key. Summer (May through August) is your prime time, especially if you seek puffins and other seabirds. You’ll experience the midnight sun in Iceland, a surreal backdrop during breeding season.
Here’s a helpful breakdown:
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Breeding season (summer): The peak time for puffins and other seabirds while enjoying the golden sky of the midnight sun.
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Migration periods (spring/autumn): Key locations to witness the arrivals and departures of migratory birds by the multitude.
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Winter birdwatching: Though activity slows, you’ll still have unique opportunities to see migratory birds sticking around.
Ethical Birdwatching Practices in Iceland
Icelandic birds are crucial to the country’s ecosystems and support biodiversity. Since the country is home to many rare and protected bird species, here’s how to help preserve them and their habitats:
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Follow the rules: Iceland has strict bird conservation laws, including not trespassing in restricted areas and maintaining a safe distance from the birdlife.
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Sustainable birdwatching: Consider eco-friendly travel practices that help protect the environment and reduce waste.
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Respect their habitat: Avoid disturbing nesting sites and minimizing noise when close to birds.
While exploring on your own can be fun, a local guide can lend their expert knowledge. They can help you find the hidden gems, like this private 9-hour birdwatching tour in Lake Myvatn, for a truly immersive experience.
FAQ About Birds in Iceland
Here are some of the people's most common questions about Iceland’s bird life.
Can I See Birds in Iceland During the Winter?
Absolutely! While summer is the prime time, you may still be able to see certain Icelandic birds, like ravens, during winter.
When Is the Best Time To See Puffins in Iceland?
Summer is the best time to catch Puffins, specifically between March and September. During this time, nearly 7 million flock to Iceland.
Are There Any Birdwatching Tours in Iceland?
Of course! There are plenty of unique birdwatching tours when you visit Iceland, like this 1-hour scenic puffin-watch boat tour in Reykjavik.
What Gear Do I Need for Birdwatching in Iceland?
It is a good idea to bring binoculars, field guides, camera equipment, a raincoat, and other weather-appropriate clothing. Bird identification apps are also great for reference.
How Can I Protect the Birds While Birdwatching?
Adhering to all posted signs or restrictions, such as sticking to designated viewing areas and avoiding nests, will ensure the birds’ safety.
Discover the Best Birding Tours in Iceland
Iceland is truly a birdwatcher’s haven. From the famous puffins to the rare gyrfalcons, the island offers some of the world's most unique and diverse bird species.
By respecting their habitats and the delicate ecosystems they depend on, you'll help protect Iceland’s birdlife and experience it in a way that’s more meaningful and memorable.
For those who want more than just a glimpse, various nature tours in Iceland offer a deeper dive into its birdlife and wild landscapes. With expert guides leading the way, you’ll not only see more but gain a deeper understanding of Iceland’s wildlife—its birds, their behavior, and the habitats they call home. It’s one of the best ways to connect with the island’s wilder side!
What is your favorite Icelandic bird? Which birdwatching experience are you most excited about? Let us know in the comments below!
