Common Birds of Iceland

Iceland hosts 8–10 million breeding pairs — the Látrabjarg cliffs in the Westfjords are the world's largest Puffin colony, with birds at arm's reach from the cliff top.

Iceland is the Gyrfalcon's stronghold in Europe — white and grey morphs both occur, nesting on volcanic cliff faces and hunting Ptarmigan across the lava fields.

Iceland holds the largest European breeding population — pairs breed on fast-flowing glacial rivers, with the Laxa River near Mývatn being the most accessible site.

Iceland hosts massive colonies — the terns arrive in May after their 71,000 km round trip from Antarctica and aggressively dive-bomb anyone approaching their nests.

Iceland's breeding population is recovering — Breiðafjörður bay with its thousands of islands provides ideal nesting and foraging habitat for this massive eagle.

Iceland's most evocative breeding bird — huge, raucous calls echo over tundra wetlands where pairs nest near glacial meltwater lakes.

Nests in vast cliff-face colonies alongside Common Guillemots and Razorbills at Iceland's westernmost sea cliffs — millions of birds in continuous activity.

Iceland is a key breeding area for the Purple Sandpiper — pairs nest on upland tundra and coastal heaths, wintering on rocky shorelines throughout the Atlantic.