Birding Factoids

354 species
in 46 families

None of the 5 European
endemics are 
represented here. 
No national endemics
2 speciality species
No endangered species
    Iceland
    Hotspots
 Checklist of Iceland BirdsTours and GuidesRare Bird AlertsSpeciality BirdsMap and Information
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PROTEST the building of a gigantic hydropower station that is being 
planned on the northern edge of Europes largest glacier, Vatnajoekull in
Iceland. The affected area is one of the few regions in Iceland where
the soil and vegetation are still more or less intact. 
...
CLICK HERE for more information and to register your protest!
...
......
Check out Guiliano Gerro and Silvio Sommazzi's Iceland Birds
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Iceland Specialities
Gyrfalcon - Iceland's National Bird - Photo by Don Baccus
Photo by Don Baccus
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Razorbill - Photo copyright Alain Hogue
Photo copyright Alain Hogue
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Iceland Gull - Photo copyright James Packer
Photo copyright James Packer
     ....
    .. .Icelandic Birding Pages - by Yann Kolbeinsson. On this website, 
      you will find photos and recent news, informations about the total species recorded in Iceland and updated numbers of breeding birds. 
    ...
    ....Iceland Birding Page - includes a photo gallery of Icelandic Birds.
    ....
    ....Breeding Birds of Iceland - Around 70 species of bird breed in 
      Iceland, but as many as 300 have been recorded as seen in total. Some birds overwinter in Iceland returning to the Arctic to breed, some are on passage, and some occur as vagrants blown off course. The nature of the country is more suitable for breeding seabirds than passerines (perching birds). 
    ....
    ....Birdwatching in Iceland - brief article on places to find birds.
    ....
    ....Trip Report: Iceland: July 1989 & August 1990, by J. P. Paris. 
      This page contains numerous bird pictures. 
    ....
    ....Trip Report: Bird Observations During a trip to Iceland - May 27-31, 1999
      by Harry Lehto. This trip report identifies the key sites and birds seen, as well as a lot of useful information about the country generally.
    ....
    ....Trip Report: Iceland, October 18 - 25, 1995 by Morten Gunther. 
      I had a nice and memorable stay on this Saga island. I didn't have very much time for birdwatching, but anyway I found most of the species I had expected. I spent most of the first four days in Akranes with very limited time for birding. 
    ....
    ....Trip Report: Iceland Stopover, November 26-28, 1996 by Bill Smith. 
      I have always had an interest in Iceland's birds and culture, but visiting the Virginia-sized island-country in the North Atlantic has seemed financially daunting. During the summer season when most people go, on-the-ground costs per couple per day easily could exceed $500 for room, board, and ransportation, while airfare to Iceland itself has always seemed exorbitant. However, the national airline Icelandair runs an efficient hub system connecting its flights to North America and to Europe, and offers competitive through fares for transatlantic passengers. Periodically they also offer a subsidized 1-3 day stopover option, and now is one of those times.
    ....
    ....Trip Report: Iceland, 20-24 April, 2000, with Don Cotton, 
      Noel Raftery, Fergal Henry & Brian Cahill. Four friends from Ireland took the opportunity to visit Iceland on the Easter weekend of 20-24 April 2000 with the aim of enjoying the scenery, taking photographs and bird-watching. The weather was much better than expected with blue skies for the entire visit but low daytime temperatures (1-4°C) and a strong breeze for four of the five days giving a considerable wind-chill effect.
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Tours and Guides

See DISCLAIMER
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birdingpal.com...>> A Birding Pal is not a paid guide, but someone who likes to help out of town visitors. You can become a Birding Pal today! Help someone to enjoy your local birding spots and find a pal to help you when you travel. Click here for Iceland Birding Pals, or join to be a Birding Pal!
Great Skua -
Photo copyright Erik Kleyheeg
    ....Birding Iceland with Clockwork Travel and Icelandair - daily service
      from New York (JFK) and Baltimore, plus direct flights from Boston, Fort Lauderdale and Orlando (and Minneapolis in 1998). Combine this with a customized ground service including bilingual birding guide, and you get a flexible and affordable service - you can come to Iceland for a long weekend or a short summer! 

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Rare Bird Alert

Eurasian Golden-Plover - Photo copyright Eric Kleyheeg
Photo copyright Erik Kleyheeg
         Not available

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European Endemics and Specialities

in Iceland

Information on endemics and specialities is derived from Sibley & Monroe checklists and bird distribution lists in Thayer's Birder's Diary - Version 2.5. Speciality birds, while not endemic, are those that can only be found in three or less countries of Europe. Species printed in bold italic have only been sighted in Iceland. Information on endangered birds is derived from the IUCN Red List, Birdlife International.  The endemic, endangered and speciality birds may be uncommon, extremely rare vagrants, may be extirpated in the country now or may only be present in migration. However, documented sightings of each species noted below have been made in Iceland. 

 
No European Endemics in Iceland - No National Endemics

Other Speciality Birds in Iceland
___ Barrow's Goldeneye ___ Harlequin Duck

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