Species Recorded
300+
Around 85 species breed regularly in Iceland
Birdwatching in Iceland: 300+ Species, Top Locations
With over 300 recorded species and vast, undisturbed habitats ranging from sea cliffs to highland lakes, Iceland is a world-class birding destination.
Updated February 1, 2026By the Iceland.org Travel Team
Location
Various locations
Lake Mývatn, Látrabjarg, Westman Islands
Iceland offers some of the most rewarding birdwatching in the North Atlantic. Over 300 species have been recorded on the island, with around 85 breeding regularly. The country's varied habitats — from towering sea cliffs and offshore islands to freshwater lakes, highland rivers, and tundra — support an extraordinary diversity of birdlife relative to its northerly latitude. Iceland is particularly significant for its enormous seabird colonies, its concentration of breeding waterfowl at Lake Mývatn, and the presence of species rarely seen elsewhere in Europe, such as the harlequin duck, Barrow's goldeneye, and the gyrfalcon — Iceland's national bird.
Safety + sourcing
Last updated: 2026-02-01
Respect nesting birds by staying on marked paths. Arctic terns and skuas will dive-bomb if you approach nests. Never disturb nesting colonies or handle eggs.
Top Freshwater Site
Lake Mývatn
More breeding duck species than anywhere else in Europe
Top Seabird Cliff
Látrabjarg
14 km long, up to 440 m high — Europe's largest bird cliff
What to Expect
300+ species recorded
Around 85 species breed regularly in Iceland. The rest are migrants, vagrants, or winter visitors. Iceland's position between North America and Europe makes it exciting for twitchers year-round.
Best viewing: May-August
Peak breeding season. May brings migrant arrivals; June-July is when seabird colonies and Lake Mývatn are at peak activity; August sees fledging and early autumn migration beginning.
Lake Mývatn (North Iceland)
16 breeding duck species including harlequin ducks and Barrow's goldeneyes—more than anywhere else in Europe. Access via Route 1, 100 km east of Akureyri.
Látrabjarg cliffs (Westfjords)
Europe's largest bird cliff: 14 km long, up to 440m high. Millions of puffins, razorbills, guillemots, and fulmars. 6-hour drive from Reykjavík via Route 60/612.
Gyrfalcon and White-tailed Eagle
Gyrfalcon: Iceland's national bird, world's largest falcon, ~350 pairs. White-tailed eagle: ~85 breeding pairs, recovering since 1970s. Both are rare, prized sightings.
Westman Islands and Borgarfjörður eystri
The Westman Islands (ferry from Landeyjahöfn) host one of the world's largest puffin colonies. Borgarfjörður eystri in East Iceland has an accessible viewing platform at Hafnarhólmi.
Where to See Them
Lake Mývatn: Drive Route 1 east from Akureyri (100 km); multiple viewing spots around the lake with parking areas and short trails; no 4WD needed. Látrabjarg cliffs: Route 1 to Route 60 through the Westfjords, then Route 612 to the cliff edge; 6+ hours from Reykjavík; paved/gravel road, no 4WD required but long. Westman Islands: 30-minute ferry from Landeyjahöfn (Route 254 off Route 1 near Hella). Borgarfjörður eystri: Route 94 north from Egilsstaðir (70 km); viewing platform at Hafnarhólmi harbor. Flatey island: Summer ferry from Stykkishólmur on the Snæfellsnes peninsula. Reykjavík: Tjörnin (city center) and Seltjarnarnes peninsula (bus route 11) offer surprisingly good urban birding for eiders, Arctic terns, and migrant waders.
Best Time to Visit
May: Golden plovers arrive, heralding spring; migrant shorebirds and waders appearing; seabird colonies filling up; Arctic terns establishing territories. June: Seabird colonies at full capacity; Lake Mývatn ducks nesting and hatching; puffins most active at cliffs; 22+ hours of daylight for observation. July: Peak activity—ducklings at Mývatn, puffin chicks in burrows, fledging beginning; the busiest month for birding tours. August: Fledging peaks; autumn migration beginning; shorebird numbers increasing on coastal mudflats; puffins departing colonies. September-October: Autumn migration in full swing; geese and swans arriving from Greenland; rare vagrants most likely. November-March: Winter birding offers gyrfalcons, snowy owls (rare), sea ducks (harlequins, eiders at harbors), and the annual Icelandic Christmas bird count. April: Spring arrivals beginning; early migrants returning to breeding grounds.
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Birdwatching FAQs
Quick answers with safety notes where it matters.