This is a list of the bird species recorded in Iceland. The avifauna of Iceland included a total of 388 confirmed species, as of the end of 2011 according to the Icelandic Birding Pages (IBP), with some updates to September 2017. The entire populations of two species have resulted from introductions by humans, and a few other species have individuals of both natural and human-assisted origin. One species on the list is extinct.
This list's taxonomic treatment (sequence of orders, families and species) are those of the IOC World Bird List, 2011 edition, with nomenclature (scientific names) updated to the 2025 edition.
The following tags have been used to highlight some categories of occurrence.
(A) Accidental – a species that rarely or accidentally occurs in Iceland (C) Introduced – a species introduced to Iceland as a consequence, direct or indirect, of human actions, and has become established
Ducks, geese, and waterfowl Order: AnseriformesFamily: Anatidae
Anatidae includes the ducks and most duck-like waterfowl, such as geese and swans. These birds are adapted to an aquatic existence with webbed feet, flattened bills, and feathers that are excellent at shedding water due to an oily coating.
Mute swan, Hnúðsvanur Cygnus olor (A C) Tundra swan, Dvergsvanur Cygnus columbianus (A) Whooper swan, Álft Cygnus cygnus Bean goose, Akurgæs Anser fabalis (A) Pink-footed goose, Heiðagæs Anser brachyrhynchus Greater white-fronted goose, Blesgæs Anser albifrons Greylag goose, Grágæs Anser anser Snow goose, Snjógæs Anser caerulescens (A) Canada goose, Kanadagæs Branta canadensis (A) Cackling goose, Alaskagæs Branta hutchinsii (A) Barnacle goose, Helsingi Branta leucopsis Brent goose, Margæs Branta bernicla Red-breasted goose, Fagurgæs Branta ruficollis (A) Ruddy shelduck, Ryðönd Tadorna ferruginea (A) Common shelduck, Brandönd Tadorna tadorna (A) Wood duck, Brúðönd Aix sponsa (A) Mandarin duck, Mandarínönd Aix galericulata (A) (I) Eurasian wigeon, Rauðhöfðaönd Mareca penelope American wigeon, Ljóshöfðaönd Mareca americana (A) Gadwall, Gargönd Mareca strepera Eurasian teal, Urtönd Anas crecca Green-winged teal, Rákönd Anas carolinensis Mallard, Stokkönd Anas platyrhynchos American black duck, Brúnönd Anas rubripes (A) Northern pintail, Grafönd Anas acuta Garganey, Taumönd Spatula querquedula (A) Blue-winged teal, Bláönd Spatula discors (A) Northern shoveler, Skeiðönd Spatula clypeata (A) Canvasback, Dúkönd Aythya valisineria (A) Common pochard, Skutulönd Aythya ferina (A) Redhead, Kollönd Aythya americana (A) Ring-necked duck, Hringönd Aythya collaris (A) Tufted duck, Skúfönd Aythya fuligula Greater scaup, Duggönd Aythya marila Lesser scaup, Kúfönd Aythya affinis (A) Common eider, Æðarfugl Somateria mollissima King eider, Æðarkóngur Somateria spectabilis (A) Steller's eider, Blikönd Polysticta stelleri (A) Harlequin duck, Straumönd Histrionicus histrionicus Long-tailed duck, Hávella Clangula hyemalis Common scoter, Hrafnsönd Melanitta nigra Surf scoter, Krákönd Melanitta perspicillata (A) Velvet scoter, Korpönd Melanitta fusca (A) White-winged scoter, Kolönd Melanitta deglandi (A) Stejneger's scoter, Melanitta stejnegeri (A) Bufflehead, Hjálmönd Bucephala albeola (A) Barrow's goldeneye, Húsönd Bucephala islandica Common goldeneye, Hvinönd Bucephala clangula (A) Smew, Hvítönd Mergellus albellus (A) Hooded merganser, Kambönd Lophodytes cucullatus (A) Red-breasted merganser, Toppönd Mergus serrator Goosander, Gulönd Mergus merganser Ruddy duck, Hrókönd Oxyura jamaicensis (A, C)
Pheasants, grouse, and allies Order: GalliformesFamily: Phasianidae
These are terrestrial species of gamebirds, feeding and nesting on the ground. They are variable in size but generally plump, with broad and relatively short wings.
Rock ptarmigan, Rjúpa Lagopus muta Common quail, Kornhæna Coturnix coturnix (A)
Divers Order: GaviiformesFamily: Gaviidae
Divers, also called loons in North America, are a group of aquatic birds found in many parts of northern Eurasia and North America. They are the size of a large duck or small goose, which they somewhat resemble in shape when swimming, but to which they are completely unrelated. In particular, their legs are set very far back which assists swimming underwater but makes walking on land extremely difficult.
Red-throated diver, Lómur Gavia stellata Great northern diver, Himbrimi Gavia immer White-billed diver, Svalbrúsi Gavia adamsii (A)
Grebes Order: PodicipediformesFamily: Podicipedidae
Grebes are small to medium-large freshwater diving birds. They have lobed toes and are excellent swimmers and divers. However, they have their feet placed far back on the body, making them quite ungainly on land.
Pied-billed grebe, Stúfgoði Podilymbus podiceps (A) Little grebe, Dverggoði Tachybaptus ruficollis (A) Great crested grebe, Toppgoði Podiceps cristatus (A) Red-necked grebe, Sefgoði Podiceps grisegena (A) Slavonian grebe, Flórgoði Podiceps auritus
Albatrosses Order: ProcellariiformesFamily: Diomedeidae
The albatrosses are among the largest of flying birds, and the great albatrosses of the genus Diomedea have the largest wingspans of any extant birds.
Black-browed albatross, Svaltrosi Thalassarche melanophris (A)
Shearwaters and petrels Order: ProcellariiformesFamily: Procellariidae
The procellariids are the main group of medium-sized shearwaters and petrels, characterised by united nostrils with medium septum and a long outer functional primary.
Northern fulmar, Fýll Fulmarus glacialis Great shearwater, Hettuskrofa Ardenna gravis (A) Sooty shearwater, Gráskrofa Ardenna griseus (A) Manx shearwater, Skrofa Puffinus puffinus
Southern storm petrels Order: ProcellariiformesFamily: Oceanitidae
The southern storm petrels are relatives of the petrels and are the smallest seabirds. They feed on planktonic crustaceans and small fish picked from the surface, typically while hovering.
Wilson's storm petrel, Hafsvala Oceanites oceanicus (A)
Northern storm petrels Order: ProcellariiformesFamily: Hydrobatidae
Though the members of this family are similar in many respects to the southern storm-petrels, including their general appearance and habits, there are enough genetic differences to warrant their placement in a separate family.
European storm petrel, Stormsvala Hydrobates pelagicus Leach's storm petrel, Sjósvala Hydrobates leucorhous
Boobies and gannets Order: SuliformesFamily: Sulidae
The sulids comprise the gannets and boobies. Both groups are medium-large coastal seabirds that plunge-dive for fish.
Northern gannet, Súla Morus bassanus
Cormorants and shags Order: SuliformesFamily: Phalacrocoracidae
Cormorants and shags are medium-to-large aquatic birds, usually with mainly dark plumage and areas of coloured skin on the face. The bill is long, thin and sharply hooked. Their feet are four-toed and webbed.
Great cormorant, Dílaskarfur Phalacrocorax carbo European shag, Toppskarfur Gulosus aristotelis
Herons, egrets, and bitterns Order: PelecaniformesFamily: Ardeidae
The family Ardeidae contains the herons, egrets, and bitterns. Herons and egrets are medium to large wading birds with long necks and legs. Bitterns tend to be shorter necked and more secretive. Members of Ardeidae fly with their necks retracted, unlike other long-necked birds such as storks, ibises and spoonbills.
Great bittern, Sefþvari Botaurus stellaris (A) American bittern, Reyrþvari Botaurus lentiginosus (A) Least bittern, Rengluþvari Ixobrychus exilis (A) Little bittern, Rindilþvari Ixobrychus minutus (A) Black-crowned night heron, Nátthegri Nycticorax nycticorax (A) Green heron, Grænhegri Butorides virescens (A) Squacco heron, Relluhegri Ardeola ralloides (A) Cattle egret, Kúhegri Bubulcus ibis (A) Snowy egret, Ljómahegri Egretta thula (A) Little egret, Bjarthegri Egretta garzetta (A) Great white egret, Mjallhegri Ardea alba (A) Grey heron, Gráhegri Ardea cinerea (A) Great blue heron, Bláhegri Ardea herodias (A) Purple heron, Rauðhegri Ardea purpurea (A)
Ibises and spoonbills Order: PelecaniformesFamily: Threskiornithidae
The family Threskiornithidae includes the ibises and spoonbills. They have long, broad wings. Their bodies tend to be elongated, the neck more so, with rather long legs. The bill is also long, decurved in the case of the ibises, straight and distinctively flattened in the spoonbills.
Glossy ibis, Bognefur Plegadis falcinellus (A) Eurasian spoonbill, Flatnefur Platalea leucorodia (A)
Storks Order: CiconiiformesFamily: Ciconiidae
Storks are large, long-legged, long-necked, wading birds with long, stout bills. Storks are mute, but bill-clattering is an important mode of communication at the nest. Their nests can be large and may be reused for many years. Many species are migratory.
Black stork, Kolstorkur Ciconia nigra (A) White stork, Hvítstorkur Ciconia ciconia (A)
Hawks, eagles, and kites Order: AccipitriformesFamily: Accipitridae
Accipitridae is a family of birds of prey and includes hawks, eagles, kites, harriers, and Old World vultures. These birds have very large powerful hooked beaks for tearing flesh from their prey, strong legs, powerful talons, and keen eyesight.
European honey-buzzard, Býþjór Pernis apivorus (A) Black kite, Vatnagleða Milvus migrans (A) Red kite, Svölugleða Milvus milvus (A) White-tailed eagle, Haförn Haliaeetus albicilla Eurasian marsh harrier, Brúnheiðir Circus aeruginosus (A) Hen harrier, Bláheiðir Circus cyaneus (A) Pallid harrier, Fölheiðir Circus macrourus (A) Montagu's harrier, Gráheiðir Circus pygargus (A) Eurasian sparrowhawk, Sparrhaukur Accipiter nisus (A) Common buzzard, Músvákur Buteo buteo (A) Rough-legged buzzard, Fjallvákur Buteo lagopus (A) Booted eagle, Skálmörn Hieraaetus pennatus (A)
Osprey Order: AccipitriformesFamily: Pandionidae
Pandionidae is a family of fish-eating birds of prey, possessing a very large, powerful hooked beak for tearing flesh from their prey, strong legs, powerful talons, and keen eyesight. The family is monotypic.
Osprey, Gjóður Pandion haliaetus (A)
Falcons Order: FalconiformesFamily: Falconidae
Falconidae is a family of diurnal birds of prey. They differ from hawks, eagles and kites in that they kill with their beaks instead of their talons.
Common kestrel, Turnfálki Falco tinnunculus (A) Red-footed falcon, Kvöldfálki Falco vespertinus (A) Merlin, Smyrill Falco columbarius Eurasian hobby, Gunnfálki Falco subbuteo (A) Gyrfalcon, Fálki Falco rusticolus Peregrine falcon, Förufálki Falco peregrinus (A)
Rails, gallinules, and coots Order: GruiformesFamily: Rallidae
Rallidae is a large family of small to medium-sized birds which includes the rails, crakes, coots, and gallinules. Typically they inhabit dense vegetation in damp environments near lakes, swamps, or rivers. In general they are shy and secretive birds, making them difficult to observe. Most species have strong legs and long toes which are well adapted to soft uneven surfaces. They tend to have short, rounded wings and to be weak fliers.
Water rail, Keldusvín Rallus aquaticus (A) Spotted crake, Dílarella Porzana porzana (A) Sora, Sorarella Porzana carolina (A) Corn crake, Engirella Crex crex (A) Eurasian moorhen, Sefhæna Gallinula chloropus (A) Purple gallinule, Flóðhæna Porphyrio martinicus (A) Eurasian coot, Bleshæna Fulica atra (A) American coot, Kolhæna Fulica americana (A)
Cranes Order: GruiformesFamily: Gruidae
Cranes are large, long-legged, and long-necked birds. Unlike the similar-looking but unrelated herons, cranes fly with necks outstretched, not pulled back. Most have elaborate and noisy courting displays or "dances".
Common crane, Grátrana Grus grus (A)
Oystercatchers Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Haematopodidae
The oystercatchers are large and noisy plover-like birds, with strong bills used for smashing or prising open molluscs.
Eurasian oystercatcher, Tjaldur Haematopus ostralegus
Stilts and avocets Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Recurvirostridae