Statistics: Population size. Accurate figures exist for small bird populations and species whose nests can easily be counted. Many species, however, nest all over the country, and population figures are often no more than a rough estimate (shown by the symbol ~). Population sizes are stated in terms of individual birds in autumn, when bird populations are at their largest. Bird’s length measured from the tip of the bill to the tip of the tail. Bird’s weight. Small birds - g, large - kg. Characteristic colors.
Birds
Iceland’s largest bird. The only swan found in Iceland, easily distinguished by size, shape, colour and long neck. The sexes are alike. Breed all over Iceland where it is possible to make nests near/along lakes and rivers with ample vegetation. Most birds migrate to Britain at winters but some stay in the southern regions of the Myvatn lake which in part does not freeze due to thermally heated water sources. Pair for life and use the same nesting location year after year. Whooper Swan ∙ Álft Cygnus cygnus ~26.500 145-160 cm
10 kg
white; black-yellow bill
Largest goose in Iceland. Paler, stockier, with larger head than other geese. Sexes are almost identical. Greylag geese are common in lowland regions where they breed in marshy areas. One can often see them feeding in meadows, especially in spring before breeding starts. Generally migratory, moving south in winter. This species is one of the last to migrate, and the “lag” portion of its name is said to derive from this lagging behind other geese. Greylag Goose ∙ Grágæs Anser anser
Eurasian Wigeon ∙ Rauðhöfðaönd Anas penelope
~110.000 75-90 cm
3.5 kg
pink legs; orange bill
Medium-sized migratory duck, unorthodox in its feeding habits. It spends much of its time grazing on land and also loiters around feeding flocks of diving ducks, snatching food from them when they bob back to the surface. Both sexes have white belly and dark-green speculum. There are usually a couple of Eurasian Wigeons in the Reykjavík area in winter (September – April) and birds are frequently seen at Mývatn area in summer.
~12.000 45-51 cm 700 g
pink breast; white belly/crown
Most common Icelandic duck, which lives almost exclusively at sea or on seashore. It can fly at speeds up to 113 km/h. The eider’s nest is built close to the sea and is lined with the celebrated eiderdown, plucked from the female’s breast. This warm lining has long been harvested for filling pillows and quilts, but in more recent years has been largely replaced by down from domestic farm-geese and synthetic alternatives. Common Eider ∙ Æðarfugl Somateria mollissima
~850.000 50-71 cm 2 kg
black crown/belly; pink breast
King Eider ∙ Æðarkóngur Somateria spectabilis
Colourful relative of Common Eider, visits Iceland from Greenland and Svalbard. Could be seen in Iceland all year round but is most common in late winter. Drakes which mate with Icelandic Common Eider female are annual visitors in largest Eider colonies, and male hybrids are seen each year. Females are rarely seen in summer but pairs are sometimes seen in spring.
rare
47-63 cm 1.8 kg
black; orange knob
Typically found on fast-flowing freshwater rivers and surf-beaten shores. Small, short-necked, dark-coloured diving duck with steep forehead and wedge-shaped tail. Flies fast with rapid wingbeats and tumbles over surface of water. Rarely flies overland, but follows rivers, even flying under bridges. Iceland is the Harlequin’s only breeding area in Europe. Harlequin Duck ∙ Straumönd Histrionicus histrionicus
Long-tailed Duck ∙ Hávella Clangula hyemalis
14.000
38-45 cm 600 g
A typical duck of highland lakes and ponds, the only duck with pale body in winter and uniformly dark wings. Changes plumage more frequently than other ducks. Flies fast with unusual wingbeats. Flies low in haphazard groups, moving from side to side. VEry agile swimmer and diver. Prefers cool climate, breeds in circumpolar regions.
110.000 40-47 cm
Red-breasted Merganser ∙ Toppönd Mergus serrator
male very colourful
750 g
brown; white flanks
Iceland’s most common sawbill, slender, longnecked and streamlined. Build is similar to cormorant or diver. Has a long bill which slender with serrations which enable the bird to grasp slippery fish. Normally flies fast and low with strong wingbeats. Gregarious, often in small flocks. Excellent diver, good walker. Nests by lakes, rivers and seashore, mainly in lowlands.
10.000 52-58 cm
1.1 kg
green gead, red bill
Goosander ∙ Gulönd Mergus merganser
Largest of Iceland’s freshwater ducks. Both sexes have large white wing patch, red bill with black nail. Legs are red, eyes brown. Appears rather long and flat in flight, holding head, neck and body horizontal. Fish eater. Habitat is on lakes and rivers where prey is found. Nests in crevice or hollow in cliff or bank, also among bushes or heather, even in old houses. Largest winter flock is at Lake Myvatn.
~600
Ptarmigan ∙ Rjúpa Lagopus muta
58-66 cm
1.5 kg
red bill and legs
The only gallinaceous bird that lives wild in Iceland. Plimp with short, broad wings. Moults body feathers three times a year, flight feathers only once. Flies fast and low with rapid wingbeats. Good walker, often runs and climbs in trees. Herbivore. Breeds on moorland, scrub, woods and well-vegetated lava fields, from seashore to mountains. Nest in a lined depression, well hidden in shrubs or heather. 230.000 34-36 cm 400 g brown / white (in winter) Streamlined bird which resembles Great Northern Diver. Neither can walk. Has narrow upward-curving bill. Takes flight from water at a run. Lands on belly. Seen alone or in small flocks. Feeds on fish. Breeds by ponds, lakes, rivers and streams, often at or near places with plenty of fish, sometimes breeds in dispersed colonies near sea. Winters at sea. Breeds all over Iceland, most common at seashore.
Red-throated Diver ∙ Lómur Gavia stellata 4.000 53-69 cm 1.7 kg
Great Northern Diver ∙ Himbrimi Gavia immer
greyish legs, red eyes
Large, powerful, streamlined waterbird, one of the characteristic birds of Iceland’s highland lakes. Sexes alike. Flies with powerful wingbeats. Agile swimmer, expert diver, sitting rather low in the water. Heavy in takeoff and landing. Lands on belly, not extending feet like most birds. Divers can not walk and vome ashore only to nest, creeping on belly to and from nest.
~600
69-91 cm
3.5 kg
black bill, red eyes
A large seabird similar to a gull, stout with a thick neck and long, narrow wings. Sits high in water, but often has difficulty taking off, especially in windless conditions. Can barely walk, shuffles on tarsi. Usually feeds on surface but is capable of making shallow dives. Pelagic psecies that breeds on colonies on cliffs and rocks by the sea or inland, sometimes on rocky islands or stacks. Northern Fulmar ∙ Fýll Fulmarus glacialis 2.000.000 45-56 cm 1 kg
Cormorant ∙ Dílaskarfur Phalacrocorax carbo
white-grey; yellow bill
Large, dark-coloured, shiny, long necked seabird. Stretches its head forward and tilted slightly upwards in flight. When swimming or sitting, the head is tilted slightly upwards. Often sits with stretched wings after diving for food flapping the wings to dry them. Fish eater. Nests in colonies, generally on flat, barren skerries, sometimes on rock stacks. Winters on the coast, sometimes moving inland to fresh water.
8.200 80-100 cm 3 kg dark-yellow bill, green eyes Iceland’s largest and rarest raptor, with a wingspan of over 2 m. Often seen at great distance gliding over land or sea in search of prey or perched for long periods at lookout point. Generally wary and docile but may be aggressive at nest site. Solitary birds, pairs or small groups are generally observed. Eats fish, also takes Common Eider, Atlantic Puffin, gulls, carrion. White-tailed Eagle ∙ Haförn Haliaeetus albicilla ~200
Merlin ∙ Smyrill Falco columbarius
70-90 cm
5 kg
brown; yellow bill
Most common Icelandic raptor. Both sexes have indistinct moustachial stripe. Agile, aggressive hunter. Flies fast over ground, often tiring out its prey by pursuit. Rarely glides or hovers. Solitary birds or pairs usually observed. Eats small birds,, also takes Wood Mouse. Breeds in lowlands in rocky places. No nest is built. In winter normally found near urban areas. 2.400 25-30 cm
210 g
grey; yellow cere bill
Large, graceful raptor with long, wide, pointed wings and tail. Largest falcon, formerly coveted by kings for hunting, it featured on the old Icelandic coat of arms. Flies with rapid, powerful wingbeats, often glides. Feeds predominantly in Rock Ptarmigan but hunts most types of birds and choice of prey depends on hunting habitat. Also takes Wood Mouse. Nests in rocky places. Gyrfalcon ∙ Fálki Falco rusticolus
Oystercatcher ∙ Tjaldur Haematopus ostralegus
~800 50-60 cm 1.6 kg greyish-brown; white spots One of the largest waders in Iceland. Noisy and gregarious bird. Powerful flyer, but with shallow wingbeats. Normally flies rather low. One of very few waders that feed their young. Probes for sandworms, mussels and other invertebrates on seashore. Nests chiefly in gravel and sand near the sea, but also inland by rivers and lakes, sometimes in vegetation, often on road verges, occasionally on roofs.
40.000 40-45 cm 600 g
Ringed Plover ∙ Sandlóa Charadrius hiaticula
black wings, orange bill
One of Iceland’s smallest wading birds. Lively and energetic bird. Has long wings, usually flies rather fast and low with regular wingbeats. Rather gregarious outside breeding season. Picks up insects and worms from ground or seashore. Active foraging style, runs around looking for prey, stops dead, picks up food and runs off again. Mainly found in sandy territory or gravel, both at the shore and sand.
100.000 18-20 cm 60 g
greyish-brown, orange bill
A characteristic bird of the Icelandic moorland. Medium-sized with a black bill, much shorter than on most waders. Flies fast and runs rapidly. Courtship flight with slow, deep wingbeats and song is characteristic. If nest or young are approached, adult will draw the intruder away by feigning a broken wing. Gregarious outside breeding season. Feeds on invertebrates such as beetles, arachnids, seaweed, etc. Golden Plover ∙ Heiðlóa Pluvialis apricaria
600.000 26-29 cm 200 g
black face, yellow spots
Small, slender bird. Flies fast with fluttering flight. Usually seen swimming. Sits high in the water, darts about on the surface. Tame, gregarious outside breeding season. Spins in circles on surface of water churning up food, dipping bill rapidly into the water to pick up chironomids, water beetles and crustaceans. Common all over Iceland, especially lowland, but also in highland areas. Red-necked Phalarope ∙ Óðinshani Phalaropus lobatus 100.000
Arctic Skua ∙ Kjói Stercorarius parasiticus
18-19 cm 40 g
red-orange neck
Also known as Parasitic Jarger. Is slender, has long wings and is an agile flyer. Aggressive in defence of nest and young. Kleptoparasitic, pursues other birds to tire them, and forces them to give up or vomit food such as sand eel or capelin, which it quickly seizes. Also eats insects, chicks and eggs. Breeds in various habitats from shore to mountain, marshes, moorland, highland oases, even nunataks.
20.000 41-46 cm
400 g
black wings, white belly
Common wetland bird, tha smallest gull that breeds in Iceland. Often seen foraging on seashore, mudflats and at drainage outlets. Sometimes follows tractors or ploughs, catching insects turned up by the machines. Protects its nests fiercely against intruders, and ducks and waders show a preference for nesting among them. Gregarious and rather tame. Noisy in breeding season. Black-headed Gull ∙ Hettumáfur Larus ridibundus
60.000 34-37 cm 300 g
white; grey on wings
Resembles Great Black-backed Gull but considerably smaller and more delicate. Wings are narrower and more pointed and when folded stratch far beyond the tail. Sits high in water. Gregarious, common in urban areas. Feeds on insects more than other large gulls. Breeds in moorland and grassland, on gravel banks by rivers, rocky outcrops, sands and in highlands, generally on the coast but also inland. Lesser Black-backed Gull ∙ Sílamáfur Larus fuscus 100.000 52-67 cm
800 g
yellow legs and bill
Purple Sandpiper ∙ Sendlingur Calidris maritima
Small bird with short legs, short neck and rather short bill. Flies low and straight. Good swimmer. Gregarious outside breeding areas, often seen in large flocks. Flocks in flight show dark back and pale belly alternately. Tame and will generally not take flight unless approached closely. Often seen perched on boats and quays. Feeds on insects, spiders and other invertebrates. Mainly breeds in mountains.
60.000 20-22 cm 80 g
grey, brown-streaked
Common medium-sized wader which generally maintains a low profile. Has a very long bill. Jerky flight pattern is characteristic. In spring Snipe circles over its territory with a constant “drumming” sound. Difficult to spot on the ground, since the bird is shy and secretive. Not particularly gregarious. Probes in most, soft ground with its long bill for worms. Nests in marshy ground, also in dryer areas. Common Snipe ∙ Hrossagaukur Gallinago gallinago 360.000 25-27 cm
Whimbrel ∙ Spói Numenius phaeopus
110 g
rust-red camouflage
Large wader, slender and long-legged. Rapid wingbeats characteristic. Often flies in flocks in late summer before migrating. Otherwise not gregarious. Often perches in a prominent place, e.g. a tussock, and calls. Eats insects, spiders, snails, worms and berries. Long bill well adapted to seizing prey on surface as well as in soft mud. Breeds in both dry and marshy land.
500.000 40-42 cm
500 g
greyish-brown
Medium-sized, noisy wader. Often perches on a post, bobbing tail and head, and calls loudly if nest or young are approached. Flies with short, jerky wingbeats. At other times flight is straight and fast. Gregarious outside breeding season. Eats insects, worms and arachnids on dry land. On seashore takes amphipods, molluscs, midge larvae, etc. Prefers grassland in summer, seashores in winter. Common Redshank ∙ Stelkur Tringa totanus
280.000 27-29 cm 140 g brownish; orange bill/legs
Characteristic gull of many coastal areas, especially in winter. Very similar to Iceland Gull but has a stronger bill, flatter forehead, and the wings do not extend as far beyond the tail in the standing bird. Large and heavy, resembles other large gulls. Sits lower in the water than Iceland Gull when swimming. Eats sand eel and capelin, mussels, spider crabs, etc. Breeds in large colonies on steep cliffs. Glaucous Gull ∙ Hvítmáfur Larus hyperboreus 30.000
Great Black-backed Gull ∙ Svartbakur Larus marinus
62-68 cm
1.5 kg
Largest gull, similar in appearance to Lesse Blackbacked Gull. Always majestic. It flies with slow, powerful wingbeats. Gregarious, often mixing with other gulls. Takes sand eel, capelin, crabs, starfish, etc. Breeds in various habitat close to the sea, e.g. sands, islands, skerries, in marshes and on mountains; also inland on islands in lakes, on gravel banks by rivers, highland oases and even on nunataks.
40.000 64-78 cm 2 kg
Black-legged Kittiwake ∙ Rita Rissa tridactyla
white, pale grey
pink legs, yellow bill
Typical bird of birdcliffs and open sea, similar in size to the Common Gull. Often seen far out to sea, rarely inland. Very agile flier. Often flies around fishing vessels and plunges for food like Arctic Tern. Highly gregarious. Lives on fish. Picks up food from surface or after shallow dive. Breeds on sea cliffs, often in large colonies with other seabirds, also on low rocky islands and skerries. Makes nest of dry grass.
1060.000 38-40 cm
400 g
white-grey, yellow bill
The only member of the tern family that is firmly established in Iceland. Slender, elegant bird. Expert flyer, hovering over water and diving down to catch fish fry. Known for ferocious “air raids” at breeding colonies. It does not only defend its own young, and other birds benefit from breeding alongside Arctic Tern. Highly gregarious, in constant motion. Dives for fish in flight. Breeds in various habitats. Arctic Tern ∙ Kría Sterna paradisaea 1000.000 33-35 cm 120 g
black cap, red bill/legs
Common, rather large auk, vary similar to Brünnich’s Guillemot. Head shape differs, and Common Guillemot has longer neck and shorter tail. Flies with neck hunched. Walks awkwardly, sits on the tarsus. Highly gregarious. Dives from surface like other auks. Main food is sand eel and capelin. Also eats herring and small crustaceans. Nests in large colonies on birdcliffs or on the top of rock stacks. Common Guillemot ∙ Langvía Uria aalge 1400.000 38-41 cm
Brünnich’s Guillemot ∙ Stuttnefja Uria lomvia
dark streaks on flanks
Rather large auk, very similar to Common Guillemot. Distinguished from it by white flanks without streaks, darker upperparts, shorter, thicker bill with white stripe, steeper forehead, more angular crown, and in winter by black cheeks. Flies with hunched neck and is an expert diver. Very gregarious. Dives for food and uses wings for propulsion like other auks. breeds in large colonies on birdcliffs.
660.000 39-43 cm
Razorbill ∙ Álka Alca torda
1 kg
1 kg
white flanks
Medium-sized member of the auk family. Flies fast and straight with extended neck, low over the surface of the sea. Sits high in the water, often with tail cocked, and sometimes with bill turned up. Good diver like other auks, using wings and legs for diving. Clumsy walker. Sits on the tarsus and uses tail for balance. Gregarious. Feeds on small fish. Could be found both in shallow and deep seas.
600.000
37-39 cm
600 g
black; white belly
The only Icelandic member of the auk family with a black breast. Normally flies low over the surface of the water with fast wingbeats, and the wing-patches are conspicuous. Is usually observed alone or in small flocks. Main foos is butterfish, which it catches in shallow waters. Also takes other small fish. Coastal and favours shallow seas, rarely goes out to the ocean. Nests alone or in small colonies. Black Guillemot ∙ Teista Cepphus grylle
30.000
30-32 cm 400 g
black breast, red legs
Atlantic Puffin ∙ Lundi Fratercula arctica
One of the smaller auks, and also the most common. Stocky bird with large head. Colourful, flat-sided bill is the Puffin’s diagnostic feature. It flies straight with fast wingbeats, usually low over the surface of the sea. Good walker. Highly gregarious. Can dive to depth of 60 meters and spend 1.5 minutes underwater. Arranges fish in bill, usually 6-20 fish in each foray. Digs a burrow in grass for nest.
10.000.000 26-29 cm 500 g
Meadow Pipit ∙ Þúfutittlingur Anthus pratensis
The most common Icelandic passerine, one of the best songbirds. Flight is erratic, sometimes flies straight up, then glides down while singing. Flutters around, perching on tussocks and trees. Gregarious outside breeding season. Eats wide variety of invertebrates, seeds, molluscs. Breeding habitat varies: marshes, moorland, grassland, woods, etc. Nest is a neatly woven basket.
2.000.000
Pied Wagtail ∙ Maríuerla Motacilla alba
14-15 cm 17 g
greyish-green
Also known as White Wagtail. Small, lively passerine with long tail that is constantly flicker. When stationary, constantly flicks tail up and down and nods head. Catches flies on the ground and in flight. Fast runner. Usually solitary or in small flocks. Are known to collect dead insects from barbecues and car bumpers. Breeds on farms, in urban areas, etc.
100.000
Wren ∙ Músarrindill Troglodytes troglodytes
colourful bill
18 cm
22 g
grey-white
One of the characteristic birds of Icelandic birchwoods. Easily identified by small size, round shape, cocked tail and powerful song, heard all year. Flies fast and straight with head stretched forward. Rapid wingbeats make whirring sound. Flies rarely and never far. Energetic but elusive. Generally solitary or in small flocks. Eats insectivorous and spiders. Breeds scattered in scrub or woods.
10.000
9-10 cm
15 g
reddish-brown
Northern Wheatear ∙ Steindepill Oenanthe oenanthe
Lively passerine, common is stony and barren territory. Always has characteristic tail pattern. Restless, flies low, often perching, with dips and bows, flicking wings and tail. Normally solitary or in small groups. Runs and jumps in pursuit of insects and arachnids in open country. Occasionally eats berries and seeds. Breeds on rocky ground, screes, sandy areas, lava fields, walls, et., mostly in lowlands.
100.000 15-16 cm
Redwing ∙ Skógarþröstur Turdus iliacus
30 g
tail pattern
Songbird, common in Icelandic birchwoods and in urban gardens. Medium-sized passerine. Sings to defend its territory. Gregarious outside breeding season, then often found in flocks. On the ground, the bird hops on both feet. Eats both animal and plant matter. In late summer feeds on crowberries and blueberries. In winter can be attracted into gardens by putting out apples, pears, fat.
400.000
21 cm
70 g
brown, pale-yellow
Large bird, the only member of the crow family resident in Iceland. Familiar, both loved and hated in Iceland. Largest passerine, strongly built with longish, broad wings with “fingered” primaries in flight and wedge-shaped tail. Flight is powerful with deep wingbeats. Hops on both feet. Gregarious, stays in groups or pairs. Eats carrion, waste, eggs, chicks, insects and berries. Breeds in rocky places. Common Raven ∙ Hrafn Corvus corax 4.000
Redpoll ∙ Auðnutittlingur Carduelis flammea
64 cm
1.2
uniformly black
Small gryish-brown-streaked finch with short tail. Identified by red spot on forehead, black spot on throat. Lightly undulating flight. Lively and agile in search of food in trees and other vegetation. Generally in small flocks outside breeding season, sometimes quite large flocks. Seedeater, dependent on birch seeds. Feeds young insects and spiders. Habitat is birchwoods and scrub, also gardens.
60.000
12-14 cm 15 g
red spot on forehead
Land mammals
The only land mammal native to Iceland. It is well adapted to living in cold environments. Has a deep thick fur which is brown in summer and white in winter and generally rounded body shape to minimize the escape of body heat. Prey on any small animals they can find, fish and seabirds. Also eat berries and seaweed. Form monogamous pairs and stay in complex underground dens. Arctic Fox ∙ Heimskautarefur Alopex lagopus 11.000
85 cm
3.5 kg
brown/white
Wood mouse ∙ Hagamús Apodemus sylvaticus
The Wood mouse was almost certainly introduced in Iceland by the first settlers in the 10th and 11th centuries. Wood mice inhabit forests, grasslands, and cultivated fields. Almost entirely nocturnal and terrestrial, wood mice burrow extensively, build nests of plants and live in buildings during harsh seasons. Wood mice are primarily seed eaters. They also consume berries, fruits and roots.
90 mm
18 g
sandy brown
The smallest land animal of Iceland. The house mouse habitat is normally close to humans and they live in and close to human dwellings, e.g. in outbuildings or stores. In Iceland the species is normally found in towns and cities, but they can be found on some farms and even far from human habitation in South Iceland, where the climate is mildest. Is known for its ability to reproduce very quickly. House mouse ∙ Húsamús Mus musculus 7.5–10 cm 12-25 g
Brown Rat ∙ Brún rotta Rattus norvegicus
With rare exceptions, the brown rat lives wherever humans live, particularly in urban areas. The fur is coarse and usually brown or dark grey. Brown rats have acute hearing, are sensitive to ultrasound, and possess a very highly developed olfactory sense. The brown rat is a true omnivore and will consume almost anything, but cereals form a substantial part of its diet.
up to 25 cm
Mink ∙ Minkur Mustela vision
greyish-brown
350 g
brown/grey
Mink is a carnivore which feeds on rodents, fish, crustaceans, frogs, and birds. It kills vertebrate prey by biting the back of the head or neck. Mink is a promiscuous animal, which does not form pair bonds. Their territories are held by individual animals with minimal intrasex overlap, but with extensive overlap between animals of the opposite sex. Most territories are located in undisturbed, rocky, coastal habitat.
34–45 cm 500–1,580 g
white/brown
Seals Altogether seven species of seals have been spotted in Icelandic waters: - the common seal - the grey seal - the ringed seal - the harp seal - the bearded seal - the hooded seal - the walrus. The common seal and the grey seal breed all around the country, but the others are vagrants. Traditionally, the seals have been hunted in Iceland from the time of settlement for their furs and meat. The annual catch has fluctuated between four and seven thousand during the last decades, and has diminished considerably during the last few years. The seals were and sometimes still are an issue of debate between the conservationists, fishermen and the fish industry because of their impact on the commercial importance of fish stocks, the damage to fishing gear and their part in the spreading of the cod worm.
Common Seal ∙ Landselur Phoca vitulina
Looks like other seals, but rather thicker and broadframed. The colour varies between seasons, and its hair condition, gender and age also play a role. Its habitats are in the North Atlantic, North Pacific and the parts of the Arctic Ocean influenced by the Golf Stream. It is common all around Iceland, mostly in the bays on islets and skerries, and the sands of the south coast.
2m
Gray Seal ∙ Ăštselur Halichoerus grypus
up to 150 kg
stone/yellow-grey with spots
Considerably larger than the common seal. It is thickest around the shoulders and its head is large and pointed. It is spotted along the south, west, and northwestern coastlines, usually on skerries and in remote areas facing the open sea. The greatest number of grey seals in Iceland is found in the Myrar area, on the Breidafiord Bay, in the Westfiords and Strandir area, and on the Skagi peninsula in the North. 3m
300-400 kg
grey with dark patches
Whales The cool, clear North Atlantic and Arctic Oceans encircling Iceland are teeming with whales of various sizes and species. Although whale watching in Iceland is growing, it is still far from being commercial. As a pastime it is still exclusive and mostly done on small crafts. The locations are not swarming with other crafts full of tourists. Small groups are taken out. Below is a list of whales that are spotted in Iceland along with further information on each species. It’s the largest member of the dolphin family. Killer whales occurring in the coastal waters of Iceland feed also on (Icelandic summer-spawning) herring. Killer whales are sexually dimorphic, meaning that it is possible to distinguish between mature males and females based on their appearance. In addition to their larger body size, adult males have a taller dorsal fin than females. Killer Whale ∙ Háhyrningur Orcinus orca
Harbour Porpoise ∙ Hnísa Phocoena phocoena
5,000
7m
black; gray colouring
The smallest of all whale species. The back is dark grey in colour, getting lighter towards the sides. The snout is round, unlike dolphins, and the head is relatively small. Feeds primarily on various small fish, but also herring and capelin. The porpoise is shy, rarely leap, and tends to stay away from boats and ships. Being so small, it is difficult to spot. Preferring shallow waters, can be seen in fjords and bays.
25,000-27,000
Humpback Whale ∙ Hnúfubakur Megaptera novaeangliae
6 tons
1,5–2 m 55–70 kg
grey
The humpback whale is a baleen whale. Primarily feeds on plankton, krill, but also small fish, such as capelin and is easily identified by its enormously long flippers, which can be up to 5 or 6 m in length. The humpback whale is playful, occasionally raising the flippers to slap the water surface, rolling over or leaping out of the water. In summertime, it frequents shallow waters and comes into the fjords and bays in search of food. 1,500-1,800 13–17 m 25–40 tons black-white pattern
White-beaked Dolphin ∙ Hnýðingur Lagenorhynchus albirostris
It’s believed to be permanent resident in Icelandic waters. Occasionally, large groups of white-beaked dolphins can be seen in the fjords and bays, but they usually travel in smaller groups of 5-10 animals. This is the most common dolphin being spotted on whale watching trips around Iceland. It is extremely fast swimmer and comes frequently leaping towards ships and boats. Feeds on various small fish.
10,000-12,000 2,5–3 m 180–350 kg
Minke Whale ∙ Hrefna Balaenoptera acutorostrata
The second smallest of the baleen whales. The minke whale spouts 3-4 consecutive times before deep diving. It can stay submerged for up to 20 minutes, though the usual time is around 3-5 minutes. The minke whale doesn’t fluke, but often bends its back before vanishing. Diet consists of plankton, krill and small surface fish. The minke whale is thought to be the most abundant whale species in Iceland.
174.000
Sperm whale ∙ Búrhvalur Physeter macrocephalus
7-10 m 8–10 tons
grey-white
Its most prominent feature is the enormous head, which can be up to 1/3 of the whale’s body length. Holds the diving record with being able to stay submerged for up to 2 hours. Though commonly, the dive will last for 30-40 miuntes. Before diving, it will raise their flukes. Feed not just on fish but also on giant squid, which is the reason for them to penetrate high dephts.
1,200-1,400
Fin Whale ∙ Langreyður Balaenoptera physalus
grey
12–18 m 30-50 tons
grey
Has a distinctive colour, which has been used for identification. The right jaw is white or pale, while the left jaw is dark grey or black. The baleen plates are coloured accordingly. The powerful spout, 4-6 m, can be seen from afar in good weather conditions and the breathing cycle is between 3-5 times. Usually remains submerged for 5-8 minutes at a time, but frequently longer.
10,000
20-25 m 50-80 tons
white-grey