Birds Around Me

The Whooper Swan (Cygnus cygnus) is one of the most majestic waterfowl of the Northern Hemisphere.  The term Whooper comes from the bird’s whooping call, often described as a deep, bugling or trumpet‑like sound.  Known for its elegance and powerful presence, this large swan measures up to 150 cm in length with a wingspan of nearly 2.5 meters, making it one of the largest flying birds.   Whooper swan (Cygnus cygnus)  हुंकारने वाला हंस Iceland, July 2025 Its plumage is entirely white, contrasting beautifully with its long neck and distinctive yellow‑and‑black bill. Unlike the Mute Swan, which has an orange bill and a characteristic knob, the Whooper Swan’s straight bill and clear yellow patch are reliable identification features.   The Whooper Swan breeds across the sub‑Arctic regions of Eurasia, nesting near lakes, rivers, and wetlands. During winter, it migrates south to more temperate areas, including parts of Europe, East Asia, and occasionally no...

The Long‑tailed Duck (Clangula hyemalis), once known as the “Oldsquaw” in North America, is a striking and highly specialized sea duck of the northern hemisphere. It is instantly recognizable by the male’s elegant long tail feathers, which can extend up to 10 cm, giving the species its name.   Female Long‑tailed Duck (Clangula hyemalis) Iceland, July 2025 Measuring 44–54 cm in length with a wingspan of 65–83 cm, the Long‑tailed Duck is relatively small compared to other sea ducks. Its plumage is remarkable for its seasonal changes. Males in winter display crisp black‑and‑white patterns with elongated tail feathers, while in summer they adopt a darker, more muted appearance. Females are more subdued, with brownish tones and shorter tails, though they too undergo seasonal shifts.   This species breeds in the Arctic tundra and northern wetlands, nesting near freshwater lakes and ponds. After breeding, it migrates south to spend winters along coastal waters, bays, and e...

The Common Murre (Uria aalge), also called the Common Guillemot, is a striking seabird of the auk family (Alcidae) found across the North Atlantic and North Pacific Oceans. With a length of 38–46 cm and a wingspan of 64–71 cm, it is one of the largest members of its family. Its black‑and‑white plumage gives it a tuxedo‑like appearance, often earning it the nickname “flying penguin.”   Common Murre (Uria aalge) Common Murre (Uria aalge) Iceland, July 2025 Murres spend most of their lives at sea, only coming to land during the breeding season. They nest in vast, noisy colonies on steep coastal cliffs and rocky islands, where thousands of birds crowd together. Unlike most seabirds, they do not build nests; instead, females lay a single pear‑shaped egg directly on bare rock. The egg’s unique shape prevents it from rolling off the cliff ledges.   Common Murre (Uria aalge) Common Murre (Uria aalge) These birds are superb divers, using their wings to “fly” underwater in pur...

The Black Guillemot (Cepphus grylle), affectionately called the Tystie in Scotland, is a distinctive seabird of the auk family (Alcidae), inhabiting the cold waters of the North Atlantic and Arctic Oceans. Medium‑sized, it measures about 32–38 cm in length with a wingspan of 52–58 cm, and weighs between 325–550 g.   Black Guillemot (Cepphus grylle) Iceland, July 2025 In summer, adults are strikingly beautiful: glossy black plumage offset by bold white wing patches and vivid scarlet legs and feet. Their bills are slender and dark, adapted for catching small fish and invertebrates. In winter, their plumage turns mottled white and gray, offering camouflage against icy landscapes.    Black Guillemots are typically found along rocky coasts, cliffs, and islands, where they nest in crevices or under boulders. They often breed in loose colonies, laying 2–3 eggs. Both parents share incubation and chick‑rearing duties. Unlike many seabirds, they are relatively sedentary, remai...

The Rock Ptarmigan (Lagopus muta) is one of Iceland’s most familiar and beloved birds, a hardy species perfectly adapted to the island’s rugged landscapes. Belonging to the grouse family, it is a medium‑sized game bird with remarkable seasonal plumage changes: mottled brown in summer to blend with heathlands, and pure white in winter to camouflage against snow. This transformation makes it a striking symbol of resilience in Iceland’s harsh climate.  Rock Ptarmigan (Lagopus muta) Iceland, July 2025   In Iceland, the Rock Ptarmigan is sedentary, remaining year‑round, though individuals move between breeding and wintering grounds. Its preferred habitats are grasslands, heathlands, and tundra, where it nests on the ground. Population numbers fluctuate dramatically, often tripling or quadrupling between spring and late summer, with cyclical variations that have long fascinated scientists and birdwatchers.   Rock Ptarmigan (Lagopus muta) Iceland, July 2025 Beyond its ecolo...

The Great Skua (Stercorarius skua) is one of the most formidable seabirds of the North Atlantic. Roughly the size of a herring gull, it measures 50–58 cm in length with a wingspan of 125–140 cm, and is instantly recognizable by its bulky build, dark brown plumage, and bold white flashes on the wings.   Great Skua (Stercorarius skua) Iceland, July 2025 Nicknamed the “pirate of the seas,” the Great Skua is notorious for its feeding strategy. While it hunts fish and preys on smaller birds such as puffins, it is best known for its kleptoparasitic behavior—harassing gannets, gulls, and terns until they drop their catch, which the skua then seizes mid‑air. This aggressive dominance makes it one of the most feared seabirds in its range.   Great Skua (Stercorarius skua) Iceland, July 2025 Breeding colonies are found on moorlands and coastal islands of northern Europe, particularly Scotland, Iceland, and the Faroe Islands. Nests are simple scrapes on the ground, and the birds...

The Common Eider (Somateria mollissima) is the largest duck of the northern hemisphere and one of the most iconic seabirds of Arctic and sub‑Arctic coasts. Measuring 50–71 cm in length with a wingspan of up to 110 cm, it is a powerful diver, perfectly adapted to life in cold marine environments.   Female Common Eider (Somateria mollissima) Iceland, July 2025 Adult males are striking, with bold black‑and‑white plumage and a distinctive sloping forehead that gives the head a wedge‑shaped profile. Females, by contrast, are mottled brown, blending into rocky nesting sites. Both sexes have strong, wedge‑shaped bills that allow them to pry open mussels and other shellfish, their primary food source.   Male Common Eider (Somateria mollissima) Iceland, July 2025 Common Eiders breed in colonies along northern coasts and islands across Europe, Russia, Greenland, Canada, and Alaska. Nests are lined with the female’s own down feathers, which are so insulating that humans have lo...