Birdwatching in Greenland - Visit Greenland

The good thing about being a birdwatcher – or a “birder” – is that you can do it at all levels – and in principle, at all times. Birds are ubiquitous, and available regardless of whether you are a “hardcore twitcher ” or just a happy amateur who finds pleasure in knowing the name of the birds you meet on your travels. You can watch birds during a cruise, on a hike, or simply by just looking out the window. If you are a little more dedicated, you can choose to plan your trip to Greenland so that you actively seek out sites where there is a high concentration of birds, a lot of diversity, or perhaps a very special bird species that is not found in many other places in the world.

Regardless of what level of bird watching you are at, knowledge of bird species gives an extra dimension to the overall nature experience! For many people, it’s exciting to be able to tell what kinds of birds you are seeing during your trip to Greenland. If you look further into the birds’ behaviour, adaptations and biology, it can also open up a better understanding of the local environment and ecological context, which enriches your experience of nature.

Birdlife in Greenland is characterised by the fact that there are only a few different species. However, this means that with relatively little effort you can get to know the most common bird species, and, in this way, quickly be ready to begin your bird adventure in Greenland.

In principle, you can watch birds without binoculars and get a good experience out of it. But if you want to identify the species of the birds, see them from a further distance and appreciate the details of their appearance and behaviour, binoculars are a must to complete the nature experience. Binoculars are available in all sizes and price categories, and it is important to find a pair that fits your level as a birdwatcher. However, all experience points to the rule that one ends up regretting one’s purchases when shopping at the cheapest price level!

Carsten Egevang is a researcher of biology and an award-winning nature photographer, as well as the author of several books about Greenland. During the past 25 years, Carsten has traveled all over Greenland – even to the most remote areas – and always with binoculars and a camera around his neck. As a researcher at the Greenland Nature Institute in Nuuk, he has been responsible for the scientific work with seabirds in Greenland. Carsten’s Master’s degree (MSc) dealt with his favourite species of Greenlandic birds: the little auk. During his education as a researcher (PhD), he was the leader of a research group that was the first in the world to map the world’s longest bird migration: the Arctic tern’s incredible annual round trip from Greenland to Antarctica.

Today, Carsten works mainly as a photographer, where he combines his scientific background with visual communication. The unique relationship between prey animals and traditional Greenlandic hunting culture is the particular focus of his professional work. Most recently, he has worked with the Greenlandic sled dog, and its significance in Greenland today.

Discover local stays, tours & tastes!

Sorry, no content found.

Birdwatching

As a birdwatcher visiting Greenland, you should not expect to see many different species of birds on your trip. On the other hand, birdwatching in Greenland offers some completely unique bird experiences that are not found anywhere else in the world. First of all, birdwatching is a comprehensive experience in which the birds make up one element of the magnificent, spectacular Greenlandic landscape. Secondly, it is interesting to see how the Greenlandic species are adapted to the Arctic environment, and in Greenland there are a number of special bird species or breeds that only occur in Greenland, or very few other places in the Arctic.

Useful information

There is a lot of useful information you can find to plan your trip to Greenland.

Time of year

The best time to visit Greenland for bird watching is without a doubt the summertime. Almost all Greenlandic breeding birds leave Greenland outside the breeding season, and only a few species, such as the Rock Ptarmigan, the raven and the great cormorant, stay through the winter. Most species arrive around April/May and disappear again in September, which is why the most interesting months for birds are June and July. This is when the diversity and number of birds is the greatest, and the birds are found on their breeding grounds (such as colonies), making their presence predictable so you know where to find them.

However, this doesn’t mean that it is only interesting to go birdwatching in June/July! August/September in particular is a really nice time of year in Greenland, where the landscape changes to autumn colors and the mosquito season is at its end. At this time there are still birds, but they appear more scattered as they are not attached to breeding sites. Wintertime is also interesting, as at this time it is possible to see some of the species (such as the King Common Eider and Little Auk), which usually occur only in the high north.

Bird book

Get your hands on a bird book or a good nature guide some time before leaving for Greenland, and start by learning which bird species are relevant. By getting to know in advance which bird species occur in Greenland, at what time and in which parts of the country, you will already be well-prepared and ready to watch birds as soon as you arrive. It is also a good idea to learn the voices of the most common species, such as the Snow Bunting, the Lapland Bunting and the Common Redpoll, before arriving in Greenland. There are plenty of places on the Internet where you can listen to these birds’ voices.

Birdwatching while sailing

If you are going on a cruise or another kind of sailing trip, it is a good idea to install yourself on the deck with your binoculars. When sailing you typically get to cover larger distances, with the possibility of encountering bird species that are otherwise difficult to see. For example, in the summer months, you may encounter species such as the Long-tailed Skua and the Pomarine Skua in West Greenland (especially in the Disko Bay area), and in August/September the Great Shearwater (a breeding bird from the southern hemisphere) visits the waters between South Greenland and Sisimiut.

There are a number of common features that characterise bird life in Greenland:

Few different species – many migratory birds

The climate in Greenland is extreme, and only the bird species that have managed to adapt to the physical challenges can thrive here. This means that the number of different bird species in Greenland is relatively low, in comparison to more southern areas. In actual fact, over 230 different bird species have been recorded within the country’s borders, but only about 60 species are breeding birds in Greenland. At the same time, the harsh climate means that a very high proportion of Greenlandic bird species are migratory birds, which leave the country as winter approaches, in order to return as spring arrives.

Very Few sparrow species

Sparrows are the most common types of birds, making up more than half of the world’s approximately 10,000 bird species. In Greenland, in comparison to other places in the world, there are surprisingly few sparrow species. Only five species, namely the Common Redpoll, the Northern Wheatear, the Lapland Bunting, the Snow Bunting and the Raven, can be said to be common. Greenland is geographically very isolated, and only the sparrows which could adapt to Greenland’s short, unpredictable summer have managed to establish themselves as breeding birds.

Many species of seabirds

On the other hand, Greenland is home to a very high proportion of the northern hemisphere’s seabird species. In the Arctic, it’s not the land but the marine environment that is responsible for the majority of biological production. It’s in the sea that nature’s riches are found, and there are a large number of seabird species that exploit this. The majority of seabirds breed in colonies, which creates a very “lumpy” distribution of birds in Greenland. You can sail for hours without seeing much birdlife, only to then arrive at a bird colony where birds and sounds fill the air. In other words, seabirds are not evenly distributed throughout the country, but are concentrated in “hotspots”.

How to get around

You can always practice birdwatching on foot in the area around where you are staying, but if you want to travel further away, you will often need a boat in Greenland.

In Greenland, we mostly travel between towns and villages by planes, helicopters and in some cases passenger boats. In some places it may be difficult to find alternative transport options. However, in most major cities it is possible to charter boats that will sail you to your desired location on an hourly or daily basis. Some cruise ships and boat tour companies have included visits to a bird site in their programmes. Aside from these, tourism activities involving birdwatching are not as common in Greenland as they are in, for example, Iceland and the Faroe Islands. Nuuk Water Taxi offers a boat trip called “Puffin Express”, which includes a visit to a puffin colony near Nuuk. From Maniitsoq, Maniitsoq Tour Boat sails to the Eternity Fjord for to visit the area’s bird colonies.

In other words, it can be a bit difficult to visit bird sites in Greenland, but on the other hand, it creates an atmosphere of adventure when you experience nature in a way that few others can.

“Learn from the birds”

By observing birds and learning their behaviour, you can get access to additional nature experiences, such as:

If you see a lot of gulls and terns gathered in flocks over the surface of the sea, there is a good chance that there are also whales around, as the whales chase small fish and crustaceans to the surface when foraging.
The snow bunting (especially the male) has a specific call that it uses when there is a predator on land – this often means that there is a polar fox nearby.
If you find yourself near an Arctic Tern colony, and suddenly observe that the terns first become completely silent, and then take off and use a certain call, this is a good sign that there is a falcon nearby. The behaviour of terns is different if, for example, a gull or a raven approaches the colony.

Bird sites

Greenland is a huge country with breathtaking landscapes, of which the birds are a natural part. To list all the exciting places for birdwatching is not possible, but below is a suggestion of bird sites distributed across all of the regions of Greenland. Note that traffic restrictions apply to several of these sites in the birds’ breeding season (see the section “Bird protection in Greenland”).

Thule area (Qaanaaq)

This area’s biggest attraction is its many large Little Auk colonies, which are found in the northern and southern (but not central) parts of the area. Here, there are also 5 large colonies of Brünnich’s guillemot, and Saunders Island (76.545, -69.873) is the largest in Greenland.

Upernavik

This area has many small islands with rich bird life and large Common Eider colonies – such as the small archipelago of Nunanguit (73.043, -57.773) immediately west of the settlement of Upernavik. At the northern end of the area are large guillemot colonies – including Apparsuit (73.794, – 56.816) which is Greenland’s second largest colony.

Uummannaq

This area houses some of the largest Northern Fulmar colonies in Greenland, as well Greenland’s second largest Arctic Tern colony, Qeqertat/Schades Islands (71.383, -53.841), with a number of other breeding birds.

Disko Bay Area

The archipelago of Kitsissunnguit/Grønne Ejland (68.842, -51.947) is one of Greenland’s most important bird colonies and contains Greenland’s largest Arctic Tern colony. Close to the abandoned settlement of Ritenbenk/Appat (69.887, -51.067), is the area’s only guillemot colony.

Sisimiut

The area of sea off the coast of Sisimiut is extremely important for winter birds, with large concentrations of, among others, King Eider.

Maniitsoq

This area has many bird colonies, and the Eternity Fjord (65.896, -52.881) does not just house many nesting cliffs, but is also spectacularly scenic, with high mountains and glaciers.

Nuuk

You can see White-tailed Eagles close to the city all year round, and south of Nuuk there is Qilanngarsuit/Ravneøerne (63.968, -51.884) with a small colony of puffins and Common Eiders. Inside the mighty Nuuk fjord, there is a small nesting cliff (64.605, -51.136) with breeding Iceland Gulls and Black-legged Kittiwake. In the winter, overwintering seabird species, such as Brünnich’s guillemot, Little Auk, and King Eider, are seen in the waters west of Nuuk.

South Greenland

South Greenland has a milder climate compared to the rest of the country, and is especially known for its many breeding White-tailed Eagles and peregrine falcons. Bird species such as the Redwing, which are not found elsewhere in Greenland, also breed here. By the settlement of Arsuk there are a number of nesting cliffs with both Brünnich’s and Atlantic guillemots, and in the archipelago you can be lucky enough to meet a Harlequin Duck.

Tasiilaq

This area contains a number of smaller colonies of Black-legged Kittiwake, Arctic Terns and Common Eiders, but there are not the large bird colonies here that are known from the rest of the country.

Ittorqortoormiit

This area contains many Little Auk colonies, of which the most easily accessible is at Cape Høegh (70.712, -21.588) about 35 km north of the settlement. By the mouth of the mighty Scoresby Fjord lies Cape Brewster (70.153, -22.123), which is one of the only Brünnich’s guillemot colonies on the East Coast.

Bird protection in Greenland

Greenland is a country where subsistence hunting is of great importance, and some of the seabird species, in particular, especially Brünnich’s guillemot and Common Eiders are popular foods. Common to all of the bird species, however, is the rule that they may not be hunted during the breeding season when they need peace in order to secure their next generations.

It is important that the birds are guaranteed calm during the breeding season, and that you show consideration and do not create unnecessary disturbance during a visit to a bird colony. In Greenlandic law, there is general protection of bird colonies. Therefore, it is not permitted to create a disturbance (which includes sailing over 3 knots) within 1,000 meters from a nesting cliff, or within 200 metres from an island with breeding seabirds such as Common Eiders, Arctic Terns, Puffins and Black Guillemots.

In addition, a number of bird protection areas have been designated in Greenland, which have a particularly rich bird life, and where traffic and landing are not allowed during the breeding season. These include the country’s largest nesting cliffs, as well as some of the most important islands with larger colonies of terrestrial seabirds.

Greenland is also a member of the international Ramsar Convention, in which countries commit to protecting important wetlands of international significance. In this context, 12 areas in both East and West Greenland have been designated, because of the presence of waterfowl – especially geese. At the Ramsar sites, there is limited access, regulation of traffic, and regulation of the use of the area.

Finally, the world’s largest national park is located in Greenland. The whole of North and Northeast Greenland is designated as an almost 1 million km 2 national park, where wildlife can thrive. In the national park there are no settlements, but only research, weather and military stations.

Greenland’s Nature Institute

Website

Greenland’s Nature Institute is a research institution that conducts biological studies of the country’s animal populations, with the primary purpose of advising the Greenlandic government on their sustainable use. The Nature Institute is based in Nuuk, but carries out monitoring work in the whole country on Greenland’s fish and animal stocks.

The Nature Institute’s research work concentrates almost exclusively on Greenland’s seabirds, as these are the important huntable species in Greenland. The two most hunted species are Brünnich’s guillemot and Common Eider, and for these species a monitoring programme has been established, in which selected colonies are counted in order to follow the development of the populations.

Tips for bird photography

Bird photography is an activity that often goes hand in hand with birdwatching. Here are a few tips for bird photography in Greenland:

Clothing

The first and most important tips do not relate to technique or equipment, but rather to attire. Bird photography almost always requires a great deal of patience, as one must wait for the perfect motif. It is surprisingly cold to sit still for a long time in Greenland – even in the summer! The same goes for sailing – where it very quickly gets cold when outside the cabin. Here it is necessary to have proper attire, because: “If you’re not warm – you can’t perform”.
It is always a good idea to bring more clothes than you think you will need on your photo trip. Remember a hat and gloves, and use several layers of clothing, so you can continuously regulate heat, by taking one layer off or on. The best materials are nature’s own – wool and down are unsurpassed – and it is necessary to have windproof material on your outer layer, to protect against the cold wind..

Mosquitoes

Another piece of advice is to always have a mosquito net and mosquito repellent with you in the field. The mosquito season in Greenland’s summer can be an annoyance that disturbs the nature experience if you are not prepared. But be careful with mosquito repellent! Certain brands contain chemicals that can damage the “coating” on the glass of binoculars and camera lenses!

Batteries

All camera batteries are sensitive to cold and can discharge in cold weather so that they stop working. In general, the smaller the battery, the more sensitive it is to the cold. However, this is only a problem in the winter, when temperatures in Greenland can be extreme! In the summer it does not get so cold that it causes problems with batteries. If you visit Greenland in the winter, it’s a good idea to bring extra camera batteries, and to keep them warm by having them close to your body inside your clothes.

Equipment

Cameras are available in all types and price ranges – and today, even mobile phones are equipped with surprisingly good built-in cameras. If you are more serious about (bird) photography, then a camera with interchangeable lenses is a necessity. For landscape photos in which birds feature, it is fine to use lenses ranging from wide angle to about 200 mm. If you are interested in getting actual bird pictures, where the animal is the central subject in the picture, you will be dependent on focal lengths of over 300 mm. It is an advantage if your camera shoots at a high “frame rate” – that is, that it is able to take pictures at many frames per second.

Know your camera

It is not a good idea to go to Greenland with a brand new and untested camera. A good tip is to practice with your new camera before departure, so you are familiar with the camera’s functions. Modern cameras often offer so many features that they can seem completely overwhelming. Learn at home how the most basic settings work – such as how to select high shutter speed. Greenland offers so many motifs that are “once in a lifetime”, and it would be a shame to miss the photo of your life because of lacking technique.

Shoot morning and evening

The good thing about summer in Greenland is that there is plenty of light available – it is often possible to take photographs around the clock. In the middle of the day, however, the light is so “harsh” that the photographic results will not be very good. Rather, it is better to plan your trip in the morning or the evening hours, when the light is more “soft”.

Get at eye level

A good tip is to always remember to get at eye level with your subject! Photos taken at an angle from below (such as a gull or a raven sitting on a lamppost), or from above (such as birds on the water taken from a tall boat), distort the proportions of the birds and usually do not end up being particularly good. If you want a good bird photo, it is often necessary to crawl around a bit on the rocks or to get down on your stomach and crawl around.

Brünnich’s guillemot

Appa (GRL), Polarlomvie (DA), Uria lomvia (LAT)

Distribution: All of West Greenland, on the East Coast only at Scoresbysund
Weight: 800-1100 grams / Length: 39-43 cm / Wingspan: 65-73 cm
Food: Fish (such as polar cod, arctic cod, capelin) and crustaceans

Description

The Brünnich’s guillemot belongs to the auk family, and this black and white seabird is probably the closest you’ll get to a penguin in the northern hemisphere. With a pointed beak, feet located far back on the body, and an upright posture, the guillemot resembles a miniature penguin. Just like the penguin, the Brünnich’s guillemot is a real fish-eater, and polar cod of up to 20 cm in length are favourites on the menu. The Brünnich’s guillemot is also a master diver! Its short, powerful wings are used to “fly” underwater, and studies show that Brünnich’s guillemot can dive all the way down to depths of 200 metres.The Brünnich’s guillemot breeds in large, dense colonies on steep cliff sides. It lays only one egg per year, which has a conical shape, so that the risk of the egg rolling over the narrow rock shelf is diminished. There are a total of 18 Brünnich’s guillemot colonies in Greenland, and the most and largest are located in the Thule and Upernavik area. The Brünnich’s guillemot is the most sought-after huntable bird species in Greenland, and for people in Southwest Greenland, guillemots hold a status as a winter food that is almost on a par with what turkey on Christmas Day has for the English.

There is another species of guillemot that also breeds in Greenland, namely Atlantic guillemots. These, however, are few in number and only occur southwards from Nuuk.

Little Auk

Appaliarsuk (GRL), Søkonge (DA), Alle alle (LAT)

Distribution: Main distribution in the Thule and Scoresbysund areas, scattered, smaller colonies in West Greenland
Weight: 140-190 grams / Length: 17-21 cm / Wingspan: 34-48 cm
Food: Crustaceans (water fleas

Description

If there were to be a “truly Greenlandic” species, the little auk is a strong contender: more than 85% of the world’s population is found within Greenland’s borders! The little auk is a fascinating bird species. And not because of a variegated, colourful plumage – it is black and white, like the other auks. But the little auk impresses in other ways – namely by the quantities it appears in. The little auk breeds in colonies, and these can contain incredible numbers of birds. It is not unusual for the colonies to contain hundreds of thousands – and in some places even millions – of breeding pairs. Unlike most other species of auks, the little auk does not breed on vertical cliff sides, but on slopes with loose stones.

To stay in a little auk colony is a complete experience: the sounds of the birds, the smell of the birds’ excrement, and the number of birds is simply overwhelming.The little auk is a true specialist when it comes to its food! While the other auks are fish-eaters, the little auk exploits another niche, namely the small water fleas that in the summer months appear in huge numbers in the Arctic sea. The little auk gets his food from the sea, but through its excrement it adds nourishment to the land around the colony. This means that the vegetation around a little auk colony is particularly rich and appears glaringly green compared to its surroundings, which are typically brown or grey.

The little auk has a very scattered distribution in Greenland. The large colonies with millions of birds exist only in the Thule and Scoresbysund areas, while a few small colonies with a few hundred birds can be found in the Upernavik and Disko Bay areas.

Black Guillemot

Serfaq (GRL), Tejst (DA), Cepphus grylle (LAT)

Distribution: Along the coast throughout Greenland
Weight: 330-550 grams / Length: 30-38 cm / Wingspan: 49-58 cm
Food: Bottom-dwelling fish (especially Rock Gunnel) and to a lesser extent crustaceans

Description

The black guillemot is the auk that visitors to Greenland have the greatest chance of seeing. Like the other species of auks, the black guillemot breeds in colonies, but these are more scattered, stretched out and contain significantly fewer birds. The black guillemot is found more or less throughout Greenland – from the deep fjords of South Greenland to the northernmost coasts of Greenland. In fact, the black guillemot is the bird species that occurs most northerly in the world.

The black guillemot finds its food in relatively shallow water, and the small, eel-like, bottom-dwelling fish Rock Gunnel is an especially important food source. The black guillemot has completely black plumage with large, oval white patches on the wings. When the black guillemot dives underwater, it becomes almost invisible, but in clear water you can clearly see the white patches flash below the surface while it “flies” underwater. If you get close to the species, you see clearly its red legs, and the inside of the black guillemot’s beak and mouth are also completely red. The nest, usually with 1-2 eggs, is placed between large rocks close to shore.

Puffin

Qilanngaq (GRL), Lunde (DA), Fratercula arctica (LAT)

Distribution: Breeds scattered in colonies on the West Coast, a few breeding birds at Scoresbysund
Weight: 380-550 grams / Length: 26-36 cm / Wingspan: 47-63 cm
Food: Small fish, such as sand-eel and capelin

Description

The puffin has a very special place among nature-loving children and adults. Most people know this little auk, and the species has an almost icon-like status in that it has become a symbol of seabirds in the North Atlantic. The puffin’s ‘friendly facial expression’, colourful striped beak and wiggling gait when it moves on land, makes it a charismatic bird species, which even people who are not particularly interested in birds have a desire to see in the wild.However, it is not so easy to see a puffin in Greenland.

The species breeds in small numbers, and the total Greenlandic population is less than 5000 birds. The puffin breeds on small islands close to Nuuk, in the Disko Bay area, in the Thule area and then there are a few individual breeding pairs at Scoresbysund. This occurrence is in sharp contrast to, for example, the Faroe Islands and Iceland, where puffins are found in their millions. The Greenlandic climate is in all probability a little too harsh for the puffin, which is better adapted to a slightly milder climate.

The large, colourful beak of the puffin plays an important behavioural role during the breeding season when the beak is used to communicate with potential mates. Outside the breeding season, the puffin loses the colour on its beak and looks different. The beak is also used to transport fish back to the young in the colony, and the puffin is a world record holder in carrying fish in its beak – up to 62 small fish have been recorded inside one beak!

Black-legged Kittiwake

Taateraaq (GRL), Ride (DA), Rissa tridactyla (LAT)

Distribution: Breeds in colonies in both West and East Greenland
Weight: 300-500 grams / Length: 37-42 cm / Wingspan: 91-120 cm
Food: Marine invertebrates (crustaceans, brushworms, etc) and small fish (capelin, sand-eel)

Description

The Black-legged Kittiwake is a fairly common bird species in Greenland, and can in principle be met in coastal areas throughout the country. This small, elegant gull species is easy to recognise by its size and its black wingtips. The Black-legged Kittiwake usually appears in flocks and has a habit of resting on icebergs. The Black-legged Kittiwake can travel long distances and can be met as high in the North as the geographic North Pole. Its food consists mostly of small crustaceans which are picked up on the water’s surface. It is not uncommon to see large flocks of Black-legged Kittiwake in front of glaciers, where the glacier front reaches the sea. Here the ice melts, and there is a large amount of fresh water in the seawater.

Freshwater “paralyzes” or kills the small crustaceans, which then float to the surface, creating a huge buffet table for the Black-legged Kittiwake.The Black-legged Kittiwake breeds on steep cliff sides, where the 1-3 eggs are laid in a nest built with moss, or directly on a rock shelf. It’s impressive to see how little space the Black-legged Kittiwake needs to establish his nest: just one small protrusion or a crack in the rock is enough for the Black-legged Kittiwake to have room to build his nest.

The Black-legged Kittiwake often breeds in the same places as the Brünnich’s guillemot, and usually the two species of seabirds occur in mixed colonies. Here there is a lot of competition to get the best nesting places – a competition that the Black-legged Kittiwake, however, always loses to the much larger and stronger Brünnich’s guillemot. The Black-legged Kittiwake is very vocal on the breeding ground. With a loud, “meowing” cat-like sound, large Black-legged Kittiwake colonies create a chorus that can be heard far away.

Arctic tern

Imeqqutaalaq (GRL), Havterne (DA), Sterna paradisaea (LAT)

Distribution: Breeders scattered on small islands throughout Greenland
Weight: 90-125 grams / Length: 33-39 cm / Wingspan: 66-85 cm
Food: Especially small fish (such as capelin), fish larvae and to a lesser extent crustaceans

Description

The arctic tern is a world champion when it comes to long-distance migration! It is the animal species that make the longest annual journey in the world between its breeding grounds and its wintering grounds. In summer, the arctic tern breeds in Greenland and the rest of the Arctic, while the winter is spent on the other side of the earth, in sea areas off of Antarctica.

This means that the arctic tern is probably the animal species that experiences the most hours of sunshine! In Greenland, it enjoys the midnight sun and daylight around the clock during the summer, and when it arrives in Antarctica, the situation is the same during the southern hemisphere’s summer season. The total distance that the arctic tern travels over a calendar year is more than 70,000 km. Through bird ringing, it is known that arctic terns can grow to more than 30 years old. This means that the species, throughout its lifetime, travels a distance that is equal to flying to the moon and back three times.

An impressive performance by a small bird weighing about 100 grams.The arctic tern is in every way created for a life in the air, and not live on land. In the air, it is incredibly elegant, manoeuvrable, and equipped with long wings and tail feathers. On land, however, it’s another story: its short, small legs mean that it is barely able to walk, giving the bird a clumsy impression.

The arctic tern breeds in colonies on small islands, where the nest, with its 1-3 eggs, is placed directly on the ground. The many birds gathered in one place are an extremely effective defence against predators. If a seagull or raven ventures near the colony, they will immediately be received with airstrikes from the many screaming birds. The same is true if humans go ashore in arctic tern colonies. In this case, the birds will come flying from behind, and with great precision place their pointed beaks in the scalps of the intruders – a surprisingly painful nature experience!

Northern Fulmar

Qaqulluk (GRL), Mallemuk (DA), Fulmarus glacialis (LAT)

Distribution: Breeds throughout Greenland – largest colonies are found in West Greenland – From Disko Bay and northwards to Thule
Weight: 600-850 g / Length: 43-52 cm / Wingspan: 100-115 cm
Food: Fish, squid and crustaceans found on the water’s surface. Can also eat carrion.

Description

Although the Northern Fulmar, to the less experienced birdwatcher, may look like a gull, this is far from the case. The northern fulmar belongs to the order of Stormbirds and is more closely related to the albatross. This is clearly seen in its flight style; unlike the gull, it flies with completely rigid wings close to the sea’s surface.

The northern fulmar is a master at exploiting the wind and gliding over long distances without a single wing beat. Plumage varies a lot among northern fulmars – from dark grey to completely white. If you look closely, you will discover a completely unique adaptation to life at sea. At the top of its beak, the northern fulmar is equipped with a small tube. This is connected to a large gland in the bird’s forehead, which can separate freshwater from saltwater. The tube acts as an outlet pipe, allowing the northern fulmar to get rid of a waste product: water with extremely high salt content.

The northern fulmar is very common in Greenlandic waters, especially in Disko Bay and around Uummannaq. The species breeds in large colonies, where the nest is placed at the top of the steep cliffside. If an unwelcome guest comes too close to the nest, the northern fulmar has an effective defence: it can spit a long stream of a smelly, sticky substance that hits the target with great precision. The northern fulmar scans large areas to find its main food, which is carrion, and it is not uncommon for it to fly several hundred kilometres from its nest site in search of food.

The northern fulmar has made great progress in Greenland, as it has learned
to exploit the waste created by the fishing industry. Typically, everything from large trawlers to small dinghies is surrounded by large flocks of northern fulmar, waiting for what the fishermen leave behind.

Iceland Gull

Naajaannaq (GRL), Hvidvinget Måge (DA), Larus glaucoides (LAT)

Distribution: Breeds in colonies along the entire West Coast, to a lesser extent in East Greenland
Weight: 1000-1500 grams / Length: 52-62 cm / Wingspan: 123-150 cm
Food: Mostly fish, crustaceans and molluscs – also eggs and chicks

Description

The Iceland Gull is a true Greenlandic species – more than 95% of the world’s population is found within the country’s borders. The species is colony-breeding, where the nests are placed on steep cliff sides. The Iceland gull is one of the most common gull species, with its main distribution in South and West Greenland. It lives mainly off fish – including fishery waste – and crustaceans and molluscs, and to a lesser extent off bird eggs and young.The Iceland gull, together with the Glaucous Gull and the Great Black-backed Gull, is one of the “great gulls” that occur in Greenland, and that visiting birdwatchers will most likely encounter during their stay.

The great black-backed gull is the world’s largest gull species and is easily recognisable in the field due to its completely dark back and the upper surface of the wings. The Glaucous Gull and the Iceland Gull, on the other hand, are not so easy to distinguish from each other – even for experienced birdwatchers. The Iceland gull, however, is somewhat smaller in size than the Glaucous Gull, and the head of the Iceland Seagull is smaller and narrower – with a more “friendly” expression.

Ivory Gull

Naajavaarsuk (GRL), Ismåge (DA), Pagophila eburnea (LAT)

Distribution: Breeds in colonies in East Greenland, and to a lesser extent in the Thule area
Weight: 500-700 grams / Length: 40-48 cm / Wingspan: 100-120 cm
Food: Mostly carrion, but also insects, crustaceans, molluscs and small fish

Description

The Ivory Gull, together with the Sabine’s Gull and the Ross’ Gull, belongs to an exclusive group of “High Arctic seagulls ”, which are characterised both by being rare and by occurring only in the furthest north. All three gull species occur in Greenland and are highly sought after by birdwatchers, but they are difficult to see for the ordinary visitor.The Ivory Gull is an extreme bird in every way! Not only is its distribution limited to the coldest.

and harshest areas in the High Arctic, but its nesting sites are found in some of the most inhospitable places on earth. The Ivory gull is, like so many other seabirds, colony-breeding, and the colonies are established either directly on the ground on small, rocky islands or on nunataks – rocks that protrude from the mighty inland ice. Ivory gull colonies have even been found on a small pile of gravel on top of a glacier.
Outside the breeding season, the Ivory Gull lives on the pack ice, where it primarily survives by eating carrion.

It is a faithful companion to the polar bear and can find the bear across great distances to enjoy the remains of the polar bear’s catch. The ice gull can cross the inland ice during its migration, and satellite marking has shown that it can catch high-speed winds, and travel from West Greenland to East Greenland with record speeds.

RARE: Ross’ Gull

Naajannguaq (GRL), Rosenmåge (DA), Rhodostethia rosea (LAT)

Distribution: Very rare in Greenland – few breeding birds in both West and East Greenland
Weight: 120-250 grams / Length: 29-32 cm / Wingspan: 73-100 cm
Food: During the breeding season mostly insects, in winter crustaceans, zooplankton and small fish

Description

The Ross’ gull has always been shrouded in mystery! The bird is observed over most of the Arctic, but it has for many years been a mystery where exactly the Ross’ Gull breeds. It’s only just over a hundred years since it was discovered that the main distribution of Ross’ Gulls exists in central Siberia. In Greenland, the Ross’ Gull breeds irregularly, and there are only known of about 10 times where it has established a nest. Outside the breeding season, the Ross’ Gull can be seen in Greenlandic waters, where it can travel over large distances and is seen in the high north.

The small, elegant gull is easy to recognise in the field, with its characteristic neck ring and wedge-shaped tail. In Greenland, it always appears during the breeding season together with arctic tern colonies, where it benefits from the protection against predators that life among arctic terns offers. Although there are very few breeding birds, the Ross’ Gull seems to be concentrated in two areas in Greenland: namely Disko Bay and Northeast Greenland.
The Ross’ Gull is much sought after among birdwatchers and is considered one of the best experiences for arctic birdwatchers.

Sabine’s Gull

Taateraarnaq (GRL), Sabinemåge (DA), Xema sabini (LAT)

Distribution: Primarily Northeast Greenland, as well as smaller colonies in West Greenland from Uummannaq to Thule
Weight: Crustaceans and small fish – during the breeding season also insects
Food: Bottom-dwelling fish (especially Rock Gunnel) and to a lesser extent crustaceans

Description

The Sabine’s gull is one of the world’s smallest gull species and has a tern-like flight. It has a characteristic black-white-grey pattern on the top of its wings and a yellow beak tip. It is possible for the juvenile Black-legged Kittiwake to be confused with the Sabine’s Gull, especially at a distance. The population of Sabine’s gulls in Greenland is not large, and in total there are probably less than 500 pairs breeding. There are known to be 26 Sabine’s gull colonies, 5 of which are located in West Greenland, and the rest of which are in Northeast Greenland. Almost all of these Greenlandic colonies are otherwise located together with arctic tern colonies.

The Sabine’s Gull is one of only two bird species that was “discovered” in Greenland, and was described to the scientific world for the first time in 1818. After the breeding season, the Sabine’s Gull makes a long-distance migration which is unparalleled among the world’s other gull species. The birds fly from their Greenlandic breeding grounds southwards, fast. After a stop in the waters off of Portugal in the autumn, the Sabine’s Gull crosses the Equator, in order to spend the winter in the sea off of southern Africa. In the spring, the birds return to Greenland, after a round trip of 30-40,000 km.

Common Eider

Miteq siorartooq (GRL), Ederfugl (DA), Somateria mollissima (LAT)

Distribution: Breeds on small islands in most of the country, especially northern West Greenland
Weight: 1800-2800 grams / Length: 50-70 cm / Wingspan: 85-110 cm
Food: Especially benthic invertebrates such as mussels, crabs, snails and sea urchins

Description

The common eider is a common species in Greenland and a species that birdwatchers have a high probability of seeing during a visit to Greenland. The nest is established directly on the ground, where it is insulated with the female’s down, which she plucks from her own breast. The common eider likes to breed in colonies on isolated islands near the coast – safe from polar foxes. There is a big difference in the plumage between males and females, and the two sexes also have very different, well-defined roles. The male’s white plumage is very visible in the landscape and is mostly used to attract the attention of females.

After mating and egg-laying, the males quickly disappear from the breeding grounds, leaving the hatching of the eggs to the completely brown and well-camouflaged females.During the entire period of hatching the eggs, the female lies completely still on the eggs and does not eat any food. She only leaves the nest for a few minutes each night, to drink some water and preen her plumage. Once the eggs have hatched, the young leave the colony with the female after only a few days. They then establish large “kindergartens” together, where the females share the responsibility of looking after the many small ducklings.

The common eider is tasty and among the most coveted huntable bird species in Greenland. Perhaps as a result of this, the common eider population was previously declining, but this trend has today been reversed, and the species is growing in number in most places in Greenland. In winter, common eiders congregate in large flocks in south Greenland.

King Eider

Miteq sioraki (GRL), Kongeederfugl (DA), Somateria spectabilis (LAT)

Distribution: North and Northeast Greenland
Weight: 1400-2000 grams / Length: 43-65 cm / Wingspan: 85-100 cm
Food: Retrieves its food in the marine environment, but breeds in small lakes inland

Description

The king eider is a close relative of the common eider, but there are differences between the two species. The female is brown, just like her relative, but the king eider male has a large orange bud on his beak that gives him a beautiful, distinctive appearance.

To meet a king eider male in his natural, arctic element, is something that is high on most birdwatchers’ wish lists.Although the two eider species are similar in appearance, they have completely different breeding behaviour. While the common eider is found in most of Greenland, the king eider is found exclusively in the high-arctic areas in Northeast Greenland and the Thule area. The species does not breed in colonies, but individually in freshwater lakes, which can be located far inland. However, its food is retrieved in the marine environment – even during the breeding season.

In the summer you can come across flocks of king eiders in Greenland which are not breeding but are gathered to shed their wing feathers, after which they are unable to fly for a period of time. For the same reason, king eiders come to Greenland in winter from the Canadian populations. They gather in huge flocks on the banks off the coast of West Greenland.

Peregrine Falcon

Kiinnaaleeraq (GRL), Vandrefalk (DA) Falco peregrinus (LAT)

Distribution: The whole country – main distribution: southwest Greenland
Weight: 550-1500 g – female up to 20% larger than the male / Length: 34-51 cm / Wingspan: 80-120 cm
Food: Main food is small birds, but can also eat grouse, ducks, gulls and seabirds

Description

In Greenland, there are three species of birds of prey, and two of them are falcons. Falcons are among the finest flyers in the bird world, and the Peregrine Falcon is known as the world’s fastest bird, and can, when diving, achieve a speed of 200-300 km/h.The peregrine falcon is found mostly in the southwestern part of the country. As autumn approaches, and the peregrine falcon’s main food, small birds such as Snow Buntings, begin to leave Greenland for the southern skies, the peregrine falcon does the same. The species is a long-distance migrator that spends the winter months in Central and South America, while snow and ice envelop the Greenlandic landscape.

The peregrine falcon places its nest on steep cliff sides, where it lays 3-4 eggs. When the eggs are hatched, it is the female that stays behind and takes care of the young, while the male is out finding food for its constantly hungry offspring. If you approach a rock shelf with a falcon nest on it, you will typically become aware of this by the loud screams from the falcons, which occur when the male delivers food, or if a raven or a White-tailed eagle flies by.

Gyrfalcon

Kissaviarsuk (GRL) Jagtfalk (DA) Falco rusticolus (LAT)

Distribution: All of Greenland
Weight: 960-2100 grams – female largest / Length: 48-63 cm / Wingspan: 120-160 cm
Food: Seabirds and small birds, grouse, hares and in Northeast Greenland: lemmings

Description

The Gyrfalcon is larger and more powerful than the peregrine falcon, and more connected to the northern parts of Greenland. The prey of the Gyrfalcon is generally larger compared to the peregrine falcon’s, and it has been known to take prey as large as arctic hares. The Gyrfalcon’s appearance varies somewhat: in the southern areas, the Gyrfalcon typically has grey plumage, while the northern Gyrfalcons can be completely white.

To experience a real white Greenlandic Gyrfalcon in its true element is a nature experience that is high on most birdwatchers’ wish lists.Like the Peregrine Falcon, there is a clear difference in size between the sexes. The female is noticeably larger than the male. In this way, as a couple, these birds of prey can take advantage of a wider range of prey – the female catches the largest prey, while the male concentrates on the smaller ones.

While the Gyrfalcon hunts many of its prey inland during the summer, it changes to seabird-based foods in the winter. Unlike the peregrine falcon, the Gyrfalcon is not a long-distance migrator, but the Greenlandic Gyrfalcon roams more in the winter, as it lacks a well-defined winter area. Studies in which birds have been equipped with satellite transmitters have shown that the Gyrfalcon can spend large periods of the winter in the middle of the drifting ice, where it forages on seabirds.

White-tailed Eagle

Nattoralik (GRL), Havørn (DA), Haliaeetus albicilla (LAT)

Distribution: Southwest Greenland with Disko Bay as the northernmost breeding area
Weight: 4000-7000 grams / Length: 69-103 cm / Wingspan: 190-250 cm
Food: Especially fish and birds. Can also take chicks and eggs from bird colonies, as well as mammals such as hares and polar foxes

Description

The first thing you need to know about the White-tailed eagle is that it is big – really big! The particular breed of White-tailed eagle that lives in Greenland, is the largest of all White-tailed eagle breeds in the world. With a wingspan of up to 2.5 metres and a weight of up to 7 kilos, this species is hard to confuse with other Greenlandic bird species! The White-tailed eagle also has the nickname “The Flying Door”, as it not only has long wings, but also very wide wings. In addition, it has large, powerful claws and a giant beak.As its Danish name (which literally translates to sea eagle) suggests, the sea eagle lives in a constant connection with the marine environment. Its food consists mostly of fish and seabirds.

The white-tailed eagle has its main distribution in southern Greenland. In the past, things have not gone so well for the White-tailed eagle in Greenland, partly as a result of illegal hunting. Today, the attitude towards the White-tailed eagle is different, and the species is growing in terms of the number of breeding pairs. At the same time, a warmer climate means that the White-tailed eagle is expanding its breeding area to the north, and it is today a common sight in West Greenland, from South Greenland to Disko Bay.

Red-necked Phalarope

Naluumasortoq (GRL), Odinshane (DA), Phalaropus lobatus (LAT)

Distribution: Breeds throughout West Greenland
Weight: 20-48 grams / Length: 17-19 cm / Wingspan: 31-40 cm
Food: In summer, freshwater insects and mosquito larvae. In winter, marine crustaceans

Description

There are a large number of wading bird species that either breed or migrate through Greenland. Two of these are the Grey and Red Phalaropes. Both species, unlike the other wader species, have a habit of swimming on the water’s surface when searching for food.The Red-necked Phalarope is a common breeding bird in Greenland and is found throughout the country. During the breeding season, it is found in small water holes inland, or on larger islands. Here, it lives through the summer on insects – especially mosquitoes and mosquito larvae that it finds on the water’s surface.

If during your visit to Greenland, you see a small bird in a water hole that is frantically turning around over and over again, you have in all probability encountered a Red-necked Phalarope. By rapidly moving in small circles, a stream of water is created from the bottom towards the surface, and the small freshwater insects in this way become accessible to the Red-necked Phalarope.
Outside the breeding season, the little Red-necked Phalarope spends the winter in the middle of the ocean, far from land.

Grey Phalarope

Kajuaraq (GRL), Thorshøne (DA), Phalaropus fulicarius (LAT)

Distribution: Main distribution in Northeast Greenland, also found on small islands in northwest Greenland
Weight: 37-77 grams / Length: 20-22 cm / Wingspan: 37-44 cm
Food: During the breeding season mainly freshwater insects, in winter zooplankton

Description

The Grey Phalarope is a true high-arctic bird species that will get most birdwatchers excited. The Grey Phalarope is a small arctic pearl that only a few people have seen in its breeding grounds, which is high in the north. During the breeding season, both the male’s and female’s plumage is beautifully dark red and easy to distinguish from other Greenlandic bird species.The Grey Phalarope has its main distribution in Northeast Greenland, where it breeds in moist areas on the tundra.

However, the species is also found in some places in West Greenland (Disko Bay, Uummannaq and Upernavik), where it always chooses to breed together with the arctic tern colonies. With both the Red and Grey Phalaropes, the gender roles have switched, in relation to what is normally seen in the animal world. It is the females, not the males, who have the most beautiful plumage. After mating and egg-laying, the females quickly leave the breeding areas, leaving the hatching of the eggs, as well as the rearing of the young, to the males. The Grey Phalarope also spends the winter far out at sea, when the breeding season is over in Greenland.

Greenland White-fronted Goose

Nerleq (GRL), Grønlandsk Blisgås (DA), Anser albifrons (LAT)

Distribution: Tundra areas in central West Greenland
Weight: 1700-3200 grams / Length: 64-86 cm / Wingspan: 130-160 cm
Food: Vegetation such as grass, tubers, leaves, seeds, herbs and berries

Description

There are a total of six different species of geese in Greenland: barnacle geese and Pink-footed geese in East Greenland, Brent geese and Snow geese in northwest Greenland, as well as Canada and White-fronted geese, which are primarily found in central West Greenland. Completely special, however, is the Greenland White-fronted Goose – which is a special breed that is only found in Greenland. The population of Greenland White-fronted Geese is not large, and in total there are probably less than 25,000 of them. As with other animal species where the population is very small, there is reason to be extra careful in the management of the species.

The White-fronted goose has, therefore, a special status, and important protected areas have been designated where the geese can be free of disturbances.The white-fronted goose breeds in tundra areas in southwest Greenland, with the Uummannaq region being the northernmost. Particularly important areas are found in the inland areas south of Disko Bay and around Kangerlussuaq. In the winter, the entire Greenlandic population of White-fronted geese gathers in Scotland, and here is carried out a count of the number of birds, as well as the proportion of young birds, in order to follow the status of the white-fronted goose.

The white-fronted goose has in recent decades experienced a decline, probably as a result of the fact that the larger and more dominant Canada goose has been growing rapidly in Greenland.

Rock Ptarmigan

Aqisseq (GRL), Fjeldrype (DK), Lagopus mutus (LAT)

Distribution: Mountain areas throughout Greenland
Weight: 430-740 grams / Length: 31-38 cm / Wingspan: 50-60 cm
Food: Plant foods such as buds, berries, seeds and herbs.

Description

The Rock Ptarmigan is the only representative of the chicken family in Greenland. It is found in inland areas throughout Greenland and prefers rocky areas. The food is predominantly vegetarian with plant buds as a favourite dish. The Rock Ptarmigan changes its plumage with the seasons: in winter it is completely white (with black wingtips), while in summer, the females, in particular, wear a better-camouflaged grey suit.The Rock Ptarmigan is one of the few bird species that does not leave Greenland but stays within the country’s borders all year round. The ptarmigans that breed in the north in particular make migrations to more southern areas. However, the number of birds making this southward migration can vary quite a bit from year to year. From ancient times, “ptarmigan years” are known, where particularly many ptarmigans come to South Greenland.
The Latin name of the Rock Ptarmigan means “hare foot”, and refers to its feathered feet, which is an adaptation to cold areas.

Common Raven

Tulugaq (GRL), Ravn (DA), Corvus corax (LAT)

Distribution: All of Greenland
Weight: 1000-1500 grams / Length: 54-71 cm / Wingspan: 115-150 cm
Food: Omnivorous, both vegetarian and animal foods, carrion, bird eggs and chicks

Description

There is hardly a better known and more mythical Greenlandic bird species than the raven! The raven is a master of adaptation and can survive in all kinds of habitats. It is found, therefore, everywhere in the country, and everyone in Greenland knows this big, black bird. The raven is also one of the most intelligent bird species in the world, and this is perhaps why it has a special place in mythology among all indigenous peoples in the northernmost areas.The raven is omnivorous, and certainly not picky. In the winter season, it feeds mainly on carrion and other waste and can gather in large flocks at urban landfills. In summer, the raven specialises in bird eggs and chicks. In order to synchronise the raven chicks’ need for food, the raven is the one bird species in Greenland that breeds the earliest. As early as the month of March the raven lays its eggs, and when the other bird species arrive in Greenland and lay their eggs, the raven already has large chicks in the nest.

Common Redpoll

Orpimmiutaq (GRL), Gråsisken (DA), Carduelis flammea (LAT)

Distribution: Particularly central and southwest Greenland
Weight: 11-18 grams / Length: 11-14 cm / Wingspan: 20-25 cm
Food: Plant parts such as seeds – in the summer also insects

Description

The Common Redpoll, together with the Northern Wheatear, the Snow Bunting and the Lapland Bunting, belongs to “the four common” sparrows, which a visiting birdwatcher in Greenland will in all probability encounter during their stay. These four species are numerous and are found in most of Greenland during the summer period.The Common Redpoll is the smallest of the sparrows in Greenland. At the same time, it is quite inconspicuous with its grey-brown plumage, and only when you look at it closely can you discover the beautiful red colours in its forehead and the male’s pink breast.

The Common Redpoll is a common breeding bird in West Greenland northwards until Melville Bay, and there are also a few in East Greenland. It is found especially in willow shrubs and other taller vegetation. Its food is a mixture of insects and plant parts, such as seeds, buds and herbs.
The Common Redpoll is a migratory bird, and the majority of those in Greenland leave the country during the winter. The exceptions, however, are in South Greenland and the Tasiilaq area, where Common Redpolls in varying numbers can overwinter, depending on the severity of the winter.

Arctic Redpoll

Orpimmiutaq qaqortaq (GRL), Hvidsisken (DA), Carduelis hornemanni (LAT)

Distribution: Breeds in the northernmost parts of Greenland, but also found in winter in southern parts
Weight: 11-16 grams / Length: 12-16 cm / Wingspan: 21-28 cm
Food: Plant parts such as seeds, but in summer also insects

Description

The Arctic Redpoll is a close relative of the Common Redpoll, but while the Common Redpoll is primarily common in southern areas, the Arctic Redpoll is a true high-arctic species. The species is widespread in north and northeast Greenland, where it seeks out the sparse vegetation. But while the Common Redpoll is a migratory bird that ventures away from Greenland in the winter, the majority of the Arctic Redpoll stay within the country’s borders.

When winter arrives, the Arctic Redpoll makes a move towards the more southern, milder areas, and can be seen in flocks around Ilulissat, Kangerlussuaq and southwards. It’s not easy for a small sparrow to find sufficient food through the Greenlandic winter, and the Arctic Redpoll is, therefore, a regular guest at birdfeeders.The Arctic Redpoll is surprisingly difficult to distinguish from the Common Redpoll in the field.

The best characteristics to look for are a slightly larger size, a completely white rump and a smaller, black “bib” under the beak, compared to the Common Redpoll. The best way to find out if it is one species or the other is actually to use the location and the season: if you see a Redpoll in the summer, it is in all probability a Common Redpoll, unless you are in the northernmost regions. If you see a Redpoll between November and April in Greenland, it is probably an Arctic Redpoll, as the Common Redpoll has left the country at this point in time.

Northern Wheatear

Kussak (GRL), Stenpikker (DA), Oenanthe oenanthe (LAT)

Distribution: Breeds in rocky areas in most of Greenland
Weight: 20-28 grams / Length: 14-16 cm / Wingspan: 26-32 cm
Food: Mostly insects, but also eats berries

Description

The Northern Wheatear, with its pointed beak, is a true insect expert, and it only occurs in Greenland in the summer, when the insects are also around. The species is a long-distance migrator that overwinters in Africa. As the summer draws to a close, the Northern Wheatear begins to move towards South Greenland, and from here it continues south across the Atlantic Ocean, where it first meets land in southern Europe or North Africa. This is indeed a powerful performance and a dangerous journey with harsh weather, and without the possibility of rest or food along the way.The Northern Wheatear is the largest of the Greenlandic sparrows. The male has a grey upper side, ochre-coloured chest and a black “bandit mask”. The female is a slightly more solid light brown. Most often you hear the Northern Wheatear before you see it! A furious “tick-tick”, like the sound when you hit two stones against each other. The Northern Wheatear has a habit of tilting its tail, and if you see it fly, it reveals a large, white patch on the top of the tail, with a black, inverted “T”.

Snow Bunting

Gupaloraarsuk (GRL), Snespurv (DA), Plectrophenax nivalis (LAT)

Distribution: All of Greenland
Weight: 30-45 grams / Length: 16-19 cm / Wingspan: 32-38 cm
Food: Especially seeds, but during the breeding season also insects, which the young are fed with

Description

The snow bunting is a characteristic bird of Greenland, and everyone knows this little sparrow. The snow bunting is a true herald of spring! When it arrives in Greenland around March-April, winter is typically still gripping the land, but then people know that spring is on its way! The snow bunting typically breeds in slightly rocky places and close to inhabited areas and is found throughout Greenland. The sound of a snow bunting sitting and singing from the gable of a rooftop, is for many “the sound of summer in Greenland”.

The male is unmistakable, with his black-and-white plumage, while the female has a brown upper side and a light belly. In the winter, practically all snow buntings move away from Greenland. However, it does happen that a smaller proportion overwinters in South Greenland, where they search for food in large flocks. Some of the Greenlandic snow buntings migrate to Russia in the winter, while others use North America as their winter grounds. The diet of the snow bunting is composed of both plant parts and insects, which are fed to the chicks in the nest.

Lapland Bunting

Narsarmiutaq (GRL), Laplandsværling (DA), Calcarius lapponicus (LAT)

Distribution: Especially West and Southwest Greenland
Weight: 20-30 grams / Length: 14-16 cm / Wingspan: 25-28 cm
Food: Especially insects but also plant parts such as seeds

Description

The Lapland bunting is a medium-sized warbler, which prefers shrubs and dense vegetation, preferably in combination with slightly humid areas such as bogs and swampy moors. It occurs mostly in the highlands, but also in low-lying areas. It is a common breeding bird, widespread throughout West Greenland, and on the East coast up to Jameson Land at Scoresbysund. The male has a beautiful black head with a white eyebrow stripe; the female is slightly more uniformly brown. The best characteristic is the Lapland Bunting’s chestnut-brown neck, which occurs in both sexes, both in their summer and winter coats.

The nest, with 3-7 eggs, is placed in a small depression in the ground, preferably under a bush. The species occurs in Greenland from May to September/October, and it only rarely happens that the Lapland bunting is seen in the winter. Its food is a mixture of plant parts in winter and insects in summer. The Lapland bunting has an evocative song that is usually performed from the top of a bush, and which creates the soundscape for a hiking trip in the mountains in the summer.