Category Archives: Birds

Birds

Ornosk photoes

Extremely Rare Birds in the Western Palearctic, 2012
Extremely Rare Birds in the Western Palearctic, by Marcel Haas, 2012

The cover photo of this book is by Örn Óskarsson/ORNOSK. This is the Yellow-Bellied Sapsuckers which has only been spotted twice in Iceland. Photo taken in  Selfoss, see blog.

The book is for sale on Amazon.com
This book describes in detail the 155 species of extremely rare birds that have occurred in Europe, North Africa and the Middle East. All species that have occurred less than 10 times have been included. The records are listed with full details and references to books and articles, and include a photograph of the actual individual, if available. Some of these images are published in this book for the first time. The book on Amazon.com

The Secrets of Backyard Bird-Feeding Success, 2011 by Deborah L. Martin
The Secrets of Backyard Bird-Feeding Success, 2011 by Deborah L. Martin

 There is a photo in this book by Örn Óskarsson /ORNOSK. It’s page 206, Common Crossbill/Red Crossbill.

The book is for sale on Amazon.com
Discover the joys of attracting winged wonders to your backyard. From seeds and suet to the best bird-attracting plants and other bird-friendly fare, you’ll find easy, practical, and low-cost ways to entice birds into stopping by regularly. You’ll learn the best tips and secrets from experienced birders, experts, and longtime backyard bird-feeders to welcome birds to every part of your yard and garden. The book on Amazon.com

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Birds

The Oystercatcher is here

The Oystercatcher is here already. Two birds were spotted by the river Ölfusá in Selfoss today. They usually arrive around the same time every year and this year is no exception.

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Tjaldur – Oystercatcher – Haematopus ostralegus

The Oystercatcher is one of the first migratory birds to arrive,  signalling spring in Iceland. Most go to the British Isles in the autumn and come back in March to April.

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Birds

The biggest passerine

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Hrafn – Raven – Corvus corax

The Raven (Corvus corax) is the biggest passerine bird (Passeriformes) in the world and a common breeding bird in Iceland.

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Hrafn – Raven – Corvus corax

The Raven  lays its egg in rocks and ravines and sometimes in houses and trees. Breeding starts early in April.

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There are around 2,000 breeding pairs in Iceland and the Raven stays in Iceland the whole year. This nest was in Helliskógur by Selfoss.

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Raven nest
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Birds

A rare vagrant from Greenland

Hornemann’s Arctic Redpoll (Carduelis hornemanni hornemanni) has been in the garden for the last few days. This bird breeds in Northern Greenland and the northerly regions of the Canadian Arctic.

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Hrímtittlingur – Hornemann’s Arctic Redpoll – Carduelis hornemanni hornemanni

The Hornemann’s Arctic Redpoll and the Snow Bunting are the species that have the most northerly breeding distribution of all passerines.

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Hrímtittlingur – Hornemann’s Arctic Redpoll – Carduelis hornemanni hornemanni

These photoes were taken in the garden yesterday, February 11, 2015.

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Birds

Whooper Swans returning

The first Whooper Swan (Cygnus cygnus) flocks are now arriving in Iceland despite heavy winds and blizzards. Whooper Swans are breeding birds all over the country.

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Mosts go to the British Isles in the winter. The Swan returns in the latter part of March and adult birds often go straight to their territory and the mating begins.  The Swan is loyal to its mate and the pairs stay together throughout their lives.

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Birds

The Wheatear

The Wheatear (Oenanthe oenanthe) is a common breeding bird in Iceland. They are migratory birds with winter grounds in West Africa.

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Steindepill – Wheatear – Oenanthe oenanthe

Most Wheatears come to Iceland in May and they are usually flown to their wintergrounds in September. They often visit the garden in the autumn before their departure for Africa. The photoes are taken in Selfoss.

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Steindepill – Wheatear – Oenanthe oenanthe
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The Purple Sandpiper is not afraid of people

The Purple Sandpiper (Calidris maritima) is the most common wader in Iceland. It breeds mostly in the interior but can be seen in huge flocks by the seaside in the winter time.

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Sendlingur – Purple Sandpiper – Calidris maritima

A lot of Purple Sandpipers come from Greenland and the Nordic countries and stay here during the winter. The Purple Sandpiper is a sociable bird and not afraid of people.

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Purple Sandpiper with nestlings
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Birds

Wood Duck

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Brúðönd – Wood Duck – Aix sponsa

The Wood Duck (Aix sponsa) is a common bird in woodlands by lakes in the eastern part of North America. This duck has only been seen seven times in Iceland. Wood Ducks are very beautiful and have been moved to Duck Gardens in Continental Europe. This male was very tame and might very probably have escaped from such  a garden. This photo was taken by the Pond in Reykjavík, October 28, 1994.

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Birds

Bullfinches flocked to Iceland in 1994

The Bullfinch (Pyrrhula pyrrhula) belongs to the Finch family  (Fringillidae) and breeds throughout most of Europe. They are non-migratory in their habitats but in Scandinavia they are partly migratory birds and vagrant outside their usual habitat, especially when food is scarce.  The Bullfinches that have been seen in Iceland are probably from Scandinavia. The biggest group of Bullfinches to be seen here was in autumn 1994.  That winter 40 to 50 birds were spotted throughout the country.

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Dómpápi – Bullfinch – Pyrrhula pyrrhula (male)

This photo was taken in March 1995 in Þrastaskógur, Grímsnes, South Iceland. Seven birds were seen there in the winter 1994 – 1995.

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