In Iceland you can not only observe active volcanoes, bubbling geysers and breathtaking glaciers, but also some special animal species. One of these is the puffin, called lundi in Icelandic. In most parts of the world, these small birds are rarely seen, but in Iceland you have a good chance of encountering a whole colony in summer. Of the approximately 12 million birds worldwide, about 60 % live on or around the Arctic island.
Around mid to late April, the birds return from the open sea and settle on the grass-covered upper areas of Iceland's cliffs. Each pair returns to the same cave they inhabit every year. Visitors then have the opportunity to observe the cute birds until mid-August at the latest, although it is important to note that many of the observation sites are closed during the breeding season from May to June. The best time to see as many puffins as possible is early in the morning or in the evening, as the birds are usually out at sea fishing during the day.
Profile
Size: 26 - 29 cm long, 50cm wingspan
Weight: 320 - 480 grams
Range: North Atlantic coastlines
Migration: Winters on the open sea in the North Atlantic
Diet: Fish and zooplankton
Life expectancy: about 20 years
Special characteristics: Colourful (red, yellow, orange) bill in breeding season
Enemies: Great black-backed gull, foxes, rats
Breeding season
The courtship of puffins begins in April, while they are still out at sea. There they find their mate and fly together to the breeding sites, where they either dig a new nest or occupy an existing one. The puffins always return to the breeding site where they were born.
Each pair then lays only a single egg, from which the offspring hatch. They stay in the nest for a very long time, about 40 days, until they are able to fly and start exploring. The fledged birds do not return to the colony after they have flown out to sea. The parents, on the other hand, inhabit the nest for another 3-4 weeks before they leave the breeding grounds, fly to the open sea and do not fly ashore again until the following year.
As a rule, these found pairs stay together for life and visit their self-dug burrow every year to hatch the next offspring.
The best place to watch puffins
Note: Some observation sites are inaccessible during the breeding season up to and including June.
North Iceland
During the breeding season, almost all whale-watching tour operators in Husavik also pass by the nesting island of Lundey on their excursions. Several thousand puffins nest on this small island every year.
Another observation point is about 12 m north of the small harbour town at Voldalstorfa at a small orange lighthouse. However, this point can only be reached by a 15-minute hike.
The remote island of Grimsey is only about 5 km² in size and is Iceland's only part that touches the Arctic Circle. The high cliffs and stunning basalt formations provide breeding grounds for dozens of seabirds. The best time to see the clumsy puffins on Grimsey is between May and June.
East Iceland
In the east of the country lies the harbour of Borgarfördur Eystri and nearby the bird rock Hafnarholmi. This rock is the breeding ground for about 10,000 pairs of puffins every year. A wooden walkway and a viewing platform are only a few metres away from the birds' nesting cavities, so you can experience them almost up close. The rock is a good alternative to the difficult-to-access Latrabjarg bird rock.
Note: in May the boardwalk is usually closed to give the birds a rest, so check beforehand if the viewpoint is open.
South Iceland:
The Westman Islands (Vestmannaeyjar) are known for the largest puffin colony in the world. Every year, around 2 million birds return here to hatch their offspring. The small birds can be observed particularly well on the west coast. If you take the ferry into Heimaey harbour, you also have a particularly good view of the birds' breeding burrows.
Near the small village of Vík is Cape Dyrholaey, on whose steep cliffs puffins also breed. Cape Dyrholaey is located directly at the black beach Reynisfjara, from where you have a great view over the sea. You can park your car at the car park and follow a small trail to the lighthouse. The road to the rock is closed during the breeding season from May to June.
The bird rock Ingólfshöfdi in southeast Iceland can only be visited during low tide as part of guided tours.
West Iceland:
Látrabjarg is not only the most western point of Europe, but is also the largest bird cliff on the island with its 14 km long cliff. It is located remotely in the Westfjords. Among the many different seabird species that nest at Latrabjarg is the puffin. Other species that breed there are gulls, guillemots and alcids.
Another very well-known observation point in the west of Iceland is Breidafjördur.
These two islands, Akurey and Vides, offer a good opportunity to observe puffins when in Reykjavik. Many guided boat trips to the breeding sites on the islands take place from here.
Fun Facts
- A group of puffins is also called a colony, circus or assembly
- Thanks to a unique joint on their beaks, puffins are one of the few bird species that can carry several small fish across their beaks
- Puffins can fly at speeds of up to 90 km/h.
- The oldest known puffin was 36 years old.
- Scientists can't explain how the puffins find their way back to their breeding hole every year
Attention:
Puffins are not afraid of humans. This means that they often come very close to looking humans. Nevertheless, a proper distance should be kept from the animals! In addition, for their own safety and the safety of observers, the little birds should not be touched!
A wide range of puffin tours can be booked directly with us - just contact us! For more ideas, take a look at our further selection of excursions. For inspiration for your next round trip to Iceland, click here.