Approx. 235 bird species have been registered, of which about 60 breed regularly in the country. Most migrate south in winter, the arctic tern as far away as Antarctica. More than half of the breeding birds are associated with either land or freshwater. There are more bird species in Northeast Greenland than in West Greenland, which is due to more stable and predictable weather conditions. Lesser black-backed gull and Canada goose are examples of birds that have immigrated in recent times and have established large populations over the past 30 years.
There are no endemic bird species in the country due to the short amount of time since the last glacial period, but four species have developed distinct Greenlandic subspecies, namely the Greenland greater whitefronted goose, mallard, dunlin and rock ptarmigan.
Seabirds
LOUISE MURRAY/SHUTTERSTOCK/RITZAU SCANPIX, 2011
Seabirds live most of the year at sea, but breed on mountains and islands along the coasts. In winter, they seek out the ice-free areas along the continental shelf in the North Atlantic. Greenland has large seabird populations with the little auk colonies in the North Water area by Qaanaaq with more 30 million pairs being one of the world’s largest seabird populations. The little auk is a small auk that feeds on zooplankton and small fish. It is estimated that 80 % of the world’s population breeds on the sides of the pebble mountains.
The thick-billed murre has 19 breeding colonies of very varying size along West Greenland and two smaller colonies in East Greenland. The largest thick-billed murre colonies are found in northern Upernavik and in the area around Qaanaaq. The populations along West Greenland have been in decline for decades, primarily due to hunting and disturbance, however, climate change may also be a contributing factor. The thick-billed murre feeds on smaller fish and lays its solitary egg on rock ledges on steep cliffs.
Other typical seabirds are the Arctic fulmar, which breeds on steep cliffs from Qeqertarsuup Tunua (Disko Bay) and northwards to Qaanaaq and along East Greenland, and the kittiwake, which breeds everywhere along the coasts where there are steep cliffs and access to ice-free areas in summer.
Among ducks, the common eider is the most widespread seabird in Greenland. It is associated with coastal areas where the pairs build nests on small islands out of reach of foxes. Most eiders breed in West Greenland, but there are also small colonies in East Greenland. In winter, about half a million eiders from Canada and Greenland congregate in the shallow areas along Southwest Greenland where they feed on the plentiful mussel beds.
Unlike the common eider, the king eider does not breed in colonies but in breeding pairs scattered on the tundra near lakes. In winter, large concentrations of over one million king eiders from North Canada and North Greenland congregate on Store Hellefiskebanke.
A special seabird is the Arctic tern, which migrates the longest of any animal from Greenland to Antarctica. In Greenland, Arctic terns breed in colonies on islands and islets. The world’s largest colony is located on Grønne Ejland in Qeqertarsuup Tunua, but the population has dropped considerably; presumably due to the growing fox population.
Other small populations of seabirds in Greenland are black guillemot, longtailed duck, harlequin duck, red-breasted merganser, great cormorant and the gulls glaucous gull, Iceland gull and great black-backed gull.
10 common bird species in Greenland
Whether a bird is common depends on where you are, when you are there, the size of the population and the bird’s appearance and behaviour. The ten bird species shown below have been chosen based on their distribution, numbers, protection status and how often they can be observed, but they have also been chosen to represent different groups of species and what is common in different parts of the country.
The common eider is found in large parts of Greenland and a sought-after hunting prey. Protection of the species during the breeding season Iimplemented in 2001) turned decline into increase, aided by large flocks of four or six chicks.
JULIUS NIELSEN, 2021
The white-tailed eagle is often seen near towns and settlements in West Greenland and has spread north in recent years. Unlike other birds of prey, such as the snowy owl, gyrfalcon and peregrine falcon, the white-tailed eagle hunts mainly at sea.
JULIUS NIELSEN, 2022
The snow bunting is the most common passerine in the country. It breeds throughout Greenland and is often seen in small flocks on spring and autumn migrations through towns and settlements, where it is a frequent visitor at the feeding table.
JULIUS NIELSEN, 2019
With an estimated 60‑80 million individuals in Greenland, more than 80 % of the global population, the little auk is a national protected species of Greenland. The species breeds in large colonies mainly at Qaanaaq and Scoresby Sound.
LARS WITTING, 2006
The thick-billed murre is a traditionally important hunting species in Greenland. The species is particularly sensitive to hunting, as a breeding pair produces only one young per year. Despite management measures, the population has been in decline for decades.
LARS WITTING, 2006
The northern fulmar is a characteristic bird of the open sea, where it soars low over the water in search of food. It is common in coastal and open seas, and is often seen following larger ships.
LARS WITTING, 2007
The rock ptarmigan is an abundant breeding bird in most of Greenland. The plumage changes to white in winter, and despite adapting to a snow-covered landscape, it is a frequently killed prey.
JULIUS NIELSEN, 2019
The raven is a prominent figure in the Inuit creation story and is included in many Greenlandic legends and myths. The species is common in Greenland and can be seen all year round in towns and settlements throughout Greenland.
JULIUS NIELSEN, 2019
The Iceland gull is one of the most common gull species in Greenland. It breeds throughout West Greenland and more sporadically in Southeast Greenland. The winter months are spent on the open sea in Greenland or to the south.
LARS WITTING, 2005
The Greenlandic white-fronted goose is an endemic subspecies of the greater white-fronted goose. It breeds in West Greenland and is one of six goose species found in Greenland.
CARSTEN EGEVANG, 2013
Further reading
- Biodiversity and nature management
- Coasts
- The climate in Greenland
- The fresh waters
- The ice sheet
- The ice-free landscapes
Read more about Nature and landscape in Greenland
