Here’s our list of the top 30 Arctic Birds and Seabirds you must see!
Dive into the World of 30 Arctic Birds
1. Puffin: The Clown of the Sea
Arctic birds are a fascinating group of creatures, and one of the most iconic species is the Puffin.
These little birds are often called the “clowns of the sea” due to their colorful beaks and unique appearance.
Puffins thrive in the cold Arctic environment and are known for their incredible diving and swimming abilities.
2. Cormorant: The Versatile Swimmer
Another impressive Arctic bird is the Cormorant. These birds can be found all over the Arctic, from coastal areas to inland bodies of water.
Known for their incredible swimming skills, Cormorants can dive deep underwater to catch their prey.
They are also known for their ability to dry their wings by spreading them wide open in the sun after a swim.
3. Arctic Tern: The Ultimate Migrant
The Arctic Tern holds the record for the longest annual migration of any bird species, traveling from the Arctic to the Antarctic and back again each year.
This incredible journey covers a staggering 25,000 miles or more.
The Arctic Tern is a graceful and agile flyer, with a slender body and long, pointed wings that help it cover such great distances.
4. Common Eider: The Down Provider
The Common Eider is a large Arctic bird known for its soft, insulating down feathers. These feathers are highly prized for their use in bedding materials, such as pillows and comforters.
Common Eiders are also known for their unique nesting habits, where they build nests using seaweed and other materials found along the shoreline.
5. King Eider: The Regal Duck
The King Eider is a close relative of the Common Eider and is known for its striking appearance. Male King Eiders have a bold color pattern, featuring a bright orange bill and a large, ornate head crest. Like the Common Eider, the King Eider is also an excellent diver and can forage for food at impressive depths.
6. White-tailed Eagle: The Majestic Hunter
One of the largest and most powerful birds in the Arctic is the White-tailed Eagle. These impressive birds of prey have a wingspan of up to 8 feet and are known for their incredible hunting skills. White-tailed Eagles can catch fish, birds, and even small mammals, making them a dominant predator in their environment.
7. Kittiwake: The Cliff Dweller
The Kittiwake is a small, gull-like bird that thrives in the Arctic. These birds are known for their unique nesting habits, as they build their nests on steep cliffs, often in large colonies. Kittiwakes have a distinctive call, which sounds like their name, making them easy to identify.
8. Fulmar: The Glider
Fulmars are another fascinating Arctic bird species, known for their incredible gliding abilities. These birds can cover vast distances without flapping their wings, using wind currents to soar through the air. Fulmars are also known for their unique defense mechanism, where they can spit a foul-smelling oil at predators to deter them.
9. Snow Bunting: The Arctic Songbird
The Snow Bunting is a small, colorful bird that adds a touch of beauty to the Arctic landscape. These birds are known for their melodious songs, which can be heard throughout the Arctic tundra during the breeding season. Snow Buntings are also known for their incredible ability to survive harsh winters, finding food and shelter in the most extreme conditions.
10. Northern Gannet
The Northern Gannet is a large, white seabird found in the Arctic that is known for its extraordinary diving skills. These birds can plunge into the water from heights of up to 100 feet to catch fish, reaching speeds of up to 60 mph as they dive. Northern Gannets have specialized air sacs in their chest and face that help cushion the impact of their high-speed dives.
11. Sanderling: The Shoreline Sprinter
Sanderlings are small, energetic shorebirds that can often be seen darting along Arctic coastlines in search of food. These birds have a unique feeding technique, where they run along the water’s edge, probing the sand with their bills to find small invertebrates. Sanderlings are also known for their impressive long-distance migrations, traveling thousands of miles each year to breed and winter.
12. Black Guillemot: The Arctic Diver
The Black Guillemot is a small Arctic bird that is known for its striking black-and-white plumage and bright red legs. These birds are excellent divers, able to forage for food at depths of over 100 feet. Black Guillemots are also known for their unique breeding habits, often choosing to nest in rocky crevices along the shoreline.
13. Brünnich’s Guillemot: The Cliff Specialist
Brünnich’s Guillemot is another species of Arctic bird that is known for its unique nesting habits. These birds can be found nesting on sheer cliffs in large colonies, often in close proximity to other seabirds like Kittiwakes and Fulmars. Brünnich’s Guillemots have a distinctive thick bill and are powerful swimmers, diving to great depths in search of fish and other prey.
14. Little Auk: The Tiniest Seabird
The Little Auk is the smallest member of the auk family, standing at just over 7 inches tall. Despite their small size, these birds are well-adapted to the harsh Arctic environment, with a thick layer of insulating feathers to keep them warm. Little Auks are known for their incredible diving abilities, often foraging for food at depths of more than 100 feet.
15. Arctic Skua: The Clever Pirate
The Arctic Skua is a predatory seabird that is known for its bold and cunning behavior. These birds are known to chase and harass other seabirds, forcing them to drop their catch so that the Skua can steal it for themselves.
This behavior has earned the Arctic Skua the nickname “the pirate of the skies.” These agile and intelligent birds are a fascinating example of the diverse range of Arctic bird species
16. Long-tailed Skua: The Elegant Hunter
The Long-tailed Skua is a sleek and agile bird of prey that inhabits the Arctic tundra.
Known for its long, slender tail feathers, this bird is an expert hunter, preying on small mammals and other birds. Like its relative, the Arctic Skua, the Long-tailed Skua is also known to pirate food from other seabirds, showcasing its cunning and opportunistic nature.
17. Ptarmigan: The Master of Camouflage
The Ptarmigan is a small, ground-dwelling bird that is uniquely adapted to life in the Arctic. Its plumage changes color with the seasons, providing excellent camouflage against the snowy landscape in winter and the tundra vegetation in summer. Ptarmigans are also known for their feathered feet, which act like snowshoes and help them traverse the snowy terrain.
18. Great Northern Diver: The Deep Diver
The Great Northern Diver, also known as the Common Loon, is a large Arctic bird known for its incredible diving abilities. These birds can dive to depths of over 200 feet in search of fish and other prey. The Great Northern Diver has a striking black and white pattern on its back, and its eerie, haunting calls can be heard echoing across Arctic lakes.
19. Red-throated Diver: The Nimble Swimmer
The Red-throated Diver is a smaller relative of the Great Northern Diver, easily identified by its distinctive red throat patch. These birds are agile swimmers and divers, capable of catching fish and other prey in the water with ease.
The Red-throated Diver is known for its unique, undulating flight pattern, which gives it a graceful appearance in the air.
20. Glaucous Gull: The Arctic Giant
The Glaucous Gull is one of the largest gull species found in the Arctic, with a wingspan that can reach over 5 feet. These birds are opportunistic feeders, scavenging for food along shorelines and preying on smaller birds and mammals. The Glaucous Gull’s pale plumage allows it to blend in with the Arctic environment, making it a formidable predator.
21. Lesser Black-backed Gull: The Agile Opportunist
The Lesser Black-backed Gull is a medium-sized gull species found in the Arctic. These birds are known for their dark, slate-gray back and wings, which contrast sharply with their white heads and bodies. Like other gulls, the Lesser Black-backed Gull is an opportunistic feeder, scavenging for food along coastlines and preying on smaller birds and animals.
22. Great Black-backed Gull: The Apex Predator
The Great Black-backed Gull is the largest gull species in the world and is a dominant predator in the Arctic ecosystem. These birds have a powerful build and are known for their aggressive behavior, often driving other birds away from their territory. The Great Black-backed Gull preys on a wide variety of animals, from fish and shellfish to smaller birds and mammals.
23. Ivory Gull: The Arctic Angel
The Ivory Gull is a small, pure white gull that is uniquely adapted to life in the high Arctic. These birds are known for their ability to survive in some of the harshest environments on earth, often nesting on ice floes and feeding on the remains of marine mammals. The Ivory Gull’s striking appearance and ethereal beauty make it a symbol of the Arctic’s pristine wilderness.
24. Red Phalarope (Grey Phalarope): The Spinning Dancer
The Red Phalarope, also known as the Grey Phalarope, is a small, brightly colored shorebird that can be found in the Arctic. These birds have a unique feeding behavior, spinning in circles on the water’s surface to create a whirlpool effect, which brings small invertebrates to the surface for them to eat. The Red Phalarope’s spinning dance is a fascinating sight to behold.
25. Pink-footed Goose: The High-Flying Traveler
The Pink-footed Goose is a medium-sized goose species that breeds in the Arctic. These birds are known for their pinkish legs and feet, which give them their name. Pink-footed Geese undertake long migratory journeys each year, flying at high altitudes to reach their wintering grounds in more temperate regions.
26. Barnacle Goose: The Cliff Climber
The Barnacle Goose is a small Arctic goose species that is known for its remarkable nesting habits. These birds nest on steep cliffs, often many feet above the ground, to protect their eggs and young from predators. Barnacle Geese have a striking black and white plumage, making them easily identifiable among other Arctic bird species.
27. Brant Goose: The Coastal Grazer
The Brant Goose is another small goose species found in the Arctic. These birds prefer coastal habitats, where they feed on aquatic vegetation such as eelgrass. Brant Geese have a dark, sooty-colored plumage and a short, stubby bill, which helps them to efficiently graze on their preferred food sources.
28. Razorbill: The Sharp-Billed Diver
The Razorbill is a medium-sized seabird that inhabits the Arctic’s rocky coastlines. These birds are known for their sharp, laterally compressed bill, which gives them their name. Razorbills are excellent divers and can forage for fish and other prey at depths of over 100 feet.
29. Turnstone: The Beachcomber
The Turnstone is a small, stocky shorebird that can be found along the Arctic’s rocky shorelines. These birds have a unique feeding behavior, using their strong bills to flip over stones and other debris to find invertebrates hiding underneath. Turnstones are known for their striking plumage, featuring a mix of black, white, and chestnut colors.
30. Sabine’s Gull: The Delicate Seafarer
Sabine’s Gull is a small, delicate gull species that breeds in the high Arctic. These birds have a unique, triangular-shaped tail and a striking black and white pattern on their wings. Sabine’s Gulls are known for their long-distance migrations, often traveling thousands of miles to reach their wintering grounds in the southern hemisphere.
FAQs About Arctic Birds
What six kinds of these birds live in the Antarctic?
In the Antarctic, six notable bird species include Emperor Penguins, Adélie Penguins, Chinstrap Penguins, Gentoo Penguins, Snow Petrels, and Antarctic Shags. These birds have evolved to survive in the harsh Antarctic environment.
What 3 animals live in the Arctic?
Three well-known animals that reside in the Arctic include the Arctic Fox, Polar Bear, and the Walrus. These species have developed unique adaptations to thrive in the frigid Arctic climate.
Which bird is known as polar bird?
The Snowy Owl is often referred to as the polar bird due to its white plumage, which provides excellent camouflage in the snowy Arctic environment. This bird can be found throughout the Arctic tundra.
Which bird of Arctic is extinct?
The Great Auk, a flightless seabird that once inhabited the North Atlantic and Arctic regions, is sadly extinct. Overhunting and exploitation for their feathers, meat, and oil led to the Great Auk’s extinction in the 19th century.
What is the largest bird in Antarctica?
The Emperor Penguin is the largest bird in Antarctica, standing at around 48 inches tall and weighing up to 88 pounds. These impressive birds are known for their remarkable ability to survive the harsh Antarctic winters.
What is the most beautiful bird of Antarctica?
The Snow Petrel is often considered the most beautiful bird in Antarctica, with its pure white plumage and delicate features. These birds can be found throughout the Antarctic region, from the coastlines to the interior.
What is the largest flying bird in Antarctica?
The Wandering Albatross is the largest flying bird in Antarctica, with a wingspan that can reach up to 11 feet. These incredible birds are known for their long-distance flights and can travel vast distances across the Southern Ocean.
What is the new bird in Antarctica?
There is no specific “new bird” in Antarctica, as species are continuously evolving and adapting to the region’s conditions. However, scientists continue to study the diverse birdlife and occasionally discover new subspecies or populations in the Antarctic.
What bird is the symbol of Antarctica?
The Emperor Penguin is often considered the symbol of Antarctica due to its size, unique breeding habits, and iconic presence in the region. Emperor Penguins are synonymous with the Antarctic environment and its harsh conditions.
Which bird is flightless in Antarctica?
The Emperor and Adélie Penguins are two examples of flightless birds in Antarctica. These birds have evolved to become expert swimmers and divers, with their wings adapted into flippers for efficient underwater movement.
Does Antarctica have a national bird?
Antarctica does not have a national bird, as it is not a sovereign nation but rather an international territory governed by the Antarctic Treaty System. However, Emperor Penguins are often associated with the region and could be considered its unofficial emblem.
What kind of birds live in the Arctic?
The Arctic is home to a diverse range of bird species, including Arctic Terns, Puffins, Snow Buntings, Common Eiders, and Ivory Gulls. These birds have evolved to withstand the extreme conditions of the Arctic environment.
What is the most common bird in the Arctic?
The Snow Bunting is one of the most common and widespread birds in the Arctic, inhabiting the tundra regions across North America, Europe, and Asia. These small, hardy birds have adapted to the harsh Arctic climate.
What animals and birds live in the Arctic?
The Arctic is home to various animals, including Polar Bears, Arctic Foxes, and Walruses. Bird species found in the Arctic include Snowy Owls, Arctic Terns, Puffins, and many others. These species have adapted to the Arctic’s challenging environment.
Do birds fly in the Arctic?
Yes, many bird species fly in the Arctic, including migratory birds like the Arctic Tern, which travels long distances between its Arctic breeding grounds and its wintering grounds in the Southern Hemisphere.
Which bird found only in the Arctic?
The Ivory Gull is a bird species that is found exclusively in the Arctic. With its pure white plumage, it is uniquely adapted to the high Arctic environment and can be seen on ice floes and in coastal areas.
Which bird is found in ice Antarctica?
The Emperor Penguin is the most iconic bird found in the ice of Antarctica. These large penguins are known for their remarkable ability to survive the harsh Antarctic winters and breed in the extreme cold.
What 3 animals live in the Arctic?
Three well-known animals that inhabit the Arctic include the Polar Bear, Arctic Fox, and Walrus. These species have developed unique adaptations to thrive in the frigid Arctic climate.
Which bird is known as polar bird?
The Snowy Owl is often referred to as the polar bird due to its white plumage, which provides excellent camouflage in the snowy Arctic environment. This bird can be found throughout the Arctic tundra.
Where do puffins live?
Puffins inhabit the colder coastal regions of the North Atlantic and Arctic Oceans, including parts of North America, Europe, and Asia. They nest in burrows or crevices on rocky cliffs and forage for fish in nearby waters.
Which of these birds lives in the coldest climate?
The Emperor Penguin is the bird that lives in the coldest climate, as it inhabits the ice-covered continent of Antarctica. These birds endure extreme temperatures, strong winds, and harsh weather conditions throughout the year.
Do penguins live in the Arctic?
Penguins do not live in the Arctic, as they are native to the Southern Hemisphere, primarily in Antarctica and the surrounding sub-Antarctic islands. Penguins have not naturally colonized the Arctic region.
Final Thoughts About Arctic Birds
In conclusion, the Arctic is home to a remarkable array of bird species, each with their own unique adaptations and behaviors.
From the colorful Puffin to the predatory Arctic Skua, these birds are a testament to the incredible diversity and resilience of life in the Arctic.
