Fratercula arctica · Icelandic: Lundi

A comical, brightly-billed seabird — Iceland's most famous bird by far.

Habitat: Coastal cliffs and offshore islands, nesting in burrows | Season: Apr–Aug (winters at sea)

Identification

• Black-and-white body, huge triangular orange-and-grey bill, orange legs
• Upright, comical stance on cliff ledges

Behaviour

Nests in burrows dug into clifftop turf, returning to the same burrow year after year. Flies with rapid, whirring wingbeats low over the water.

Did you know?

Iceland holds the largest Atlantic Puffin population in the world — an estimated 60% of the global total breeds here. Puffins are nicknamed "sea parrots" for their colourful bill.

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