Birds of Svalbard

Svalbard’s remote and icy landscapes are home to a surprisingly rich bird community. Some were graceful, while others seemed almost clumsy.

Birds of Svalbard

Glaucous Gull

Glaucous gulls are one of the most common seabirds in Svalbard — but I love any bird that is in focus and well lit.

Ivory Gull

The Ivory Gull is on of the rarer birds of Svalbard. It is a high-Arctic species with pure white plumage and a black-tipped yellow bill. There was only one self-described birder on the ship, and he was below deck when we saw it.

 

Brünnich’s Guillemot

Brünnich’s Guillemots are agile divers but comically awkward when taking off from the water — they flap furiously across the surface, often struggling to get airborne. Their short wings are built more for swimming than flight.

Kittiwake

The best behaviour we observed (and heard) featured two kittiwakes. It was a dramatic aerial chase and midair food theft, a behaviour known as kleptoparasitism.

Fulmar

Northern Fulmars are one of the most common birds of Svalbard. They are stocky seabirds that soar low over the ocean on stiff wings, often mistaken for gulls. They are masters of dynamic soaring and can appear quite serene or ghostlike against cold Arctic backdrops.

 

 

Next up — Trip Reflections