Top 30 Arctic Birds You Can See On An Expedition Cruise

Visiting the Arctic is an incredible opportunity for wildlife watching. While seeing polar bears or beluga whales up close is an experience no one will forget – the Arctic is also home to an abundance of polar birds.

In fact, the Arctic region is a bird lovers’ paradise due to its diversity of habitats and large bird sanctuaries—including 15 in Svalbard alone. Up to three million birds migrate to the Svalbard archipelago during the summer. 

Every year, people travel from all over the world to witness Arctic birds in their natural habitat and to observe this spectacle.

What birds live in the Arctic?

• Up to 280 bird species live in the Arctic during the summer months.
• The Arctic is home to both resident and migratory birds.
• Snowy owls, skuas, red-legged kittiwakes and Brünnich’s guillemots reside in the Arctic all year round.
• Most birds of the Arctic are migratory, escaping the harsh winter to breed and nest in warmer wintering grounds. They spend only a small portion of the year in the Arctic.
• Migratory Arctic birds include Arctic Terns, snow geese, and red phalaropes.
• Arctic birds raise their young and nest during a short summer season. 
• Arctic birds are diverse, ranging from land birds to sea or coastal birds and some that dwell in marsh habitats. 
• You’ll spot large colonies of seabirds on the cliffs, especially in much of Svalbard, but there are also species of birds in the tundra, lakes and streams, and even in the open ocean.

An expedition cruise offers the opportunity to see huge populations of up to tens of thousands of birds in their Arctic breeding grounds. Alkefjellet bird cliffs in Svalbard are home to over 60,000 breeding pairs of Brünnich’s guillemots during the summer and are only accessible on an expedition cruise.

Based on my firsthand knowledge of travelling in the Arctic, out of all the birds you can see, here are 30 common Arctic birds you are likely to see on an expedition cruise.  

1. Kittiwake

There are kittiwakes all across the Arctic, often spotted in large colonies (some have tens of thousands of pairs) on clifftops, particularly across Svalbard during the summer. Kittiwakes are the only gulls that nest on the sides of cliffs.

Gulls are very common in the Arctic, and kittiwakes look similar to seagulls but are smaller with shorter beaks. You’ll find either red-legged or black-legged kittiwakes on your trip. 

2. Northern Fulmar

The northern fulmar can live for over 30 years, making it one of the longest–living bird species. They are recognizable in two colours, either light grey or dark grey. They can be found in large numbers across the Arctic, and while we’d, of course, advise keeping a safe and respectful distance from all birds, there’s a particular reason why it’s especially important with fulmars. 

The name fulmar translates to ‘foul gull’ in Old Norse, which is due to the stomach oil they can squirt up to three meters to deter predators or humans that veer too close to their nests. Foul odours aside, they are impressive birds. Fulmars can fly up to 47 km an hour, and it’s quite a sight to see them from a ship, watching their grey wings swooping low in search of fish and crustaceans.

3. Atlantic puffin

Few birds are as easy to spot as the Atlantic puffin. With its penguin-like shape and distinctive, curved red and orange beak, it has a couple of nicknames, including ‘sea parrot’ and even ‘clown of the sea’. 

A visit to Svalbard or Greenland offers excellent opportunities for spotting Atlantic puffins and their pufflings. Svalbard is the northernmost home of the Atlantic puffin and is currently classified as a vulnerable species.

They are skilled fliers, and once in, they can flap their wings up to an impressive 400 times a minute. Atlantic puffins’ sturdy frame makes them well-equipped for diving, and their beaks allow them to hold up to 30 fish at a time.

4. Brant goose 

Also known as the Brent goose, this small goose with a black head and legs and a white neck nest in Arctic wetlands and has a call that carries for long distances. 

There’s no real distance in size between male and female Brant geese; adults are  55–60 cm long and weigh 1.1 – 1.6 kg. Unlike other types of geese, they don’t fly in a V-formation formation, but in masses or lines. Brant geese can typically be found in northeast Canada, Greenland and Svalbard.

5. Barnacle goose

A common species of goose, with over 400,000 in the world, the Barnacle goose can be frequently spotted high on the cliffs of Svalbard and Greenland, where they build their nests. They are black and white and can fly up to an impressive 95km an hour. 

Hatchlings fend for themselves from just three days old when they leap down to the ground below, making them vulnerable to becoming prey by Arctic Foxes. 

Barnacle geese primarily feed on vegetation, but as food becomes more scarce during the cold winter months, they will also eat shellfish, molluscs and insects. 

5. Arctic Skua

The ‘ parasitic jaeger ‘ is also known by the unflattering name, but not without good reason. These large seabirds are roughly the size of common gulls and tend to chase other seabirds to steal the fish they’ve caught. 

These cheeky, fish-pinching birds breed in the High Arctic and are easy to spot. They’ll be the sharp-winged, stocky birds chasing other birds around, flying fast and low above the sea.  They’re commonly found across Svalbard but breed across the Arctic. 

6. Snow bunting

Most Arctic birds have to be tough to endure the cold temperatures, especially during the winter. But Snow buntings are particularly adept at breeding in the High Arctic. Males arrive ahead of females to prepare nests deep in rocky crevices when temperatures can be as low as -22° F.

Snow buntings line their thick nests with fur and feathers, and the small, sparrow-like birds can be commonly spotted in Greenland and Svalbard. T

They are also the only songbirds to reside on Svalbard, and if you visit in spring, you might hear their melodic calling. 

7. Common redpoll 

The tiny common redpoll belongs to the finch family. Both males and females have red caps, but males are red underneath, and females are more brown and speckled. They were one of three recognized redpoll species, but as of 2024, common redpolls, lesser redpolls and Arctic redpolls will become one species as they’re believed to be genetically identical.

Redpolls can be spotted in Greenland and, less commonly, in Svalbard. They appear at irregular intervals from May to July and sometimes from September to November. They can also be heard making high-pitched trills. 

8. Sanderling

Sanderlings are small, Arctic wading birds. They have a greyish appearance and stout bills about the same length as their heads.

They’re migratory birds, making a 10,000 km (6,200 miles) journey from their icy breeding grounds in the High Arctic to the southern wintering destinations. 

Sanderlings are notable for their black, ‘bicycling’ legs, which appear to blur as they run fast up and down beaches while foraging.

9. Purple Sandpiper

Residing further north than any other shorebird, the pot-bellied purple sandpiper thrives on craggy rocks and battered coastlines. 

Mostly grey with a purple sheen in appearance, with bright orange legs and bill –  they can be commonly found on Svalbard during the summer as they look for mussels and crustaceans. 

10. Greylag Goose 

The Greylag is one of the largest species of geese in Europe, measuring up to 91 cm. Greylag geese typically nest in wetlands and lakes and feed on grass, cereals, and grains. 

They can be found on Svalbard in pairs or small groups from late April to early September, during the spring and summer. 

11. Arctic terns

Commonly found on Svalbard, particularly in the western and northern parts of Spitsbergen, Arctic terns are relatively small but fierce. Arctic terns are renowned for their migration distances, travelling from pole to pole.

Males and females look the same, and although they’re only 35cm long and weigh in at 100-125g – they will fiercely defend their colonies against any intruders and will dive-bomb them with their sharp beaks.

This is enough to make even polar bears back off, so if you’re keen to snap a photo, make sure you keep your camera at a safe and respectful distance. 

12. Common guillemot

The Arctic is home to two types of guillemot, the common and Brünich’s. The common guillemot is black with a white belly and a longer, thinner bill than the Brünich’s.

These seabirds nest on sheer cliff faces but are in their element in the sea, where they spend most of their time. So you’re more likely to spot them bobbing on the waves than high up. 

They can be found in the north of Iceland and parts of Spitsbergen, although their numbers are declining on Svalbard and the species is listed as Near Threatened (NT) in the region. 

13. Brünich’s guillemot

It’s difficult to tell the two species apart; they have black heads and white bellies and live in mixed colonies. Brünnich’s guillemots do not build nests but lay their eggs directly on ledges of cliffs.

Like the common guillemot, Brünich spends a lot of time at sea. They can dive to depths of up to 150 metres and stay underwater for over four minutes at a time. Brünich’s can be found across the Arctic, including Greenland and Svalbard. 

14. Long-tailed duck 

As its name suggests,  long-tailed ducks have long tail feathers, and they also have a wingspan of 76cm. They breed in the High Arctic, tundra, and coastal areas.  Long-tailed ducks have impressive diving skills and can be found throughout Svalbard.

15. Glaucous gull

Glaucous gulls are the second largest gull in the world, and they are notable for their large size and pearly-grey plumage. Some adults can be found in the Arctic all year round, feasting on a varied diet that includes other seabirds, starfish, fruit, and insects. 

But they are migratory and tend to head south during the winter, sometimes as far as the southern USA and Mexico. 

16. Great black-backed gull

Even bigger than the Glaucous gull, the great black-backed gull is the largest species of gull in the world. They have large bodies with broad wings, thick necks and broad, bulbous bills.

Like other gulls, they’re tenacious and swoop for scraps everywhere, from fishing boats to landfills. 

They also prey on other seabirds and steal chicks and eggs. Although they’re generally more common in the sub-Arctic, they breed in Iceland and on Bjørnøya (Bear Island) in Svalbard.

17. Lesser black-backed gull

Another migratory bird, the lesser black-backed gull, can be found in small numbers in Iceland, Svalbard on Jan Mayen, Bjørnøya, and Greenland. Like other gulls, they’re keen scavengers and can be spotted on clifftops and in rocky areas.

18. Ivory gull

The ivory gull is a small bird that breeds in the High Arctic. It is dove-like in appearance with white plumage and has a distinctive call that acts as both a mating call and a warning against predators.

They breed in small colonies and can be spotted on the cliffs of Svalbard or Greenland. Like many species, ivory gulls are vulnerable to climate change due to the declining sea ice. Ivory gulls rely heavily on the sea ice for their survival.

19. Great cormorant

This large, black waterbird is often found nesting high on clifftops. The great cormorant is skilled at diving for fish and has a dark history with fishing boats. 

Cormorants are social birds that nest in large colonies. They also hunt together and communicate through calls. They can be spotted on trips to Iceland, Greenland, and Norway.

20. Razorbill

Razorbills are Arctic seabirds and the closest living relatives of the extinct great auk. 

They have a striking black-and-white appearance and, as you might have guessed – a sharp bill,

These seabirds can be found nesting in cliffside bird colonies, often with other species, such as kittiwakes and fulmars. During their breeding seasons (mid-March-early September), Razorbills can be spotted in Iceland, eastern Greenland and Svalbard.

21. Little auk

Unlike the great auk, little auks can be found in huge numbers across the Arctic. In fact, their colonies can be as large as millions, making them the species you’re most likely to spot on a Svalbard cruise. 

The little black and white birds breed on cliffs but can also be found on pack ice, where they swim and dive. 

22. Northern Gannet

The largest species of gannet, northern gannets, have a striking appearance with pointy, grey bills and long, slender bodies.

They dive from impressive heights of up to 30 metres, and this magnificent sight can be seen on Svalbard’s west coast. They are also very likely to be heard from far away; they are incredibly noisy birds. 

23. Great northern diver

Earning its name, the great northern diver is part of the loon species of aquatic birds, which are expert divers. 

It’s also known as the common loon and can be found bobbing along the shallower waters of Svalbard, including the lakes of West Spitsbergen.

24. King eider

Large species of seaduck that nest in the High Arctic.  The male king eider has a distinctive appearance, with large oblong heads that are blue, green, and orange. 

Unfortunately, the female ducks look much more like ordinary ducks with brown and black speckled feathers. They’re migratory, travelling in massive shared flocks with thousands of other Arctic birds. 

25. Gyrfalcon

This impressive bird of prey is the largest falcon in the world. It uses its pointed wings to swoop for prey. Gyrfalcons can be found breeding in Svalbard during the summer and can be spotted on the ground. In the winter, They migrate to Europe and North America.

26. Pink-footed goose

Pink-footed geese are medium-sized geese with distinctive pink feet. During the summer, these migratory geese can be spotted in Svalbard, Iceland, and Greenland, where they breed high up on the clifftops, protecting their nests and chicks from Arctic foxes and other predators on the ground.

27. Rock ptarmigan

Few birds can be spotted on Svalbard all year round, including the rock ptarmigan, the archipelago’s largest bird. 

The rock ptarmigan is the largest bird on Svalbard and the only one that can be spotted across the archipelago all year round. It is very territorial, and males protect their nesting spaces with burping sounds. 

28. White-tailed eagle

This bird of prey is a master hunter, even in the coldest and harshest conditions. White-tailed eagles can be spotted on clifftops and craggy rocks along the Arctic coastlines, particularly Greenland, Norway and Northern Alaska. They will attack other birds both as prey and to steal food from them. White-tailed Eagles return to the same nest each year.

29. Red phalarope

Breeding females have rusty appearances, giving them their name. Non-breeding red phalaropes are actually just white and grey. These small, wading birds spend up to 11 months of the year in marine habitats and like to nest in the High Arctic.  

30. Red-throated loon

Another member of the loon species, the red-throated loon, is a large, duck-like seabird notable for its dark red throat, excellent head and sharp, slender bill.

They prey in the water and also scan from the skies – swooping in large, dispersed flocks when they spot large schools of fish. It’s the smallest member of the loon species in the Arctic but can be found on Svalbard.

What are the best times of year for Arctic birdwatching?

To determine the best time of year for seeing birds on your Arctic trip, consider the types of birds you want to see. 

For example, the summer season begins in late May, and you’ll see summer breeding birds arrive on the clifftops after winter snow. This is a good time to start seeing migratory birds, including puffins and Arctic terns.

June to mid-July is peak breeding season, and the cliffs of Svalbard will be filled with large seabird colonies, benefiting from the 24-hour daylight.  

By late July to August, migratory birds are preparing to leave for the winter. 

What is the impact of climate change on Arctic breeding birds?

As with the polar landscapes, climate change has a significant impact on the survival of Arctic birds and other wildlife. It’s causing shifts in their delicate ecosystem, which affects everything from precious food sources to altering breeding systems. 

And it’s happening at an alarming rate—average temperatures in the Arctic have already risen four times the global average, faster than anywhere else on Earth. 

Rising temperatures and melting sea ice mean a drastic loss of vital breeding grounds, particularly for many of the species listed in this article, including Atlantic puffins and Ivory gulls.

When it comes to Arctic conservation, efforts to protect both flora and fauna need to happen simultaneously.  Organizations dedicated to the protection of Arctic birds and their precious habitats, including The Arctic Migratory Birds Initiative (AMBI), exist.

Although many birds thrive in even the harshest conditions, the presence of large colonies of seabirds that nest on the Arctic’s coastal cliffs contributes to the growth of flora, as their droppings make excellent fertiliser.

I hope you found this article on Arctic birds insightful. If you would like to know more about Arctic wildlife please see our Guide to the Wildlife of the Arctic.

If you are looking to go birdwatching in the Arctic, Polar Escapes offers the largest selection of Arctic cruises and tours to fufill the inner birdwatcher in you.

Thanks for reading.