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Photo gallery
Photo gallery

Divers & grebes

There are two species of diver resident in Iceland - the great northern diver (gavia immer) and the red throated diver (gavia stellata). Divers are strong flyers and agile swimmers, but their adaptation for life on the water makes it difficult for them to walk on land and they can often be seen ‘crawling’ to and from their nest sites.

Great northern diver

The great northern diver (~300 pairs) has achieved iconic status in Iceland as one of only three species of North American birds that have made their home in Iceland but nowhere else in Europe. It is a large, black and white bird - about the size of a goose - and it can be seen throughout Iceland, but most often on Highland lakes particularly around Mývatn and Ţingvellir

Red Throated Diver

The more common red throated diver (~2000 pairs) is also widespread, often seen nesting by small pools on moorland. Smaller than the great northern diver, it is easily identified by its pale grey head and bright red throat markings.

Slavonian grebe

The horned or slavonian grebe (podiceps auritus) is the only member of the grebe family to breed regularly in Iceland. This small red-brown bird has bright golden tufts on its head and a piercing red eye. It looks spectacular on a bright, sunny day. Half the population of ~500 pairs live in the Mývatn area.

Images of divers & grebes

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