If you’re planning a bird watching holiday in Norway, here are some tips to help you identify the birds you’ll see.
Read on to learn about the birds’ migration patterns, wintering habits, and common species. Here’s a checklist of the most common species that you can find in the country.
Once you know which species you want to see, you’ll have a more enjoyable trip! Here’s a list of the best birds to watch in Norway:
Migration
For bird enthusiasts, the Migration of birds of Norway is an annual event that takes place in June and July. During this time, the coastal regions are home to the largest bio-diversity in the country.
They are characterized by lakes, rocky shores, and mixed forests. There are several species of birds that can only be seen here, including the Thrush Nightingale and the European Reed Warbler. Raptors and Woodpeckers also make their homes in this region.
The best time to witness this migration is during May, when many sea birds migrate to Norway. From the outermost coasts, you can watch a massive flock of Fulmars.
Other character birds include the White-billed Diver, Pomarine Skua, Long-tailed Skua, and Arctic Skua. Long-tailed Duck is the highlight of this migration, but the flocks of King Eider and Stellers Eider are also plentiful here.
After the first warm front, many long-distance migrants will arrive. These include Swallows and Sand Martins. Other early migrants include the Whinchat, Willow Warbler, and Pied Flycatcher.
The main migration begins in the first half of May, with the northern half of the country having a slightly delayed arrival compared to the south. Snow Buntings and Fieldfare are also expected.
And while the migration of birds of Norway is not complete without the arrival of these species, there are several other interesting events.
Some species will stay in their breeding grounds throughout the summer, but in late July or early August, their breeding season is delayed. Wading birds will not return to Norway until their young have fledged.
In addition, a large number of passerin species will spend the winter in warmer coastal regions. If you happen to be able to catch these animals in action, you can catch their migration in this majestic country.
With just a few clicks, you can witness this magnificent display of nature.
Read More: Birds of Montenegro: A Guide to the Local Fauna
Wintering
A Check list of the Wintering birds of Norway includes a wide variety of waterfowl and wading birds, as well as a complete suite of songbirds, raptors, and gamebirds.
The list also includes information on nighthawks and swifts. Wintering birds of Norway are widely distributed throughout the country. This Check list aims to identify a variety of species and highlight their distribution.
This list may also be helpful for birdwatchers interested in the seasonal movements and migration patterns of birds of Norway.
The wintering birds of Norway are usually small, often in pairs or groups of two or three. Wood grouse and black grouse spend their winters in air pockets beneath snow.
Smaller birds such as the Eurasian wren spend the winter months in tree cavities, and a pair of crows often sleeps together. Hazel grouse, meanwhile, spends the winter months in tree cavities, often digging down into the snow during extremely cold periods.
Migration in Norway slows in November, and the first long-distance migrants arrive around mid-March.
The first arrivals of these migrants are often blackbirds and Redwings, although you may also see Woodcocks and Whinchats. By early April, the arrival of migrant birds begins in northern Finnmark.
A later arrival includes Fieldfare, Ring Ouzel, and Snow Buntings. These species are a great way to identify some wintering birds of Norway.
Arctic Terns are found across Norway, and they have been estimated to number between 150 and 200 pairs. They migrate south, but some also migrate to Sweden.
They are the most common duck species on the southern coast, and are often a common sight in Vest-Agder. In addition, Arctic Terns can be seen along the coast, nesting on Jae ren Island. In areas where the ice is not too heavy, they will stay on Jae ren Island.
Habitats
The varying habitats of Norway’s birds help it to attract many species of bird. The country is approximately 2000 square kilometers, and has an oceanic climate.
The area’s climate is humid and there are few differences between seasons, although mid-winter temperatures can be more than 50 degrees different from summer to winter.
In addition, the country is a popular destination for migratory birds. Approximately one-third of all birds in Norway live on a tundra, and the other third migrate to the region every year.
The Hardangervidda, a mountain plateau between Oslo and Bergen, is home to many species that breed in the mountains.
Woodlands in central and southeastern Norway are excellent locations to enjoy springtime birding. During the breeding season, these areas are home to many woodpeckers and owls.
These are just a few of the different types of habitats you can find in Norway.
A small duck found in most streams and parks in Norway is the Icelandic Goldeneye. The male is a striking black and white colour, while the female has a grey body and a rust-coloured head and cheeks.
These ducks don’t care if other species of ducks are around, but they do prefer the company of a male. They both enjoy watching and photographing each other. If you have any questions, please contact Birdwatch Norway at 1-800-658-7295.
Willow ptarmigan inhabits alpine and arctic tundra habitats throughout the northern hemisphere. The population size of this species is decreasing, and habitat alteration is a primary cause.
Their habitat selection behavior was estimated using a mixed-effects logistic regression model, with random intercepts to estimate resource selection functions. In addition to the Willow Ptarmigan, there are several other species that inhabit Norway.
Suggested Reading: Birds of Mali: A Beautiful Sight to See
Common species
The Ural Owl, a mid-sized owl native to Norway, is a favorite of birdwatchers. This bird is a great camouflage expert and is often seen roosting in trees and in other dense vegetation.
Its name comes from the long tufts of feathers on its head. During the day, it is a common sight, especially in areas of open countryside.
Its calls are low hoots and hoars, and the bird puffs its feathers to appear larger. This bird is also known for its defensive postures, including clicking its bills.
The official bird of Norway is the Dipper. It is a highly intelligent bird that prefers living near water. You will often see them diving under water for food.
It is a beautiful golden bird of prey and once was common throughout Europe. It is now rarely seen outside of known feeding areas. A great place to watch these birds is a park in your backyard, and you will be able to enjoy their beauty at any time of the year.
Another great resource for identifying the birds of Norway is Birdlist Worldwide. This website provides a Check list of birds of Norway and includes a list of the species in ornithological taxonomic order.
Nature of Norway provides a wealth of information about nature in Norway, including birdwatching, nature conservation, and protected areas. Listed below are some of the most common species of birds found in Norway.
While most tourists flock to Norway to observe its varied landscape, the country is also home to a variety of unique species.
In addition to birds, Norway is also home to the European moose, which is a slightly smaller version of the North American moose. Thousands of these creatures are killed each year in Norway by trains and other vehicles.
The Sami people used to be the main source of food for Norway’s reindeer. These cheeky creatures have grey coats during the winter and chestnut-red bodies in summer.
Trending Article: Birds of Egypt: Get to know the unique birds
Range
The range of birds in Norway is one of the most diverse in the world, and has more than 300 different species. The country’s climate and geographic location also make the range of bird species remarkably diverse.
Northern Norway sits in the Arctic circle, while the central and southern regions lie outside of the region. This makes for considerable seasonal variation in the bird life of the country.
From northern to southern Norway, the climate is considerably different, ensuring that the range of birds in Norway varies as well.
In addition to the 15 species of birds listed in the EN category, a further four were recently upgraded to this category. The new status is given to the Arctic Warbler, Northern Fulmar, and Stonechat.
The last two species were upgraded because they’ve declined rapidly in Norway, and the Northern Lapwing has been completely eliminated from its range in recent decades.
The range of Northern Fulmar has been declining at an alarming rate for decades, and it is no wonder the species was recently upgraded to endangered status.
Here is the Video About: Birds of Norway
The official national bird of Norway, the white-throated dipper, nests in waterfalls and is a highly intelligent species. Unlike many birds, it lives in close proximity to water and can swim a short distance to gather food.
Although its range has been restricted by humans, the Dipper remains a common sight throughout Norway. This elegant golden bird of prey used to be common throughout Europe. It is now protected in the wild, though it is often mistaken for a tern.
The southern part of Norway boasts a diverse range of birding habitats. The Lista region southeast of Stavanger is home to Norway’s largest bird observatory, and is abundant in wetlands and coastal habitats.
It’s the perfect place to see raptors and migratory and traveling seabirds. You can also learn about the different types of birds by listening to their songs.
Once you’ve learned their names, you’ll be well on your way to a rewarding experience in this unique country!
- Anjouan Sunbird and Other Birds of Comoros - July 23, 2022
- Check List For Birds of Iraq - June 29, 2022
- Birds of the Channel Islands: The Beauty of Nature - June 29, 2022