Birdlife

The Falkland Islands offer a very special birding experience. 227 species have been recorded in the Islands including two endemic - the Cobb’s wren and Falklands Flightless Steamer Duck - five species of breeding penguin and over 65% of the World’s Black-browed albatross population. Many rare species inhabit the Islands, with some of these classified globally as “threatened” and "endangered".

At many destinations around the Islands, visitors will find themselves alone in a rookery, on the hillside or by a waters-edge, able to enjoy the sights, sounds and smells as a very personal encounter. Photography is easy for any enthusiastic amateur, with endless opportunities for the professional. Take care - the inquisitive striated caracara will stroll up for a look at your camera whilst the friendly Tussac bird will hop happily onto your legs and feet.

The most obvious attractions of the Falklands are penguins – graceful in the water but often comical on land. King and Gentoo penguins can be seen all year round whilst Magellanic, Rockhopper and Macaroni penguins are migratory so only present on the Islands during the summer months. At a large King penguin colony, such as at Volunteer Point, and even some smaller ones, penguins of different ages can be observed throughout the summer months. During the winter, all chicks are large and fluffy! Other species have an annual breeding cycle; chicks can be seen between December and March along with the young of other breeding birds.

Keep count of the many bird species you'll encounter during your travels with our Bird checklist (260kB) and take a look at our bird gallery for more in depth information about some species, including where and when to find them.

Recommended Reading suggests a number of books which detail the birdlife of the Islands.

Find out more about the birdlife of the Falklands from these Falklands Conservation webpages - albatross and petrels and penguins.