List of birds of Greenland

This is a list of the bird species recorded in Greenland. The avifauna of Greenland includes a total of 240 species, of which 170 are rare or accidental.

This list's taxonomic treatment (designation and sequence of orders, families, and species) and nomenclature (common and scientific names) follow the conventions of Clements's 5th edition. The family accounts at the beginning of each heading reflects this taxonomy, as do the species counts found in each family account. Accidental species are included in the total species counts for Greenland.

The following tags have been used to highlight certain relevant categories. It must be noted that not all species fall into one of these categories. Those that do not are commonly occurring, native species.

* (A) Accidental A species that rarely or accidentally occurs in Greenland.

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Loons

Order: GaviiformesFamily: Gaviidae

Loons, known as Divers in Europe, are group of aquatic birds found in many parts of North America and northern Europe. They are the size of a large duck or small goose, which they somewhat resembles in shape when swimming, but they completely unrelated to these waterfowl. There are 5 species worldwide and 4 species which occur in Greenland.

*Red-throated Loon "Gavia stellata"
*Pacific Loon "Gavia pacifica" (A)
*Common Loon "Gavia immer"
*Yellow-billed Loon "Gavia adamsii" (A)

Grebes

Order: PodicipediformesFamily: Podicipedidae

Grebes are small to medium-large sized freshwater diving birds. They have lobed toes, and are excellent swimmers and divers. However, they have their feet placed far back on the body, making them quite ungainly on land. There are 20 species worldwide and 3 species which occur in Greenland.

*Red-necked Grebe "Podiceps grisegena" (A)
*Horned Grebe "Podiceps auritus" (A)
*Eared Grebe "Podiceps nigricollis" (A)

Albatrosses

Order: ProcellariiformesFamily: Diomedeidae

The albatrosses are among the largest of flying birds, and the great albatrosses from the genus Diomedea have the largest wingspans of any extant birds. There are 21 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in Greenland.

*Black-browed Albatross "Thalassarche melanophris" (A)
*Yellow-nosed Albatross "Thalassarche chlororhynchos" (A)

hearwaters and Petrels

Order: ProcellariiformesFamily: Procellariidae

The procellariids are the main group of medium-sized 'true petrels', characterised by united nostrils with a medium septum, and a long outer functional primary. There are 75 species worldwide and 4 species which occur in Greenland.

*Northern Fulmar "Fulmarus glacialis"
*Greater Shearwater "Puffinus gravis"
*Sooty Shearwater "Puffinus griseus" (A)
*Manx Shearwater "Puffinus puffinus" (A)

torm-Petrels

Order: ProcellariiformesFamily: Hydrobatidae

The storm-petrels are relatives of the petrels, and are the smallest of sea-birds. They feed on planktonic crustaceans and small fish picked from the surface, typically while hovering. The flight is fluttering and sometimes bat-like. There are 21 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Greenland.

*Leach's Storm-Petrel "Oceanodroma leucorhoa" (A)

Boobies and Gannets

Order: PelecaniformesFamily: Sulidae

The sulids comprise the gannets and boobies. Both groups comprise medium-to-large coastal sea-birds that plunge-dive for fish. There are 9 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Greenland.

*Northern Gannet "Morus bassanus" (A)

Cormorants

Order: PelecaniformesFamily: Phalacrocoracidae

The Phalacrocoracidae is a family of medium-to-large coastal, fish-eating sea-birds that includes cormorants and shags. Plumage colouration varies with the majority having mainly dark plumage, some species being black and white, and a few being colourful. There are 38 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Greenland.

*Great Cormorant "Phalacrocorax carbo"

Bitterns, Herons and Egrets

Order: CiconiiformesFamily: Ardeidae

The family Ardeidae contains the bitterns, herons and egrets. Herons and egrets are medium to large sized wading birds with long necks and legs. Bitterns tend to be shorter necked and more wary. Unlike other long-necked birds suck as storks, ibises and spoonbills, members of Ardeidae fly with their necks retracted. There are 61 species worldwide and 7 species which occur in Greenland.

*Gray Heron "Ardea cinerea" (A)
*Great Blue Heron "Ardea herodias" (A)
*Little Blue Heron "Egretta caerulea" (A)
*Cattle Egret "Bubulcus ibis" (A)
*Green Heron "Butorides virescens" (A)
*Black-crowned Night-Heron "Nycticorax nycticorax" (A)
*American Bittern "Botaurus lentiginosus" (A)

Ibises and Spoonbills

Order: CiconiiformesFamily: Threskiornithidae

The Threskiornithidae is a family of large terrestrial and wading birds which includes the ibises and spoonbills. They have long, broad wings with 11 primary and about 20 secondary feathers. They are strong fliers and despite their size and weight, very capable soarers. There are 36 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in Greenland.

*Glossy Ibis "Plegadis falcinellus" (A)
*Eurasian Spoonbill "Platalea leucorodia" (A)

Ducks, Geese and Swans

Order: AnseriformesFamily: Anatidae

The family Anatidae includes the ducks and most duck-like waterfowl, such as geese and swans. These are birds that are modified for an aquatic existence with webbed feet, flattened bills and feathers that are excellent at shedding water due to an oily coating. There are 131 species worldwide and 39 species which occur in Greenland.

*Whooper Swan "Cygnus cygnus" (A)
*Tundra Swan "Cygnus columbianus" (A)
*Pink-footed Goose "Anser brachyrhynchus"
*Greater White-fronted Goose "Anser albifrons"
*Greylag Goose "Anser anser" (A)
*Snow Goose "Chen caerulescens"
*Emperor Goose "Chen canagica" (A)
*Brant "Branta bernicla"
*Barnacle Goose "Branta leucopsis"
*Cackling Goose "Branta hutchinsii"
*Canada Goose "Branta canadensis"
*Ruddy Shelduck "Tadorna ferruginea" (A)
*Eurasian Wigeon "Anas penelope" (A)
*American Wigeon "Anas americana" (A)
*Gadwall "Anas strepera" (A)
*Green-winged Teal "Anas carolinensis" (A)
*Eurasian Teal "Anas crecca"
*Mallard "Anas platyrhynchos"
*Northern Pintail "Anas acuta"
*Blue-winged Teal "Anas discors" (A)
*Northern Shoveler "Anas clypeata" (A)
*Redhead "Aythya americana" (A)
*Ring-necked Duck "Aythya collaris" (A)
*Tufted Duck "Aythya fuligula" (A)
*Greater Scaup "Aythya marila" (A)
*Lesser Scaup "Aythya affinis" (A)
*Common Eider "Somateria mollissima"
*King Eider "Somateria spectabilis"
*Steller's Eider "Polysticta stelleri" (A)
*Harlequin Duck "Histrionicus histrionicus"
*Long-tailed Duck "Clangula hyemalis"
*Black Scoter "Melanitta nigra" (A)
*Surf Scoter "Melanitta perspicillata" (A)
*White-winged Scoter "Melanitta fusca" (A)
*Common Goldeneye "Bucephala clangula" (A)
*Barrow's Goldeneye "Bucephala islandica"
*Bufflehead "Bucephala albeola" (A)
*Red-breasted Merganser "Mergus serrator"
*Common Merganser "Mergus merganser" (A)

Osprey

Order: FalconiformesFamily: Pandionidae

The Pandionidae family contains only one species, the Osprey. The Osprey is a medium large raptor which is a specialist fish-eater with a worldwide distribution.

*Osprey "Pandion haliaetus" (A)

Hawks, Kites and Eagles

Order: FalconiformesFamily: Accipitridae

Accipitridae is a family of birds of prey and include hawks, eagles, kites, harriers and Old World vultures. These birds have powerful hooked beaks for tearing flesh from their prey, strong legs, powerful talons, and keen eyesight. There are 233 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Greenland.

*White-tailed Eagle "Haliaeetus albicilla"

Caracaras and Falcons

Order: FalconiformesFamily: Falconidae

Falconidae is a family of diurnal birds of prey. They differ from hawks, eagles, and kites in that they kill with their beaks instead of their feet. There are 62 species worldwide and 4 species which occur in Greenland.

*Eurasian Kestrel "Falco tinnunculus" (A)
*Merlin "Falco columbarius" (A)
*Gyrfalcon "Falco rusticolus"
*Peregrine Falcon "Falco peregrinus"

Grouse

Order: GalliformesFamily: Tetraonidae

Grouse are game birds, similar to quails and partridge. There are 18 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Greenland.

*Rock Ptarmigan "Lagopus muta"

Cranes

Order: GruiformesFamily: Gruidae

Cranes are large, long-legged and long-necked birds. Unlike the similar-looking but unrelated herons, cranes fly with necks outstretched, not pulled back. Most have elaborate and noisy courting displays or "dances". There are 15 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in Greenland.

*Sandhill Crane "Grus canadensis" (A)
*Common Crane "Grus grus" (A)

Rails, Crakes, Gallinules, and Coots

Order: GruiformesFamily: Rallidae

Rallidae is a large family of small to medium-sized birds which includes the rails, crakes, coots, and gallinules. Typically they inhabit dense vegetation in damp environments near lakes, swamps, or rivers. In general they are shy and secretive birds, difficult to observe. Most species have strong legs, and have long toes which are well adapted to soft, uneven surfaces. They tend to have short, rounded wings and be weak fliers. There are 143 species worldwide and 9 species which occur in Greenland.

*Virginia Rail "Rallus limicola" (A)
*Water Rail "Rallus aquaticus" (A)
*Corn Crake "Crex crex" (A)
*Spotted Crake "Porzana porzana" (A)
*Sora "Porzana carolina" (A)
*Purple Gallinule "Porphyrio martinica" (A)
*Common Moorhen "Gallinula chloropus" (A)
*Eurasian Coot "Fulica atra" (A)
*American Coot "Fulica americana" (A)

Oystercatchers

Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Haematopodidae

The oystercatchers are large and noisy plover-like birds, with strong bills used for smashing or prising open molluscs. There are 11 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Greenland.

*Eurasian Oystercatcher "Haematopus ostralegus" (A)

Avocets and Stilts

Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Recurvirostridae

Recurvirostridae is a family of large wading birds, which includes the avocets and the stilts. The avocets have long legs and long up-curved bills. The stilts have extremely long legs and long, thin, straight bills. There are 9 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Greenland.

*American Avocet "Recurvirostra americana" (A)

Plovers and Lapwings

Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Charadriidae

The family Charadriidae includes the plovers, dotterels, and lapwings. They are small to medium-sized birds with compact bodies, short, thick necks and long, usually pointed, wings. They are found in open country worldwide, mostly in habitats near water, although there are some exceptions. There are 66 species worldwide and 9 species which occur in Greenland.

*Northern Lapwing "Vanellus vanellus" (A)
*Pacific Golden-Plover "Pluvialis fulva" (A)
*American Golden-Plover "Pluvialis dominica" (A)
*European Golden-Plover "Pluvialis apricaria"
*Black-bellied Plover "Pluvialis squatarola"
*Common Ringed Plover "Charadrius hiaticula"
*Semipalmated Plover "Charadrius semipalmatus" (A)
*Killdeer "Charadrius vociferus" (A)
*Oriental Plover "Charadrius veredus" (A)

andpipers and allies

Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Scolopacidae

The Scolopacidae are a large diverse family of small to medium sized shorebirds including the sandpipers, curlews, godwits, shanks, tattlers, woodcocks, snipes, dowitchers and phalaropes. The majority of species eat small invertebrates picked out of the mud or soil. Variation in length of legs and bills enable different species to feed in the same habitat, particularly on the coast, without direct competition for food. There are 89 species worldwide and 32 species which occur in Greenland.

*Eurasian Woodcock "Scolopax rusticola" (A)
*Common Snipe "Gallinago gallinago" (A)
*Wilson's Snipe "Gallinago delicata" (A)
*Long-billed Dowitcher "Limnodromus scolopaceus" (A)
*Black-tailed Godwit "Limosa limosa" (A)
*Eskimo Curlew "Numenius borealis" (A)
*Whimbrel "Numenius phaeopus"
*Eurasian Curlew "Numenius arquata" (A)
*Upland Sandpiper "Bartramia longicauda" (A)
*Common Redshank "Tringa totanus" (A)
*Common Greenshank "Tringa nebularia" (A)
*Greater Yellowlegs "Tringa melanoleuca" (A)
*Lesser Yellowlegs "Tringa flavipes" (A)
*Solitary Sandpiper "Tringa solitaria" (A)
*Wood Sandpiper "Tringa glareola" (A)
*Spotted Sandpiper "Actitis macularia" (A)
*Ruddy Turnstone "Arenaria interpres"
*Red Knot "Calidris canutus"
*Sanderling "Calidris alba"
*Semipalmated Sandpiper "Calidris pusilla" (A)
*Temminck's Stint "Calidris temminckii" (A)
*Least Sandpiper "Calidris minutilla" (A)
*White-rumped Sandpiper "Calidris fuscicollis" (A)
*Baird's Sandpiper "Calidris bairdii"
*Pectoral Sandpiper "Calidris melanotos" (A)
*Curlew Sandpiper "Calidris ferruginea" (A)
*Dunlin "Calidris alpina"
*Purple Sandpiper "Calidris maritima"
*Buff-breasted Sandpiper "Tryngites subruficollis" (A)
*Ruff "Philomachus pugnax" (A)
*Red-necked Phalarope "Phalaropus lobatus"
*Red Phalarope "Phalaropus fulicarius"

kuas and Jaegers

Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Stercorariidae

The family Stercorariidae are, in general, medium to large birds, typically with grey or brown plumage, often with white markings on the wings. They nest on the ground in temperate and arctic regions and are long-distance migrants. There are 7 species worldwide and 5 species which occur in Greenland.

*South Polar Skua "Stercorarius maccormicki" (A)
*Great Skua "Stercorarius skua"
*Pomarine Jaeger "Stercorarius pomarinus"
*Parasitic Jaeger "Stercorarius parasiticus"
*Long-tailed Jaeger "Stercorarius longicaudus"

Gulls

Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Laridae

Laridae is a family of medium to large birds seabirds and includes gulls and kittiwakes. They are typically grey or white, often with black markings on the head or wings. They have stout, longish bills and webbed feet. There are 55 species worldwide and 18 species which occur in Greenland.

*Mew Gull "Larus canus" (A)
*Ring-billed Gull "Larus delawarensis" (A)
*Great Black-backed Gull "Larus marinus"
*Glaucous Gull "Larus hyperboreus"
*Iceland Gull "Larus glaucoides"
*Thayer's Gull "Larus thayeri"
*Herring Gull "Larus argentatus" (A)
*Lesser Black-backed Gull "Larus fuscus" (A)
*American Herring Gull "Larus smithsonianus" (A)
*Black-headed Gull "Larus ridibundus"
*Bonaparte's Gull "Larus philadelphia" (A)
*Laughing Gull "Larus atricilla" (A)
*Franklin's Gull "Larus pipixcan" (A)
*Little Gull "Larus minutus" (A)
*Ivory Gull "Pagophila eburnea"
*Ross's Gull "Rhodostethia rosea"
*Sabine's Gull "Xema sabini"
*Black-legged Kittiwake "Rissa tridactyla"

Terns

Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Sternidae

Terns are a group of generally general medium to large sea-birds typically with grey or white plumage, often with black markings on the head. Most terns hunt fish by diving but some pick insects off the surface of fresh water. Terns are generally long-lived birds, with several species now known to live in excess of 25 to 30 years. There are 44 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Greenland.

*Arctic Tern "Sterna paradisaea"

Auks, Murres, and Puffins

Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Alcidae

Alcids are superficially similar to penguins due to their black-and-white colours, their upright posture and some of their habits, however they are not related to the penguins bnd differ in being able to fly. Auks live on the open sea, only deliberately coming ashore to nest. There are 24 species worldwide and 8 species which occur in Greenland.

*Dovekie "Alle alle"
*Common Murre "Uria aalge"
*Thick-billed Murre "Uria lomvia"
*Razorbill "Alca torda"
*Great Auk "Pinguinus impennis"
*Black Guillemot "Cepphus grylle"
*Crested Auklet "Aethia cristatella" (A)
*Atlantic Puffin "Fratercula arctica"

Pigeons and Doves

Order: ColumbiformesFamily: Columbidae

Pigeons and doves are stout-bodied birds with short necks and short slender bills with a fleshy cere. There are 308 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Greenland.

*Mourning Dove "Zenaida macroura" (A)

Cuckoos and Anis

Order: CuculiformesFamily: Cuculidae

The family Cuculidae includes cuckoos, roadrunners and anis. These birds are of variable size with slender bodies, long tails and strong legs. Unlike the cuckoo species of the Old World, North American cuckoos are not brood parasites. There are 138 species worldwide and 3 species which occur in Greenland.

*Common Cuckoo "Cuculus canorus" (A)
*Black-billed Cuckoo "Coccyzus erythropthalmus" (A)
*Yellow-billed Cuckoo "Coccyzus americanus" (A)

Typical owls

Order: StrigiformesFamily: Strigidae

Typical owls are small to large solitary nocturnal birds of prey. They have large forward-facing eyes and ears, a hawk-like beak, and a conspicuous circle of feathers around each eye called a facial disk. There are 195 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in Greenland.

*Snowy Owl "Bubo scandiacus"
*Short-eared Owl "Asio flammeus" (A)

Nightjars

Order: CaprimulgiformesFamily: Caprimulgidae

Nightjars are medium-sized nocturnal birds with long wings, short legs and very short bills that usually nest on the ground. Most have small feet, of little use for walking, and long pointed wings. Their soft plumage is camouflaged to resemble bark or leaves. There are 86 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Greenland.

*Common Nighthawk "Chordeiles minor" (A)

wifts

Order: ApodiformesFamily: Apodidae

Swifts are small aerial birds, spending the majority of their lives flying. These birds have very short legs and never settle voluntarily on the ground, perching instead only on vertical surfaces. Many swifts have long swept-back wings that resemble a crescent or a boomerang. There are 98 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Greenland.

*Chimney Swift "Chaetura pelagica" (A)

Kingfishers

Order: CoraciiformesFamily: Alcedinidae

Kingfishers are medium-sized birds with large heads, long pointed bills, short legs, and stubby tails. There are 93 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Greenland.

*Belted Kingfisher "Ceryle alcyon" (A)

Woodpeckers and allies

Order: PiciformesFamily: Picidae

Woodpeckers are small to medium sized birds with chisel like beaks, short legs, stiff tails and long tongues used for capturing insects. Some species have feet with two toes pointing forward, and two backward, while several species have only three toes. Many woodpeckers have the habit of tapping noisily on tree trunks with their beaks. There are 218 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Greenland.

*Yellow-bellied Sapsucker "Sphyrapicus varius" (A)

Tyrant flycatchers

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Tyrannidae

Tyrant flycatchers are passerine birds which occur throughout North and South America. They superficially resemble the Old World flycatchers, but are more robust with stronger bills. They do not have the sophisticated vocal capabilities of the songbirds. Most, but not all, have plain colouring. As the name implies, most are insectivorous. There are 429 species worldwide, all found only in the Americas and 3 species which occur in Greenland.

*Olive-sided Flycatcher "Contopus cooperi" (A)
*Yellow-bellied Flycatcher "Empidonax flaviventris" (A)
*Eastern Kingbird "Tyrannus tyrannus" (A)

Larks

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Alaudidae

Larks are small terrestrial birds with often extravagant songs and display flights. Most larks are fairly dull in appearance. Their food is insects and seeds. There are 91 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Greenland.

*Horned Lark "Eremophila alpestris" (A)

wallows and Martins

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Hirundinidae

The Hirundinidae family is a group of passerines characterized by their adaptation to aerial feeding. Their adaptations include a slender streamlined body, long pointed wings and short bills with wide gape. The feet are designed for perching rather than walking, and the front toes are partially joined at the base. There are 75 species worldwide and 4 species which occur in Greenland.

*Tree Swallow "Tachycineta bicolor" (A)
*Cliff Swallow "Petrochelidon pyrrhonota" (A)
*Barn Swallow "Hirundo rustica" (A)
*Common House-Martin "Delichon urbica" (A)

Wagtails and Pipits

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Motacillidae

The Motacillidae are a family of small passerine birds with medium to long tails. They include the wagtails, longclaws and pipits. They are slender, ground feeding insectivores of open country. There are 54 species worldwide and 3 species which occur in Greenland.

*White Wagtail "Motacilla alba"
*Meadow Pipit "Anthus pratensis"
*American Pipit "Anthus rubescens"

Kinglets

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Regulidae

The kinglets or crests are a small group of birds often included in the Old World warblers, but frequently given family status because they also resemble the titmice. There are 7 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Greenland.

*Ruby-crowned Kinglet "Regulus calendula" (A)

Waxwings

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Bombycillidae

The waxwings are a group of passerine birds characterized by soft silky plumage and unique red tips to some of the wing feathers. In the Bohemian and Cedar Waxwings, these tips look like sealing wax, and give the group its name. These are arboreal birds of northern forests. They live on insects in summer and berries in winter. There are 3 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Greenland.

*Bohemian Waxwing "Bombycilla garrulus" (A)

Wrens

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Troglodytidae

The wrens are mainly small and inconspicuous except for their loud songs. These birds have short wings and a thin down-turned bill. Several species often hold their tails upright. All are insectivorous. There are 80 species worldwide (of which all but one are New World species) and 1 species which occurs in Greenland.

*Marsh Wren "Cistothorus palustris" (A)

Thrushes and allies

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Turdidae

The thrushes are a group of passerine birds that occur mainly in the Old World. They are plump, soft plumaged, small to medium-sized insectivores or sometimes omnivores, often feeding on the ground. Many have attractive songs. There are 335 species worldwide and 8 species which occur in Greenland.

*Scaly Thrush "Zoothera dauma" (A)
*Gray-cheeked Thrush "Catharus minimus" (A)
*Hermit Thrush "Catharus guttatus" (A)
*Eurasian Blackbird "Turdus merula" (A)
*Fieldfare "Turdus pilaris"
*Redwing "Turdus iliacus"
*Song Thrush "Turdus philomelos" (A)
*American Robin "Turdus migratorius" (A)

Old World warblers

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Sylviidae

The family Sylviidae is a group of small insectivorous passerine birds. The Sylviidae mainly occur as breeding species, as the common name implies, in Europe, Asia and, to a lesser extent Africa. Most are of generally undistinguished appearance, but many have distinctive songs. There are 291 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in Greenland.

*Willow Warbler "Phylloscopus trochilus" (A)
*Blackcap "Sylvia atricapilla" (A)

Old World flycatchers

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Muscicapidae

Old World flycatchers are a large group of small passerine birds native to the Old World. They are mainly small arboreal insectivores. The appearance of these birds is very varied, but they mostly have weak songs and harsh calls. There 274 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Greenland.

*Northern Wheatear "Oenanthe oenanthe"

Crows, Jays, Ravens and Magpies

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Corvidae

The Corvidae family includes crows, ravens, jays, choughs, magpies, treepies, nutcrackers, and ground jays. Corvids are above average in size for the bird order Passeriformes. Some of the larger species show high levels of learning behavior. There are 120 species worldwide and 4 species which occur in Greenland.

*Eurasian Jackdaw "Corvus monedula" (A)
*Rook "Corvus frugilegus" (A)
*Common Raven "Corvus corax"
*Hooded Crow "Corvus cornix" (A)

tarlings

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Sturnidae

Starlings are small to medium-sized passerine birds. Their flight is strong and direct, and they are very gregarious. Their preferred habitat is fairly open country. They eat insects and fruit. Plumage is typically dark with a metallic sheen. There are 125 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Greenland.

*European Starling "Sturnus vulgaris" (A)

Vireos

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Vireonidae

The vireos are a group of small to medium sized passerine birds restricted to the New World. They are typically greenish in colour and resemble wood warblers apart from their heavier bills. There are 52 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in Greenland.

*Blue-headed Vireo "Vireo solitarius" (A)
*Red-eyed Vireo "Vireo olivaceus" (A)

New World warblers

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Parulidae

The New World warblers are a group of small, often colourful, passerine birds restricted to the New World. Most are arboreal, but some are terrestrial. Most members of this family are insectivores. There are 119 species worldwide and 24 species which occur in Greenland.

*Golden-winged Warbler "Vermivora chrysoptera" (A)
*Tennessee Warbler "Vermivora peregrina" (A)
*Orange-crowned Warbler "Vermivora celata" (A)
*Nashville Warbler "Vermivora ruficapilla" (A)
*Northern Parula "Parula americana" (A)
*Yellow Warbler "Dendroica petechia" (A)
*Chestnut-sided Warbler "Dendroica pensylvanica" (A)
*Magnolia Warbler "Dendroica magnolia" (A)
*Black-throated Blue Warbler "Dendroica caerulescens" (A)
*Yellow-rumped Warbler "Dendroica coronata" (A)
*Black-throated Green Warbler "Dendroica virens" (A)
*Blackburnian Warbler "Dendroica fusca" (A)
*Pine Warbler "Dendroica pinus" (A)
*Bay-breasted Warbler "Dendroica castanea" (A)
*Blackpoll Warbler "Dendroica striata" (A)
*American Redstart "Setophaga ruticilla" (A)
*Ovenbird "Seiurus aurocapilla" (A)
*Northern Waterthrush "Seiurus noveboracensis" (A)
*Louisiana Waterthrush "Seiurus motacilla" (A)
*Mourning Warbler "Oporornis philadelphia" (A)
*Common Yellowthroat "Geothlypis trichas" (A)
*Wilson's Warbler "Wilsonia pusilla" (A)
*Canada Warbler "Wilsonia canadensis" (A)
*Yellow-breasted Chat "Icteria virens" (A)

Buntings, Sparrows, Seedeaters and allies

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Emberizidae

The emberizids are a large family of passerine birds. They are seed-eating birds with a distinctively shaped bill. In Europe, most species are named as buntings. In North America, most of the species in this family are known as Sparrows, but these birds are not closely related to the Old World sparrows which are in the family Passeridae. Many emberizid species have distinctive head patterns. There are species 275 worldwide and 6 species which occur in Greenland.

*Fox Sparrow "Passerella iliaca" (A)
*Lincoln's Sparrow "Melospiza lincolnii" (A)
*White-crowned Sparrow "Zonotrichia leucophrys" (A)
*Dark-eyed Junco "Junco hyemalis" (A)
*Lapland Longspur "Calcarius lapponicus"
*Snow Bunting "Plectrophenax nivalis"

altators, Cardinals and allies

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Cardinalidae

The cardinals are a family of passerine birds that are robust, seed-eating birds, with strong bills. They are typically associated with open woodland. The sexes usually have distinct plumages. There are 43 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Greenland.

*Rose-breasted Grosbeak "Pheucticus ludovicianus" (A)

Troupials and allies

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Icteridae

The icterids are a group of small to medium, often colourful, passerine birds restricted to the New World and include the grackles, New World blackbirds, and New World orioles. Most species have black as the predominant plumage colour, often enlivened by yellow, orange or red. There are 98 species worldwide and 4 species which occur in Greenland.

*Bobolink "Dolichonyx oryzivorus" (A)
*Yellow-headed Blackbird "Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus" (A)
*Rusty Blackbird "Euphagus carolinus" (A)
*Baltimore Oriole "Icterus galbula" (A)

iskins, Crossbills and allies

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Fringillidae

Finches are seed-eating passerine birds, that are small to moderately large and have a strong beak, usually conical and in some species very large. All have 12 tail feathers and 9 primaries. These birds have a bouncing flight with alternating bouts of flapping and gliding on closed wings, and most sing well. There are 137 species worldwide and 6 species which occur in Greenland.

*Chaffinch "Fringilla coelebs" (A)
*Pine Grosbeak "Pinicola enucleator" (A)
*Red Crossbill "Loxia curvirostra" (A)
*White-winged Crossbill "Loxia leucoptera" (A)
*Common Redpoll "Carduelis flammea"
*Hoary Redpoll "Carduelis hornemanni"

ee also

*List of birds
*Lists of birds by region

References

*cite web
last = Lepage
first = Denis
authorlink =
coauthors =
year =
url = http://www.bsc-eoc.org/avibase/avibase.jsp?region=gl&pg=checklist&list=clements
title = Checklist of birds of Greenland
format =
work = Bird Checklists of the World
publisher = Avibase
accessdate = 26 April
accessyear = 2007
*cite book
title=Birds of the World: a Checklist
first= James F.
last = Clements
publisher = Cornell University Press
date = 2000
id = ISBN 0934797161
pages = 880