This is a list of the bird species recorded in Greenland. The avifauna of Greenland include a total of 251 species as of May 2023 according to Bird Checklists of the World. Of them, 176 are rare or accidental. One species is extinct, another probably is, and one has been extirpated.
This list is presented in the taxonomic sequence of the Check-list of North and Middle American Birds, 7th edition through the 63rd Supplement, published by the American Ornithological Society (AOS). Common and scientific names are also those of the Check-list, except that the common names of families are from the Clements taxonomy because the AOS list does not include them.
The following tag has been used to highlight accidentals. Untagged species are common residents, migrants, or seasonal visitors.
(A) Accidental - a species that rarely or accidentally occurs in Greenland
Ducks, geese, and waterfowl
Order: AnseriformesFamily: Anatidae
Anatidae includes the ducks and most duck-like waterfowl, such as geese and swans. These birds are adapted to an aquatic existence with webbed feet, flattened bills, and feathers that are excellent at shedding water due to an oily coating.
Emperor goose, Anser canagica (A) Snow goose, Anser caerulescens Graylag goose, Anser anser (A) Greater white-fronted goose, Anser albifrons Pink-footed goose, Anser brachyrhynchus Brant, Branta bernicla Barnacle goose, Branta leucopsis Cackling goose, Branta hutchinsii Canada goose, Branta canadensis Tundra swan, Cygnus columbianus (A) Whooper swan, Cygnus cygnus (A) Ruddy shelduck, Tadorna ferruginea (A) Blue-winged teal, Spatula discors (A) Northern shoveler, Spatula clypeata (A) Gadwall, Mareca strepera (A) Eurasian wigeon, Mareca penelope (A) American wigeon, Mareca americana (A) Mallard, Anas platyrhynchos American black duck, Anas rubripes (A) Northern pintail, Anas acuta Green-winged teal, Anas crecca 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) Steller's eider, Polysticta stelleri (A) King eider, Somateria spectabilis Common eider, Somateria mollissima Harlequin duck, Histrionicus histrionicus Surf scoter, Melanitta perspicillata (A) Velvet scoter, Melanitta fusca (A) White-winged scoter, Melanitta deglandi (A) Common scoter, Melanitta nigra (A) Long-tailed duck, Clangula hyemalis Bufflehead, Bucephala albeola (A) Common goldeneye, Bucephala clangula (A) Barrow's goldeneye, Bucephala islandica Common merganser, Mergus merganser (A) Red-breasted merganser, Mergus serrator
Pheasants, grouse, and allies
Order: GalliformesFamily: Phasianidae
Grouse are game birds which are similar to quails and partridges.
Willow ptarmigan, Lagopus lagopus
Rock ptarmigan, Lagopus muta
Grebes
Order: PodicipediformesFamily: Podicipedidae
Grebes are small to medium-large 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.
Horned grebe, Podiceps auritus (A) Red-necked grebe, Podiceps grisegena (A) Eared grebe, Podiceps nigricollis (A)
Pigeons and doves
Order: ColumbiformesFamily: Columbidae
Pigeons and doves are stout-bodied birds with short necks and short slender bills with a fleshy cere.
Rock pigeon, Columba livia (Introduced) Mourning dove, Zenaida macroura (A)
Cuckoos
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. The Old World cuckoos are brood parasites.
Common cuckoo, Cuculus canorus (A) Yellow-billed cuckoo, Coccyzus americanus (A) Black-billed cuckoo, Coccyzus erythropthalmus (A)
Nightjars and allies
Order: CaprimulgiformesFamily: Caprimulgidae
Nightjars are medium-sized nocturnal birds that usually nest on the ground. They have long wings, short legs, and very short bills. Most have small feet, of little use for walking, and long pointed wings. Their soft plumage is camouflaged to resemble bark or leaves.
Common nighthawk, Chordeiles minor (A)
Swifts
Order: ApodiformesFamily: Apodidae
Swifts are small birds which spend 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 which resemble a crescent or boomerang.
Chimney swift, Chaetura pelagica (A) Common swift, Apus apus (A)