West Falkland is a beautiful island in the South Atlantic Ocean, famous for its vast wilderness, extraordinary natural habitats, and diverse wildlife.
Among the creatures that attract tourists to the Falkland Islands are the fascinating and brilliant birds that find their homes on the island.
West Falkland is home to various bird species, including penguins, albatrosses, caracaras, and geese, which are well-known for their beauty, uniqueness, and exceptional survival skills.
The island’s unique climate, topography, and isolation create a perfect setting for these birds to thrive and flourish. This article will explore the different bird species found on West Falkland and their magnificent features.
24 Native Birds Of West Falkland
West Falkland is a beautiful island in the South Atlantic Ocean, famous for its vast wilderness, extraordinary natural habitats, and diverse wildlife. Among the creatures that attract tourists to the island are the fascinating and brilliant birds that find their homes on the island.
West Falkland is home to various bird species, including penguins, albatrosses, caracaras, and geese, which are well-known for their beauty, uniqueness, and exceptional survival skills.
Here’s a list of 24 native bird species that can be found on West Falkland:
1. Mallard
The Mallard is a species of dabbling duck that can be found living in temperate and subtropical regions across the Americas, Eurasia, and North Africa.
Humans have introduced it to other areas, such as New Zealand, Australia, Peru, Brazil, and South Africa.
This beautiful bird belongs to the Anatinae subfamily of waterfowl family Anatidae. The adult mallards have glossy green heads with white neck rings surrounding them.
Its brownish-grey body feathers make it look stunning when it flies away or sits in its natural habitat around lakes or ponds.
They are excellent swimmers, too, due to webbed feet, which help them swim fast underwater while looking for food like aquatic insects, etc. Their loud quacking sound makes them quite popular among nature lovers.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Anseriformes |
| Family | Anatidae |
| Genus | Anas |
| Species | A. platyrhynchos |
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2. Turkey Vulture
The turkey vulture is a large bird of prey in many parts of the world. It has a wingspan of up to 6 feet, and its feathers are mostly black with brownish-red patches on the underside, which give it an overall dark red appearance.
Its head is bald, which helps protect it from getting overheated when flying long distances looking for food.
The Turkey Vulture usually feeds off carrion but will also feed on fruit and insects.
Its keen eyesight allows them to spot potential meals from miles away while they soar through the sky using their broad wings and thermal air currents to stay aloft without expending much energy.
They are very important scavengers as they keep ecosystems healthy by consuming dead animals before disease can spread amongst living creatures or contaminate local water sources like rivers or lakes.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Accipitriformes |
| Family | Cathartidae |
| Genus | Cathartes |
| Species | C. aura |
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3. Eurasian Teal
The Eurasian teal, also known as the common teal or the Eurasian green-winged teal, is a small dabbling duck that inhabits temperate Europe and Asia.
It has an unmistakable blue-green color, which gives it its name.
During winter, they migrate south in large flocks to areas with warmer climates where more food is available for them to feed on.
The Eurasian Teals are highly social birds; they often congregate in groups of hundreds or even thousands during migration periods.
They mostly feed on aquatic vegetation such as grasses and weeds but occasionally hunt insects.
These ducks make beautiful sights when flying over lakes or streams, their wings producing a distinctive whistling sound while they glide across the sky.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Anseriformes |
| Family | Anatidae |
| Genus | Anas |
| Species | A. crecca |
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4. Southern Giant Petrel
The Southern giant petrel is a large seabird native to the southern oceans, and it overlaps broadly with its similar counterpart, the Northern giant petrel.
Adults of both species can be distinguished by their bill-tip color: greenish in the south and yellowish in the north.
The Southern giant petrel also goes by other names such as Antarctic giant petrel, Giant fulmar, Stinker, or Stinkpot.
These birds are around 75 cm (30 inches) long on average and have striking white plumage combined with brown wings that give them an impressive appearance while they soar through skies above open waters searching for food like fish, krill, and squid – which they can catch up to 100 meters below sea level.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Procellariiformes |
| Family | Procellariidae |
| Genus | Macronectes |
| Species | M. giganteus |
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5. Magellanic Penguin
The Magellanic penguin is a beloved South American bird that breeds in coastal Patagonia, including Argentina, Chile, and the Falkland Islands. It migrates to Brazil and Uruguay, occasionally as far north as Espirito Santo.
Vagrants have even been spotted in El Salvador, Antarctica’s Avian Island, and Australia/New Zealand.
This penguin species is perhaps most recognizable for its striking black-and-white plumage – it has an entirely white underbelly with two distinctive stripes across its back, black above and white below.
Additionally, they possess large pinkish feet, which act like paddles when swimming underwater; these birds can swim up to 20 mph.
The Magellanic Penguin typically lives around 15 years, but some may live longer due to their strong social bonds within colonies.
All in all this majestic creature makes quite the statement both on land or sea – making them a unique addition our planet’s wildlife population.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Sphenisciformes |
| Family | Spheniscidae |
| Genus | Spheniscus |
| Species | S. magellanicus |
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6. Upland Goose
The Upland Goose, also known as the Magellan Goose, is a species of sheldgoose belonging to the Anatidae family.
With its similar habits and appearance to true geese, this bird has two recognized subspecies – Chloephaga picta leucoptera and C. p. picta which inhabit regions in South America such as Patagonia and Tierra del Fuego respectively.
They are highly sociable birds that live in small flocks or pairs on open grassland with access to water sources for bathing and twilight feedings when they hunt for food items like insects, worms, or mollusks.
Their feathers range from brownish-grey colors along their wings, while white underparts give them an overall spotted effect, making these birds very attractive.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Anseriformes |
| Family | Anatidae |
| Genus | Chloephaga |
| Species | C. picta |
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7. Oystercatchers
Oystercatchers are a family of waders forming the Haematopodidae, with one genus: Haematopus.
They live in coastal regions worldwide, excluding polar and some tropical areas of Africa & South East Asia.
Eurasian, South Island & Magellanic oystercatcher species also breed far inland – breeding grounds being found much deeper than other family members.
They have long beaks used to feed on mollusks such as mussels, clams, and oysters, which they crack open using their strong bills.
Oystercatchers are usually quite vocal birds, making loud calls when disturbed or alarmed.
The males display more brightly colored plumage than females, who share similar brown/black hues for camouflage purposes during nesting season.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Charadriiformes |
| Suborder | Charadrii |
| Family | Haematopodidae Bonaparte, 1838 |
| Genus | Haematopus Linnaeus, 1758 |
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8. Black-Crowned Night Heron
The Black-crowned night heron (Nycticorax nycticorax) is a medium-sized bird found in various parts of the world, including Europe, Asia, and North and South America.
It has black crowns on its head with white feathers underneath. Its wings are greyish brown, while its underparts are mostly white.
This species can be seen foraging near shallow water or along coastlines during dusk or dawn as it hunts small fish, amphibians, and crustaceans.
They also feed on insects such as grasshoppers and beetles, which they find in meadows close to freshwater bodies like lakes or ponds, where they breed during springtime, making nests using twigs lined with reeds and leaves near these waterside habitats.
In Australasia, this species hybridizes with the nankeen night heron that inhabits those areas instead; however, both populations remain distinct despite their overlapping range regions.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Pelecaniformes |
| Family | Ardeidae |
| Genus | Nycticorax |
| Species | N. nycticorax |
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9. Albatrosses
Albatrosses are majestic, large seabirds belonging to the Diomedeidae family in the Procellariiformes order.
These birds have impressive wingspan and can fly far over oceans with minimal effort.
They inhabit the world’s southern oceans, ranging from Antarctica to New Zealand and Australia, and parts of the northern Pacific Ocean region.
Albatross populations were once abundant throughout much of their range but now face threats such as longline fishing gear entanglement, which has caused a significant decline in numbers in some areas.
Furthermore, occasional vagrants have been found outside their native ranges, including fossil remains suggesting that albatrosses previously existed in other regions, too.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Procellariiformes |
| Family | Diomedeidae G.R. Gray 1840[1] |
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10. Great Shearwater
The Great Shearwater is a large seabird from the Procellariidae family. It breeds in colonies on rocky islands located in the South Atlantic, and during non-breeding season, it can be found across most of the Atlantic Ocean.
It was first described by Irish naturalist Bernard O’Reilly in 1818 under its scientific name ‘Procellaria gravis.’
This bird has pale grey upper wings with a white underside that may sometimes show brownish markings around its neck area.
Its diet consists mainly of fish but also small squid, crustaceans, and mollusks, which they catch by surface plunging or pursuit diving while flying low over water surfaces.
The great shearwater is threatened to some extent due to human activities like fishing using gill nets, destruction of habitat for development projects as well as plastic debris ingested through feeding which affects their health adversely leading to mortality rates at an alarming rate making them vulnerable species.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Procellariiformes |
| Family | Procellariidae |
| Genus | Ardenna |
| Species | A. gravis |
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11. Penguins
Penguins are an amazing species of aquatic birds that live mainly in the Southern Hemisphere. They have a unique plumage, black and white counter-shaded to aid them while swimming in the water.
Penguins feed mostly on krill, small crustaceans found near Antarctica. These remarkable creatures can’t fly, but they compensate by being excellent swimmers due to their flippers-like wings, which help them move faster underwater.
All this makes penguins one of nature’s most fascinating animals – not just for kids.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Clade | Austrodyptornithes |
| Order | Sphenisciformes Sharpe, 1891 |
| Family | Spheniscidae Bonaparte, 1831 |
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12. Black-Browed Albatross
The Black-browed Albatross is a majestic seabird that belongs to the albatross family known as Diomedeidae.
It is an impressive bird, with its black beak and brow contrasting against the white plumage on its wings and body.
The most widespread member of this group, it can often be seen flying around oceans in different parts of the world.
These birds share many features with other members of their order Procellariiformes, such as shearwaters, fulmars, storm petrels, and diving petrels; they all have long wingspans for gliding effortlessly above water surfaces.
They feed mainly by scavenging or hunting small fish near the sea surface while flying low over the waters.
Its population has unfortunately declined due to commercial fishing vessels, which attract them closer to shore, resulting in entanglement into fishing nets and leading them towards mortality.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Procellariiformes |
| Family | Diomedeidae |
| Genus | Thalassarche |
| Species | T. melanophris |
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13. King Penguin
King penguins are majestic birds that live in the temperate and sub-Antarctic regions of the South Atlantic and Indian Oceans.
They stand up to 3 feet tall, making them smaller than their relative, the Emperor Penguin.
King Penguins have distinctive two-toned orange and black plumage with white markings on their faces around their eyes, which gives them an elegant look.
Unlike other penguin species, they don’t migrate as much but stay close to breeding grounds year-round, living off fish and squid near shorelines or ice floes.
Their diet also consists of krill shrimp, small crustaceans such as copepods or amphipods eaten whole, and occasional planktonic organisms like jellyfish for variety.
King Penguins form large colonies where males participate in incubation duties while females feed at sea for weeks during mating season.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Sphenisciformes |
| Family | Spheniscidae |
| Genus | Aptenodytes |
| Species | A. patagonicus |
14. Gentoo Penguin
Gentoo penguins are an iconic species of birds found in the Falkland Islands. They have distinctive black and white plumage, bright orange beaks, and feet.
The Gentoo is one of three closely related species—the Adélie Penguin (P. adeliae) and chinstrap penguin (P. antarcticus)—and they can all be seen co-existing in their natural habitat near open water or on ice shelves around.
Antarctica, including the South Shetlands, Orkneys, South Georgia islands, Kerguelen Islands, and Macquarie Island, to name just a few places.
This sociable bird is known for its loud call, which sounds “gentle” and makes other vocalizations, such as honks during courtship displays.
Gentoos prefer to live in large colonies but often nest alone or form small groups when needed.
With climate change increasingly negatively affecting Antarctic habitats these days, it’s more important than ever that we protect this fascinating animal so future generations may enjoy them too.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Sphenisciformes |
| Family | Spheniscidae |
| Genus | Pygoscelis |
| Species | P. papua |
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15. Grey-Headed Albatross
The Grey-headed Albatross is a magnificent seabird from the albatross family. Its name comes from its ash-gray head, throat, and upper neck, making it easily distinguishable from other mollymawks.
This species has an impressive circumpolar distribution and can nest on isolated islands in the Southern Ocean, where they feed at higher latitudes further south than any of their relatives.
They are truly amazing birds that have adapted to survive some of Earth’s most hostile environments.
Through strong wingspan and agile movement, these albatrosses soar easily over vast oceans while searching for food to sustain them during long migrations.
It is no wonder why this species stands out as one of nature’s greatest marvels.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Procellariiformes |
| Family | Diomedeidae |
| Genus | Thalassarche |
| Species | T. chrysostoma |
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16. Cobb’s Wren
Cobb’s wren is a small bird endemic to the Falkland Islands. It was previously classified as a subspecies of house wren, but its distinct features – including differences in plumage, voice, and morphology – have since earned it recognition as an individual species.
This bird measures only 12-13.5 cm long, making it one of the smallest members of the Troglodytes genus family.
Its scientific name commemorates Arthur Cobb, who wrote about his experiences on these islands during his lifetime, while its common name has also been adopted from him in tribute to this legacy.
With brownish-grey feathers covering their bodies and white bellies contrasting against them nicely, Cobb’s Wrens are often spotted flitting between trees or singing out across meadows with cheerful little songs.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Troglodytidae |
| Genus | Troglodytes |
| Species | T. cobbi |
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17. Columbidae
Columbidae is a bird family that includes both doves and pigeons. These birds are characterized by their stout bodies, short necks, and small, slender bills with fleshy ceres in some species.
They feed mainly on seeds, fruits, and plants found worldwide but have the greatest variety in the Indomalayan and Australasian regions.
Columbidae have an unmistakable soft cooing sound, making them one of the most beloved avian families worldwide – especially among city dwellers.
Whether it be feeding time or hearing their soothing call throughout nature walks, these birds will remain a favorite for many more years.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Clade | Columbimorphae |
| Order | Columbiformes Latham, 1790 |
| Family | Columbidae Leach, 1820 |
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18. Long-Tailed Meadowlark
The Long-tailed meadowlark is a beautiful passerine bird in southern South America and the Falkland Islands. The bird is approximately 25 to 28 cm long with a long, pointed bill and a long tail.
The male species is predominantly dark brown with blackish streaking, while the female has a duller brown color. The Long-tailed meadowlark belongs to the meadowlark genus Leistes and falls under the icterid family.
Interestingly, this species is very similar in appearance to the endangered Pampas meadowlark.
These birds can be found in grasslands, agricultural fields, and open habitats with low shrubs. They are primarily insectivorous, feeding on insects and other small invertebrates.
The Long-tailed meadowlark has a beautiful song that sounds like a melodious whistle, audible from a distance.
Although not classified as endangered, habitat loss due to human activities threatens their populations.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Icteridae |
| Genus | Leistes |
| Species | L. loyca |
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19. Kelp Goose
The kelp goose is a species of waterfowl found in Argentina, Chile, and the Falkland Islands. It belongs to the Tadornini tribe of subfamily Anserinae. This bird has two subspecies: C. h. hybrida and C. h. malvinarum.
The kelp goose is a medium-sized bird, measuring 55 to 65 cm in length. Male kelp geese of its nominate subspecies weigh 2.54 to 2.58 kg, while females weigh 2.00 to 2.17 kg.
These birds are known for their beautiful feathers, and their striking appearance makes them popular among bird enthusiasts.
Due to their aquatic nature, kelp geese are often spotted near the water, feeding on aquatic plants and insects.
They are an important part of the ecosystem and play a significant role in maintaining an ecological balance.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Anseriformes |
| Family | Anatidae |
| Genus | Chloephaga |
| Species | C. hybrida |
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20. Rockhopper Penguin
The Rockhopper penguin is a small-sized bird found in the southern parts of the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. They have distinctive bright yellow eyebrows and a feather crest on their head.
They mainly feed on krill, crustaceans, and small fish. These penguins are known for their unique behavior of hopping from rock to rock and swimming rapidly through the water.
They can jump vertically up to 1.5 meters high to reach their nesting sites.
Rockhopper penguins are monogamous and often return to the same breeding grounds year after year. Unfortunately, their population is declining due to overfishing, climate change, and habitat loss.
Conservation efforts are underway to protect these charismatic birds and their important role in the ecosystem.
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21. Striated Caracara
Known as the Johnny Rook in the Falkland Islands, the striated caracara is a bird of prey belonging to the falcon and caracara families. It is found in Argentina, Chile, and the Falkland Islands.
This bird is listed as Near Threatened and referred to as Forster’s caracara. It was first described in 1788 by the German scientist Johann Friedrich Gmelin.
As an apex predator, the striated caracara plays a crucial role in the ecosystem, controlling the population of small animals.
However, the population of striated caracaras is threatened due to habitat destruction and hunting.
Despite its name, the bird has a mottled appearance with black and white feathers. The striated caracara is a fascinating bird species essential to the ecosystem.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Falconiformes |
| Family | Falconidae |
| Genus | Phalcoboenus |
| Species | P. australis |
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22. Falkland Steamer Duck
The Falkland steamer duck is a flightless bird found exclusively on the Falkland Islands in the South Atlantic Ocean. Unlike other ducks, its swimming behavior has an unusual touch, resembling the motion of an old paddle steamer.
The Falkland steamer duck is one of the two bird species only found on the Falklands. Although it is not a threatened species, it is protected by the Falkland Islands government due to its limited distribution.
The bird is often seen in pairs or small groups and feeds on fish, crustaceans, and other aquatic organisms in shallow coastal waters.
Its plumage is primarily dark brown with flecks of white and black, while the head and neck are a dull grey.
The Falkland steamer duck plays an essential role in the ecosystem of the Falkland Islands and is considered a significant part of the archipelago’s unique biodiversity.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Anseriformes |
| Family | Anatidae |
| Genus | Tachyeres |
| Species | T. brachypterus |
23. Ruddy-Headed Goose
The ruddy-headed goose is a type of waterfowl found in Argentina, Chile, and the Falkland Islands. It is a monotypic species, meaning it has no sub-species.
This bird can grow 45-52.5 cm (18-21 in) long, and males are typically heavier than females. Speaking of weight, males can weigh up to 2.02 kg (4.5 lb), and females can weigh between 1.20 and 1.50 kg (2.6 to 3.3 lb).
Interestingly, adults of this species have the same plumage, meaning males and females look similar. They are called “ruddy-headed” because their heads are often reddish.
While little is known about their behavior, the ruddy-headed goose is a unique and interesting bird.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Anseriformes |
| Family | Anatidae |
| Genus | Chloephaga |
| Species | C. rubidiceps |
24. Macaroni Penguin
The Macaroni penguin is a crested penguin found in regions ranging from the Subarctic to the Antarctic Peninsula. Its striking appearance includes a black face and upperparts contrasting with the bird’s white underbelly.
The Macaroni penguin is easily recognized by its unique yellow crest. Due to their close relationship, some experts consider this bird and the royal penguin the same species.
The Macaroni penguin is a fascinating species that is a master of swimming and diving in the frigid waters of the South Atlantic.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Sphenisciformes |
| Family | Spheniscidae |
| Genus | Eudyptes |
| Species | E. chrysolophus |
Conclusion
West Falkland is home to a rich avian diversity comprising a variety of endemic, resident, and migratory bird species.
From the iconic Striated Caracara to the elegant Black-browed Albatross and the elusive Falkland Grass Wren, these birds contribute to the unique ecosystem of the Falkland Islands.
Preserving the habitats and protecting these native birds is crucial for maintaining the ecological balance and ensuring the continued survival of these species in their natural environment.