Birds of the Falkland Islands

While penguins are undoubtedly the star of the show during our workshop, you will also encounter a diversity of other birds, many of which make excellent photo subjects. If you can pull yourself away from the constant penguin action, that is. 

Consider the blackish cinclodes, or tussock-bird, a species highly vulnerable to ground predators like introduced cats and rats, which have drastically reduced its population across an already limited range. Fortunately, it finds sanctuary on islands like Sea Lion Island, where these predators are absent. You might spot them engaging in a unique behavior: picking at the noses of giant elephant seals lounging on the beach, a fascinating interaction that’s a delight to observe and photograph.

Illustrated Checklist

    • King penguin
    • Gentoo penguin
    • Magellanic penguin
    • Rockhopper penguin
    • Macaroni penguin
    • Black-browed Albatross
    • Southern Giant Petrel
    • Falkland Steamer Duck
    • Ruddy-headed Goose
    • Kelp Goose
    • Upland Goose
    • Chiloe Wigeon
    • Silver Teal
    • Crested Duck
    • Yellow-billed Pintail
King penguin, Volunteer Point
Gentoo penguin, Bleaker Island
Magellanic penguin, Saunders Island
Rockhopper penguins, Bleaker Island
Macaroni penguin, Cape Bougainville
Black-browed Albatross at The Neck, Saunders Island
Black-browed Albatross, Saunders Island
Falkland Flightless Steamer Duck, Volunteer Point
Ruddy-headed Goose
Male kelp goose, Bleaker Island
Kelp Goose, Bleaker Island
Chiloe Wigeon, Bleaker Island
Crested duck swimming in a body of water
Crested duck
Duck swimming on water with a blurred green background
Yellow-billed Pintail, Bleaker Island
    • Turkey Vulture
    • Striated Caracara
    • Crested Caracara
    • Red-backed Hawk
    • Rock Shag
    • Imperial Shag
    • Falkland Skua
    • Dolphin Gull
    • Kelp Gull
    • Brown-hooded Gull
    • South American Tern
    • Snowy Sheathbill
    • Magellanic Snipe
    • Two-banded Plover
    • Rufous-chested Dotterel
Striated Caracara (endemic to Falkland Islands), Saunders Island
Rock cormorant, Bleaker Island
Rock cormorant, Bleaker Island
Imperial cormorant, Bleaker Island
Imperial cormorant, Bleaker Island
Falkland Skua, Bleaker Island
Dolphin Gull, Bleaker Island
South American Tern, Volunteer Point
Snowy sheathbill, Volunteer Point
Bird peeking out from behind pink flowers with a blurred natural background
Megallanic Snipe, Sea Lion Island
Two-banded Plover, Volunteer Point
Rufous-chested Dotterel, Volunteer Point
    • Magellanic Oystercatcher
    • Blackish Oystercatcher
    • White-rumped Sandpiper
    • Baird’s Sandpiper
    • Cobb’s Wren
    • Blackish Cinclodes
    • Dark-faced Ground Tyrant
    • White-bridled Finch
    • Black-chinned Siskin
    • Long-tailed Meadowlark
Magellanic Oystercatcher, Sea Lion Island
Blackish Oystercatcher, Bleaker Island
Cobb's wren, Bleaker Island
Blackish Cinclodes a.k.a. Tussock bird, Bleaker Island
Blackish cinclodes, Bleaker Island
Dark-faced Ground-tyrant, Bleaker Island
Male white-bridled Finch, Bleaker Island
White-bridled Finch, Bleaker Island
Black-chinned Siskin, Bleaker Island
Black-chinned Siskin, Bleaker Island

Whether it is a rare sighting or a more common species in a spectacular scene or a fascinating behavior, every moment during this trip will be a new opportunity to capture incredible shots. I can't wait to see what you will create!