Red List of Birds 2025

Classification of birds on the Icelandic Red List of Birds 2025 follows the risk categories defined by the IUCN in 2024, the guidelines for using the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria (Version 16), and the guidelines for application of IUCN Red List criteria at regional and national levels (Version 4.0).

A total of 91 species were assessed, and 43 species are on the NSII’s Icelandic Red List 2025, compared to 41 species on the Icelandic Red List 2018:

• Species Globally Extinct (EX): 1
• Species Regionally Extinct (ER): 3
• Species Critically Endangered (CR): 4 (3 on the Red List 2018)
• Species Endangered (EN): 10 (11 on the Red List 2018)
• Species Vulnerable (VU): 25 (23 on the Red List 2018)

Finally, 19 species are considered near threatened, compared to eight in 2018.

Species within each category are listed in alphabetical order. Their scientific names are as prescribed by the IUCN, based on the species list of BirdLife International.

The Red List assessment for Icelandic bird species is generally focused on the breeding population (B), but in several cases focuses on migratory visitors and wintering populations (V). Species that have been downlisted as per the IUCN regional guidelines are identified with an asterisk: (*) by one category, (**) by two categories. Further details are provided in the discussion of each species.

NB. This is an English version of the Red List. In the case of discrepancy, the original Icelandic version is the authoritative text.

Species Globally Extinct  (EX)

Species Regionally Extinct (RE)

Species Critically Endangered (CR)

Species Endangered (EN)

Species Vulnerable (VU)

Species Near Threatened (NT)

Species evalutated Least Concern (LC)