Iceland is one of the major breeding grounds of waterfowls in Europe, and Lake Mývatn is renowned for its abundance of waterfowl. There are no fewer than 16 species of ducks known to nest in Iceland, including two American species; Barrow's goldeneye and the harlequin duck. The geese are represented by two nesting species and three passage migrants. Iceland is one of few places where the whooper swan is still a common breeding bird. It is most numerous on lakes lying on the borders of the central highlands.

On the towering bird cliffs along the coast of Iceland, the most important sea birds are the common guillemot, Brunnich's guillemot, the razorbill, the puffin, the kittiwake, the fulmar, and the gannet.