From Iceland — Family Rescues A Kittiwake In Westman Islands

Family Rescues A Kittiwake In Westman Islands

Published September 7, 2021

Reetta Huhta
Photo by
Kognos / Wikimedia Commons

According to Vísir, a family in the Westman Islands has taken a kittiwake under their wings. It seems like the bird has become a new member of the family.

The bird was rescued by the son of the family, Andri. His mother, Þóra Gísladóttir, says that Andri has always been keen on rescuing these birds from the cliffs.

Previously they have taken all of the rescued birds to Sea Life in Westman Islands, but this year the staff declined to take them. “We came back home from Sea Life with three kittiwakes, but this is the only one that survived”, Þóra tells.

They say that the bird wanders around the island and comes home when it feels like it. Þóra reveals that the bird’s favorite food is capelin, but it isn’t able to fetch food for itself yet. She also underlines the fact that the kittiwake isn’t held hostage at their house, it just decides to come back home after each day’s adventures.

Note: Due to the effect the Coronavirus is having on tourism in Iceland, it’s become increasingly difficult for the Grapevine to survive. If you enjoy our content and want to help the Grapevine’s journalists do things like eat and pay rent, please consider joining our High Five Club.

You can also check out our shop, loaded with books, apparel and other cool merch, that you can buy and have delivered right to your door.

Also you can get regular news from Iceland—including the latest notifications on eruptions, as soon as they happen—by signing up to our newsletter.

Support The Reykjavík Grapevine!
Buy subscriptions, t-shirts and more from our shop right here!

Show Me More!