List of birds of Europe

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In this article, Europe refers to the geographical continent, not the somewhat larger Western Palearctic, which includes parts of the Middle East and north Africa.

There are 930 species of bird in the area, and in general the avifauna is similar to Asia north of the Himalayas, which is also in the Palearctic realm. There are also many groups shared with North America. 65 species are globally threatened, 4 species are extinct, and 18 species are introduced by man.

Conversely, many of the Southern Hemisphere groups, including the ancient flightless Struthioniformes (ostrich order), and their relatives the tinamous are not represented at all.

The order follows the IOC World Bird List version 11.2.

The following tags have been used to highlight several categories. The commonly occurring native species do not fall into any of these categories.

• (A) Accidental - a species that rarely or accidentally occurs in Europe
• (E) Endemic - a species endemic to Europe
• (Ext) Extinct - a species that no longer exists
• (Ex) Extirpated - a species that is extinct in the wild in Europe
• (I) Introduced - a species introduced to Europe as a consequence, direct or indirect, of human actions

Guineafowl[]

Order: Galliformes   Family: Numididae

Guineafowl are a group of African, seed-eating, ground-nesting birds that resemble partridges, but with featherless heads and spangled grey plumage.

• Helmeted guineafowl, Numida meleagris (I)

Pheasants and allies[]

Order: Galliformes   Family: Phasianidae

Pheasants and allies are terrestrial species, feeding and nesting on the ground. They are variable in size but generally plump, with broad and relatively short wings.

Ducks, geese, and swans[]

Order: Anseriformes   Family: Anatidae

The swans, ducks and geese are medium to large birds that are adapted to an aquatic existence with webbed feet and bills which are flattened to a greater or lesser extent. In many ducks the male is colourful while the female is dull brown. The diet consists of a variety of animals and plants. The family is well represented in Europe with many introduced species as well.

Nightjars[]

Order: Caprimulgiformes   Family: Caprimulgidae

Nightjars are medium-sized nocturnal birds that usually nest on the ground. They have long wings, short legs and very short bills. Their soft plumage is cryptically coloured to resemble bark or leaves.

• Common nighthawk, Chordeiles minor (A)
• Red-necked nightjar, Caprimulgus ruficollis
• European nightjar, Caprimulgus europaeus
• Egyptian nightjar, Caprimulgus aegyptius (A)

Swifts[]

Order: Apodiformes   Family: Apodidae

Swifts are small birds which spend the majority of their lives flying. These birds have very short legs and never settle voluntarily on the ground, perching instead only on vertical surfaces.

• White-throated needletail, Hirundapus caudacutus (A)
• Chimney swift, Chaetura pelagica (A)
• Alpine swift, Tachymarptis melba
• Common swift, Apus apus
• Plain swift, Apus unicolor
• Pallid swift, Apus pallidus
• Pacific swift, Apus pacifica (A)
• Little swift, Apus affinis
• White-rumped swift, Apus caffer

Bustards[]

Order: Otidiformes   Family: Otididae

Bustards are large terrestrial birds mainly associated with dry open country and steppes in the Old World. They are omnivorous and nest on the ground. They walk steadily on strong legs and big toes, pecking for food as they go. They have long broad wings with "fingered" wingtips and striking patterns in flight. Many have interesting mating displays.

• Great bustard, Otis tarda
• Houbara bustard, Chlamydotis undulata (A)
• Macqueen's bustard, Chlamydotis macqueenii (A)
• Little bustard, Tetrax tetrax

Cuckoos[]

Order: Cuculiformes   Family: Cuculidae

The family Cuculidae includes cuckoos, roadrunners and anis. These birds are of variable size with slender bodies, long tails and strong legs. The Old World cuckoos are brood parasites.

• Great spotted cuckoo, Clamator glandarius
• Yellow-billed cuckoo, Coccyzus americanus (A)
• Black-billed cuckoo, Coccyzus erythropthalmus (A)
• Rufous hawk-cuckoo, Hierococcyx hyperythrus (A)
• Himalayan cuckoo, Cuculus saturatus (A)
• Oriental cuckoo, Cuculus optatus (A)
• Common cuckoo, Cuculus canorus

Sandgrouse[]

Order: Pterocliformes   Family: Pteroclidae

Sandgrouse have small, pigeon like heads and necks, but sturdy compact bodies. They have long pointed wings and sometimes tails and a fast direct flight. Flocks fly to watering holes at dawn and dusk. Their legs are feathered down to the toes.

• Pallas's sandgrouse, Syrrhaptes paradoxus (A)
• Pin-tailed sandgrouse, Pterocles alchata
• Black-bellied sandgrouse, Pterocles orientalis

Pigeons and doves[]

Order: Columbiformes   Family: Columbidae

Pigeons and doves are stout-bodied birds with short necks and short slender bills with a fleshy cere.

• Rock dove, Columba livia
• Stock dove, Columba oenas
• Common wood pigeon, Columba palumbus
• Trocaz pigeon, Columba trocaz
• Bolle's pigeon, Columba bollii
• Laurel pigeon, Columba junoniae
• European turtle dove, Streptopelia turtur
• Oriental turtle dove, Streptopelia orientalis (A)
• Eurasian collared dove, Streptopelia decaocto
• African collared dove, Streptopelia roseogrisea (I)
• Laughing dove, Streptopelia senegalensis
• Passenger pigeon, Ectopistes migratorius (Ext)
• Mourning dove, Zenaida macroura (A)
• Zenaida dove, Zenaida aurita (A)

Rails, crakes, and coots[]

Order: Gruiformes   Family: Rallidae

Rallidae is a family of small to medium-sized birds which includes the rails, crakes, coots and gallinules. Typically they inhabit dense vegetation in damp environments near lakes, swamps or rivers. In general they are shy and secretive birds, making them difficult to observe. Most species have strong legs and long toes which are well adapted to soft uneven surfaces. They tend to have short, rounded wings and to be weak fliers.

Cranes[]

Order: Gruiformes   Family: Gruidae

Cranes are large, long-legged and long-necked birds. Unlike the similar-looking but unrelated herons, cranes fly with necks outstretched, not pulled back. Most have elaborate and noisy courting displays or "dances".

• Siberian crane, Leucogeranus leucogeranus
• Sandhill crane, Antigone canadensis (A)
• Demoiselle crane, Grus virgo
• Common crane, Grus grus
• Hooded crane, Grus monacha (A)

Grebes[]

Order: Podicipediformes   Family: Podicipedidae

Grebes are small to medium-large diving birds with lobed toes and pointed bills. They are seen mainly on lowland waterbodies and coasts. They feed on aquatic animals and nest on a floating platform of vegetation.

• Little grebe, Tachybaptus ruficollis
• Pied-billed grebe, Podilymbus podiceps (A)
• Red-necked grebe, Podiceps grisegena
• Great crested grebe, Podiceps cristatus
• Horned grebe, Podiceps auritus
• Black-necked grebe, Podiceps nigricollis

Flamingos[]

Order: Phoenicopteriformes   Family: Phoenicopteridae

Flamingos are gregarious wading birds, usually 3 to 5 feet (0.9 to 1.5 m) tall, found in both the Western and Eastern Hemispheres. Flamingos filter-feed on shellfish and algae. Their oddly shaped beaks are specially adapted to separate mud and silt from the food they consume and, uniquely, are used upside-down.

• Greater flamingo, Phoenicopterus roseus
• American flamingo, Phoenicopterus ruber (A)
• Lesser flamingo, Phoenicopterus minor (A)

Buttonquail[]

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Turnicidae

The buttonquail are small, drab, running birds which resemble the true quails. The female is the brighter of the sexes and initiates courtship. The male incubates the eggs and tends the young.

• Common buttonquail, Turnix sylvaticus

Stone-curlews and thick-knees[]

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Burhinidae

The thick-knees are a group of largely tropical waders in the family Burhinidae. They are found worldwide within the tropical zone, with some species also breeding in temperate Europe and Australia. They are medium to large waders with strong black or yellow-black bills, large yellow eyes and cryptic plumage. Despite being classed as waders, most species have a preference for arid or semi-arid habitats.

• Eurasian stone-curlew, Burhinus oedicnemus

Oystercatchers[]

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Haematopodidae

The oystercatchers are large and noisy plover-like birds, with strong bills used for smashing or prising open molluscs.

• American oystercatcher, Haematopus palliatus (A)
• Canary Islands oystercatcher, Haematopus meadewaldoi (Ext)
• Eurasian oystercatcher, Haematopus ostralegus

Stilts and avocets[]

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Recurvirostridae

A family of fairly large wading birds. The avocets have long legs and long up-curved bills. The stilts have extremely long legs and long, thin, straight bills.

• Black-winged stilt, Himantopus himantopus
• Pied avocet, Recurvirostra avosetta
• American avocet, Recurvirostra americana (A)

Plovers[]

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Charadriidae

Small to medium-sized wading birds with compact bodies, short, thick necks and long, usually pointed, wings. They are found in open country worldwide, mostly in habitats near water.

Painted-snipes[]

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Rostratulidae

Painted-snipes are short-legged, long-billed birds similar in shape to the true snipes, but more brightly coloured.

• Greater painted-snipe, Rostratula benghalensis

Sandpipers and snipes[]

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Scolopacidae

Scolopacidae is a large diverse family of small to medium-sized shorebirds including the sandpipers, curlews, godwits, shanks, tattlers, woodcocks, snipes, dowitchers and phalaropes. The majority of these species eat small invertebrates picked out of the mud or soil. Variation in length of legs and bills enables multiple species to feed in the same habitat, particularly on the coast, without direct competition for food.

Coursers and pratincoles[]

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Glareolidae

Glareolidae is a family of wading birds comprising the pratincoles, which have short legs, long pointed wings and long forked tails, and the coursers, which have long legs, short wings and long, pointed bills which curve downwards.

• Cream-colored courser, Cursorius cursor (A)
• Collared pratincole, Glareola pratincola
• Oriental pratincole, Glareola maldivarum (A)
• Black-winged pratincole, Glareola nordmanni (A)

Gulls, terns and skimmers[]

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Laridae

Laridae is a family of medium to large seabirds, the gulls, terns, and skimmers. They are typically grey or white, often with black markings on the head or wings. They have stout, longish bills and webbed feet. Terns are a group of generally medium to large seabirds typically with grey or white plumage, often with black markings on the head. Most terns hunt fish by diving but some pick insects off the surface of fresh water. Terns are generally long-lived birds, with several species known to live in excess of 30 years.

Skuas[]

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Stercorariidae

The family Stercorariidae are, in general, medium to large birds, typically with grey or brown plumage, often with white markings on the wings. They nest on the ground in temperate and arctic regions and are long-distance migrants.

• South polar skua, Stercorarius maccormicki (A)
• Great skua, Stercorarius skua
• Pomarine jaeger, Stercorarius pomarinus
• Parasitic jaeger, Stercorarius parasiticus
• Long-tailed jaeger, Stercorarius longicaudus

Auks[]

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Alcidae

Auks are superficially similar to penguins due to their black-and-white colours, their upright posture and some of their habits, however they are not related to the penguins and differ in being able to fly. Auks live on the open sea, only deliberately coming ashore to nest.

• Little auk, Alle alle
• Thick-billed murre, Uria lomvia
• Common murre, Uria aalge
• Razorbill, Alca torda
• Great auk, Pinguinus impennis (Ext)
• Black guillemot, Cepphus grylle
• Pigeon guillemot, Cepphus columba
• Long-billed murrelet, Brachyramphus perdix (A)
• Ancient murrelet, Synthliboramphus antiquus (A)
• Parakeet auklet, Aethia psittacula (A)
• Crested auklet, Aethia cristatella (A)
• Atlantic puffin, Fratercula arctica
• Horned puffin, Fratercula corniculata (A)
• Tufted puffin, Fratercula cirrhata (A)

Tropicbirds[]

Order: Phaethontiformes   Family: Phaethontidae

Tropicbirds are a family of tropical pelagic seabirds. They are the sole living representatives of the order Phaethontiformes.

• Red-billed tropicbird, Phaethon aethereus (A)
• White-tailed tropicbird, Phaethon lepturus (A)

Loons[]

Order: Gaviiformes   Family: Gaviidae

Loons, known as divers in Europe, are a group of aquatic birds found in many parts of North America and northern Europe. They are the size of a large duck or small goose, which they somewhat resemble when swimming, but to which they are completely unrelated.

• Red-throated loon, Gavia stellata
• Black-throated loon, Gavia arctica
• Pacific loon, Gavia pacifica (A)
• Common loon, Gavia immer
• Yellow-billed loon, Gavia adamsii

Austral storm petrels[]

Order: Procellariiformes   Family: Oceanitidae

Austral storm petrels, or southern storm petrels, are seabirds in the family Oceanitidae, part of the order Procellariiformes. These smallest of seabirds feed on planktonic crustaceans and small fish picked from the surface, typically while hovering. Their flight is fluttering and sometimes bat-like.

• Wilson's storm petrel, Oceanites oceanicus
• White-faced storm petrel, Pelagodroma marina
• Black-bellied storm petrel, Fregetta tropica (A)

Albatrosses[]

Order: Procellariiformes   Family: Diomedeidae

The albatrosses are among the largest flying birds, with long, narrow wings for gliding. The majority are found in the Southern Hemisphere with only vagrants occurring in the North Atlantic.

• Wandering albatross, Diomedea exulans (A)
• Tristan albatross, Diomedea dabbenena (A)
• Black-browed albatross, Thalassarche melanophris (A)
• Atlantic yellow-nosed albatross, Thalassarche chlororhynchos (A)

Northern storm petrels[]

Order: Procellariiformes   Family: Hydrobatidae

The northern storm-petrels are the smallest seabirds, feeding on plankton and small fish picked from the surface, typically while hovering. They nest in colonies on the ground, most often in burrows.

• European storm petrel, Hydrobates pelagicus
• Band-rumped storm petrel, Hydrobates castro
• Monteiro's storm petrel, Hydrobates monteiroi
• Swinhoe's storm petrel, Hydrobates monorhis (A)
• Leach's storm petrel, Hydrobates leucorhea

Petrels and shearwaters[]

Order: Procellariiformes   Family: Procellariidae

These are highly pelagic birds with long, narrow wings and tube-shaped nostrils. They feed at sea on fish, squid and other marine life. They come to land to breed in colonies, nesting in burrows or on cliffs.

Storks[]

Order: Ciconiiformes   Family: Ciconiidae

Storks are large, long-legged, long-necked, wading birds with long, stout bills. Storks are mute, but bill-clattering is an important mode of communication at the nest. Their nests can be large and may be reused for many years. Many species are migratory.

• Yellow-billed stork, Mycteria ibis
• Black stork, Ciconia nigra
• White stork, Ciconia ciconia
• Marabou stork, Leptoptilos crumenifer

Frigatebirds[]

Order: Suliformes   Family: Fregatidae

Frigatebirds are found across all tropical and subtropical oceans. All have predominantly black plumage, long, deeply forked tails and long hooked bills. Females have white underbellies and males have a distinctive red gular pouch, which they inflate during the breeding season to attract females. Their wings are long and pointed and can span up to 2.3 metres (7.5 ft), the largest wing area to body weight ratio of any bird.

• Ascension frigatebird, Fregata aquila (A)
• Magnificent frigatebird, Fregata magnificens (A)

Gannets and boobies[]

Order: Suliformes   Family: Sulidae

The sulids comprise the gannets and boobies. Both groups are medium-large coastal seabirds that plunge-dive for fish.

• Northern gannet, Morus bassanus
• Cape gannet, Morus capensis (A)
• Masked booby, Sula dactylatra (A)
• Red-footed booby, Sula sula (A)
• Brown booby, Sula leucogaster (A)

Anhingas and darters[]

Order: Suliformes   Family: Anhingidae

Anhingas or darters are often called "snake-birds" because of their long thin neck, which gives a snake-like appearance when they swim with their bodies submerged. The males have black and dark-brown plumage, an erectile crest on the nape and a larger bill than the female. The females have much paler plumage especially on the neck and underparts. The darters have completely webbed feet and their legs are short and set far back on the body. Their plumage is somewhat permeable, like that of cormorants, and they spread their wings to dry after diving.

• African darter, Anhinga rufa

Cormorants and shags[]

Order: Suliformes   Family: Phalacrocoracidae

Cormorants are medium to large coastal, fish-eating seabirds. Plumage colouration varies, with the majority having mainly dark plumage, some species being black-and-white and a few being colourful.

• Pygmy cormorant, Microcarbo pygmeus
• White-breasted cormorant, Phalacrocorax lucidus
• Great cormorant, Phalacrocorax carbo
• Spectacled cormorant, Urile perspicillatus (Ext)
• European shag, Gulosus aristotelis
• Double-crested cormorant, Nannopterum auritum

Ibises and spoonbills[]

Order: Pelecaniformes   Family: Threskiornithidae

A family of long-legged, long-necked wading birds. Ibises have long, curved bills. Spoonbills have a flattened bill, wider at the tip.

• African sacred ibis, Threskiornis aethiopicus (I)
• Northern bald ibis, Geronticus eremita (A)
• Glossy ibis, Plegadis falcinellus
• Eurasian spoonbill, Platalea leucorodia
• African spoonbill, Platalea alba (A)

Herons and bitterns[]

Order: Pelecaniformes   Family: Ardeidae

The family Ardeidae contains the bitterns, herons and egrets. Herons and egrets are medium to large wading birds with long necks and legs. Bitterns tend to be shorter necked and more wary. Members of Ardeidae fly with their necks retracted, unlike other long-necked birds such as storks, ibises and spoonbills.

Pelicans[]

Order: Pelecaniformes   Family: Pelecanidae

Pelicans are large water birds with a distinctive pouch under their beak.

• Great white pelican, Pelecanus onocrotalus
• Dalmatian pelican, Pelecanus crispus

Ospreys[]

Order: Accipitriformes   Family: Pandionidae

Ospreys are large migratory fish-eating bird of prey. It is mainly brown above and white below with long, angled wings.

• Western osprey, Pandion haliaetus

Kites, hawks, and eagles[]

Order: Accipitriformes   Family: Accipitridae

A family of birds of prey which includes hawks, buzzards, eagles, kites and harriers. These birds have very large powerful hooked beaks for tearing flesh from their prey, strong legs, powerful talons and keen eyesight.

Barn owls[]

Order: Strigiformes   Family: Tytonidae

Barn owls are medium-sized to large owls with large heads and characteristic heart-shaped faces. They have long strong legs with powerful talons.

• Western barn owl, Tyto alba
• American barn owl, Tyto furcata

Typical owls[]

Order: Strigiformes   Family: Strigidae

Owls are a group of birds that belong to the order Strigiformes, constituting 200 extant bird of prey species. Most are solitary and nocturnal, with some exceptions (e.g., the northern hawk-owl). Owls hunt mostly small mammals, insects, and other birds, although a few species specialize in hunting fish.

Hoopoes[]

Order: Bucerotiformes   Family: Upupidae

Distinctive birds with a long curved bill, a crest and black-and-white striped wings and tail.

• Eurasian hoopoe, Upupa epops
• African hoopoe, Upupa africana

Rollers[]

Order: Coraciiformes   Family: Coraciidae

A small family of colourful, medium-sized birds with a crow-like shape that feed mainly on insects.

• Abyssinian roller, Coracias abyssinicus (A)
• European roller, Coracias garrulus

Kingfishers[]

Order: Coraciiformes   Family: Alcedinidae

Kingfishers are medium-sized birds with large heads, long, pointed bills, short legs and stubby tails.

• White-throated kingfisher, Halcyon smyrnensis (A)
• Common kingfisher, Alcedo atthis
• Belted kingfisher, Megaceryle alcyon (A)
• Pied kingfisher, Ceryle rudis (A)

Bee-eaters[]

Order: Coraciiformes   Family: Meropidae

A group of near-passerine birds characterised by richly coloured plumage, slender bodies and usually elongated central tail feathers.

• Asian green bee-eater, Merops orientalis (A)
• Blue-cheeked bee-eater, Merops persicus (A)
• European bee-eater, Merops apiaster

Woodpeckers[]

Order: Piciformes   Family: Picidae

Woodpeckers are small to medium-sized birds with chisel-like beaks, short legs, stiff tails and long tongues used for capturing insects. Some species have feet with two toes pointing forward and two backward, while several species have only three toes. Many woodpeckers have the habit of tapping noisily on tree trunks with their beaks.

• Eurasian wryneck, Jynx torquilla
• Yellow-bellied sapsucker, Sphyrapicus varius (A)
• Eurasian three-toed woodpecker, Picoides tridactylus
• Middle spotted woodpecker, Dendrocoptes medius
• Lesser spotted woodpecker, Dryobates minor
• Syrian woodpecker, Dendrocopos syriacus
• Great spotted woodpecker, Dendrocopos major
• White-backed woodpecker, Dendrocopos leucotos
• Northern flicker, Colaptes auratus (A)
• Black woodpecker, Dryocopus martius
• European green woodpecker, Picus viridis
• Iberian green woodpecker, Picus sharpei
• Grey-headed woodpecker, Picus canus

Falcons[]

Order: Falconiformes   Family: Falconidae

Falconidae is a family of diurnal birds of prey. They differ from hawks, eagles and kites in that they kill with their beaks instead of their talons.

• Lesser kestrel, Falco naumanni
• Common kestrel, Falco tinnunculus
• American kestrel, Falco sparverius (A)
• Red-footed falcon, Falco vespertinus
• Amur falcon, Falco amurensis (A)
• Eleonora's falcon, Falco eleonorae
• Sooty falcon, Falco concolo (A)
• Merlin, Falco columbarius
• Eurasian hobby, Falco subbuteo
• Lanner falcon, Falco biarmicus
• Saker falcon, Falco cherrug
• Gyrfalcon, Falco rusticolus
• Peregrine falcon, Falco peregrinus

African and New World parrots[]

Order: Psittaciformes   Family: Psittacidae

In Europe, a species has established itself after being introduced by humans.

• Monk parakeet, Myiopsitta monachus (I)

Old World parrots[]

Order: Psittaciformes   Family: Psittaculidae

In Europe, a species has established itself after being introduced by humans.

• Rose-ringed parakeet, Psittacula krameri (I)

Tyrant flycatchers[]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Tyrannidae

A family from the Americas with very rare vagrants recorded in Iceland, Ireland and Great Britain.

• Eastern phoebe, Sayornis phoebe (A)
• Olive-sided flycatcher, Contopus cooperi (A)
• Eastern wood pewee, Contopus virens (A)
• Yellow-bellied flycatcher, Empidonax flaviventris (A)
• Acadian flycatcher, Empidonax virescens (A)
• Willow flycatcher, Empidonax traillii (A)
• Alder flycatcher, Empidonax alnorum (A)
• Least flycatcher, Empidonax minimus (A)
• Western kingbird, Tyrannus verticalis (A)
• Fork-tailed flycatcher, Tyrannus savana (A)
• Eastern kingbird, Tyrannus tyrannus (A)

Shrikes[]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Laniidae

Shrikes are passerine birds known for their habit of catching other birds and small animals and impaling the uneaten portions of their bodies on thorns. A typical shrike's beak is hooked, like a bird of prey.

• Brown shrike, Lanius cristatus (A)
• Red-backed shrike, Lanius collurio
• Isabelline shrike, Lanius isabellinus (A)
• Red-tailed shrike, Lanius phoenicuroides (A)
• Long-tailed shrike, Lanius schach (A)
• Lesser grey shrike, Lanius minor
• Northern shrike, Lanius borealis (A)
• Great grey shrike, Lanius excubitor
• Iberian grey shrike, Lanius meridionalis
• Woodchat shrike, Lanius senator
• Masked shrike, Lanius nubicus

Vireos, greenlets, and shrike-babblers[]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Vireonidae

The vireos are a group of small to medium-sized passerine birds restricted to the New World and Southeast Asia.

• White-eyed vireo, Vireo griseus (A)
• Yellow-throated vireo, Vireo flavifrons (A)
• Blue-headed vireo, Vireo solitarius (A)
• Philadelphia vireo, Vireo philadelphicus (A)
• Red-eyed vireo, Vireo olivaceus (A)

Figbirds and orioles[]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Oriolidae

The figbirds and orioles are medium-sized passerines, mostly with bright and showy plumage, the females often have duller plumage than the males The beak is long, slightly curved and hooked. Orioles are arboreal and tend to feed in the canopy.

• Eurasian golden oriole, Oriolus oriolus

Crows and jays[]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Corvidae

The family Corvidae includes crows, ravens, jays, choughs, magpies, treepies, nutcrackers and ground jays. Corvids are above average in size among the Passeriformes, and some of the larger species show high levels of intelligence.

Waxwings[]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Bombycillidae

The waxwings are a group of birds with soft silky plumage and unique red tips to some of the wing feathers. In the Bohemian and cedar waxwings, these tips look like sealing wax and give the group its name. These are arboreal birds of northern forests. They live on insects in summer and berries in winter.

• Bohemian waxwing, Bombycilla garrulus
• Cedar waxwing, Bombycilla cedrorum (A)

Tits and chickadees[]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Paridae

The Paridae are mainly small stocky woodland species with short stout bills. Some have crests. They are adaptable birds, with a mixed diet including seeds and insects.

• Coal tit, Periparus ater
• European crested tit, Lophophanes cristatus
• Sombre tit, Poecile lugubris
• Grey-headed chickadee, Poecile cinctus
• Marsh tit, Poecile palustris
• Willow tit, Poecile montana
• African blue tit, Cyanistes teneriffae
• Eurasian blue tit, Cyanistes caeruleus
• Azure tit, Cyanistes cyanus
• Great tit, Parus major

Penduline tits[]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Remizidae

The penduline tits are a group of small passerine birds related to the true tits. They are insectivores.

• Eurasian penduline tit, Remiz pendulinus

Bearded reedling[]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Panuridae

A single species formerly placed in the Old World babbler family.

• Bearded reedling, Panurus biarmicus

Larks[]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Alaudidae

Larks are small terrestrial birds with often extravagant songs and display flights. Most larks are fairly dull in appearance. Their food is insects and seeds.

Bulbuls[]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Pycnonotidae

Bulbuls are medium-sized songbirds. Some are colourful with yellow, red or orange vents, cheeks, throats or supercilia, but most are drab, with uniform olive-brown to black plumage. Some species have distinct crests.

• White-eared bulbul, Pycnonotus leucotis
• Common bulbul, Pycnonotus barbatus

Swallows and martins[]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Hirundinidae

The family Hirundinidae is adapted to aerial feeding. They have a slender streamlined body, long pointed wings and a short bill with a wide gape. The feet are adapted to perching rather than walking, and the front toes are partially joined at the base.

• Brown-throated martin, Riparia paludicola (A)
• Sand martin, Riparia riparia
• Pale martin, Riparia diluta
• Tree swallow, Tachycineta bicolor (A)
• Purple martin, Progne subis (A)
• Barn swallow, Hirundo rustica
• Eurasian crag martin, Ptyonoprogne rupestris
• Pale crag martin, Ptyonoprogne obsoleta (A)
• Rock martin, Ptyonoprogne fuligula (A)
• Common house martin, Delichon urbica
• Red-rumped swallow, Cecropis daurica (A)
• American cliff swallow, Petrochelidon pyrrhonota

Cettia bush warblers and allies[]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Cettiidae

Cettiidae is a family of small insectivorous songbirds. It contains the typical bush warblers (Cettia) and their relatives. Its members occur mainly in Asia and Africa, ranging into Oceania and Europe.

• Cetti's warbler, Cettia cetti

Bushtits[]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Aegithalidae

Bushtits are a group of small passerine birds with medium to long tails. They make woven bag nests in trees. Most eat a mixed diet which includes insects.

• Long-tailed tit, Aegithalos caudatus

Leaf warblers and allies[]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Phylloscopidae

Leaf warblers are small, active, insectivorous passerine birds. They glean the foliage for insects along the branches of trees and bushes. They forage at various levels within forests, from the top canopy to the understorey. Most of the species are markedly territorial both in their summer and winter quarters. Most are greenish or brownish above and off-white or yellowish below.

Reed warblers, Grauer’s warbler, and allies[]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Acrocephalidae

The species in this family are usually rather large warblers. Most are rather plain olivaceous brown above with much yellow to beige below. They are usually found in open woodland, reedbeds, or tall grass. The family occurs mostly in southern to western Eurasia and surroundings, but also ranges far into the Pacific, with some species in Africa.

Grassbirds and allies[]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Locustellidae

Grassbirds are small insectivorous songbirds, with tails that are usually long and pointed. These birds occur mainly in Eurasia, Africa, and the Australian region. They are less wren-like than the typical shrub-warblers (Cettia) but like these drab brownish or buffy all over. Many have bold dark streaks on wings and/or underside. Most live in scrubland and frequently hunt food by clambering through thick tangled growth or pursuing it on the ground; they are perhaps the most terrestrial of the "warblers".

• Gray's grasshopper warbler, Helopsaltes fasciolatus (A)
• Pallas's grasshopper warbler, Helopsaltes certhiola (A)
• Lanceolated warbler, Locustella lanceolata (A)
• River warbler, Locustella fluviatilis
• Savi's warbler, Locustella luscinioides
• Common grasshopper warbler, Locustella naevia

Cisticolas and allies[]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Cisticolidae

Cisticolas are generally very small birds of drab brown or grey appearance found in open country such as grassland or scrub. They are often difficult to see and many species are similar in appearance, so the song is often the best identification guide. These are insectivorous birds which nest low in vegetation.

• Zitting cisticola, Cisticola juncidis
• Graceful prinia, Prinia gracilis

Sylviid babblers[]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Sylviidae

The sylviid warblers are a group of small insectivorous passerine birds. They mainly occur as breeding species, as the common name implies, in Europe, Asia and, to a lesser extent, Africa. Most are of generally undistinguished appearance, but many have distinctive songs.

Laughingthrushes, barwings, and sibias[]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Leiothrichidae

The laughingthrushes are a family of Old World passerine birds. They are diverse in size and coloration. These are birds of tropical areas, with the greatest variety in Southeast Asia and the Indian subcontinent.

• Red-billed leiothrix, Leiothrix lutea (I)

Goldcrests and kinglets[]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Regulidae

The kinglets, also called crests, are a small group of birds often included in the Old World warblers, but frequently given family status because they also resemble the titmice.

• Common firecrest, Regulus ignicapillus
• Goldcrest, Regulus regulus
• Madeira firecrest, Regulus madeirensis
• Ruby-crowned kinglet, Corthylio calendula (A)

Wrens[]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Troglodytidae

The wrens are mainly small and inconspicuous except for their loud songs. These birds have short wings and thin down-turned bills. Several species often hold their tails upright. All are insectivorous.

• Marsh wren, Cistothorus palustris
• Eurasian wren, Troglodytes troglodytes

Nuthatches[]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Sittidae

Nuthatches are small woodland birds. They have the unusual ability to climb down trees head first, unlike other birds which can only go upwards. Nuthatches have big heads, short tails and powerful bills and feet.

• Krüper's nuthatch, Sitta krueperi
• Red-breasted nuthatch, Sitta canadensis (A)
• Corsican nuthatch, Sitta whiteheadi (E)
• Western rock nuthatch, Sitta neumayer
• Eurasian nuthatch, Sitta europaea

Wallcreeper[]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Tichodromidae

The wallcreeper is a small bird related to the nuthatch family, which has stunning crimson, grey and black plumage.

• Wallcreeper, Tichodroma muraria

Treecreepers[]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Certhiidae

Treecreepers are small woodland birds, brown above and white below. They have thin pointed down-curved bills, which they use to extricate insects from bark. They have stiff tail feathers, like woodpeckers, which they use to support themselves on vertical trees.

• Eurasian treecreeper, Certhia familiaris
• Short-toed treecreeper, Certhia brachydactyla

Mockingbirds and thrashers[]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Mimidae

Medium-sized passerine birds with long tails. Some are notable for their ability to mimic sounds such as other birds' songs.

• Grey catbird, Dumetella carolinensis (A)
• Northern mockingbird, Mimus polyglottos (A)
• Brown thrasher, Toxostoma rufum (A)

Starlings and rhabdornis[]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Sturnidae

Starlings are small to medium-sized passerine birds. Their flight is strong and direct and they are very gregarious. Their preferred habitat is fairly open country. They eat insects and fruit. Plumage is typically dark with a metallic sheen.

• Crested myna, Acridotheres cristatellus (I)
• Daurian starling, Agropsar sturninus (A)
• Rosy starling, Pastor roseus
• Common starling, Sturnus vulgaris
• Spotless starling, Sturnus unicolor

Thrushes[]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Turdidae

The thrushes are a group of passerine birds that occur mainly in the Old World. They are plump, soft plumaged, small to medium-sized insectivores or sometimes omnivores, often feeding on the ground. Many have attractive songs.

Chats and Old World flycatchers[]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Muscicapidae

Old World flycatchers are a large group of small passerine birds native to the Old World. They are mainly small arboreal insectivores. The appearance of these birds is highly varied, but they mostly have weak songs and harsh calls.

Dippers[]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Cinclidae

Dippers are a group of perching birds whose habitat includes aquatic environments in the Americas, Europe and Asia. They are named for their bobbing or dipping movements.

• White-throated dipper, Cinclus cinclus

Old World sparrows and snowfinches[]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Passeridae

Sparrows are small passerine birds. In general, sparrows tend to be small, plump, brown or grey birds with short tails and short powerful beaks. Sparrows are seed-eaters and they also consume small insects.

• House sparrow, Passer domesticus
• Italian sparrow, Passer italiae
• Spanish sparrow, Passer hispaniolensis
• Dead Sea sparrow, Passer moabiticus (A)
• Eurasian tree sparrow, Passer montanus
• Rock sparrow, Petronia petronia
• White-winged snowfinch, Montifringilla nivalis

Weavers and widowbirds[]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Ploceidae

The weavers are small passerine birds related to the finches. They are seed-eating birds with rounded conical bills. The males of many species are brightly coloured, usually in red or yellow and black, some species show variation in colour only in the breeding season.

• Black-headed weaver, Ploceus melanocephalus (I)
• Yellow-crowned bishop, Euplectes afer (I)

Waxbills, munias and allies[]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Estrildidae

The estrildid finches are small passerine birds of the Old World tropics and Australasia. They are gregarious and often colonial seed eaters with short thick but pointed bills. They are all similar in structure and habits, but have wide variation in plumage colours and patterns.

• Scaly-breasted munia, Lonchura punctulata (I)
• Tricolored munia, Lonchura malacca
• Chestnut munia, Lonchura atricapilla (I)
• Common waxbill, Estrilda astrild (I)
• Red avadavat, Amandava amandava (I)

Accentors[]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Prunellidae

The accentors are in the only bird family, Prunellidae, which is completely endemic to the Palearctic. They are small, fairly drab species superficially similar to sparrows.

• Alpine accentor, Prunella collaris
• Siberian accentor, Prunella montanella (A)
• Radde's accentor, Prunella ocularis
• Black-throated accentor, Prunella atrogularis (A)
• Dunnock, Prunella modularis

Wagtails and pipits[]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Motacillidae

The Motacillidae are a family of small passerine birds with medium to long tails. They include the wagtails, longclaws and pipits. They are slender, ground feeding insectivores of open country.

Finches and euphonias[]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Fringillidae

Finches are seed-eating passerine birds, that are small to moderately large and have a strong beak, usually conical and in some species very large. All have twelve tail feathers and nine primaries. These birds have a bouncing flight with alternating bouts of flapping and gliding on closed wings, and most sing well.

Longspurs and snow buntings[]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Calcariidae

The Calcariidae are a family of birds that had been traditionally grouped with the New World sparrows, but differ in a number of respects and are usually found in open grassy areas.

• Lapland longspur, Calcarius lapponicus
• Snow bunting, Plectrophenax nivalis

Buntings[]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Emberizidae

The emberizids are a large family of passerine birds. They are seed-eating birds with distinctively shaped bills. Many emberizid species have distinctive head patterns.

New World sparrows and bush tanagers[]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Passerellidae

The New World sparrows (or American sparrows) are a large family of seed-eating passerine birds with distinctively finch-like bills.

• Lark sparrow, Chondestes grammacus (A)
• Red fox sparrow, Passerella iliaca (A)
• American tree sparrow, Spizelloides arborea (A)
• Dark-eyed junco, Junco hyemalis
• White-crowned sparrow, Zonotrichia leucophrys (A)
• White-throated sparrow, Zonotrichia albicollis (A)
• Savannah sparrow, Passerculus sandwichensis (A)
• Song sparrow, Melospiza melodia (A)
• Lincoln's sparrow, Melospiza lincolnii (A)
• Eastern towhee, Pipilo erythrophthalmus (A)

Yellow-breasted chat[]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Icteriidae

This species was historically placed in the wood-warblers (Parulidae) but nonetheless most authorities were unsure if it belonged there. It was placed in its own family in 2017.

• Yellow-breasted chat, Icteria virens (A)

Oropendolas, orioles, and blackbirds[]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Icteridae

Icterids make up a family of small- to medium-sized, often colorful, New-World passerine birds. Most species have black as a predominant plumage color, often enlivened by yellow, orange or red. The species in the family vary widely in size, shape, behavior and coloration.

• Yellow-headed blackbird, Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus (A)
• Bobolink, Dolichonyx oryzivorus (A)
• Baltimore oriole, Icterus galbula (A)
• Red-winged blackbird, Agelaius phoeniceus (A)
• Brown-headed cowbird, Molothrus ater (A)
• Rusty blackbird, Euphagus carolinus (A)
• Common grackle, Quiscalus quiscula (A)

New World warblers[]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Parulidae

A group of small, often colourful passerine birds restricted to the New World. Most are arboreal and insectivorous.

Cardinals and allies[]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Cardinalidae

Cardinals are passerine birds found in North and South America. They are also known as cardinal-grosbeaks and cardinal-buntings.

• Summer tanager, Piranga rubra (A)
• Scarlet tanager, Piranga olivacea (A)
• Rose-breasted grosbeak, Pheucticus ludovicianus (A)
• Dickcissel, Spiza americana (A)
• Blue grosbeak, Pheucticus caerulea (A)
• Indigo bunting, Passerina cyanea (A)

See also[]

• Lists of birds by region
• The EBCC Atlas of European Breeding Birds

References[]

• Checklist of birds of Europe. Avibase, LePage, Denis. 14 February 2020
• Mullarney, Killian; Svensson, Lars, Zetterstrom, Dan; Grant, Peter. (2001). Birds of Europe. Princeton University Press. pp. 74–5 ISBN 0-691-05054-6
• BirdLife International (2004) Birds in the European Union: a status assessment.
• Crochet P.-A., Joynt G. (2015) AERC list of Western Palearctic birds. July 2015 version.
• Rouco, M., Copete, J. L., De Juana, E., Gil-Velasco, M., Lorenzo, J. A., Martín, M., Milá, B., Molina, B. & Santos, D. M. (2019) Lista de las aves de España. Edición de 2019. SEO/BirdLife. Madrid.
• Rafael Matias, Paulo Catry, Helder Costa, Gonçalo Elias, João Jara, C.C. Moore & Ricardo Tomé (2007) Lista sistemática das aves de portugal continental. Anuário Ornitológico 5: 74-132 (2007)
• British Ornithologists’ Union (2017) The British List: A Checklist of Birds of Britain (9th edition). Ibis 160: 190-240.
• Irish Rare Birds Committee (2015) The Irish list as on 31 December 2015
• Overzicht van alle vogels waargenomen in Nederland, Dutch Avifauna.nl
• Belgian Rare Birds Committee (2014) Belgian official checklist
• Hellenic Rarities Committee (2016) List of the birds οf Greece
• Yann Kolbeinsson (2011) List of Icelandic Bird Species
• Birdlife Suomi Finland: Suomessa havaitut luonnonvaraiset ei-varpuslinnut (non-passerine birds of Finland)
• Birdlife Suomi Finland: Suomessa havaitut luonnonvaraiset varpuslinnut (passerine birds of Finland)
• Netfugl.dk: Bird list of Denmark