List of birds of Europe

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More than 900 species of birds have been observed in Europe. The avifauna of Europe is broadly similar to that of Asia north of the Himalayas and North Africa, both of which also belong to the Palearctic realm. There are also many groups shared with North America. On the other hand, many groups characteristic of the Afrotropical and Indomalayan realms are entirely absent from Europe, including jacanas, darters, trogons, hornbills, honeyguides, barbets (families Lybiidae in Africa and Megalaimidae in Asia), parrots, pittas, cuckooshrikes, broadbills (families Calyptomenidae and Eurylaimidae), drongos, monarch flycatchers, white-eyes, and estrildid finches (although parrots and estrildid finches have been introduced to Europe by humans).

Two species that occurred in the European region until recently (post 1800) — the great auk and the Canary Islands oystercatcher — are now globally extinct, while one additional species — the slender-billed curlew — may also be extinct. In addition, the common buttonquail has been extirpated from Europe, but survives in Africa and Asia. 71 bird species are considered threatened in Europe.^[1]

The following tags have been used to indicate the status of species in Europe. 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

The taxonomic order follows the IOC World Bird List version 13.1.^[2]

This article follows a common definition of Europe as being bounded to the south by the Mediterranean Sea, to the east and north-east by the Ural Mountains, the Ural River, and the Caspian Sea, and to the south-east by the Caucasus Mountains, the Black Sea, and the waterways connecting the Black Sea to the Mediterranean Sea. Iceland and Svalbard are included, but Greenland is not. Mediterranean islands are generally included, except for Cyprus and those islands belonging to Turkey or countries of North Africa or the Middle East. The Azores, Madeira and the Canary Islands belong politically to Europe, but definitions based on geography or avifauna assign these islands variously to Europe, Africa, or neither of the two. Here, birds that are endemic to these islands, or have been observed only on these islands but not elsewhere in Europe, are labelled accordingly. The same approach is applied to birds occurring only in the Caucasus, which is commonly seen as straddling the border between Europe and Asia. The birds of Cape Verde are not included in this list. Oceans are included up to the limit of 200 nautical miles from the European coastline, or half the distance to Africa, whichever is lesser.

For countries or territories lying wholly within Europe as defined above, species are included in this list if they are classified as Category A, B, or C (or the nearest equivalent) on the relevant national list. For countries that straddle Europe and Asia (in particular Russia and Turkey), the precise location of sightings within that country is determinative.

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.

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)

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.

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)
• Egyptian nightjar, Caprimulgus aegyptius (A)
• European nightjar, Caprimulgus europaeus
• Red-necked nightjar, Caprimulgus ruficollis

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.

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

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 (Canary Islands)
• Little bustard, Tetrax tetrax
• MacQueen's bustard, Chlamydotis macqueenii (A)

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.

• Black-billed cuckoo, Coccyzus erythropthalmus (A)
• Common cuckoo, Cuculus canorus
• Great spotted cuckoo, Clamator glandarius
• Oriental cuckoo, Cuculus optatus (A)
• Yellow-billed cuckoo, Coccyzus americanus (A)

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.

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

Order: Columbiformes   Family: Columbidae

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

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

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.

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".

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

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.

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

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
• Lesser flamingo, Phoenicopterus minor (A)

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 (Ex)

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

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Haematopodidae

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

• Canary Islands oystercatcher, Haematopus meadewaldoi (Ext-formerly endemic to the Canary Islands)
• Eurasian oystercatcher, Haematopus ostralegus

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

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.

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Pluvianidae

The Egyptian plover is found across equatorial Africa and along the Nile River.

• Egyptian plover, Pluvianus aegyptius (A-Canary Islands)

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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

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-Azores)

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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.

• Black stork, Ciconia nigra
• White stork, Ciconia ciconia
• Yellow-billed stork, Mycteria ibis (A)

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)

Order: Suliformes   Family: Sulidae

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

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

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.

• Double-crested cormorant, Nannopterum auritum (A)
• European shag, Gulosus aristotelis
• Great cormorant, Phalacrocorax carbo
• Pygmy cormorant, Microcarbo pygmaeus

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)
• Eurasian spoonbill, Platalea leucorodia
• Glossy ibis, Plegadis falcinellus
• Northern bald ibis, Geronticus eremita (reintroduced populations in Spain and Central Europe, otherwise A)

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.

Order: Pelecaniformes   Family: Pelecanidae

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

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

Order: Accipitriformes   Family: Pandionidae

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

• Osprey, Pandion haliaetus

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.

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

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.

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

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-Canary Islands)
• European roller, Coracias garrulus

Order: Coraciiformes   Family: Alcedinidae

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

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

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

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.

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

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.

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

Order: Psittaciformes   Family: Psittacidae

At least three species have established themselves in Europe after being introduced by humans.

• Mitred parakeet, Psittacara mitratus (I)
• Monk parakeet, Myiopsitta monachus (I)
• Red-masked parakeet, Psittacara erythrogenys (I)

Order: Psittaciformes   Family: Psittaculidae

At least two species have established themselves in Europe after being introduced by humans.

• Alexandrine parakeet, Psittacula eupatria (I)
• Rose-ringed parakeet, Psittacula krameri (I)

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Tyrannidae

A family from the Americas with very rare vagrants recorded in Western Europe.

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

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Malaconotidae

Bushshrikes occur almost exclusively in Africa. They are similar in build and habits to shrikes, hunting insects and other small prey from a perch on a bush.

• Black-crowned tchagra, Tchagra senegalus (A)

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

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Vireonidae

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

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

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

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.

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)

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.

• African blue tit, Cyanistes teneriffae (Canary Islands, elsewhere A)
• Azure tit, Cyanistes cyanus
• Coal tit, Periparus ater
• Crested tit, Lophophanes cristatus
• Eurasian blue tit, Cyanistes caeruleus
• Great tit, Parus major
• Grey-headed chickadee, Poecile cinctus
• Marsh tit, Poecile palustris
• Sombre tit, Poecile lugubris
• Willow tit, Poecile montanus

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Remizidae

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

• Black-headed penduline tit, Remiz macronyx
• Eurasian penduline tit, Remiz pendulinus

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Panuridae

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

• Bearded reedling, Panurus biarmicus

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.

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.

• Common bulbul, Pycnonotus barbatus
• Red-whiskered bulbul, Pycnonotus jocosus (I)
• White-eared bulbul, Pycnonotus leucotis (possibly I^[4])

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.

• American cliff swallow, Petrochelidon pyrrhonota (A)
• Barn swallow, Hirundo rustica
• Common house martin, Delichon urbicum
• Eurasian crag martin, Ptyonoprogne rupestris
• Purple martin, Progne subis (A)
• Red-rumped swallow, Cecropis daurica
• Sand martin, Riparia riparia
• Tree swallow, Tachycineta bicolor (A)

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

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

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.

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.

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".

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

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

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.

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Paradoxornithidae

Parrotbills and their allies are small, long-tailed birds that typically inhabit reedbeds and similar habitats. Most are native to East or Southeast Asia, although a single species, the wrentit, is native to North America. Introduced populations in Italy are thought to contain two parrotbill species, although there is some uncertainty about the taxonomic identity of these populations.^[5]

• Ashy-throated parrotbill, Suthora alphonsiana (I)
• Vinous-throated parrotbill, Suthora webbiana (I)

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)

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Regulidae

The kinglets and "crests" are a small family of birds which resemble some warblers. They are very small insectivorous birds in the single genus Regulus. The adults have coloured crowns, giving rise to their name.

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

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.

• Eurasian wren, Troglodytes troglodytes

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.

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

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

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

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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)

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.

• Black-rumped waxbill, Estrilda troglodytes (I)
• Common waxbill, Estrilda astrild (I)
• Orange-cheeked waxbill, Estrilda melpoda (I)
• Red avadavat, Amandava amandava (I)
• Scaly-breasted munia, Lonchura punctulata (I)

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Viduidae

The indigobirds and whydahs are finch-like species native to Africa whose plumage is usually dominated by black or indigo. All are obligate brood parasites, which lay their eggs in the nests of estrildid finches. One introduced species has established a population in Portugal.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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)

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.

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

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Parulidae

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

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Cardinalidae

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

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

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

• 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 of 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