List of birds of Portugal

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is a list of the bird species recorded in Portugal. The avifauna of mainland Portugal, the Azores, and Madeira islands included a total of 628 species as of October 2022 according to Avibase. Of them, 16 have been introduced by humans. 3 are endemic to islands, one is extinct.

This list's taxonomic treatment (designation and sequence of orders, families and species) and nomenclature (English and scientific names) are those of The Clements Checklist of Birds of the World, 2022 edition.[1]

The following tags have been used to highlight some categories of occurrence. The notes such as "Azores only" and the notes of population status such as "endangered" are from Bird Checklists of the World.[2][3][4] The latter notes apply to the worldwide population, not just that in Portugal.

  • (A) Accidental - a species that rarely or accidentally occurs in mainland Portugal, the Azores, or Madeiras
  • (I) Introduced - a species introduced to mainland Portugal, the Azores, or Madeiras as a consequence, direct or indirect, of human actions


Ducks, geese, and waterfowl[edit]

Order: Anseriformes   Family: Anatidae

Anatidae includes the ducks and most duck-like waterfowl, such as geese and swans. These birds are adapted to an aquatic existence with webbed feet, flattened bills, and feathers that are excellent at shedding water due to an oily coating.

Common name Binomial Status
Fulvous whistling-duck Dendrocygna bicolor (A)
Snow goose Anser caerulescens (A) Azores only
Graylag goose Anser anser
Greater white-fronted goose Anser albifrons (A)
Taiga bean-goose Anser fabalis
Tundra bean-goose Anser serrirostris (A)
Pink-footed goose Anser brachyrhynchus (A)
Brant Branta bernicla (A)
Barnacle goose Branta leucopsis (A)
Cackling goose Branta hutchinsii (A)
Canada goose Branta canadensis
Mute swan Cygnus olor (A)
Tundra swan Cygnus columbianus (A)
Whooper swan Cygnus cygnus (A)
Egyptian goose Alopochen aegyptiaca (I)
Ruddy shelduck Tadorna ferruginea (A)
Common shelduck Tadorna tadorna
Muscovy duck Cairina moschata (I) Madeiras only
Wood duck Aix sponsa (A) Azores only
Garganey Spatula querquedula
Blue-winged teal Spatula discors (A)
Northern shoveler Spatula clypeata
Gadwall Mareca strepera
Eurasian wigeon Mareca penelope
American wigeon Mareca americana (A)
Mallard Anas platyrhynchos
American black duck Anas rubripes (A) Azores only
Northern pintail Anas acuta
Green-winged teal Anas crecca (S)
Marbled teal Marmaronetta angustirostris (A) vulnerable
Red-crested pochard Netta rufina
Redhead Aythya americana (A)
Common pochard Aythya ferina vulnerable
Ring-necked duck Aythya collaris (A)
Ferruginous duck Aythya nyroca near-threatened
Tufted duck Aythya fuligula
Greater scaup Aythya marila
Lesser scaup Aythya affinis (A)
King eider Somateria spectabilis (A) Azores only
Common eider Somateria mollissima (A) near-threatened
Surf scoter Melanitta perspicillata (A)
Velvet scoter Melanitta fusca
White-winged scoter Melanitta deglandi (A)
Common scoter Melanitta nigra
Long-tailed duck Clangula hyemalis (A) vulnerable
Bufflehead Bucephala albeola (A)
Common goldeneye Bucephala clangula (A)
Smew Mergellus albellus (A)
Hooded merganser Lophodytes cucullatus (A) Azores only
Common merganser Mergus merganser
Red-breasted merganser Mergus serrator
Ruddy duck Oxyura jamaicensis (A)
White-headed duck Oxyura leucocephala (A) endangered

Pheasants, grouse, and allies[edit]

Order: Galliformes   Family: Phasianidae

The Phasianidae are a family of terrestrial birds. In general, they are plump (although they vary in size) and have broad, relatively short wings.

Common name Binomial Status
Western capercaillie Tetrao urogallus Present in country according to source, but not listed as present in other sources.[5]
Gray partridge Perdix perdix Possibly extirpated[6]
Ring-necked pheasant Phasianus colchicus (I)
Common quail Coturnix coturnix
Red-legged partridge Alectoris rufa

Flamingos[edit]

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.

Common name Binomial Status
Greater flamingo Phoenicopterus roseus

Grebes[edit]

Order: Podicipediformes   Family: Podicipedidae

Grebes are small to medium-large freshwater diving birds. They have lobed toes and are excellent swimmers and divers. However, they have their feet placed far back on the body, making them quite ungainly on land.

Common name Binomial Status
Little grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis (S)
Pied-billed grebe Podilymbus podiceps (A)
Horned grebe Podiceps auritus (A) vulnerable
Great crested grebe Podiceps cristatus
Eared grebe Podiceps nigricollis

Pigeons and doves[edit]

Order: Columbiformes   Family: Columbidae

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

Common name Binomial Status
Rock pigeon Columba livia
Stock dove Columba oenas
Common wood-pigeon Columba palumbus
Trocaz pigeon Columba trocaz endemic to the island of Madeira
European turtle-dove Streptopelia turtur vulnerable
Eurasian collared-dove Streptopelia decaocto
Zenaida dove Zenaida aurita (A)
Mourning dove Zenaida macroura (A) Azores only

Sandgrouse[edit]

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.

Common name Binomial Status
Pin-tailed sandgrouse Pterocles alchata
Black-bellied sandgrouse Pterocles orientalis

Bustards[edit]

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.

Common name Binomial Status
Great bustard Otis tarda vulnerable
Little bustard Tetrax tetrax near-threatened

Cuckoos[edit]

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.

Common name Binomial Status
Great spotted cuckoo Clamator glandarius
Yellow-billed cuckoo Coccyzus americanus (A) Azores only
Black-billed cuckoo Coccyzus erythropthalmus (A) Azores only
Common cuckoo Cuculus canorus

Nightjars and allies[edit]

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. Most have small feet, of little use for walking, and long pointed wings. Their soft plumage is camouflaged to resemble bark or leaves.

Common name Binomial Status
Common nighthawk Chordeiles minor (A) Azores and Madeiras only
Red-necked nightjar Caprimulgus ruficollis
Eurasian nightjar Caprimulgus europaeus

Swifts[edit]

Order: Caprimulgiformes   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. Many swifts have long swept-back wings which resemble a crescent or boomerang.

Common name Binomial Status
Chimney swift Chaetura pelagica (A) vulnerable
Alpine swift Apus melba
Common swift Apus apus
Plain swift Apus unicolor Madeiras only
Pallid swift Apus pallidus
Little swift Apus affinis (A)
White-rumped swift Apus caffer

Rails, gallinules, and coots[edit]

Order: Gruiformes   Family: Rallidae

Rallidae is a large 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.

Common name Binomial Status
Water rail Rallus aquaticus Azores and Madeiras only
Corn crake Crex crex (A)
Sora Porzana carolina (A)
Spotted crake Porzana porzana
Lesser moorhen Gallinula angulata (A)
Eurasian moorhen Gallinula chloropus
Eurasian coot Fulica atra
Red-knobbed coot Fulica cristata (A)
American coot Fulica americana (A)
Allen's gallinule Porphyrio alleni (A)
Purple gallinule Porphyrio martinica (A)
Western swamphen Porphyrio porphyrio
Little crake Zapornia parva (A)
Baillon's crake Zapornia pusilla (A)

Cranes[edit]

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 name Binomial Status
Demoiselle crane Anthropoides virgo (A)
Sandhill crane Antigone canadensis (A) Azores only
Common crane Grus grus

Thick-knees[edit]

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.

Common name Binomial Status
Eurasian thick-knee Burhinus oedicnemus

Stilts and avocets[edit]

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Recurvirostridae

Recurvirostridae is a family of large wading birds, which includes the avocets and stilts. The avocets have long legs and long up-curved bills. The stilts have extremely long legs and long, thin, straight bills.

Common name Binomial Status
Black-winged stilt Himantopus himantopus
Pied avocet Recurvirostra avosetta

Oystercatchers[edit]

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Haematopodidae

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

Common name Binomial Status
Eurasian oystercatcher Haematopus ostralegus near-threatened
Canarian oystercatcher Haematopus meadewaldoi Madeiras only, extinct

Plovers and lapwings[edit]

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Charadriidae

The family Charadriidae includes the plovers, dotterels and lapwings. They are small to medium-sized birds with compact bodies, short, thick necks and long, usually pointed, wings. They are found in open country worldwide, mostly in habitats near water.

Common name Binomial Status
Black-bellied plover Pluvialis squatarola
European golden-plover Pluvialis apricaria
American golden-plover Pluvialis dominica (A)
Pacific golden-plover Pluvialis fulva (A) Azores and Madeiras only
Northern lapwing Vanellus vanellus near-threatened
Sociable lapwing Vanellus gregarius (A) critically endangered
Lesser sand-plover Charadrius mongolus (A)
Greater sand-plover Charadrius leschenaultii (A)
Caspian plover Charadrius asiaticus
Kentish plover Charadrius alexandrinus
Common ringed plover Charadrius hiaticula
Semipalmated plover Charadrius semipalmatus (A) Azores only
Little ringed plover Charadrius dubius
Killdeer Charadrius vociferus (A)
Eurasian dotterel Charadrius morinellus (A)

Sandpipers and allies[edit]

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.

Common name Binomial Status
Upland sandpiper Bartramia longicauda (A)
Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus
Slender-billed curlew Numenius tenuirostris (A) critically endangered
Eurasian curlew Numenius arquata near-threatened
Bar-tailed godwit Limosa lapponica near-threatened
Black-tailed godwit Limosa limosa near-threatened
Hudsonian godwit Limosa haemastica (A) Azores only
Ruddy turnstone Arenaria interpres
Red knot Calidris canutus near-threatened
Ruff Calidris pugnax
Broad-billed sandpiper Calidris falcinellus (A)
Sharp-tailed sandpiper Calidris acuminata (A)
Stilt sandpiper Calidris himantopus (A)
Curlew sandpiper Calidris ferruginea near-threatened
Temminck's stint Calidris temminckii
Red-necked stint Calidris ruficollis (A)
Sanderling Calidris alba
Dunlin Calidris alpina
Purple sandpiper Calidris maritima
Baird's sandpiper Calidris bairdii (A)
Little stint Calidris minuta
Least sandpiper Calidris minutilla (A) Azores only
White-rumped sandpiper Calidris fuscicollis (A)
Buff-breasted sandpiper Calidris subruficollis (A), near-threatened
Pectoral sandpiper Calidris melanotos (A)
Semipalmated sandpiper Calidris pusilla (A) near-threatened
Western sandpiper Calidris mauri (A) Azores and Madeiras only
Short-billed dowitcher Limnodromus griseus (A)
Long-billed dowitcher Limnodromus scolopaceus (A) Azores only
Jack snipe Lymnocryptes minimus
Eurasian woodcock Scolopax rusticola
Great snipe Gallinago media (A) near-threatened
Common snipe Gallinago gallinago
Wilson's snipe Gallinago delicata (A)
Terek sandpiper Xenus cinereus (A)
Wilson's phalarope Phalaropus tricolor (A)
Red-necked phalarope Phalaropus lobatus
Red phalarope Phalaropus fulicarius
Common sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos
Spotted sandpiper Actitis macularius (A)
Green sandpiper Tringa ochropus
Solitary sandpiper Tringa solitaria (A)
Gray-tailed tattler Tringa brevipes (A) Azores only, near-threatened
Spotted redshank Tringa erythropus
Greater yellowlegs Tringa melanoleuca (A)
Common greenshank Tringa nebularia
Willet Tringa semipalmata (A)
Lesser yellowlegs Tringa flavipes (A)
Marsh sandpiper Tringa stagnatilis
Wood sandpiper Tringa glareola
Common redshank Tringa totanus

Buttonquail[edit]

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 name Binomial Status
Small buttonquail Turnix sylvaticus (A)

Pratincoles and coursers[edit]

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.

Common name Binomial Status
Cream-colored courser Cursorius cursor (A)
Collared pratincole Glareola pratincola

Skuas and jaegers[edit]

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.

Common name Binomial Status
Great skua Stercorarius skua
South polar skua Stercorarius maccormicki (A)
Pomarine jaeger Stercorarius pomarinus
Parasitic jaeger Stercorarius parasiticus
Long-tailed jaeger Stercorarius longicaudus (A)

Auks, murres, and puffins[edit]

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.

Common name Binomial Status
Dovekie Alle alle
Common murre Uria aalge
Thick-billed murre Uria lomvia (A)
Razorbill Alca torda near-threatened
Atlantic puffin Fratercula arctica vulnerable

Gulls, terns, and skimmers[edit]

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Laridae

Laridae is a family of medium to large seabirds, the gulls, terns, and skimmers. Gulls 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.

Common name Binomial Status
Black-legged kittiwake Rissa tridactyla vulnerable
Ivory gull Pagophila eburnea (A) near-threatened
Sabine's gull Xema sabini
Slender-billed gull Chroicocephalus genei
Bonaparte's gull Chroicocephalus philadelphia
Black-headed gull Chroicocephalus ridibundus
Little gull Hydrocoloeus minutus
Ross's gull Rhodostethia rosea (A)
Laughing gull Leucophaeus atricilla (A)
Franklin's gull Leucophaeus pipixcan (A)
Mediterranean gull Ichthyaetus melanocephalus
Pallas's gull Ichthyaetus ichthyaetus
Audouin's gull Ichthyaetus audouinii
Common gull Larus canus
Short-billed gull Larus brachyrhynchus (A)
Ring-billed gull Larus delawarensis
Herring gull Larus argentatus
Yellow-legged gull Larus michahellis
Caspian gull Larus cachinnans
Iceland gull Larus glaucoides (A)
Lesser black-backed gull Larus fuscus
Glaucous gull Larus hyperboreus (A)
Great black-backed gull Larus marinus (A)
Kelp gull Larus dominicanus (A)
Brown noddy Anous stolidus (A) Azores only
Sooty tern Onychoprion fuscatus (A)
Bridled tern Onychoprion anaethetus (A) Azores only
Little tern Sternula albifrons
Least tern Sternula antillarum (A)
Gull-billed tern Gelochelidon nilotica
Caspian tern Hydroprogne caspia
Black tern Chlidonias niger
White-winged tern Chlidonias leucopterus
Whiskered tern Chlidonias hybrida
Roseate tern Sterna dougallii
Common tern Sterna hirundo
Arctic tern Sterna paradisaea
Forster's tern Sterna forsteri (A)
Sandwich tern Thalasseus sandvicensis
Elegant tern Thalasseus elegans (A)
Lesser crested tern Thalasseus bengalensis (A)
West African crested tern Thalasseus albididorsalis (A)

Tropicbirds[edit]

Order: Phaethontiformes   Family: Phaethontidae

Tropicbirds are slender white birds of tropical oceans with exceptionally long central tail feathers. Their long wings have black markings, as does the head.

Common name Binomial Status
White-tailed tropicbird Phaethon lepturus (A)
Red-billed tropicbird Phaeton aethereus (A)

Loons[edit]

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.

Common name Binomial Status
Red-throated loon Gavia stellata (A)
Arctic loon Gavia arctica (A)
Common loon Gavia immer (A)

Albatrosses[edit]

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.

Common name Binomial Status
Yellow-nosed albatross Thalassarche chlororhynchos (A)
Black-browed albatross Thalassarche melanophris (A)
Wandering albatross Diomedea exulans

Southern storm-petrels[edit]

Order: Procellariiformes   Family: Oceanitidae

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.

Common name Binomial Status
Wilson's storm-petrel Oceanites oceanicus
White-faced storm-petrel Pelagodroma marina
Black-bellied storm-petrel Fregetta tropica (A)

Northern storm-petrels[edit]

Order: Procellariiformes   Family: Hydrobatidae

The northern storm-petrels are relatives of the petrels and are the smallest seabirds. They feed on planktonic crustaceans and small fish picked from the surface, typically while hovering. The flight is fluttering and sometimes bat-like.

Common name Binomial Status
European storm-petrel Hydrobates pelagicus
Leach's storm-petrel Hydrobates leucorhous vulnerable
Swinhoe's storm-petrel Hydrobates monorhis (A) near-threatened
Band-rumped storm-petrel Hydrobates castro
Monteiro's storm-petrel Hydrobates monteiroi breeding endemic in the Azores, vulnerable

Shearwaters and petrels[edit]

Order: Procellariiformes   Family: Procellariidae

The procellariids are the main group of medium-sized "true petrels", characterised by united nostrils with medium septum and a long outer functional primary.

Common name Binomial Status
Northern fulmar Fulmarus glacialis (A)
Kermadec petrel Pterodroma neglecta (A)
Trindade petrel Pterodroma arminjoniana (A) Azores only, vulnerable
Zino's petrel Pterodroma Madeiras Azores and Madeiras only, endangered
Fea's petrel Pterodroma feae
Bermuda petrel Pterodroma cahow (A) Azores only, endangered
Black-capped petrel Pterodroma hasitata (A) Azores and Madeiras only
Bulwer's petrel Bulweria bulwerii
Cory's shearwater Calonectis diomedea
Cape Verde shearwater Calonectris edwardsii Madeiras only, near-threatened
Flesh-footed shearwater Ardenna carneipes (A)
Great shearwater Ardenna gravis
Sooty shearwater Ardenna griseus near-threatened
Manx shearwater Puffinus puffinus
Yelkouan shearwater Puffinus yelkouan (A)
Balearic shearwater Puffinus mauretanicus critically endangered
Barolo shearwater Puffinus baroli

Storks[edit]

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.

Common name Binomial Status
Black stork Ciconia nigra
White stork Ciconia ciconia
Yellow-billed stork Mycteria ibis (A)

Frigatebirds[edit]

Order: Suliformes   Family: Fregatidae

Frigatebirds are large seabirds usually found over tropical oceans. They are large, black, or black-and-white, with long wings and deeply forked tails. The males have colored inflatable throat pouches. They do not swim or walk and cannot take off from a flat surface. Having the largest wingspan-to-body-weight ratio of any bird, they are essentially aerial, able to stay aloft for more than a week.

Common name Binomial Status
Magnificent frigatebird Fregata magnificens (A)

Boobies and gannets[edit]

Order: Suliformes   Family: Sulidae

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

Common name Binomial Status
Masked booby Sula dactylatra (A) Azores only
Brown booby Sula leucogaster (A)
Red-footed booby Sula sula (A) Azores only
Northern gannet Morus bassanus
Cape gannet Morus capensis (A) Azores only, endangered

Cormorants and shags[edit]

Order: Suliformes   Family: Phalacrocoracidae

Phalacrocoracidae is a family of medium to large coastal, fish-eating seabirds that includes cormorants and shags. Plumage colouration varies, with the majority having mainly dark plumage, some species being black-and-white and a few being colourful.

Common name Binomial Status
Great cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo (S)
European shag Gulosus aristotelis
Double-crested cormorant Nannopterum auritum (A) Azores only

Pelicans[edit]

Order: Pelecaniformes   Family: Pelecanidae

Pelicans are large water birds with a distinctive pouch under their beak. As with other members of the order Pelecaniformes, they have webbed feet with four toes.

Common name Binomial Status
Pink-backed pelican Pelecanus rufescens (A)

Herons, egrets, and bitterns[edit]

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.

Common name Binomial Status
American bittern Botaurus lentiginosus (A) Azores only
Great bittern Botaurus stellaris
Little bittern Ixobrychus minutus
Least bittern Ixobrychus exilis (A) Azores and Madeiras only
Great blue heron Ardea herodias (A) Azores only
Gray heron Ardea cinerea
Purple heron Ardea purpurea
Great egret Ardea alba (A)
Little egret Egretta garzetta (S)
Western reef-heron Egretta gularis (A)
Snowy egret Egretta thula (A) Azores only
Little blue heron Egretta caerulea (A) Azores only
Tricolored heron Egretta tricolor (A) Azores only
Cattle egret Bubulcus ibis
Squacco heron Ardeola ralloides
Green heron Butorides virescens (A)
Black-crowned night-heron Nycticorax nycticorax
Yellow-crowned night-heron Nyctanassa violacea (A) Azores and Madeiras only

Ibises and spoonbills[edit]

Order: Pelecaniformes   Family: Threskiornithidae

Threskiornithidae is a family of large terrestrial and wading birds which includes the ibises and spoonbills. They have long, broad wings with 11 primary and about 20 secondary feathers. They are strong fliers and despite their size and weight, very capable soarers.

Common name Binomial Status
Glossy ibis Plegadis falcinellus
African sacred ibis Threskiornis aethiopicus (I)
Northern bald ibis Geronticus eremita (I) Azores only, endangered
Eurasian spoonbill Platalea leucorodia

Osprey[edit]

Order: Accipitriformes   Family: Pandionidae

The family Pandionidae contains only one species, the osprey. The osprey is a medium-large raptor which is a specialist fish-eater with a worldwide distribution.

Common name Binomial Status
Osprey Pandion haliaetus

Hawks, eagles, and kites[edit]

Order: Accipitriformes   Family: Accipitridae

Accipitridae is a family of birds of prey, which includes hawks, eagles, kites, harriers and Old World vultures. These birds have powerful hooked beaks for tearing flesh from their prey, strong legs, powerful talons and keen eyesight.

Common name Binomial Status
Black-winged kite Elanus caeruleus
Bearded vulture Gypaetus barbatus (listed as vagrant by IUCN[7]) near-threatened
Egyptian vulture Neophron percnopterus endangered
European honey-buzzard Pernis apivorus
Swallow-tailed kite Elanoides forficatus (A)
Cinereous vulture Aegypius monachus near-threatened
White-backed vulture Gyps africanus (A) critically endangered
Rüppell's griffon Gyps rueppelli critically endangered
Eurasian griffon Gyps fulvus
Short-toed snake-eagle Circaetus gallicus
Lesser spotted eagle Clanga pomarina (A)
Greater spotted eagle Clanga clanga (A) vulnerable
Booted eagle Hieraaetus pennatus
Tawny eagle Aquila rapax (A)
Steppe eagle Aquila nipalensis (A); endangered
Spanish eagle Aquila adalberti vulnerable
Golden eagle Aquila chrysaetos
Bonelli's eagle Aquila fasciata
Eurasian marsh-harrier Circus aeruginosus
Hen harrier Circus cyaneus
Northern harrier Circus hudsonius (A) Azores only
Pallid harrier Circus macrourus (A) near-threatened
Montagu's harrier Circus pygargus
Eurasian sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus
Northern goshawk Accipiter gentilis
Red kite Milvus milvus
Black kite Milvus migrans
White-tailed eagle Haliaeetus albicilla (Ex)
Rough-legged hawk Buteo lagopus (A) Azores only
Common buzzard Buteo buteo
Long-legged buzzard Buteo rufinus

Barn-owls[edit]

Order: Strigiformes   Family: Tytonidae

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

Common name Binomial Status
Barn owl Tyto alba

Owls[edit]

Order: Strigiformes   Family: Strigidae

The typical owls are small to large solitary nocturnal birds of prey. They have large forward-facing eyes and ears, a hawk-like beak and a conspicuous circle of feathers around each eye called a facial disk.

Common name Binomial Status
Eurasian scops-owl Otus scops
Eurasian eagle-owl Bubo bubo
Snowy owl Bubo scandiacus (A) Azores only, vulnerable
Little owl Athene noctua
Tawny owl Strix aluco
Long-eared owl Asio otus
Short-eared owl Asio flammeus
Marsh owl Asio capensis (A)

Hoopoes[edit]

Order: Bucerotiformes   Family: Upupidae

Hoopoes have black, white and orangey-pink colouring with a large erectile crest on their head.

Common name Binomial Status
Eurasian hoopoe Upupa epops (S)

Kingfishers[edit]

Order: Coraciiformes   Family: Alcedinidae

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

Common name Binomial Status
Common kingfisher Alcedo atthis
Belted kingfisher Ceryle alcyon (A) Azores only

Bee-eaters[edit]

Order: Coraciiformes   Family: Meropidae

The bee-eaters are a group of near passerine birds in the family Meropidae. Most species are found in Africa but others occur in southern Europe, Madagascar, Australia and New Guinea. They are characterised by richly coloured plumage, slender bodies and usually elongated central tail feathers. All are colourful and have long downturned bills and pointed wings, which give them a swallow-like appearance when seen from afar.

Common name Binomial Status
Blue-cheeked bee-eater Merops persicus (A)
European bee-eater Merops apiaster

Rollers[edit]

Order: Coraciiformes   Family: Coraciidae

Rollers resemble crows in size and build, but are more closely related to the kingfishers and bee-eaters. They share the colourful appearance of those groups with blues and browns predominating. The two inner front toes are connected, but the outer toe is not.

Common name Binomial Status
European roller Coracias garrulus

Woodpeckers[edit]

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.

Common name Binomial Status
Eurasian wryneck Jynx torquilla
Yellow-bellied sapsucker Sphyrapicus varius (A) Azores only
Middle spotted woodpecker Dryobates medius (A)
Great spotted woodpecker Dendrocopos major
Lesser spotted woodpecker Dendrocopos minor
Iberian green woodpecker Picus sharpei near-threatened
Black woodpecker Dryocopus martius (A)
Northern flicker Colaptes auratus (A) Azores only

Falcons and caracaras[edit]

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.

Common name Binomial Status
Lesser kestrel Falco naumanni
Eurasian kestrel Falco tinnunculus
American kestrel Falco sparverius (A) Azores only
Red-footed falcon Falco vespertinus near-threatened
Amur falcon Falco amurensis (A) Azores only
Eleonora's falcon Falco eleonorae
Merlin Falco columbarius
Eurasian hobby Falco subbuteo
Lanner falcon Falco biarmicus (A)
Saker falcon Falco cherrug (A) endangered
Gyrfalcon Falco rusticolus
Peregrine falcon Falco peregrinus

Old World parrots[edit]

Order: Psittaciformes   Family: Psittaculidae

Characteristic features of parrots include a strong curved bill, an upright stance, strong legs, and clawed zygodactyl feet. Many parrots are vividly coloured, and some are multi-coloured. In size they range from 8 cm (3.1 in) to 1 m (3.3 ft) in length. Old World parrots are found from Africa east across south and southeast Asia and Oceania to Australia and New Zealand.

Common name Binomial Status
Rose-ringed parakeet Psittacula krameri (I)

African and New World parrots[edit]

Order: Psittaciformes   Family: Psittacidae

Most of the more than 150 species in this family are found in the New World.

Common name Binomial Status
Monk parakeet Myiopsitta monachus (I)

Tyrant flycatchers[edit]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Tyrannidae

Tyrant flycatchers are Passerine birds which occur throughout North and South America. They superficially resemble the Old World flycatchers, but are more robust and have stronger bills. They do not have the sophisticated vocal capabilities of the songbirds. Most, but not all, are rather plain. As the name implies, most are insectivorous.

Common name Binomial Status
Eastern wood-pewee Contopus virens (A) Azores only
Western kingbird Tyrannus verticalis (A) Azores only

Vireos, shrike-babblers, and erpornis[edit]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Vireonidae

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

Common name Binomial Status
White-eyed vireo Vireo griseus (A) Azores only
Yellow-throated vireo Vireo flavifrons (A) Azores only
Philadelphia vireo Vireo philadelphicus (A) Azores only
Warbling vireo Vireo gilvus (A) Azores only
Red-eyed vireo Vireo olivaceus (A) Azores only

Old World orioles[edit]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Oriolidae

The Old World orioles are colourful passerine birds. They are not related to the New World orioles.

Common name Binomial Status
Eurasian golden oriole Oriolus oriolus

Shrikes[edit]

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 shrike's beak is hooked, like that of a typical bird of prey.

Common name Binomial Status
Red-backed shrike Lanius collurio
Red-tailed shrike Lanius phoenicuroides (A)
Northern shrike Lanius borealis (A) Azores only
Iberian gray shrike Lanius meridionalis vulnerable
Great gray shrike Lanius excubitor (S)
Lesser gray shrike Lanius minor (A)
Woodchat shrike Lanius senator near-threatened

Crows, jays, and magpies[edit]

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.

Common name Binomial Status
Eurasian jay Garrulus glandarius
Iberian magpie Cyanopica cooki
Eurasian magpie Pica pica
Eurasian nutcracker Nucifraga caryocatactes (A)
Red-billed chough Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax
Eurasian jackdaw Corvus monedula
Rook Corvus frugilegus (A)
Carrion crow Corvus corone
Hooded crow Corvus cornix (A)
Pied crow Corvus albus (A)
Brown-necked raven Corvus ruficollis (A)
Common raven Corvus corax

Tits, chickadees, and titmice[edit]

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.

Common name Binomial Status
Coal tit Periparus ater
Crested tit Lophophanes cristatus
Marsh tit Poecile palustris (A)
Eurasian blue tit Cyanistes caeruleus
Great tit Parus major

Penduline-tits[edit]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Remizidae

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

Common name Binomial Status
Eurasian penduline-tit Remiz pendulinus

Larks[edit]

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.

Common name Binomial Status
Horned lark Eremophila alpestris (A)
Greater short-toed lark Calandrella brachydactyla
Calandra lark Melanocorypha calandra
Dupont's lark Chersophilus duponti extirpated, near-threatened
Mediterranean short-toed lark Alaudala rufescens
Wood lark Lullula arborea
Eurasian skylark Alauda arvensis
Thekla's lark Galerida theklae
Crested lark Galerida cristata

Cisticolas and allies[edit]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Cisticolidae

The Cisticolidae are warblers found mainly in warmer southern regions of the Old World. They are generally very small birds of drab brown or grey appearance found in open country such as grassland or scrub.

Common name Binomial Status
Zitting cisticola Cisticola juncidis

Reed warblers and allies[edit]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Acrocephalidae

The members of this family are usually rather large for "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 it also ranges far into the Pacific, with some species in Africa.

Common name Binomial Status
Booted warbler Iduna caligata (A)
Eastern olivaceous warbler Iduna pallida
Western olivaceous warbler Iduna opaca
Melodious warbler Hippolais polyglotta
Icterine warbler Hippolais icterina
Aquatic warbler Acrocephalus paludicola (A) vulnerable
Moustached warbler Acrocephalus melanopogon (A)
Sedge warbler Acrocephalus schoenobaenus
Paddyfield warbler Acrocephalus agricola (A)
Blyth's reed warbler Acrocephalus dumetorum (A)
Marsh warbler Acrocephalus palustris (A)
Common reed warbler Acrocephalus scirpaceus
Great reed warbler Acrocephalus arundinaceus

Grassbirds and allies[edit]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Locustellidae

Locustellidae are a family of small insectivorous songbirds found mainly in Eurasia, Africa, and the Australian region. They are smallish birds with tails that are usually long and pointed, and tend to be drab brownish or buffy all over.

Common name Binomial Status
Pallas's grasshopper warbler Helopsaltes certhiola (A)
River warbler Locustella fluviatilis Madeiras only
Savi's warbler Locustella luscinioides (S)
Common grasshopper-warbler Locustella naevia

Swallows[edit]

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.

Common name Binomial Status
Purple martin Progne subis (A) Azores only
Tree Swallow Tachycineta bicolor (A) Azores only
Plain martin Riparia paludicola (A)
Bank swallow Riparia riparia
Eurasian crag-martin Ptyonoprogne rupestris
Barn swallow Hirundo rustica
Red-rumped swallow Cecropis daurica (S)
Cliff swallow Petrochelidon pyrrhonota (A) Azores only
Common house-martin Delichon urbicum

Leaf warblers[edit]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Phylloscopidae

Leaf warblers are a family of small insectivorous birds found mostly in Eurasia and ranging into Wallacea and Africa. The species are of various sizes, often green-plumaged above and yellow below, or more subdued with greyish-green to greyish-brown colours.

Common name Binomial Status
Wood warbler Phylloscopus sibilatrix (A)
Western Bonelli's warbler Phylloscopus bonelli
Yellow-browed warbler Phylloscopus inornatus (A)
Hume's warbler Phylloscopus humei (A)
Pallas's leaf warbler Phylloscopus proregulus (A)
Dusky warbler Phylloscopus fuscatus (A)
Willow warbler Phylloscopus trochilus
Common chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybita
Iberian chiffchaff Phylloscopus ibericus
Greenish warbler Phylloscopus trochiloides (A)
Two-barred warbler Phylloscopus plumbeitarsus (A)
Arctic warbler Phylloscopus borealis (A)

Bush warblers and allies[edit]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Scotocercidae

The members of this family are found throughout Africa, Asia, and Polynesia. Their taxonomy is in flux, and some authorities place some genera in other families.[8]

Common name Binomial Status
Cetti's warbler Cettia cetti

Long-tailed tits[edit]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Aegithalidae

Long-tailed tits 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.

Common name Binomial Status
Long-tailed tit Aegithalos caudatus (S)

Sylviid warblers, parrotbills, and allies[edit]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Sylviidae

The family Sylviidae is 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.

Common name Binomial Status
Eurasian blackcap Sylvia atricapilla
Garden warbler Sylvia borin
Barred warbler Curruca nisoria (A)
Lesser whitethroat Curruca curruca (A)
Western Orphean warbler Curruca hortensis
Menetries's warbler Curruca mystacea (A)
Sardinian warbler Curruca melanocephala
Western subalpine warbler Curruca iberiae
Eastern subalpine warbler Curruca cantillans
Greater whitethroat Curruca communis
Spectacled warbler Curruca conspicillata
Dartford warbler Curruca undata near-threatened

Kinglets[edit]

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 name Binomial Status
Ruby-crowned kinglet Corthylio calendula (A)
Goldcrest Regulus regulus
Madeira firecrest Regulus madeirensis endemic to the island of Madeira
Common firecrest Regulus ignicapilla

Wallcreeper[edit]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Tichodromidae

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

Common name Binomial Status
Wallcreeper Tichodroma muraria (A)

Nuthatches[edit]

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.

Common name Binomial Status
Eurasian nuthatch Sitta europaea

Treecreepers[edit]

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.

Common name Binomial Status
Short-toed treecreeper Certhia brachydactyla

Wrens[edit]

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.

Common name Binomial Status
Eurasian wren Troglodytes troglodytes

Dippers[edit]

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.

Common name Binomial Status
White-throated dipper Cinclus cinclus

Starlings[edit]

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 name Binomial Status
European starling Sturnus vulgaris
Spotless starling Sturnus unicolor
Rosy starling Pastor roseus (A)
Common myna Acridotheres tristis (I)
Crested myna Acridotheres cristatellus (I)
Greater Blue-eared starling Lamprotornis chalybaeus (A)

Mockingbirds and thrashers[edit]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Mimidae

The mimids are a family of passerine birds which includes thrashers, mockingbirds, tremblers, and the New World catbirds. These birds are notable for their vocalization, especially their remarkable ability to mimic a wide variety of birds and other sounds heard outdoors. The species tend towards dull grays and browns in their appearance.

Common name Binomial Status
Gray catbird Dumetella carolinensis (A) Azores only

Thrushes and allies[edit]

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.

Common name Binomial Status
Veery Catharus fuscescens (A) Azores only
Gray-cheeked thrush Catharus minimus (A)
Swainson's thrush Catharus ustulatus (A) Azores only
Hermit thrush Catharus guttatus (A) Azores only
Wood thrush Hylocichla mustelina (A) Azores and Madeiras only, near-threatened
Mistle thrush Turdus viscivorus
Song thrush Turdus philomelos
Redwing Turdus iliacus near-threatened
Eurasian blackbird Turdus merula
American robin Turdus migratorius (A) Azores only
Eyebrowed thrush Turdus obscurus (A)
Fieldfare Turdus pilaris
Ring ouzel Turdus torquatus
Black-throated thrush Turdus atrogularis (A)
Red-throated thrush Turdus ruficollis (A) Madeiras only
Dusky thrush Turdus eunomus (A)
Naumann's thrush Turdus naumanni (A) Azores only

Old World flycatchers[edit]

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.

Common name Binomial Status
Spotted flycatcher Muscicapa striata
Rufous-tailed scrub-robin Cercotrichas galactotes
European robin Erithacus rubecula
Thrush nightingale Luscinia luscinia (A)
Common nightingale Luscinia megarhynchos
Bluethroat Luscinia svecica
Red-flanked bluetail Tarsiger cyanurus (A)
Red-breasted flycatcher Ficedula parva (A)
European pied flycatcher Ficedula hypoleuca
Collared flycatcher Ficedula albicollis (A)
Moussier's redstart Phoenicurus moussieri (A)
Common redstart Phoenicurus phoenicurus
Black redstart Phoenicurus ochruros
Rufous-tailed rock-thrush Monticola saxatilis
Blue rock-thrush Monticola solitarius
Whinchat Saxicola rubetra
European stonechat Saxicola rubicola
Siberian stonechat Saxicola maurus (A)
Northern wheatear Oenanthe oenanthe
Isabelline wheatear Oenanthe isabellina (A)
Desert wheatear Oenanthe deserti (A)
Western black-eared wheatear Oenanthe hispanica
Black wheatear Oenanthe leucura
White-crowned wheatear Oenanthe leucopyga (A)

Waxwings[edit]

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.

Common name Binomial Status
Bohemian waxwing Bombycilla garrulus (A)
Cedar waxwing Bombycilla cedrorum (A) Azores only

Weavers and allies[edit]

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.

Common name Binomial Status
Black-headed weaver Ploceus melanocephalus (I)
Yellow-crowned bishop Euplectes afer (I)

Waxbills and allies[edit]

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.

Common name Binomial Status
Scaly-breasted munia Lonchura punctulata (I)
Chestnut munia Lonchura atricapilla (I)
Common waxbill Estrilda astrild (I)
Red avadavat Amandava amandava (I)

Accentors[edit]

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.

Common name Binomial Status
Alpine accentor Prunella collaris
Dunnock Prunella modularis

Old World sparrows[edit]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Passeridae

Old World 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, but they also consume small insects.

Common name Binomial Status
House sparrow Passer domesticus
Spanish sparrow Passer hispaniolensis
Eurasian tree sparrow Passer montanus
Rock sparrow Petronia petronia
White-winged snowfinch Montifringilla nivalis

Wagtails and pipits[edit]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Motacillidae

Motacillidae is 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.

Common name Binomial Status
Gray wagtail Motacilla cinerea
Western yellow wagtail Motacilla flava
Eastern yellow wagtail Motacilla tschutschensis (A)
Citrine wagtail Motacilla citreola (A)
White wagtail Motacilla alba
Richard's pipit Anthus richardi
Blyth's pipit Anthus godlewskii (A)
Tawny pipit Anthus campestris
Berthelot's pipit Anthus berthelotii (A) Madeiras only
Meadow pipit Anthus pratensis near-threatened
Tree pipit Anthus trivialis
Olive-backed pipit Anthus hodgsoni (A)
Red-throated pipit Anthus cervinus (A)
Water pipit Anthus spinoletta
Rock pipit Anthus petrosus
American pipit Anthus rubescens (A) Azores only

Finches, euphonias, and allies[edit]

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.

Common name Binomial Status
Common chaffinch Fringilla coelebs
Brambling Fringilla montifringilla
Hawfinch Coccothraustes coccothraustes
Common rosefinch Carpodacus erythrinus (A)
Azores bullfinch Pyrrhula murina endemic to San Miguel in the Azores, vulnerable
Eurasian bullfinch Pyrrhula pyrrhula
Trumpeter finch Bucanetes githagineus (A)
European greenfinch Chloris chloris
Twite Linaria flavirostris (A)
Eurasian linnet Linaria cannabina
Common redpoll Acanthis flammea (A)
Hoary redpoll Acanthis hornemanni (A) Azores only
Parrot crossbill Loxia pytyopsittacus Madeiras only
Red crossbill Loxia curvirostra
White-winged crossbill Loxia leucoptera (A)
European goldfinch Carduelis carduelis
Citril finch Carduelis citrinella
European serin Serinus serinus
Island canary Serinus canaria Azores and Madeiras only
Eurasian siskin Spinus spinus

Longspurs and snow buntings[edit]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Calcariidae

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

Common name Binomial Status
Lapland longspur Calcarius lapponicus (A)
Snow bunting Plectrophenax nivalis

Old World buntings[edit]

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.

Common name Binomial Status
Corn bunting Miliaria calandra
Rock bunting Emberiza cia
Cirl bunting Emberiza cirlus
Yellowhammer Emberiza citrinella
Ortolan bunting Emberiza hortulana
Pallas's bunting Emberiza pallasi (A)
Reed bunting Emberiza schoeniclus
Yellow-breasted bunting Emberiza aureola (A) critically endangered
Little bunting Emberiza pusilla (A)
Rustic bunting Emberiza rustica (A) vulnerable
Black-faced bunting Emberiza spodocephala (A)

New World sparrows[edit]

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.

Common name Binomial Status
Dark-eyed junco Junco hyemalis (A) Azores only
White-crowned sparrow Zonotrichia leucophrys (A) Azores only
White-throated sparrow Zonotrichia albicollis (A) Azores only
Savannah sparrow Passerculus sandwichensis (A) Azores only
Lincoln's sparrow Melospiza lincolnii (A) Azores only

Troupials and allies[edit]

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.

Common name Binomial Status
Bobolink Dolichonyx oryzivorus (A) Azores only
Baltimore oriole Icterus galbula (A) Azores only

New World warblers[edit]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Parulidae

The New World warblers are a group of small often colorful passerine birds restricted to the New World. Most are arboreal, but some are more terrestrial. Most members of this family are insectivores.

Common name Binomial Status
Ovenbird Seiurus aurocapilla (A) Azores only
Northern waterthrush Parkesia noveboracensis (A) Azores only
Golden-winged warbler Vermivora chrysoptera (A) Azores only, near-threatened
Blue-winged warbler Vermivora cyanoptera (A) Azores only
Black-and-white warbler Mniotilta varia (A) Azores only
Prothonotary warbler Protonotaria citrea (A) Azores only
Tennessee warbler Oreothlypis peregrina (A) Azores only
Connecticut warbler Oporornis agilis (A) Azores only
Common yellowthroat Geothlypis trichas (A)
Hooded warbler Setophaga citrina (A) Azores only
American redstart Setophaga ruticilla (A) Azores and Madeiras only
Cape May warbler Setophaga tigrina (A) Azores only
Northern parula Setophaga americana (A) Azores only
Magnolia warbler Setophaga magnolia (A) Azores only
Bay-breasted warbler Setophaga castanea (A) Azores only
Blackburnian warbler Setophaga fusca (A) Azores only
Yellow warbler Setophaga petechia (S) Azores and Madeiras only
Chestnut-sided warbler Setophaga pensylvanica (A) Azores only
Blackpoll warbler Setophaga striata (A) Azores only, near-threatened
Black-throated blue warbler Setophaga caerulescens (A) Azores only
Yellow-rumped warbler Setophaga coronata (S) Azores only
Yellow-throated warbler Setophaga dominica (A) Azores only
Prairie warbler Setophaga discolor (A) Azores only
Black-throated green warbler Setophaga virens (A) Azores only
Canada warbler Cardellina canadensis (A) Azores only
Wilson's warbler Cardellina pusilla (A) Azores only

Cardinals and allies[edit]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Cardinalidae

The cardinals are a family of robust, seed-eating birds with strong bills. They are typically associated with open woodland. The sexes usually have distinct plumages.

Common name Binomial Status
Summer tanager Piranga rubra (A) Azores only
Scarlet tanager Piranga olivacea (A) Azores only
Rose-breasted grosbeak Pheucticus ludovicianus (A) Azores only
Blue grosbeak Passerina caerulea (A) Azores only
Indigo bunting Passerina cyanea (A) Azores only
Dickcissel Spiza americana (A) Azores only

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Clements, J. F., T. S. Schulenberg, M. J. Iliff, S. M. Billerman, T. A. Fredericks, B. L. Sullivan, and C. L. Wood. 2022. The eBird/Clements Checklist of Birds of the World: v2022. Downloaded from http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/download/ Retrieved October 15, 2022.
  2. ^ Lepage, Denis (August 1, 2020). "Checklist of Birds of Portugal". Avibase bird checklists of the world. Retrieved October 31, 2020.
  3. ^ Lepage, Denis (August 2, 2020). "Checklist of Birds of the Azores". Avibase bird checklists of the world. Retrieved October 31, 2020.
  4. ^ Lepage, Denis (August 2, 2020). "Checklist of Birds of the Madeiras". Avibase bird checklists of the world. Retrieved October 31, 2020.
  5. ^ BirdLife International. (2016). "Tetrao urogallus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T22679487A85942729. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T22679487A85942729.en. Retrieved 7 April 2021.
  6. ^ BirdLife International. (2016). "Perdix perdix". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T22678911A85929015. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T22678911A85929015.en. Retrieved 7 April 2021.
  7. ^ BirdLife International. (2017) [amended version of 2017 assessment]. "Gypaetus barbatus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2017: e.T22695174A118590506. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-3.RLTS.T22695174A118590506.en. Retrieved 7 April 2021.
  8. ^ Gill, F. and D. Donsker (Eds). 2019. IOC World Bird List (v 9.2). doi:10.14344/IOC.ML.9.2. http://www.worldbirdnames.org/ retrieved 22 June 2019.