Iconic bird of Greece

Common Birds of Greece

Greece offers some of Europe's finest birding — from Dalmatian Pelicans in the Prespa Lakes to Eleonora's Falcons on Aegean islands and Black Vultures in the Dadia Forest.

450+
Total species
0
Endemics
15
Threatened
Apr–Jun
Best months
🐦
1. Dalmatian PelicanNear Threatened
Pelecanus crispus

The world's largest pelican — Lake Kerkini in northern Greece holds the most reliable colony, with 1,500+ birds nesting, easily viewed from the lakeside road.

📍 Prespa Lakes, Axios Delta, Lake Kerkini🗓 Mar–May
🐦
2. Eleonora's FalconLeast Concern
Falco eleonorae

A pigeon-sized falcon that times its breeding to intercept migrating passerines in autumn — the Aegean island colonies are among the last great falcon spectacles in Europe.

📍 Aegean islands, Crete, Rhodes🗓 Apr–Oct
🐦
3. Cinereous VultureNear Threatened
Aegypius monachus

Dadia Forest in Thrace is the most important Cinereous Vulture breeding site in Europe — up to 30 pairs nest, and birds can be watched soaring from the observation hide.

📍 Dadia-Lefkimi-Soufli Forest🗓 Mar–May
🐦
4. Kruper's NuthatchVulnerable
Sitta krueperi

A range-restricted nuthatch found in Greece only on Lesbos island — the pine forests above Agiasos and Mytilene harbour Greece's only breeding population.

📍 Lesbos pine forests only in Greece🗓 Apr–Jun
🐦
5. Yelkouan ShearwaterVulnerable
Puffinus yelkouan

A Mediterranean endemic — hundreds raft off Crete's north coast in spring before streaming through the Bosphorus on inland-sea migration routes.

📍 Aegean Sea, Crete sea crossings🗓 Mar–May
🐦
6. Rüppell's WarblerLeast Concern
Sylvia rueppelli

One of Europe's most elegant warblers — the male has a jet-black hood, white moustache, and red eye, singing from phrygana scrub tops in the Greek islands.

📍 Rocky hillsides with phrygana scrub🗓 Apr–Jun
🐦
7. Black-headed BuntingLeast Concern
Emberiza melanocephala

Arrives in Greece in May as one of the last migrants — the rich chestnut-and-yellow male is one of Europe's most striking buntings, singing from roadside wires.

📍 Northern Greece, Thrace, Thessaloniki plains🗓 May–Jun
🐦
8. Pygmy CormorantLeast Concern
Microcarbo pygmaeus

The smallest cormorant in Europe — nests in enormous mixed colonies with herons, egrets, and spoonbills at Lake Kerkini, Greece's finest mixed waterbird site.

📍 Axios Delta, Prespa, Lake Kerkini🗓 Mar–May

Ready to Bird Greece?

Use our smart trip planner to get a custom itinerary — best hotspots, species targets, and seasonal timing tailored to your visit.

Build My ItineraryBuy a Field Guide →
Common Birds of Greece | AvianScope