Iconic bird of Spain

Common Birds of Spain

Spain is Western Europe's most species-rich country — its position on the African-European migration route, combined with vast open steppes, cork oak savannah, and Atlantic wetlands, delivers extraordinary birding year-round.

620+
Total species
0
Endemics
30
Threatened
Mar–May
Best months
🐦
1. Spanish Imperial EagleVulnerable
Aquila adalberti

One of the world's rarest eagles with fewer than 500 adults — Doñana and Monfrague are the most reliable sites; the white shoulder patches and dark body make adults unmistakable.

📍 Doñana NP, Monfrague NP, Trujillo area🗓 Feb–May
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2. Great BustardVulnerable
Otis tarda

Spain holds over half the global population — April leks at Extremadura with 100+ displaying males are one of Europe's most spectacular wildlife events.

📍 Extremadura plains, Villafafila, Lleida🗓 Mar–Apr
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3. Azure-winged MagpieLeast Concern
Cyanopica cooki

An Iberian endemic found in Spain and Portugal only — powder-blue wings and tail flash through cork oak savannah as noisy family parties move through the canopy.

📍 Monfrague, Extremadura cork oak woodland🗓 Year-round
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4. Dupont's LarkEndangered
Chersophilus duponti

One of Europe's most mysterious and sought-after birds — sings at dusk and dawn from Spanish steppe, but nocturnal habits make it agonizingly difficult to see despite its loud song.

📍 Belchite steppe, Teruel, Zaragoza🗓 Mar–May
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5. Red KiteNear Threatened
Milvus milvus

Spain holds 80%+ of the global Red Kite population — Trujillo's rubbish tip in Extremadura hosts hundreds of kites alongside Black Kites in winter.

📍 Extremadura, Sierra de Guadarrama, Trujillo🗓 Year-round
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6. Black-winged KiteLeast Concern
Elanus caeruleus

Has expanded dramatically in Spain over the past 30 years — pairs of this owlet-like, blood-red-eyed kite are now routine on Extremadura roadsides, hunting on hovering wings.

📍 Extremadura, Huelva, Cadiz farmland🗓 Year-round
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7. Collared PratincoleLeast Concern
Glareola pratincola

Breeds on bare gravel and soil near wetlands in Extremadura — swallow-like flight as flocks hawk insects over Spanish lagoons is one of the region's most distinctive sights.

📍 Doñana, Extremadura river islands🗓 Apr–Jul
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8. European Bee-eaterLeast Concern
Merops apiaster

Colonizes sandy banks throughout Spain in colonies of hundreds of pairs — the rainbow-plumaged flocks intercepting bees above Extremadura's summer fields are a magnificent sight.

📍 Throughout southern and central Spain🗓 May–Aug

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Common Birds of Spain | AvianScope