This is a list of the bird species recorded in the Netherlands. The avifauna of the European Netherlands included a total of 568 species documented in the wild through October 2024 according to Checklist of Dutch Bird Species with supplemental additions from Avibase. The checklist "incorporates all decisions by the Dutch rarities committee 'Commissie Dwaalgasten Nederlandse Avifauna' (CDNA) and the Dutch taxonomic committee 'Commissie Systematiek Nederlandse Avifauna' (CSNA)". Of these species, 14 have been introduced by humans, and one is extinct. Two species were inadequately documented before 1800.
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.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 https://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/download/ Retrieved October 25, 2022.
The following tags have been used to highlight some categories of occurrence. The notes of population status such as "endangered" apply to the world population and are from Bird Checklists of the World.
(A) Accidental - a species that rarely or accidentally occurs in the Netherlands, requiring review by the CDNA for inclusion in the record (I) Introduced - a species whose "ancestors originated from captivity or ship transport" and which have been established for at least 20 years per the CDNA (B) Before 1800 - species "recorded only before 1800 (location and/or date not well enough documented)" per the CDNA
Ducks, geese, and waterfowl Order: AnseriformesFamily: 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.
Bar-headed goose, Anser indicus (I) Snow goose, Anser caerulescens Ross's goose, Anser rossii (A) Graylag goose, Anser anser Greater white-fronted goose, Anser albifrons Lesser white-fronted goose, Anser erythropus (vulnerable) Taiga bean-goose, Anser fabalis Tundra bean-goose, Anser serrirostris Pink-footed goose, Anser brachyrhynchus Brant, Branta bernicla Barnacle goose, Branta leucopsis Cackling goose, Branta hutchinsii (A) Canada goose, Branta canadensis (I) Red-breasted goose, Branta ruficollis (A) (vulnerable) Mute swan, Cygnus olor Black swan, Cygnus atratus (I) Tundra swan, Cygnus columbianus (A) Whooper swan, Cygnus cygnus Egyptian goose, Alopochen aegyptiaca (I) Ruddy shelduck, Tadorna ferruginea Common shelduck, Tadorna tadorna Mandarin duck, Aix galericulata (I) Baikal teal, Sibirionetta formosa (A) Garganey, Spatula querquedula Blue-winged teal, Spatula discors (A) Northern shoveler, Spatula clypeata Gadwall, Mareca strepera Falcated duck, Mareca falcata (A) (near-threatened) Eurasian wigeon, Mareca penelope American wigeon, Mareca americana (A) Mallard, Anas platyrhynchos Northern pintail, Anas acuta Green-winged teal, Anas crecca Marbled teal, Marmaronetta angustirostris (A) (vulnerable) Red-crested pochard, Netta rufina Canvasback, Aythya valisineria (A) 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) Steller's eider, Polysticta stelleri (A) (vulnerable) King eider, Somateria spectabilis (A) Common eider, Somateria mollissima (near-threatened) Harlequin duck, Histrionicus histrionicus (A) Surf scoter, Melanitta perspicillata (A) Velvet scoter, Melanitta fusca (vulnerable) White-winged scoter, Melanitta deglandi (A) Stejneger's scoter, Melanitta stejnegeri (A) Common scoter, Melanitta nigra Black scoter, Melanitta americana (A) (near-threatened) Long-tailed duck, Clangula hyemalis (vulnerable) Bufflehead, Bucephala albeola (A) Common goldeneye, Bucephala clangula Smew, Mergellus albellus Hooded merganser, Lophodytes cucullatus (A) Common merganser, Mergus merganser Red-breasted merganser, Mergus serrator Ruddy duck, Oxyura jamaicensis (I) White-headed duck, Oxyura leucocephala (A) (endangered)
Pheasants, grouse, and allies Order: GalliformesFamily: 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.
Black grouse, Lyrurus tetrix Gray partridge, Perdix perdix Ring-necked pheasant, Phasianus colchicus (I) Common quail, Coturnix coturnix
Flamingos Order: PhoenicopteriformesFamily: Phoenicopteridae
Flamingos are gregarious wading birds, usually 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.
Chilean flamingo, Phoenicopterus chilensis (I) (near-threatened) American flamingo, Phoenicopterus ruber (A) Greater flamingo, Phoenicopterus roseus (A)
Grebes Order: PodicipediformesFamily: 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.
Little grebe, Tachybaptus ruficollis Pied-billed grebe, Podilymbus podiceps (A) Horned grebe, Podiceps auritus (vulnerable) Red-necked grebe, Podiceps grisegena Great crested grebe, Podiceps cristatus Eared grebe, Podiceps nigricollis
Pigeons and doves Order: ColumbiformesFamily: Columbidae
Pigeons and doves are stout-bodied birds with short necks and short slender bills with a fleshy cere.
Rock pigeon, Columba livia (I) Stock dove, Columba oenas Common wood-pigeon, Columba palumbus European turtle-dove, Streptopelia turtur (vulnerable) Oriental turtle-dove, Streptopelia orientalis (A) Eurasian collared-dove, Streptopelia decaocto
Sandgrouse Order: PterocliformesFamily: Pteroclidae
Sandgrouse have small, pigeon like heads and necks, but sturdy compact bodies. They have long pointed wings and sometimes tails and a fast direct flight. Flocks fly to watering holes at dawn and dusk. Their legs are feathered down to the toes.
Pallas's sandgrouse, Syrrhaptes paradoxus (A)
Bustards Order: OtidiformesFamily: 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 (A) (vulnerable) MacQueen's bustard, Chlamydotis macqueenii (A) (vulnerable) Little bustard, Tetrax tetrax (A) (near-threatened)
Cuckoos Order: CuculiformesFamily: Cuculidae
The family Cuculidae includes cuckoos, roadrunners and anis. These birds are of variable size with slender bodies, long tails and strong legs. The Old World cuckoos are brood parasites.
Great spotted cuckoo, Clamator glandarius (A) Yellow-billed cuckoo, Coccyzus americanus (A) Common cuckoo, Cuculus canorus
Nightjars and allies Order: CaprimulgiformesFamily: 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.
Eurasian nightjar, Caprimulgus europaeus
Swifts Order: CaprimulgiformesFamily: 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.
Chimney swift, Chaetura pelagica (A) White-throated needletail, Hirundapus caudacutus (A) Alpine swift, Tachymarptis melba (A) Common swift, Apus apus Pallid swift, Apus pallidus (A) Pacific swift, Apus pacificus (A) Little swift, Apus affinis (A) Horus swift, Apus horus (A)
Rails, gallinules, and coots Order: GruiformesFamily: 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.
Water rail, Rallus aquaticus Corn crake, Crex crex Spotted crake, Porzana porzana (A) Eurasian moorhen, Gallinula chloropus Eurasian coot, Fulica atra Allen's gallinule, Porphyrio alleni (A) Western swamphen, Porphyrio porphyrio (A) Little crake, Zapornia parva (A) Baillon's crake, Zapornia pusilla
Cranes Order: GruiformesFamily: 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".
Demoiselle crane, Anthropoides virgo (A) Sandhill crane, Antigone canadensis (A) Common crane, Grus grus
Thick-knees Order: CharadriiformesFamily: 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 thick-knee, Burhinus oedicnemus
Stilts and avocets Order: CharadriiformesFamily: 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.
Black-winged stilt, Himantopus himantopus Pied avocet, Recurvirostra avosetta
Oystercatchers Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Haematopodidae
The oystercatchers are large and noisy plover-like birds, with strong bills used for smashing or prising open molluscs.
Eurasian oystercatcher, Haematopus ostralegus (near-threatened)
Plovers and lapwings Order: CharadriiformesFamily: 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.
Black-bellied plover, Pluvialis squatarola European golden-plover, Pluvialis apricaria American golden-plover, Pluvialis dominica (A) Pacific golden-plover, Pluvialis fulva (A) Northern lapwing, Vanellus vanellus (near-threatened) Gray-headed lapwing, Vanellus cinereus (A) Red-wattled lapwing, Vanellus indicus (A) Sociable lapwing, Vanellus gregarius (A) (critically endangered) White-tailed lapwing, Vanellus leucurus (A) Greater sand-plover, Charadrius leschenaultii (A) Caspian plover, Charadrius asiaticus (A) Kentish plover, Charadrius alexandrinus Snowy plover, Charadrius nivosus (A) Common ringed plover, Charadrius hiaticula Little ringed plover, Charadrius dubius Killdeer, Charadrius vociferus (A) Oriental plover, Charadrius veredus (A) Eurasian dotterel, Charadrius morinellus
Sandpipers and allies Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Scolopacidae