The avifauna of Switzerland included a total of 443 species as of 2018 according to the Swiss Ornithological Institute (Schweizerische Vogelwarte). 10 have been introduced by humans.
This list's taxonomic treatment (designation and sequence of orders, families and species) and nomenclature (English and scientific names) are those of the Swiss Checklist of the birds of Switzerland.
The following tags have been used to highlight several categories. The commonly occurring native species do not fall into any of these categories. (A) Vagrant - a species that rarely or accidentally occurs in Switzerland (B) Historical - a species that has not been recorded in Switzerland subsequent to 31 December 1949 (C) Introduced - a species introduced to Switzerland as a consequence, direct or indirect, of human actions
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.
Mute swan, Cygnus olor Tundra swan, Cygnus columbianus Whooper swan, Cygnus cygnus Taiga bean goose, Anser fabalis (A) Tundra bean goose, Anser serrirostris Pink-footed goose, Anser brachyrhynchus (A) Greater white-fronted goose, Anser albifrons Lesser white-fronted goose, Anser erythropus (B) Greylag goose, Anser anser Snow goose, Anser caerulescens (D) Canada goose, Branta canadensis (D) Barnacle goose, Branta leucopsis (A) Brent goose, Branta bernicla (A) Red-breasted goose, Branta ruficollis (A) Egyptian goose, Alopochen aegyptiaca (C) Ruddy shelduck, Tadorna ferruginea (C) Common shelduck, Tadorna tadorna Mandarin duck, Aix galericulata (C) Eurasian wigeon, Mareca penelope Gadwall, Mareca strepera Eurasian teal, Anas crecca Green-winged teal, Anas carolinensis (A) Mallard, Anas platyrhynchos Northern pintail, Anas acuta Garganey, Spatula querquedula Blue-winged teal, Spatula discors (A) Northern shoveler, Spatula clypeata Marbled teal, Marmaronetta angustirostris (D) Red-crested pochard, Netta rufina Common pochard, Aythya ferina Ring-necked duck, Aythya collaris (A) Ferruginous duck, Aythya nyroca Tufted duck, Aythya fuligula Greater scaup, Aythya marila Lesser scaup, Aythya affinis (D) Common eider, Somateria mollissima Long-tailed duck, Clangula hyemalis Common scoter, Melanitta nigra Velvet scoter, Melanitta fusca Common goldeneye, Bucephala clangula Smew, Mergellus albellus Red-breasted merganser, Mergus serrator Goosander, Mergus merganser Ruddy duck, Oxyura jamaicensis (C) White-headed duck, Oxyura leucocephala (A)
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.
Common quail, Coturnix coturnix Red-legged partridge, Alectoris rufa (B) Rock partridge, Alectoris graeca Hazel grouse, Tetrastes bonasia Rock ptarmigan, Lagopus muta Black grouse, Lyrurus tetrix Western capercaillie, Tetrao urogallus Grey partridge, Perdix perdix Common pheasant, Phasianus colchicus (C)
Divers Order: GaviiformesFamily: Gaviidae
Divers, known as loons in North America, are a group of aquatic birds found in cooler parts of the Northern Hemisphere. They are the size of a large duck or small goose, which they somewhat resemble when swimming, but to which they are completely unrelated.
Red-throated diver, Gavia stellata Black-throated diver, Gavia arctica Pacific diver, Gavia pacifica (A) Great northern diver, Gavia immer White-billed diver, Gavia adamsii (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 Great crested grebe, Podiceps cristatus Red-necked grebe, Podiceps grisegena Slavonian grebe, Podiceps auritus Black-necked grebe, Podiceps nigricollis
Shearwaters and petrels Order: ProcellariiformesFamily: Procellariidae
The procellariids are the main group of medium-sized shearwaters and petrels, characterised by united nostrils with medium septum and a long outer functional primary.
Cory's shearwater, Calonectris borealis (B) Sooty shearwater, Ardenna grisea (A) Manx shearwater, Puffinus puffinus (A) Yelkouan shearwater, Puffinus yelkouan (B)
Northern storm petrels Order: ProcellariiformesFamily: 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.
European storm petrel, Hydrobates pelagicus (A) Leach's storm petrel, Hydrobates leucorhous (A) Band-rumped storm petrel, Hydrobates castro (A)
Boobies and gannets Order: SuliformesFamily: Sulidae
The sulids comprise the gannets and boobies. Both groups are medium to large coastal seabirds that plunge-dive for fish.
Northern gannet, Morus bassanus (A)
Cormorants and shags Order: SuliformesFamily: 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.
Great cormorant, Phalacrocorax carbo European shag, Gulosus aristotelis (A) Pygmy cormorant, Microcarbo pygmaeus (A)
Pelicans Order: PelecaniformesFamily: 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.
Great white pelican, Pelecanus onocrotalus (B) Dalmatian pelican, Pelecanus crispus (D) Pink-backed pelican, Pelecanus rufescens (D)
Herons, egrets, and bitterns Order: PelecaniformesFamily: 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.
Great bittern, Botaurus stellaris Little bittern, Botaurus minutus Black-crowned night heron, Nycticorax nycticorax Squacco heron, Ardeola ralloides Western cattle egret, Ardea ibis Little egret, Egretta garzetta Great egret, Ardea alba Grey heron, Ardea cinerea Purple heron, Ardea purpurea
Storks Order: CiconiiformesFamily: 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
Ibises and spoonbills Order: PelecaniformesFamily: 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.
Glossy ibis, Plegadis falcinellus African sacred ibis, Threskiornis aethiopicus (C) Eurasian spoonbill, Platalea leucorodia
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.
Greater flamingo, Phoenicopterus roseus (A)
Hawks, eagles, and kites Order: AccipitriformesFamily: 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.
European honey buzzard, Pernis apivorus Black-winged kite, Elanus caeruleus (A) Black kite, Milvus migrans Red kite, Milvus milvus White-tailed eagle, Haliaeetus albicilla Bearded vulture, Gypaetus barbatus Egyptian vulture, Neophron percnopterus Griffon vulture, Gyps fulvus Eurasian black vulture, Aegypius monachus (A) Short-toed snake eagle, Circaetus gallicus Eurasian marsh harrier, Circus aeruginosus Hen harrier, Circus cyaneus Pallid harrier, Circus macrourus (A) Montagu's harrier, Circus pygargus Eurasian goshawk, Accipiter gentilis Eurasian sparrowhawk, Accipiter nisus Common buzzard, Buteo buteo Long-legged buzzard, Buteo rufinus Rough-legged buzzard, Buteo lagopus Greater spotted eagle, Clanga clanga Lesser spotted eagle, Clanga pomarina (A) Booted eagle, Hieraaetus pennatus Golden eagle, Aquila chrysaetos
Osprey Order: AccipitriformesFamily: 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.
Osprey, Pandion haliaetus
Falcons and caracaras Order: FalconiformesFamily: 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.
Lesser kestrel, Falco naumanni (A) Eurasian kestrel, Falco tinnunculus Red-footed falcon, Falco vespertinus Merlin, Falco columbarius Eurasian hobby, Falco subbuteo Eleonora's falcon, Falco eleonorae (A) Gyrfalcon, Falco rusticolus (A) Peregrine falcon, Falco peregrinus
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 Spotted crake, Porzana porzana Little crake, Zapornia parva Baillon's crake, Zapornia pusilla (A) Corn crake, Crex crex Common moorhen, Gallinula chloropus Purple gallinule, Porphyrio martinica (D) Western swamphen, Porphyrio porphyrio (A) Eurasian coot, Fulica atra
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".
Common crane, Grus grus
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.
Little bustard, Tetrax tetrax Houbara bustard, Chlamydotis undulata (A) MacQueen's bustard, Chlamydotis macqueenii (A) Great bustard, Otis tarda (A)
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 dove, Columba livia (C) Stock dove, Columba oenas Common wood pigeon, Columba palumbus European turtle dove, Streptopelia turtur Oriental turtle dove, Streptopelia orientalis (A) Eurasian collared dove, Streptopelia decaocto
Sandgrouse Order: PterocliformesFamily: Pteroclidae