This is a list of the bird species recorded in Croatia. The avifauna of Croatia include a total of 416 species, of which 3 have been introduced by humans. 23 species are globally threatened.
This list's taxonomic treatment (designation and sequence of orders, families and species) and nomenclature (common and scientific names) follow the conventions of The Clements Checklist of Birds of the World, 2022 edition. The family accounts at the beginning of each heading reflect this taxonomy, as do the species counts found in each family account. Introduced and accidental species are included in the total counts for Croatia.
The following tags have been used to highlight several categories. The commonly occurring native species do not fall into any of these categories.
(A) Accidental - a species that rarely or accidentally occurs in Croatia (I) Introduced - a species introduced to Croatia as a consequence, direct or indirect, of human actions (Ex) Extirpated - a species that no longer occurs in Croatia although populations exist elsewhere
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.
Common and binomial names Image Status in Croatia Regional IUCN status Bar-headed goose(Anser indicus) (A) Accidental vagrant – least concern (Croatia) Greylag goose(Anser anser) Fairly common winter visitor – least concern (Croatia) Greater white-fronted goose(Anser albifrons) Regular winter visitor – least concern (Croatia) Lesser white-fronted goose(Anser erythropus) (A) Rare accidental vagrant – vulnerable (Croatia) Taiga bean goose(Anser fabalis) Scarce winter visitor – least concern (Croatia) Tundra bean goose(Anser serrirostris) Scarce winter visitor – least concern (Croatia) Pink-footed goose(Anser brachyrhynchus) (A) Accidental vagrant – least concern (Croatia) Brant(Branta bernicla) (A) Accidental vagrant – least concern (Croatia) Barnacle goose(Branta leucopsis) (A) Accidental vagrant – least concern (Croatia) Canada goose(Branta canadensis) (A) Accidental vagrant – least concern (Croatia) Red-breasted goose(Branta ruficollis) (A) Rare accidental vagrant – vulnerable (Croatia) Mute swan(Cygnus olor) Common breeding resident – least concern (Croatia) Black swan(Cygnus atratus) (A) Accidental escapee – least concern (Croatia) Tundra swan(Cygnus columbianus) (A) Accidental vagrant – least concern (Croatia) Whooper swan(Cygnus cygnus) Scarce winter visitor – least concern (Croatia) Egyptian goose(Alopochen aegyptiaca) (A) Accidental vagrant – least concern (Croatia) Ruddy shelduck(Tadorna ferruginea) (A) Accidental vagrant – least concern (Croatia) Common shelduck(Tadorna tadorna) Regular breeder and migrant – least concern (Croatia) Garganey(Spatula querquedula) Common breeding summer visitor – least concern (Croatia) Northern shoveler(Spatula clypeata) Breeding summer visitor – least concern (Croatia) Gadwall(Mareca strepera) Breeding summer visitor – least concern (Croatia) Eurasian wigeon(Mareca penelope) Winter visitor – least concern (Croatia) Mallard(Anas platyrhynchos) Abundant breeding resident – least concern (Croatia) Northern pintail(Anas acuta) Scarce winter visitor – least concern (Croatia) Common teal(Anas crecca) Common winter visitor – least concern (Croatia) Red-crested pochard(Netta rufina) Scarce breeder and migrant – least concern (Croatia) Common pochard(Aythya ferina) Scarce breeder and winter visitor – vulnerable (Croatia) Ferruginous duck(Aythya nyroca) Scarce breeder and migrant – near threatened (Croatia) Tufted duck(Aythya fuligula) Common winter visitor – least concern (Croatia) Greater scaup(Aythya marila) Scarce winter visitor – least concern (Croatia) Common eider(Somateria mollissima) (A) Accidental vagrant – least concern (Croatia) Harlequin duck(Histrionicus histrionicus) (A) Accidental vagrant – least concern (Croatia) Velvet scoter(Melanitta fusca) Scarce winter visitor – vulnerable (Croatia) Common scoter(Melanitta nigra) (A) Accidental vagrant – least concern (Croatia) Long-tailed duck(Clangula hyemalis) (A) Accidental vagrant – vulnerable (Croatia) Common goldeneye(Bucephala clangula) Regular winter visitor – least concern (Croatia) Smew(Mergellus albellus) Scarce winter visitor – least concern (Croatia) Common merganser(Mergus merganser) Scarce winter visitor – least concern (Croatia) Red-breasted merganser(Mergus serrator) Scarce winter visitor – least concern (Croatia) White-headed duck(Oxyura leucocephala) (A) Rare accidental vagrant – endangered (Croatia)
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 and binomial names Image Status in Croatia Regional IUCN status Common quail(Coturnix coturnix) Common breeding summer visitor – near threatened (Europe) Rock partridge(Alectoris graeca) Localized breeding resident (6,000–10,000 pairs, declining) – near threatened (Europe) Common pheasant(Phasianus colchicus) I – Introduced, abundant breeding resident – least concern (Europe) Grey partridge(Perdix perdix) Fairly common breeding resident – least concern (Europe) Western capercaillie(Tetrao urogallus) Scarce, highly localized breeding resident (50–100 pairs) – vulnerable (Croatia) Black grouse(Lyrurus tetrix) Ex – Extirpated; formerly bred in Croatia, now vanished – regionally extinct (Croatia) Hazel grouse(Tetrastes bonasia) Scarce localized breeding resident – least concern (Europe)
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.
Common and binomial names Image Status in Croatia Regional IUCN status Greater flamingo(Phoenicopterus roseus) Scarce but increasing visitor, occasional breeder in wetlands – least concern (Croatia)
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.
Common and binomial names Image Status in Croatia Regional IUCN status Little grebe(Tachybaptus ruficollis) Common breeding resident in wetlands – least concern (Croatia) Horned grebe(Podiceps auritus) Rare winter visitor – vulnerable (Croatia) Red-necked grebe(Podiceps grisegena) Scarce winter visitor – least concern (Croatia) Great crested grebe(Podiceps cristatus) Common breeding resident in lakes and rivers – least concern (Croatia) Eared grebe(Podiceps nigricollis) Scarce breeder and migrant – near threatened (Croatia)
Pigeons and doves Order: ColumbiformesFamily: Columbidae
Pigeons and doves are stout-bodied birds with short necks and short slender bills with a fleshy cere.
Common and binomial names Image Status in Croatia Regional IUCN status Rock pigeon(Columba livia) Common resident, most populations are feral, uncertain whether wild populations still exist – least concern (Croatia) Stock dove(Columba oenas) Scarce breeder in woodlands – least concern (Croatia) Common wood pigeon(Columba palumbus) Common breeding resident – least concern (Croatia) European turtle dove(Streptopelia turtur) Scarce breeder, declining population – vulnerable (Croatia) Oriental turtle dove(Streptopelia orientalis) (A) Accidental vagrant – least concern (Croatia) Eurasian collared dove(Streptopelia decaocto) Common breeding resident, widespread in towns and villages – least concern (Croatia)
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.
Common and binomial names Image Status in Croatia Regional IUCN status Pallas's sandgrouse(Syrrhaptes paradoxus) (A) Accidental vagrant, extremely rare irruptive visitor – least concern (Croatia)
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.
Common and binomial names Image Status in Croatia Regional IUCN status Great bustard(Otis tarda) Former breeder, now extirpated in Croatia – regionally extinct (Croatia) Little bustard(Tetrax tetrax) (A) Accidental vagrant, formerly bred but now absent – regionally extinct (Croatia)
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.
Common and binomial names Image Status in Croatia Regional IUCN status Great spotted cuckoo(Clamator glandarius) Rare and localized resident breeder, Scarce summer migrant – least concern (Croatia) Common cuckoo(Cuculus canorus) Widespread breeding summer visitor – least concern (Croatia)
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.
Common and binomial names Image Status in Croatia Regional IUCN status Red-necked nightjar(Caprimulgus ruficollis) (A) Accidental vagrant – least concern (Croatia) Eurasian nightjar(Caprimulgus europaeus) Widespread breeding summer visitor – least concern (Croatia)
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.
Common and binomial names Image Status in Croatia Regional IUCN status Alpine swift(Apus melba) Regular breeder in karst cliffs and coastal areas – least concern (Croatia) Common swift(Apus apus) Abundant breeding summer visitor in towns and villages – least concern (Croatia) Pallid swift(Apus pallidus) Scarce breeder and migrant along Adriatic coast – least concern (Croatia)
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.