This is a list of the bird species recorded in Israel. The avifauna of Israel include a total of 591 species, of which eleven have been introduced by humans. Five species are listed as extirpated from Israel. The Eurasian hoopoe was elected as Israel national bird in a public vote in 2008.
The official checklist of birds of Israel is maintained by the Israeli Rarities and Distribution Committee (IRDC).
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 Israel.
The following tags have been used to highlight several categories, but not all species fall into one of these categories. Those that do not are commonly occurring native species.
(A) Accidental - a species that rarely or accidentally occurs in Israel (I) Introduced - a species introduced to Israel as a consequence, direct or indirect, of human actions (Ex) Extirpated - a species that no longer occurs in Israel although populations exist elsewhere (X) Extinct - a species or subspecies that no longer exists
Background The avifauna of Israel is notable for its diversity, attributed to Israel's geographical position at the junction of Europe, Asia, and Africa. Israel is a stop on the Black Sea–Mediterranean Flyway for migrating birds, with over 485 species recorded throughout various seasons. The country's avian population includes both resident species and a vast number of migrants that leverage Israel's varied habitats and climatic zones.
Recent observations have identified changes in Israel's breeding avifauna, including the emergence of new breeding species and expansions in the breeding ranges of existing species. From 2003 to 2016, nine species were found breeding in Israel for the first time, including the common shelduck, great cormorant, and black-winged kite.
Israel's variety of habitats, from Mediterranean forests and deserts to wetlands and agricultural fields, supports a wide range of bird species. The Agmon wetland in northern Israel, for example, offers crucial foraging, nesting, and roosting habitats for numerous species, including herons, dabbling ducks, kingfishers, and raptors.
Human activities have exerted both positive and negative impacts on bird populations in Israel. Habitat changes and increased food availability have benefited some species, while others have been challenged by habitat loss and agricultural conflicts. The introduction of non-indigenous bird species has further altered the avian community composition.
Conservation efforts are crucial to mitigate the challenges faced by birds in Israel, especially for endangered species like the great white pelican, which relies on Israel as a critical stopover during migration. Protecting habitats, managing human-wildlife conflicts, and informed conservation strategies are essential for preserving Israel's rich avian diversity.
Ostriches Order: StruthioniformesFamily: Struthionidae
The ostrich is a flightless bird native to Africa. It is the largest living species of bird. It is distinctive in its appearance, with a long neck and legs and the ability to run at high speeds.
Common ostrich, Struthio camelus (Ex)
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.
Lesser whistling-duck, Dendrocygna javanica (A) Graylag goose, Anser anser Greater white-fronted goose, Anser albifrons Lesser white-fronted goose, Anser erythropus (A) Taiga bean-goose, Anser fabalis (A) Tundra bean-goose, Anser serrirostris (A) Barnacle goose, Branta leucopsis (A) Red-breasted goose, Branta ruficollis (A) Mute swan, Cygnus olor Tundra swan, Cygnus columbianus (A) Whooper swan, Cygnus cygnus (A) Egyptian goose, Alopochen aegyptiacus (I) Ruddy shelduck, Tadorna ferruginea Common shelduck, Tadorna tadorna Garganey, Spatula querquedula Northern shoveler, Spatula clypeata Gadwall, Mareca strepera Eurasian wigeon, Mareca penelope Mallard, Anas platyrhynchos Cape teal, Anas capensis (A) Red-billed duck, Anas erythrorhyncha (A) Northern pintail, Anas acuta Green-winged teal, Anas crecca Marbled teal, Marmaronetta angustirostris Red-crested pochard, Netta rufina Southern pochard, Netta erythrophthalma (A) Common pochard, Aythya ferina Ferruginous duck, Aythya nyroca Tufted duck, Aythya fuligula Greater scaup, Aythya marila (A) Common eider, Somateria mollissima (A) Velvet scoter, Melanitta fusca (A) Long-tailed duck, Clangula hyemalis (A) Common goldeneye, Bucephala clangula Smew, Mergellus albellus Common merganser, Mergus merganser (A) Red-breasted merganser, Mergus serrator White-headed duck, Oxyura leucocephala
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.
Sand partridge, Ammoperdix heyi Common quail, Coturnix coturnix Chukar, Alectoris chukar Black francolin, Francolinus francolinus
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 Lesser flamingo, Phoeniconaias minor (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 Horned grebe, Podiceps auritus (A) Red-necked grebe, Podiceps grisegena (A) 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 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 African collared-dove, Streptopelia roseogrisea (A) Laughing dove, Spilopelia senegalensis Namaqua dove, Oena capensis
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.
Pin-tailed sandgrouse, Pterocles alchata Spotted sandgrouse, Pterocles senegallus Black-bellied sandgrouse, Pterocles orientalis Crowned sandgrouse, Pterocles coronatus Lichtenstein's sandgrouse, Pterocles lichtensteinii
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) MacQueen's bustard, Chlamydotis macqueenii Little bustard, Tetrax tetrax
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.
Great spotted cuckoo, Clamator glandarius Dideric cuckoo, Chrysococcyx caprius (A) Common cuckoo, Cuculus canorus Oriental cuckoo, Cuculus optatus (A)
Nightjars 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 Egyptian nightjar, Caprimulgus aegyptius Nubian nightjar, Caprimulgus nubicus
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.
Alpine swift, Apus melba Common swift, Apus apus Pallid swift, Apus pallidus Little swift, Apus affinis
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 African crake, Crex egregia (A) Spotted crake, Porzana porzana Eurasian moorhen, Gallinula chloropus Eurasian coot, Fulica atra African swamphen, Porphyrio madagascariensis Gray-headed swamphen, Porphyrio poliocephalus (A) Little crake, Zapornia parva 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 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 Senegal thick-knee, Burhinus senegalensis (A)
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
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 Northern lapwing, Vanellus vanellus Spur-winged lapwing, Vanellus spinosus