This is a list of the bird species recorded in Spain. The area covered by this list is mainland Spain, the Balearic Islands, the Canary Islands, and three small Spanish enclaves on the North African shore. The avifauna of Spain included a total of 638 species recorded in the wild by 2022 according to Sociedad Española de Ornitología (SEO/BirdLife). Taxonomy follows the IOC World Bird List.
The following tags have been used to highlight some categories of occurrence. (R) Rarity – a species that only occurs rarely anywhere in Spain, and requires submission of evidence to the Comité de Rarezas de SEO (Spanish Rarities Committee) for acceptance. (E) Endemic – a species found only in Spain, with the location appended. (B) Category B - species which have not been recorded in Spain since 1950. (C) Category C - species introduced to Spain as a consequence, direct or indirect, of human actions and that has an established population.
Note that Category D (species for which there are reasonable doubts as to their wild origin) do not form part of the Spanish list, and are not included here.
An additional note such as (Canary Islands only) means that the species has been recorded solely in that locality. Species without a note of that type have been recorded at a minimum in mainland Spain.
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.
Brent goose (), Branta bernicla Red-breasted goose (), Branta ruficollis (R) Barnacle goose (), Branta leucopsis (R) Canada goose (), Branta canadensis (C) Bar-headed goose (), Anser indicus (C) Snow goose (), Anser caerulescens (R) Greylag goose (), Anser anser Taiga bean goose (), Anser fabalis (R) Pink-footed goose (), Anser brachyrhynchus Tundra bean goose (), Anser serrirostris (R) Greater white-fronted goose (), Anser albifrons Mute swan (), Cygnus olor Black swan (), Cygnus atratus (C) Bewick's swan (), Cygnus columbianus (R) Whooper swan (), Cygnus cygnus (R) Egyptian goose (), Alopochen aegyptiaca (C) Common shelduck (), Tadorna tadorna Ruddy shelduck (), Tadorna ferruginea Muscovy duck (), Cairina moschata (C) Mandarin duck (), Aix galericulata (C) Garganey (), Spatula querquedula Blue-winged teal (), Spatula discors (R) Northern shoveler (), Spatula clypeata Gadwall (), Mareca strepera Eurasian wigeon (), Mareca penelope American wigeon (), Mareca americana (R) Mallard (), Anas platyrhynchos American black duck (), Anas rubripes (R) Northern pintail (), Anas acuta Eurasian teal (), Anas crecca Green-winged teal (), Anas carolinensis (R) Marbled duck (), Marmaronetta angustirostris Red-crested pochard (), Netta rufina Common pochard (), Aythya ferina Ferruginous duck (), Aythya nyroca Ring-necked duck (), Aythya collaris Tufted duck (), Aythya fuligula Greater scaup (), Aythya marila Lesser scaup (), Aythya affinis (R) King eider (), Somateria spectabilis (R) Common eider (), Somateria mollissima Surf scoter (), Melanitta perspicillata (R) Velvet scoter (), Melanitta fusca Stejneger's scoter (), Melanitta stejnegeri (R) Common scoter (), Melanitta nigra Black scoter (), Melanitta americana (R) Long-tailed duck (), Clangula hyemalis Bufflehead (), Bucephala albeola (R) Common goldeneye (), Bucephala clangula (R) Barrow's goldeneye (), Bucephala islandica (R) Smew (), Mergellus albellus (R) Goosander (), Mergus merganser (R) Red-breasted merganser (), Mergus serrator Ruddy duck (), Oxyura jamaicensis (C) 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.
Hazel grouse (), Tetrastes bonasia (B) Rock ptarmigan (), Lagopus muta Western capercaillie (), Tetrao urogallus Grey partridge (), Perdix perdix Common pheasant (), Phasianus colchicus (C) Common quail (), Coturnix coturnix Barbary partridge (), Alectoris barbara (native in North African territories, category C on Canary Islands) Red-legged partridge (), Alectoris rufa
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 nighthawk (), Chordeiles minor (R) Red-necked nightjar (), Caprimulgus ruficollis Eurasian nightjar (), Caprimulgus europaeus Egyptian nightjar (), Caprimulgus aegyptius (R)
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 (R) Alpine swift (), Tachymarptis melba Common swift (), Apus apus Plain swift (), Apus unicolor (R except on Canary Islands) Pallid swift (), Apus pallidus Little swift (), Apus affinis White-rumped swift (), Apus caffer
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 vulnerable Houbara bustard (), Chlamydotis undulata (Canary Islands only) 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. The Old World cuckoos are brood parasites.
Great spotted cuckoo (), Clamator glandarius Yellow-billed cuckoo (), Coccyzus americanus (R) Common cuckoo (), Cuculus canorus
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 (B) Pin-tailed sandgrouse (), Pterocles alchata Black-bellied sandgrouse (), Pterocles orientalis
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 Stock dove (), Columba oenas Common wood pigeon (), Columba palumbus Bolle's pigeon (), Columba bollii (E – Canary Islands) Laurel pigeon (), Columba junoniae (E – Canary Islands) European turtle dove (), Streptopelia turtur Oriental turtle dove (), Streptopelia orientalis (R) Eurasian collared dove (), Streptopelia decaocto Laughing dove (), Spilopelia senegalensis (R on mainland Spain only)
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 African crake (), Crecopsis egregia (R) Corn crake (), Crex crex (R) Sora (), Porzana carolina (R) Spotted crake (), Porzana porzana Lesser moorhen (), Paragallinula angulata (R) Common moorhen (), Gallinula chloropus Eurasian coot (), Fulica atra Red-knobbed coot (), Fulica cristata American coot (), Fulica americana (R) Allen's gallinule (), Porphyrio alleni (R) Purple gallinule (), Porphyrio martinicus (R) Western swamphen (), Porphyrio porphyrio African swamphen (), Porphyrio madagascariensis (R) Baillon's crake (), Zapornia pusilla Little crake (), Zapornia parva Striped crake (), Aenigmatolimnas marginalis (R)
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".
Sandhill crane (), Antigone canadensis (R) Demoiselle crane (), Grus virgo (B R) Common crane (), Grus grus
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 (R) Red-necked grebe (), Podiceps grisegena (R) Great crested grebe (), Podiceps cristatus Slavonian grebe (), Podiceps auritus vulnerable Black-necked grebe (), Podiceps nigricollis
Flamingos Order: PhoenicopteriformesFamily: Phoenicopteridae
Flamingos are gregarious wading birds, usually tall, found in both the Western and eastern Hemispheres. Flamingos filter-feed on shrimps 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
Buttonquail Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Turnicidae
The buttonquail are small, drab, running birds which resemble the true quails. The female is the brighter of the sexes and initiates courtship. The male incubates the eggs and tends the young.
Common buttonquail (), Turnix sylvaticus (Ex)BirdLife International. 2021. Turnix sylvaticus (Europe assessment). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2021: e.T22680500A166212521. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2021-3.RLTS.T22680500A166212521.en. Accessed on 07 July 2024.
Stone-curlews and thick-knees Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Burhinidae
The stone-curlews and 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 stone-curlew (), Burhinus oedicnemus
Oystercatchers Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Haematopodidae
The oystercatchers are large and noisy plover-like birds, with strong bills used for smashing or prising open molluscs. They are long-lived birds, with some species known to live in excess of 40 years.
Canary Islands oystercatcher (), Haematopus meadewaldoi (E – Canary Islands; extinct) Eurasian oystercatcher (), Haematopus ostralegus
Stilts and avocets Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Recurvirostridae
Recurvirostridae is a family of large wading birds, which includes the stilts and avocets. 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
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.
Northern lapwing (), Vanellus vanellus