Birds of Slovakia: The Complete List

Slovakia’s variety of habitats — from lowland wetlands and river floodplains to mixed forests and the High Tatras — makes it a rewarding place for birdwatching across seasons. Local reserves, roadside meadows and mountain trails all offer different species, so both short visits and longer trips can turn up something interesting.

There are 118 Birds of Slovakia, ranging from Barn Owl to Yellowhammer. For each species we list the Scientific name,Status,Where to see so you can match names to likely locations and note conservation status — you’ll find below.

How up-to-date is this list and where does the information come from?

The list is compiled from recent national checklists, regional bird atlases and verified records from Slovak birding groups; it reflects published sightings and official status updates but seasonal changes and rare vagrant records can alter counts, so check local society updates for the latest changes.

What are the best places and times in Slovakia to see many species?

Aim for river floodplains and lowland wetlands in spring and autumn migration for diversity, mix in forest edges and mountain meadows in summer, and visit dawn or dusk when birds are most active; local reserves and national parks often have species guides and hides that improve success.

Birds of Slovakia

Common name	Scientific name	Status	Where to see
Mute Swan	Cygnus olor	breeding	large lakes, Danube floodplains, reservoirs
Whooper Swan	Cygnus cygnus	winter visitor	Danube floodplains, reservoirs, wetlands
Greylag Goose	Anser anser	breeding	wetlands, fishponds, lowland reservoirs
Canada Goose	Branta canadensis	introduced	urban parks, reservoirs, rivers
Mallard	Anas platyrhynchos	breeding	urban ponds, rivers, reservoirs
Eurasian Teal	Anas crecca	regular migrant	shallow wetlands, floodplains, reservoirs
Northern Shoveler	Spatula clypeata	regular migrant	wet marshes, fishponds, reservoirs
Garganey	Spatula querquedula	regular migrant	shallow ponds, reed margins, floodplains
Common Pochard	Aythya ferina	regular migrant	reservoirs, deep lakes, river backwaters
Tufted Duck	Aythya fuligula	breeding	lakes, reservoirs, river pools
Little Grebe	Tachybaptus ruficollis	breeding	ponds, slow rivers, reedbeds
Great Crested Grebe	Podiceps cristatus	breeding	lakes, reservoirs, large rivers
Great Cormorant	Phalacrocorax carbo	regular migrant	rivers, reservoirs, large lakes
Grey Heron	Ardea cinerea	breeding	rivers, wetlands, floodplains
Great Egret	Ardea alba	regular migrant	floodplains, wetlands, reservoirs
Little Egret	Egretta garzetta	rare	lowland wetlands, reservoirs, fishponds
Eurasian Bittern	Botaurus stellaris	rare	extensive reedbeds, Danube floodplain
European Spoonbill	Platalea leucorodia	rare	floodplains, shallow reservoirs, wetlands
White Stork	Ciconia ciconia	breeding	farmland, villages, nest platforms
Black Stork	Ciconia nigra	rare	forested river valleys, remote wetlands
Common Crane	Grus grus	regular migrant	Danube floodplain, wetlands, agricultural fields
Little Ringed Plover	Charadrius dubius	breeding	gravel riverbanks, reservoirs, sandbars
Northern Lapwing	Vanellus vanellus	breeding	wet meadows, marshes, agricultural fields
Common Snipe	Gallinago gallinago	regular migrant	marshes, reedbeds, wet meadows
Eurasian Curlew	Numenius arquata	rare	large wetlands, coastal-like inland marshes
Common Sandpiper	Actitis hypoleucos	regular migrant	riverbanks, reservoirs, lakeshores
Green Sandpiper	Tringa ochropus	regular migrant	pond margins, damp woodlands, reservoirs
Wood Sandpiper	Tringa glareola	regular migrant	marshes, shallow ponds, floodplains
Common Greenshank	Tringa nebularia	rare	flooded meadows, reservoirs, wetlands
Black-headed Gull	Chroicocephalus ridibundus	breeding	lakes, reservoirs, floodplain meadows
Common Gull	Larus canus	regular migrant	large reservoirs, rivers, wetlands
Little Gull	Hydrocoloeus minutus	rare	large reservoirs, Danube floodplain
Common Tern	Sterna hirundo	breeding	reservoir islands, rivers, lakeshores
Whiskered Tern	Chlidonias hybrida	rare	shallow wetlands, marshes, reservoirs
Black Tern	Chlidonias niger	rare	large marshes, floodplain wetlands
Little Tern	Sternula albifrons	rare	sandy riverbanks, reservoir shores
Eurasian Hobby	Falco subbuteo	regular migrant	open country, near wetlands, towns
Common Kestrel	Falco tinnunculus	breeding	farmland, grassland, urban outskirts
Peregrine Falcon	Falco peregrinus	breeding	cliffs, quarries, cities
Common Buzzard	Buteo buteo	breeding	woodland edges, hills, agricultural landscape
European Honey Buzzard	Pernis apivorus	regular migrant	mixed forests, lowland woodlands
Goshawk	Accipiter gentilis	breeding	mature forests, Carpathian mountains
Eurasian Sparrowhawk	Accipiter nisus	breeding	woodlands, gardens, parks
Marsh Harrier	Circus aeruginosus	regular migrant	reedbeds, wetlands, floodplain marshes
Red Kite	Milvus milvus	breeding	open countryside, woodland edges, lowlands
Black Kite	Milvus migrans	regular migrant	rivers, lowland wetlands, urban areas
White-tailed Eagle	Haliaeetus albicilla	rare	large rivers, reservoirs, Danube floodplain
Osprey	Pandion haliaetus	rare	large reservoirs, river stretches, wetlands
Common Pheasant	Phasianus colchicus	introduced	farmland, hedgerows, wetlands
Grey Partridge	Perdix perdix	breeding	farmland, arable fields, grassland
Western Capercaillie	Tetrao urogallus	rare	remote Carpathian conifer forests
Black Grouse	Lyrurus tetrix	rare	upland meadows, forest clearings, Carpathians
Corn Crake	Crex crex	rare	hay meadows, tall grasslands, floodplain meadows
Eurasian Woodcock	Scolopax rusticola	breeding	woodlands, damp forests, clearings
European Turtle Dove	Streptopelia turtur	breeding	open woodland, hedgerows, orchards
Common Wood Pigeon	Columba palumbus	breeding	woodlands, parks, farmland
Stock Dove	Columba oenas	breeding	woodlands, old trees, agricultural landscapes
Eurasian Collared Dove	Streptopelia decaocto	breeding	villages, towns, farmland
Common Cuckoo	Cuculus canorus	regular migrant	open woodland, meadows, wetlands
Barn Owl	Tyto alba	breeding	farmland buildings, church towers, grasslands
Tawny Owl	Strix aluco	breeding	woodlands, parks, mature trees
Ural Owl	Strix uralensis	rare	old-growth Carpathian forests, mountain valleys
Long-eared Owl	Asio otus	breeding	woodlands, reed-fringed wetlands, shelterbelts
Short-eared Owl	Asio flammeus	rare	marshes, open grasslands, floodplains
Eurasian Hoopoe	Upupa epops	regular migrant	open countryside, orchards, parkland
European Roller	Coracias garrulus	vagrant	open lowlands, river valleys (rare)
Green Woodpecker	Picus viridis	breeding	parks, deciduous woodlands, orchards
Great Spotted Woodpecker	Dendrocopos major	breeding	mixed woodlands, parks, gardens
Black Woodpecker	Dryocopus martius	breeding	mature forest, Carpathian beech stands
Middle Spotted Woodpecker	Dendrocoptes medius	breeding	old deciduous woodland, orchards
Lesser Spotted Woodpecker	Dryobates minor	rare	old broadleaf woods, orchards
Eurasian Nuthatch	Sitta europaea	breeding	woodlands, parks, mature gardens
Eurasian Treecreeper	Certhia familiaris	breeding	woodlands, parks with old trees
European Starling	Sturnus vulgaris	breeding	towns, farmland, reed edges
Common Blackbird	Turdus merula	breeding	gardens, woodlands, parks
Song Thrush	Turdus philomelos	breeding	woodlands, gardens, hedgerows
Mistle Thrush	Turdus viscivorus	breeding	parks, open woodlands, orchards
Fieldfare	Turdus pilaris	winter visitor	fruit orchards, open countryside, hedgerows
Redwing	Turdus iliacus	winter visitor	woodland edges, hedgerows, parks
Ring Ouzel	Turdus torquatus	regular migrant	Carpathian slopes, upland pastures
Northern Wheatear	Oenanthe oenanthe	regular migrant	open stony ground, upland pastures, river gravel
White Wagtail	Motacilla alba	breeding	rivers, towns, farmland, gravel banks
Grey Wagtail	Motacilla cinerea	breeding	fast-flowing streams, rivers, bridges
Yellow Wagtail	Motacilla flava	breeding	wet meadows, pastureland, floodplain grasslands
Meadow Pipit	Anthus pratensis	regular migrant	open grassland, meadows, upland pastures
Tree Pipit	Anthus trivialis	breeding	open woodland, clearings, hillsides
Water Pipit	Anthus spinoletta	regular migrant	alpine meadows, reservoirs, wet pastures
Eurasian Wren	Troglodytes troglodytes	breeding	woodlands, hedgerows, gardens
Eurasian Penduline Tit	Remiz pendulinus	rare	willow and reed edges along rivers
Long-tailed Tit	Aegithalos caudatus	breeding	woodlands, hedgerows, parks
Marsh Tit	Poecile palustris	breeding	old broadleaved woodland, parks
Willow Tit	Poecile montanus	rare	mature wet woodlands, riverine habitat
Blue Tit	Cyanistes caeruleus	breeding	gardens, woodlands, parks
Great Tit	Parus major	breeding	woodlands, gardens, parks
Goldcrest	Regulus regulus	breeding	coniferous and mixed woodland, parks
Firecrest	Regulus ignicapilla	breeding	mixed woodlands, parks with conifers
Common Chiffchaff	Phylloscopus collybita	breeding	woodlands, parks, scrub, river corridors
Willow Warbler	Phylloscopus trochilus	breeding	open woodland, parks, hedgerows
Blackcap	Sylvia atricapilla	breeding	gardens, woodlands, hedgerows
Garden Warbler	Sylvia borin	breeding	deciduous woodlands, shrubby areas
Lesser Whitethroat	Curruca curruca	breeding	scrub, hedgerows, open woodland
Common Whitethroat	Curruca communis	breeding	bushy edges, hedgerows, scrub
Sedge Warbler	Acrocephalus schoenobaenus	regular migrant	reedbeds, marsh margins, river backwaters
Reed Warbler	Acrocephalus scirpaceus	breeding	extensive reedbeds, marshes, reservoir margins
Bearded Reedling	Panurus biarmicus	breeding	large reedbeds, floodplain marshes
European Goldfinch	Carduelis carduelis	breeding	farmland hedges, parks, gardens
European Greenfinch	Chloris chloris	breeding	parks, gardens, farmland
Eurasian Siskin	Spinus spinus	regular migrant	coniferous woodland, parks, feeders
Common Linnet	Linaria cannabina	breeding	farmland, hedgerows, heathland
Eurasian Bullfinch	Pyrrhula pyrrhula	breeding	woodlands, orchards, hedgerows
Common Crossbill	Loxia curvirostra	breeding	spruce forests, Carpathian conifers
Hawfinch	Coccothraustes coccothraustes	rare	mature deciduous woodland, fruit orchards
Common Rosefinch	Carpodacus erythrinus	rare	bushy edges, riparian scrub, river valleys
Rock Sparrow	Petronia petronia	rare	rocky outcrops, old stone buildings, towns
House Sparrow	Passer domesticus	breeding	towns, villages, farmland
Eurasian Tree Sparrow	Passer montanus	breeding	villages, farmland, hedgerows
Yellowhammer	Emberiza citrinella	breeding	farmland hedgerows, grassland, field edges
Reed Bunting	Emberiza schoeniclus	breeding	reeds, marshes, wet meadows

Images and Descriptions

Mute Swan

Large white swan with orange bill and black knob, about 125–170 cm long. Often seen gliding on lowland lakes and rivers; territorial breeders that nest on reed-fringed shores and are unmistakable in flight or on water.

Whooper Swan

White swan with long neck and yellow-black bill, about 140–170 cm. Winter visitor to Slovakia’s wetlands and reservoirs, noisy in flight with trumpeting calls and easily confused with mute swan by bill pattern.

Greylag Goose

Large grey goose, 74–84 cm, pink bill and legs. Common breeder on wetlands and agricultural ponds; forms noisy flocks, grazes on fields and is ancestor of many feral domestic geese.

Canada Goose

Large black-headed goose, 75–110 cm. Introduced and increasingly common in parks and reservoirs; bold, grazes lawns and forms large flocks. Recognizable by black head, white cheek patch and loud honking.

Mallard

Common dabbling duck, 50–65 cm. Male has glossy green head and yellow bill; female mottled brown. Ubiquitous resident and breeder on virtually all Slovak waterbodies, from city parks to marshes.

Eurasian Teal

Small dabbling duck, 34–38 cm, male with distinctive green flank and chestnut head patch. Passage migrant and winter visitor on shallow wetlands, often in mixed flocks with other ducks.

Northern Shoveler

Medium duck, 45–55 cm, long broad bill. Male has green head and large spatulate bill. Seen on shallow productive waters during migration and breeding in suitable wetlands.

Garganey

Small dabbling duck, 40–45 cm, male with striking white stripe over eye. A spring and autumn migrant that favours shallow, vegetated wetlands; attractive but often secretive.

Common Pochard

Diving duck, 40–46 cm, male has red head and black breast. Regular migrant and winter visitor on open lakes and reservoirs; dives for plant material and invertebrates.

Tufted Duck

Black-and-white diving duck, 36–46 cm, male with tufted rear crown. Breeds on many Slovak reservoirs and lakes; often forms large winter flocks and dives for molluscs.

Little Grebe

Small compact grebe, 23–29 cm, dark plumage and short bill. Secretive breeder in reed-fringed ponds; surfaces with only head and neck visible and dives quickly when disturbed.

Great Crested Grebe

Large grebe, 46–51 cm, ornate head plumes in breeding season. Performs elaborate courtship displays; nests on floating vegetation and is a familiar sight on open lakes.

Great Cormorant

Large black waterbird, 70–90 cm, long hooked bill. Frequently fishes in rivers and reservoirs; roosts in trees or on buoys, often seen spreading wings to dry.

Grey Heron

Tall grey heron, 84–102 cm, long neck and dagger bill. Wades patiently or stands still for fish; common breeder along rivers and wetlands throughout Slovakia.

Great Egret

Elegant all-white heron, 90–100 cm, long yellow bill. Increasing breeder and migrant in Slovakia; forages in shallow water and shows striking breeding plumes.

Little Egret

Small white heron, 55–65 cm, slender black bill and black legs with yellow feet. Increasingly recorded as a summer visitor and occasional breeder at warmer wetlands.

Eurasian Bittern

Chunky brown heron, 65–80 cm, cryptic streaked plumage. Secretive resident of large reedbeds; distinctive booming calls heard at dawn and dusk in spring.

European Spoonbill

Large white wader, 80–90 cm, spatulate bill. Occasional visitor to shallow wetlands and floodplains, often seen feeding by sweeping bill side-to-side in shallow water.

White Stork

Large white stork, 100–115 cm, black flight feathers and long red bill. Iconic summer breeder in villages and farmland; nests on chimneys, poles and platforms, feeds on meadows and wetlands.

Black Stork

Shy black-and-white stork, 95–110 cm, long red bill. Avoids human settlements and breeds in mature forest river valleys; sightings usually in remote wetland corridors.

Common Crane

Tall grey crane, 100–120 cm, with loud trumpeting calls and red forehead patch. Regular passage migrant and occasional breeder; visible in flocks on wetlands and stubble fields during migration.

Little Ringed Plover

Small plover, 16–18 cm, pale with black eye-ring and small bill. Breeds on open gravel shores and riverbanks; wary and often runs in short bursts near water.

Northern Lapwing

Medium wader, 28–33 cm, iridescent green back and crest. Conspicuous flocks in winter and breeding on wet grasslands; dramatic aerial displays and piping calls.

Common Snipe

Cryptic brown wader, 25–27 cm, long straight bill. Secretive and well-camouflaged; performs zigzagging “drumming” flights at dusk and dawn during breeding season.

Eurasian Curlew

Large long-billed wader, 50–60 cm, curved bill. Scarce breeder and passage migrant in suitable wetlands; unmistakable by very long decurved bill and bubbling call.

Common Sandpiper

Slender brown-and-white wader, 19–20 cm, teetering on shorelines. Regular migrant and summer visitor that bobs tail and runs along stones and banks hunting invertebrates.

Green Sandpiper

Medium wader, 21–23 cm, dark greenish-brown back and white underparts. Often solitary, perches in trees near water; common passage migrant and autumn/winter visitor.

Wood Sandpiper

Slender spotted wader, 21–24 cm. Prefers shallow, vegetation-rich wetlands during migration; distinctive upright stance and light spots on back.

Common Greenshank

Tall greenish-legged wader, 28–33 cm, slightly upturned bill. Occasional migrant to larger wetland complexes; more often seen on passage in spring and autumn.

Black-headed Gull

Small gull, 35–40 cm, brown (summer) hood and white body. Common breeder on lakes and islands; noisy flocks feed in fields and on water.

Common Gull

Medium gull, 40–46 cm, grey back and neat profile. Regular visitor and passage species around reservoirs and river systems, often in mixed gull flocks.

Little Gull

Tiny gull, 24–26 cm, dainty flight and black head in breeding season. A rare passage migrant and occasional visitor to large open waters; striking in flight when present.

Common Tern

Slim tern, 28–35 cm, forked tail and black cap. Breeds on islands and floating rafts, agile plunge-diver feeding on small fish close to shorelines.

Whiskered Tern

Small dark-backed tern, 26–30 cm, summer dark crown and grey body. Local and scarce breeder historically; now an occasional visitor to inland wetlands during summer.

Black Tern

Small tern, 22–27 cm, black breeding plumage. Migratory visitor to inland marshes and reed-fringes; elegant fluttering flight while hunting insects above water.

Little Tern

Tiny tern, 20–22 cm, white forehead and pale bill. Scarce breeding and passage species on sandy shores; nests on open gravel and sand in summer.

Eurasian Hobby

Slim falcon, 29–34 cm, dark back and rufous underparts. Fast aerial hunter of swallows and large insects; passage migrant and summer visitor in open landscapes.

Common Kestrel

Small falcon, 32–39 cm, hovering hunter with rusty back. Common breeder on buildings and poles; hovers while hunting small mammals and insects.

Peregrine Falcon

Powerful falcon, 40–50 cm, slate-blue back and barred underparts. Breeds on cliffs and increasingly in towns; renowned for high-speed stoops when hunting birds.

Common Buzzard

Medium raptor, 45–58 cm, variable plumage. Widespread breeder, often seen perched or soaring; generalist predator feeding on small mammals, birds and carrion.

European Honey Buzzard

Medium slender raptor, 50–60 cm, long wings and tail. Migrant that feeds on wasp larvae and insects; passage birds seen in forested areas during spring and autumn.

Goshawk

Large accipiter, 50–65 cm, powerful and agile. Secretive forest predator that hunts birds through trees; a resident breeder in extensive woodlands and mountain forests.

Eurasian Sparrowhawk

Small agile raptor, 29–41 cm, short broad wings. Common breeder that darts through trees hunting small birds; often seen near woodland edges and gardens.

Marsh Harrier

Large slender harrier, 40–50 cm, low quartering flight. Forages over reedbeds and marshes for small mammals, birds and amphibians; visible during migration and breeding season.

Red Kite

Slender red-tailed raptor, 60–70 cm, forked tail. Scenic soaring raptor that breeds in parts of Slovakia; scavenges and hunts small prey over farmlands.

Black Kite

Medium raptor, 50–60 cm, dark plumage and forked tail. Aerial scavenger and migratory visitor often seen over floodplains and open countryside in summer.

White-tailed Eagle

Huge sea-eagle, 70–90 cm, broad wings and pale tail. Rare but increasing visitor and occasional breeder along major rivers and reservoirs, fishing and scavenging.

Osprey

Fish-eating raptor, 50–60 cm, white underparts and dark eye stripe. Scarce migrant and occasional breeder, seen hunting over large open waters and reservoirs.

Common Pheasant

Colorful gamebird, 50–90 cm (male). Introduced and widespread; males have long tails and bold plumage, often flushed from cover in farmland and reedbeds.

Grey Partridge

Stocky gamebird, 28–32 cm, mottled brown. Ground-dwelling farmland species that nests in fields and hedgerows; population declined but still present in agricultural areas.

Western Capercaillie

Very large grouse, 70–100 cm, dark plumage and fan tail. Iconic but locally rare resident of mature mountain forests; lekking displays in spring are spectacular but elusive.

Black Grouse

Medium grouse, 45–55 cm, males black with lyre-shaped tail. Prefers mosaic of open moor and young forest; rare and locally distributed in higher elevations.

Corn Crake

Elusive brown rail, 27–34 cm, heavily streaked. Secretive breeder of wet meadows; often heard at night with rasping calls but difficult to see.

Eurasian Woodcock

Stocky cryptic wader, 28–32 cm, long bill. Nocturnal and crepuscular; displays erratic flight at dusk and breeds in damp woodland with dense cover.

European Turtle Dove

Slender dove, 22–28 cm, warm brown and patterned plumage. Summer breeder noted for gentle purring; populations declined but still present in suitable habitats.

Common Wood Pigeon

Large pigeon, 38–42 cm, grey with white neck patch. Widespread breeder and common in towns and countryside, often seen in flocks or perched in trees.

Stock Dove

Grey pigeon, 33–36 cm, subtle pale face with greenish sheen. Nest-cavity breeder present in woodlands and older trees; less gregarious than wood pigeon.

Eurasian Collared Dove

Pale dove, 32–34 cm, black neck crescent. Rapidly expanded range and now common in urban and rural areas; often perches on buildings and wires.

Common Cuckoo

Slender grey bird, 32–36 cm, long tail and cuckoo call. Summer migrant and brood parasite; males give the familiar two-note “cuck-oo” across open habitats.

Barn Owl

Pale nocturnal owl, 33–39 cm, heart-shaped face. Hunts low over grassland for small mammals; nests in barns and cavities and is prized by ringers and nocturnal observers.

Tawny Owl

Stocky brown owl, 37–39 cm, dark eyes. Common woodland resident; hoots at night from forest edges and gardens, often reveals presence by territorial calls.

Ural Owl

Large pale owl, 60–65 cm, round head without ear tufts. A secretive forest species of mature beech and spruce woods; occasional breeder in remote Carpathian areas.

Long-eared Owl

Medium owl, 31–40 cm, long ear tufts. Roosts in trees by day and hunts small mammals at dusk; breeds in woodlands and dense vegetation.

Short-eared Owl

Medium pale owl, 34–43 cm, streaked plumage. Irruptive and crepuscular hunter over marshes and grasslands; more frequent in winter or irruption years.

Eurasian Hoopoe

Distinctive crested bird, 25–32 cm, cinnamon body and black-and-white wings. Feeds on the ground probing for insects; summer migrant and occasional breeder in warm lowlands.

European Roller

Bright blue and rufous bird, 29–32 cm, striking in flight. Very rare vagrant to Slovakia; when present perches conspicuously on wires or posts in open country.

Green Woodpecker

Large green woodpecker, 30–36 cm, red crown in males. Often found feeding on ants on the ground; conspicuous laughing calls and avoids deep forest interiors.

Great Spotted Woodpecker

Medium woodpecker, 23–26 cm, black-and-white with red under-tail. Common woodland species that drums on trees and visits bird feeders in winter.

Black Woodpecker

Large black woodpecker, 45–55 cm, red crown (male). Prefers mature forests; excavates large nest cavities and is often heard drumming or calling from tall trees.

Middle Spotted Woodpecker

Small woodpecker, 18–21 cm, red crown and warm buff head. Specialized in old oak and beech woodland; often seen creeping on trunks for insects and larvae.

Lesser Spotted Woodpecker

Tiny woodpecker, 14–16 cm, black-and-white barred back. Scarce and declining; frequent in mature deciduous woods where it gleans insects from smaller branches.

Eurasian Nuthatch

Small chunky bird, 14–16 cm, blue-grey above and orange below. Climbs headfirst down trunks and hides seeds in bark crevices; common in mature deciduous and mixed woods.

Eurasian Treecreeper

Tiny brown-crested bird, 12–14 cm, stiff tail used as support. Climbs spirally up tree trunks searching for insects; secretive but widespread in mature woodland.

European Starling

Medium glossy bird, 20–23 cm, iridescent plumage in summer. Highly gregarious, forms large murmuration flocks; nests in cavities and feeds on invertebrates and fruit.

Common Blackbird

Medium thrush, 23–29 cm, male black with yellow bill. Common and familiar garden bird; sings melodious phrases from perches and forages on lawns and leaf litter.

Song Thrush

Medium thrush, 20–23 cm, speckled breast. Known for repeated musical phrases and feeding on snails; widespread breeder in a variety of habitats.

Mistle Thrush

Large thrush, 26–30 cm, pale with streaks. Sings loudly from exposed perches and defends berry-rich trees in winter; prefers open parkland and orchards.

Fieldfare

Large grey-backed thrush, 25–27 cm. Winter visitor in flocks feeding on berries and fallen fruit; noisy and conspicuous in gardens and orchards.

Redwing

Small thrush, 18–20 cm, red flank and pale eyebrow. A common winter visitor that forages in small flocks, often near berries and lawns in milder winters.

Ring Ouzel

Dark thrush, 22–24 cm, male with pale crescent on chest. Passage migrant and occasional high-altitude breeder in the Carpathians, favouring rocky uplands and mountain scrub.

Northern Wheatear

Small upright bird, 14–16 cm, pale underside and distinctive tail pattern. Passage migrant and summer visitor to open habitats and mountain tundra-like areas.

White Wagtail

Slender pied wagtail, 16–19 cm, black-and-white head pattern. Common and conspicuous near water and urban areas; bobs tail and feeds on insects on ground.

Grey Wagtail

Slender bright-tailed wagtail, 18–20 cm, yellow belly. Prefers running water and rocky streams; often perches on stones or bridge rails while feeding on aquatic insects.

Yellow Wagtail

Slim colourful wagtail, 15–18 cm, males brightly marked in summer. Breeds on wet grasslands and meadows; migratory and often found in agricultural wetland mosaics.

Meadow Pipit

Small streaked pipit, 14–16 cm, fluttering song flight. Common in open fields and higher pastures during migration; feeds on invertebrates at ground level.

Tree Pipit

Slender streaked pipit, 15–17 cm, neat streaking and song flight. Breeds in open wooded areas and hedgerows; sings from high perches in spring and summer.

Water Pipit

Plain brownish pipit, 15–18 cm, pale underparts. Winters on lowland waters and rocky shores; breeds in alpine and subalpine wet pastures.

Eurasian Wren

Tiny energetic bird, 9–11 cm, loud song from small body. skulks in dense undergrowth and rock crevices; common breeder with explosive song and cocked tail.

Eurasian Penduline Tit

Tiny brown-and-white bird, 9–11 cm, small insectivore. Builds intricate hanging nests in willows and reed margins; local and uncommon in suitable riverine habitats.

Long-tailed Tit

Fluffy white-and-black bird, 13–16 cm including long tail. Forms tight family flocks and weaves domed nests of moss and spiders; gregarious and common in woodlands.

Marsh Tit

Small chickadee-like bird, 11–13 cm, black cap and pale cheeks. Secretive and often overlooked in mature deciduous forests; stores seeds and insects for winter.

Willow Tit

Small dark-capped bird, 11–13 cm, similar to marsh tit. Now scarce and localized; prefers damp, scrubby woodland and old trees with holes for nesting.

Blue Tit

Small colourful tit, 11–12 cm, blue cap and yellow underparts. Active cavity nester and frequent garden visitor; sharp calls and acrobatic foraging on branches and feeders.

Great Tit

Large tit, 13–15 cm, black head and bold breast stripe. Common and adaptable; sings varied phrases and readily visits feeders, nesting in boxes and tree holes.

Goldcrest

Tiny golden-crowned bird, 8–9 cm, high-pitched calls. Europe’s smallest bird, often detected by rapid high-pitched song; flocks in conifers and active gleaner of tiny insects.

Firecrest

Tiny colourful bird, 9–10 cm, bright eye-stripe and orange crest. Similar to goldcrest but with bolder facial pattern; favours mixed woodlands and gardens with tall trees.

Common Chiffchaff

Small greenish warbler, 10–12 cm, repetitive “chiff-chaff” song. Early spring migrant and common summer breeder in woodlands and scrubby river corridors; often heard rather than seen.

Willow Warbler

Slender pale warbler, 11–13 cm, melodious descending song. Common summer visitor breeding in open woods and gardens; slight plumage paler than chiffchaff.

Blackcap

Medium warbler, 13–15 cm, male with black cap. A melodious singer and common breeder in gardens and woodlands; females are browner and more subdued.

Garden Warbler

Plain brown warbler, 13–15 cm, rich musical song. Shy and secretive in dense undergrowth; breeds in woodland clearings, hedgerows and overgrown gardens.

Lesser Whitethroat

Small grey warbler, 12–13 cm, pale throat and distinct song. Prefers dense shrubs and brambles; common breeder in hedgerows and scrubby habitats across lowlands.

Common Whitethroat

Slaty-grey head and rufous wings, 13–15 cm. Energetic singer and visible in summer at scrub edges; breeds in hedgerows and open shrublands.

Sedge Warbler

Plain brown reed warbler, 11–13 cm, streaked and loud rich song. Abundant passage migrant and summer visitor in reeds; sings heavily from top of reeds.

Reed Warbler

Warm brown warbler, 12–14 cm, steady churring song. Common breeder in dense reedbeds; builds reed nests and feeds on invertebrates among stems.

Bearded Reedling

Small long-tailed bird, 16–18 cm, orange-buff with black moustache (male). Resident specialist of extensive reedbeds; social flocks outside breeding season and unique reedland behaviour.

European Goldfinch

Small colourful finch, 11–13 cm, red face and yellow wing bar. Feeds on thistle and cardoon seeds; common and gregarious at feeders and field edges.

European Greenfinch

Chunky green finch, 14–16 cm, stout bill. Common in gardens and farmland hedgerows; feeds on seeds and often seen on bird tables and feeders.

Eurasian Siskin

Small green-and-yellow finch, 11–13 cm, streaked. Irregular winter visitor and passage migrant that feeds on alder and spruce seeds; visits feeders in conifer-rich areas.

Common Linnet

Slim streaked finch, 13–15 cm, male with rosy breast. Prefers open scrub and farmland edges; sings in flight and forms loose flocks outside breeding season.

Eurasian Bullfinch

Chunky finch, 14–18 cm, male with bright pink breast. Quiet and shy, often in pairs; known to feed on buds in spring and prefers dense cover.

Common Crossbill

Parrot-like bill finch, 16–18 cm, crossed bill adapted to extract conifer seeds. Breeds irregularly and irruptively in conifer-rich Carpathian forests; numbers fluctuate with cone crops.

Hawfinch

Robust finch, 17–20 cm, massive bill and thick neck. Rare and shy, feeds on hard seeds and cherry stones; best found in mature woodlands and large gardens.

Common Rosefinch

Reddish male finch, 13–14 cm, streaked female. Local and scarce breeder in riparian scrub; male’s rosy plumage and song reveal presence in summer.

Rock Sparrow

Streaked brown sparrow, 14–16 cm, chunky head. Localized in rocky and urban environments; nests in cliffs and old masonry, occasionally seen in small flocks.

House Sparrow

Familiar sparrow, 14–18 cm, male with grey crown and black bib. Common urban and rural breeder; nests in buildings and feeds on grain and scraps around people.

Eurasian Tree Sparrow

Small brown sparrow, 12–14 cm, chestnut crown and black cheek spot. Common in farmland and villages; often nests in cavities and feeds in fields and gardens.

Yellowhammer

Streaked brown bunting, 16–18 cm, male with bright yellow head. Sings a distinctive two-note metallic song from perches; common in agricultural landscapes.

Reed Bunting

Small streaked bunting, 13–15 cm, male with black head in breeding plumage. Typical reedbed and marsh specialist that perches on reed stems and hedgerows, common in wetlands.