List of birds of Switzerland
This is a list of the bird species recorded in Switzerland. The avifauna of Switzerland include a total of 397 species, of which five have not been recorded since 1950 and 16 have been introduced by humans.
This list's taxonomic treatment (designation and sequence of orders, families and species) and nomenclature (common and scientific names) follow the conventions of Volet (2006).
The following tags have been used to highlight several categories. The commonly occurring native species do not fall into any of these categories.
- (H) Historical - a species that has not been recorded in Switzerland since 1950
- (I) Introduced - a species introduced to Switzerland as a consequence, direct or indirect, of human actions
Swans, geese and ducks
Order: Anseriformes Family: Anatidae
- Mute swan, Cygnus olor
- Tundra swan, Cygnus columbianus
- Whooper swan, Cygnus cygnus
- Bean goose, Anser fabalis
- Greater white-fronted goose, Anser albifrons
- Lesser white-fronted goose, Anser erythropus H
- Greylag goose, Anser anser
- Barnacle goose, Branta leucopsis
- Brent goose, Branta bernicla
- Red-breasted goose, Branta ruficollis
- Ruddy shelduck, Tadorna ferruginea I
- Common shelduck, Tadorna tadorna
- Mandarin duck, Aix galericulata I
- Eurasian wigeon, Anas penelope
- Gadwall, Anas strepera
- Eurasian teal, Anas crecca
- Green-winged teal, Anas carolinensis
- Mallard, Anas platyrhynchos
- Northern pintail, Anas acuta
- Garganey, Anas querquedula
- Blue-winged teal, Anas discors
- Northern shoveler, Anas clypeata
- Red-crested pochard, Netta rufina
- Common pochard, Aythya ferina
- Ring-necked duck, Aythya collaris
- Ferruginous duck, Aythya nyroca
- Tufted duck, Aythya fuligula
- Greater scaup, Aythya marila
- 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 I
- White-headed duck, Oxyura leucocephala
Grouse
Order: Galliformes Family: Tetraonidae
- Hazel grouse, Bonasa bonasia
- Rock ptarmigan, Lagopus muta
- Black grouse, Tetrao tetrix
- Western capercaillie, Tetrao urogallus
Pheasants and partridges
Order: Galliformes Family: Phasianidae
- Rock partridge, Alectoris graeca
- Red-legged partridge, Alectoris rufa H
- Grey partridge, Perdix perdix
- Common quail, Coturnix coturnix
- Common pheasant, Phasianus colchicus I
Divers
Order: Gaviiformes Family: Gaviidae
- Red-throated diver, Gavia stellata
- Black-throated diver, Gavia arctica
- Great northern diver, Gavia immer
- White-billed diver, Gavia adamsii
Grebes
Order: Podicipediformes Family: Podicipedidae
- 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: Procellariiformes Family: Procellariidae
- Cory's shearwater, Calonectris borealis H
- Sooty shearwater, Ardenna griseus
- Manx shearwater, Puffinus puffinus
- Yelkouan shearwater, Puffinus yelkouan H
Storm petrels
Order: Procellariiformes Family: Hydrobatidae
- European storm petrel, Hydrobates pelagicus
- Leach's storm petrel, Oceanodroma leucorhoa
- Madeiran storm petrel, Oceanodroma castro
Gannets
Order: Suliformes Family: Sulidae
- Northern gannet, Morus bassanus
Cormorants
Order: Suliformes Family: Phalacrocoracidae
- Great cormorant, Phalacrocorax carbo
- European shag, Phalacrocorax aristotelis
- Pygmy cormorant, Microcarbo pygmeus
Pelicans
Order: Pelecaniformes Family: Pelecanidae
- Great white pelican, Pelecanus onocrotalus H
Bitterns, herons and egrets
Order: Pelecaniformes Family: Ardeidae
- Eurasian bittern, Botaurus stellaris
- Little bittern, Ixobrychus minutus
- Black-crowned night heron, Nycticorax nycticorax
- Squacco heron, Ardeola ralloides
- Cattle egret, Bubulcus ibis
- Little egret, Egretta garzetta
- Great egret, Egretta alba
- Grey heron, Ardea cinerea
- Purple heron, Ardea purpurea
Ibises and spoonbills
Order: Pelecaniformes Family: Threskiornithidae
- Glossy ibis, Plegadis falcinellus
- Eurasian spoonbill, Platalea leucorodia
Storks
Order: Ciconiiformes Family: Ciconiidae
- Black stork, Ciconia nigra
- White stork, Ciconia ciconia
Flamingos
Order: Phoenicopteriformes Family: Phoenicopteridae
- Greater flamingo, Phoenicopterus roseus
Kites, hawks and eagles
Order: Accipitriformes Family: Accipitridae
- European honey buzzard, Pernis apivorus
- Black-winged kite, Elanus caeruleus
- 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
- European black vulture, Aegypius monachus H I
- Short-toed snake eagle, Circaetus gallicus
- Western marsh harrier, Circus aeruginosus
- Hen harrier, Circus cyaneus
- Pallid harrier, Circus macrourus
- Montagu's harrier, Circus pygargus
- Northern goshawk, Accipiter gentilis
- Eurasian sparrowhawk, Accipiter nisus
- Common buzzard, Buteo buteo
- Long-legged buzzard, Buteo rufinus
- Rough-legged buzzard, Buteo lagopus
- Lesser spotted eagle, Clanga pomarina
- Greater spotted eagle, Clanga clanga
- Golden eagle, Aquila chrysaetos
- Booted eagle, Hieraaetus pennatus
Osprey
Order: Accipitriformes Family: Pandionidae
- Osprey, Pandion haliaetus
Falcons
Order: Falconiformes Family: Falconidae
- Lesser kestrel, Falco naumanni
- Common kestrel, Falco tinnunculus
- Red-footed falcon, Falco vespertinus
- Merlin, Falco columbarius
- Eurasian hobby, Falco subbuteo
- Gyrfalcon, Falco rusticolus
- Peregrine falcon, Falco peregrinus
Rails, crakes and coots
Order: Gruiformes Family: Rallidae
- Water rail, Rallus aquaticus
- Spotted crake, Porzana porzana
- Little crake, Porzana parva
- Baillon's crake, Porzana pusilla
- Corn crake, Crex crex
- Common moorhen, Gallinula chloropus
- Eurasian coot, Fulica atra
Cranes
Order: Gruiformes Family: Gruidae
- Common crane, Grus grus
Bustards
Order: Otidiformes Family: Otididae
- Little bustard, Tetrax tetrax
- Houbara bustard, Chlamydotis undulata H
- Macqueen's bustard, Chlamydotis macqueenii H
- Great bustard, Otis tarda
Oystercatchers
Order: Charadriiformes Family: Haematopodidae
- Eurasian oystercatcher, Haematopus ostralegus
Avocets and stilts
Order: Charadriiformes Family: Recurvirostridae
- Black-winged stilt, Himantopus himantopus
- Pied avocet, Recurvirostra avosetta
Thick-knees
Order: Charadriiformes Family: Burhinidae
- Stone-curlew, Burhinus oedicnemus
Pratincoles and coursers
Order: Charadriiformes Family: Glareolidae
- Cream-coloured courser, Cursorius cursor H
- Collared pratincole, Glareola pratincola
- Black-winged pratincole, Glareola nordmanni
Plovers and lapwings
Order: Charadriiformes Family: Charadriidae
- Little ringed plover, Charadrius dubius
- Common ringed plover, Charadrius hiaticula
- Killdeer, Charadrius vociferus
- Kentish plover, Charadrius alexandrinus
- Eurasian dotterel, Charadrius morinellus
- Pacific golden plover, Pluvialis fulva
- European golden plover, Pluvialis apricaria
- Grey plover, Pluvialis squatarola
- Sociable lapwing, Vanellus gregarius
- Northern lapwing, Vanellus vanellus
Sandpipers and allies
Order: Charadriiformes Family: Scolopacidae
- Red knot, Calidris canutus
- Sanderling, Calidris alba
- Little stint, Calidris minuta
- Temminck's stint, Calidris temminckii
- White-rumped sandpiper, Calidris fuscicollis
- Pectoral sandpiper, Calidris melanotos
- Curlew sandpiper, Calidris ferruginea
- Purple sandpiper, Calidris maritima
- Dunlin, Calidris alpina
- Broad-billed sandpiper, Limicola falcinellus
- Buff-breasted sandpiper, Tryngites subruficollis
- Ruff, Philomachus pugnax
- Jack snipe, Lymnocryptes minimus
- Common snipe, Gallinago gallinago
- Great snipe, Gallinago media
- Eurasian woodcock, Scolopax rusticola
- Black-tailed godwit, Limosa limosa
- Bar-tailed godwit, Limosa lapponica
- Whimbrel, Numenius phaeopus
- Slender-billed curlew, Numenius tenuirostris
- Eurasian curlew, Numenius arquata
- Spotted redshank, Tringa erythropus
- Common redshank, Tringa totanus
- Marsh sandpiper, Tringa stagnatilis
- Common greenshank, Tringa nebularia
- Green sandpiper, Tringa ochropus
- Wood sandpiper, Tringa glareola
- Terek sandpiper, Xenus cinereus
- Common sandpiper, Actitis hypoleucos
- Spotted sandpiper, Actitis macularius
- Ruddy turnstone, Arenaria interpres
- Red-necked phalarope, Phalaropus lobatus
- Red phalarope, Phalaropus fulicarius
Skuas
Order: Charadriiformes Family: Stercorariidae
- Pomarine skua, Stercorarius pomarinus
- Arctic skua, Stercorarius parasiticus
- Long-tailed skua, Stercorarius longicaudus
- Great skua, Stercorarius skua
Gulls
Order: Charadriiformes Family: Laridae
- Laughing gull, Leucophaeus atricilla
- Franklin's gull, Leucophaeus pipixcan
- Little gull, Hydrocoloeus minutus
- Sabine's gull, Xema sabini
- Black-headed gull, Chroicocephalus ridibundus
- Slender-billed gull, Chroicocephalus genei
- Audouin's gull, Ichthyaetus audouinii
- Mediterranean gull, Ichthyaetus melanocephalus
- Common gull, Larus canus
- Lesser black-backed gull, Larus fuscus
- Herring gull, Larus argentatus
- Yellow-legged gull, Larus michahellis
- Caspian gull, Larus cachinnans
- Glaucous gull, Larus hyperboreus
- Great black-backed gull, Larus marinus
- Black-legged kittiwake, Rissa tridactyla
- Ivory gull, Pagophila eburnea H
Terns
Order: Charadriiformes Family: Sternidae
- Gull-billed tern, Gelochelidon nilotica
- Caspian tern, Hydroprogne caspia
- Lesser crested tern, Thalasseus bengalensis
- Sandwich tern, Thalasseus sandvicensis
- Roseate tern, Sterna dougallii H
- Common tern, Sterna hirundo
- Arctic tern, Sterna paradisaea
- Little tern, Sternula albifrons
- Whiskered tern, Chlidonias hybrida
- Black tern, Chlidonias niger
- White-winged tern, Chlidonias leucopterus
Auks
Order: Charadriiformes Family: Alcidae
- Common guillemot, Uria aalge H
- Long-billed murrelet, Brachyramphus perdix
Sandgrouse
Order: Pterocliformes Family: Pteroclidae
- Pallas's sandgrouse, Syrrhaptes paradoxus H
Pigeons and doves
Order: Columbiformes Family: Columbidae
- Rock dove, Columba livia I
- Stock dove, Columba oenas
- Common wood pigeon, Columba palumbus
- Eurasian collared dove, Streptopelia decaocto
- European turtle dove, Streptopelia turtur
Cuckoos
Order: Cuculiformes Family: Cuculidae
- Great spotted cuckoo, Clamator glandarius
- Common cuckoo, Cuculus canorus
Barn owls
Order: Strigiformes Family: Tytonidae
- Barn owl, Tyto alba
Typical owls
Order: Strigiformes Family: Strigidae
- Eurasian scops owl, Otus scops
- Eurasian eagle owl, Bubo bubo
- Northern hawk owl, Surnia ulula H
- Eurasian pygmy owl, Glaucidium passerinum
- Little owl, Athene noctua
- Tawny owl, Strix aluco
- Long-eared owl, Asio otus
- Short-eared owl, Asio flammeus
- Tengmalm's owl, Aegolius funereus
Nightjars
Order: Caprimulgiformes Family: Caprimulgidae
- European nightjar, Caprimulgus europaeus
Swifts
Order: Apodiformes Family: Apodidae
- Alpine swift, Apus melba
- Common swift, Apus apus
- Pallid swift, Apus pallidus
Kingfishers
Order: Coraciiformes Family: Alcedinidae
- Common kingfisher, Alcedo atthis
Bee-eaters
Order: Coraciiformes Family: Meropidae
- European bee-eater, Merops apiaster
Rollers
Order: Coraciiformes Family: Coraciidae
- European roller, Coracias garrulus
Hoopoes
Order: Coraciiformes Family: Upupidae
- Eurasian hoopoe, Upupa epops
Woodpeckers
Order: Piciformes Family: Picidae
- Eurasian wryneck, Jynx torquilla
- Grey-headed woodpecker, Picus canus
- European green woodpecker, Picus viridis
- Black woodpecker, Dryocopus martius
- Great spotted woodpecker, Dendrocopos major
- White-backed woodpecker, Dendrocopos leucotos
- Middle spotted woodpecker, Dendrocoptes medius
- Lesser spotted woodpecker, Dryobates minor
- Eurasian three-toed woodpecker, Picoides tridactylus
Larks
Order: Passeriformes Family: Alaudidae
- Calandra lark, Melanocorypha calandra
- Greater short-toed lark, Calandrella brachydactyla
- Lesser short-toed lark, Alaudala rufescens
- Crested lark, Galerida cristata
- Woodlark, Lullula arborea
- Eurasian skylark, Alauda arvensis
- White-winged lark, Alauda leucoptera H
- Horned lark, Eremophila alpestris
Swallows and martins
Order: Passeriformes Family: Hirundinidae
- Sand martin, Riparia riparia
- Eurasian crag martin, Ptyonoprogne rupestris
- Barn swallow, Hirundo rustica
- Red-rumped swallow, Hirundo daurica
- Common house martin, Delichon urbicum
Pipits and wagtails
Order: Passeriformes Family: Motacillidae
- Richard's pipit, Anthus richardi
- Tawny pipit, Anthus campestris
- Olive-backed pipit, Anthus hodgsoni
- Tree pipit, Anthus trivialis
- Meadow pipit, Anthus pratensis
- Red-throated pipit, Anthus cervinus
- Water pipit, Anthus spinoletta
- Yellow wagtail, Motacilla flava
- Citrine wagtail, Motacilla citreola
- Grey wagtail, Motacilla cinerea
- White wagtail, Motacilla alba
Waxwings
Order: Passeriformes Family: Bombycillidae
- Bohemian waxwing, Bombycilla garrulus
Dippers
Order: Passeriformes Family: Cinclidae
- White-throated dipper, Cinclus cinclus
Wrens
Order: Passeriformes Family: Troglodytidae
- Eurasian wren, Troglodytes troglodytes
Accentors
Order: Passeriformes Family: Prunellidae
- Dunnock, Prunella modularis
- Alpine accentor, Prunella collaris
Thrushes and allies
Order: Passeriformes Family: Turdidae
- Siberian thrush, Geokichla sibirica
- Ring ouzel, Turdus torquatus
- Common blackbird, Turdus merula
- Fieldfare, Turdus pilaris
- Song thrush, Turdus philomelos
- Redwing, Turdus iliacus
- Mistle thrush, Turdus viscivorus
Cisticolas
Order: Passeriformes Family: Cisticolidae
- Zitting cisticola, Cisticola juncidis
Cettid warblers
Order: Passeriformes Family: Cettiidae
- Cetti's warbler, Cettia cetti
Locustellid warblers
Order: Passeriformes Family: Locustellidae
- Common grasshopper warbler, Locustella naevia
- River warbler, Locustella fluviatilis
- Savi's warbler, Locustella luscinioides
Acrocephalid warblers
Order: Passeriformes Family: Acrocephalidae
- Moustached warbler, Acrocephalus melanopogon
- Aquatic warbler, Acrocephalus paludicola
- Sedge warbler, Acrocephalus schoenobaenus
- Eurasian reed warbler, Acrocephalus scirpaceus
- Marsh warbler, Acrocephalus palustris
- Blyth's reed warbler, Acrocephalus dumetorum
- Paddyfield warbler, Acrocephalus agricola
- Great reed warbler, Acrocephalus arundinaceus
- Booted warbler, Iduna caligata
- Icterine warbler, Hippolais icterina
- Melodious warbler, Hippolais polyglotta
Phylloscopid warblers
Order: Passeriformes Family: Phylloscopidae
- Yellow-browed warbler, Phylloscopus inornatus
- Dusky warbler, Phylloscopus fuscatus
- Western Bonelli's warbler, Phylloscopus bonelli
- Wood warbler, Phylloscopus sibilatrix
- Common chiffchaff, Phylloscopus collybita
- Willow warbler, Phylloscopus trochilus
Old World warblers
Order: Passeriformes Family: Sylviidae
- Eurasian blackcap, Sylvia atricapilla
- Garden warbler, Sylvia borin
- Barred warbler, Sylvia nisoria
- Lesser whitethroat, Sylvia curruca
- Western Orphean warbler, Sylvia hortensis
- Common whitethroat, Sylvia communis
- Spectacled warbler, Sylvia conspicillata
- Dartford warbler, Sylvia undata
- Subalpine warbler, Sylvia cantillans
- Sardinian warbler, Sylvia melanocephala
Kinglets
Order: Passeriformes Family: Regulidae
- Goldcrest, Regulus regulus
- Common firecrest, Regulus ignicapilla
Old World flycatchers
Order: Passeriformes Family: Muscicapidae
- Rufous-tailed scrub robin, Cercotrichas galactotes
- European robin, Erithacus rubecula
- Thrush nightingale, Luscinia luscinia
- Common nightingale, Luscinia megarhynchos
- Bluethroat, Luscinia svecica
- White-throated robin, Irania gutturalis
- Black redstart, Phoenicurus ochruros
- Common redstart, Phoenicurus phoenicurus
- Whinchat, Saxicola rubetra
- European stonechat, Saxicola torquatus
- Northern wheatear, Oenanthe oenanthe
- Black-eared wheatear, Oenanthe hispanica
- Desert wheatear, Oenanthe deserti
- Rufous-tailed rock thrush, Monticola saxatilis
- Blue rock thrush, Monticola solitarius
- Spotted flycatcher, Muscicapa striata
- Red-breasted flycatcher, Ficedula parva
- Collared flycatcher, Ficedula albicollis
- European pied flycatcher, Ficedula hypoleuca
Bearded reedling
Order: Passeriformes Family: Panuridae
- Bearded reedling, Panurus biarmicus
Long-tailed tits
Order: Passeriformes Family: Aegithalidae
- Long-tailed tit, Aegithalos caudatus
Tits
Order: Passeriformes Family: Paridae
- Marsh tit, Parus palustris
- Willow tit, Parus montanus
- Crested tit, Parus cristatus
- Coal tit, Parus ater
- Eurasian blue tit, Parus caeruleus
- Great tit, Parus major
Nuthatches
Order: Passeriformes Family: Sittidae
- Eurasian nuthatch, Sitta europaea
Wallcreeper
Order: Passeriformes Family: Tichodromidae
- Wallcreeper, Tichodroma muraria
Treecreepers
Order: Passeriformes Family: Certhiidae
- Eurasian treecreeper, Certhia familiaris
- Short-toed treecreeper, Certhia brachydactyla
Penduline tits
Order: Passeriformes Family: Remizidae
- Eurasian penduline tit, Remiz pendulinus
Orioles
Order: Passeriformes Family: Oriolidae
- Eurasian golden oriole, Oriolus oriolus
Shrikes
Order: Passeriformes Family: Laniidae
- Isabelline shrike, Lanius isabellinus
- Red-backed shrike, Lanius collurio
- Lesser grey shrike, Lanius minor
- Great grey shrike, Lanius excubitor
- Woodchat shrike, Lanius senator
Jays, magpies and crows
Order: Passeriformes Family: Corvidae
- Eurasian jay, Garrulus glandarius
- Eurasian magpie, Pica pica
- Spotted nutcracker, Nucifraga caryocatactes
- Alpine chough, Pyrrhocorax graculus
- Red-billed chough, Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax
- Western jackdaw, Corvus monedula
- Rook, Corvus frugilegus
- Carrion crow, Corvus corone
- Northern raven, Corvus corax
Starlings
Order: Passeriformes Family: Sturnidae
- Common starling, Sturnus vulgaris
- Rosy starling, Pastor roseus
Sparrows
Order: Passeriformes Family: Passeridae
- House sparrow, Passer domesticus
- Italian sparrow, Passer hispaniolensis italiae
- Tree sparrow, Passer montanus
- Rock sparrow, Petronia petronia H
- White-winged snowfinch, Montifringilla nivalis
Finches
Order: Passeriformes Family: Fringillidae
- Common chaffinch, Fringilla coelebs
- Brambling, Fringilla montifringilla
- European serin, Serinus serinus
- Citril finch, Serinus citrinella
- European greenfinch, Chloris chloris
- European goldfinch, Carduelis carduelis
- Eurasian siskin, Spinus spinus
- Common linnet, Linaria cannabina
- Twite, Linaria flavirostris
- Lesser redpoll, Acanthis cabaret
- Common redpoll, Acanthis flammea
- Red crossbill, Loxia curvirostra
- Trumpeter finch, Bucanetes githagineus
- Common rosefinch, Carpodacus erythrinus
- Pine grosbeak, Pinicola enucleator
- Eurasian bullfinch, Pyrrhula pyrrhula
- Hawfinch, Coccothraustes coccothraustes
Longspurs and arctic buntings
Order: Passeriformes Family: Calcariidae
- Lapland longspur, Calcarius lapponicus
- Snow bunting, Plectrophenax nivalis
Buntings
Order: Passeriformes Family: Emberizidae
- Pine bunting, Emberiza leucocephalos
- Yellowhammer, Emberiza citrinella
- Cirl bunting, Emberiza cirlus
- Rock bunting, Emberiza cia
- Ortolan bunting, Emberiza hortulana
- Rustic bunting, Emberiza rustica
- Little bunting, Emberiza pusilla
- Reed bunting, Emberiza schoeniclus
- Black-headed bunting, Emberiza melanocephala
- Corn bunting, Emberiza calandra
See also
- List of reserves for waterbirds and migratory birds in Switzerland
- List of birds
- Lists of birds by region
- List of mammals of Switzerland
- Extinction of animals in Switzerland
References
- Volet, B. (2006). Liste der Vogelarten der Schweiz - Liste des oiseaux de la Suisse - Elenco degli uccelli della Svizzera - Checklist of the birds of Switzerland. Der Ornithologische Beobachter 103 (4): 271–294 pdf file.