This list of birds of Bulgaria includes all bird species which have been seen in the country. This list's taxonomic treatment (designation and sequence of orders, families and species) and nomenclature (common and scientific names) follow the conventions of the IOC World Bird List, as at version 9.2 (2019). 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 Bulgaria. It includes 420 bird species as of 2014, with an update to 31 December 2019 adding two (Hume's warbler Phylloscopus humei and Upcher's warbler Hippolais languida) but also removing one for which evidence was inadequate (black wheatear Oenanthe leucura), bringing the total to 421 species. Finally, dusky warbler Phylloscopus fuscatus was added in 2020.
The varied natural habitat, relief and climate and relatively untouched environment are among the main reasons for the many bird species in the country. The numerous islands and wetlands along the Danube including the Persina Natural Park and Srebarna Nature Reserve, as well as the lakes and swamps along the Bulgarian Black Sea Coast, support many species of diving and aquatic birds such as ducks, swans, pelicans, grebes, spoonbills and many others. The eastern Rhodopes are among the strongholds of birds of prey in Europe, with most of the species in the continent nesting in that area. The mild climate in the extreme south offers good conditions for many Mediterranean birds as well as for wintering species from the north.
The following tags highlight several categories of occurrence other than regular migrants and residents.
(A) Accidental - a species that rarely or accidentally occurs in Bulgaria (also called a vagrant), included in the Bulgarian National Rarities Committee Report (B) No records in Bulgaria subsequent to 1 January 1950 (C) Introduced - a species introduced to Bulgaria as a consequence, direct or indirect, of human actions
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.
Taiga bean goose, Anser fabilis Pink-footed goose, Anser brachyrhynchus (A) Greylag goose, Anser anser Greater white-fronted goose, Anser albifrons Lesser white-fronted goose, Anser erythropus Brent goose, Branta bernicla (A) Barnacle goose, Branta leucopsis (A) Canada goose, Branta canadensis (C) Red-breasted goose, Branta ruficollis Mute swan, Cygnus olor Tundra swan, Cygnus columbianus (A) Whooper swan, Cygnus cygnus Common shelduck, Tadorna tadorna Ruddy shelduck, Tadorna ferruginea Gadwall, Mareca strepera Falcated duck, Mareca falcata (A) Eurasian wigeon, Mareca penelope Mallard, Anas platyrhynchos Northern pintail, Anas acuta Eurasian teal, Anas crecca Green-winged teal, Anas carolinensis (A) Northern shoveler, Spatula clypeata Garganey, Spatula querquedula Marbled teal, Marmaronetta angustirostris (A) Red-crested pochard, Netta rufina Common pochard, Aythya ferina Ferruginous duck, Aythya nyroca Tufted duck, Aythya fuligula Greater scaup, Aythya marila Common eider, Somateria mollissima (A) Velvet scoter, Melanitta fusca Common scoter, Melanitta nigra Long-tailed duck, Clangula hyemalis (A) Common goldeneye, Bucephala clangula Smew, Mergellus albellus Goosander, Mergus merganser 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.
Hazel grouse, Tetrastes bonasia Western capercaillie, Tetrao urogallus Black grouse, Lyrurus tetrix (B) Rock ptarmigan, Lagopus muta (A) Rock partridge, Alectoris graeca Chukar partridge, Alectoris chukar Grey partridge, Perdix perdix Common quail, Coturnix coturnix Common pheasant, Phasianus colchicus (C)
Divers Order: GaviiformesFamily: Gaviidae
Divers, known as loons in North America, are a group of aquatic birds found in many parts of North America and northern Europe. They are the size of a large duck or small goose, which they somewhat resemble when swimming, but to which they are completely unrelated.
Red-throated diver, Gavia stellata Black-throated diver, Gavia arctica Great northern diver, Gavia immer (A) White-billed diver, Gavia adamsii (A)
Shearwaters and petrels Order: ProcellariiformesFamily: Procellariidae
The procellariids are the main group of medium-sized "true petrels", characterised by united nostrils with medium septum and a long outer functional primary.
Scopoli's shearwater, Calonectris diomedea (A) Manx shearwater, Puffinus puffinus (A) Yelkouan shearwater, Puffinus yelkouan
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 Red-necked grebe, Podiceps grisegena Great crested grebe, Podiceps cristatus Horned grebe, Podiceps auritus (A) 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 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
Storks Order: CiconiiformesFamily: Ciconiidae
Storks are large, long-legged, long-necked wading birds with long, stout bills. Storks are mute, but bill-clattering is an important mode of communication at the nest. Their nests can be large and may be reused for many years. Many species are migratory.
Yellow-billed stork, Mycteria ibis (A) Black stork, Ciconia nigra White stork, Ciconia ciconia
Ibises and spoonbills Order: PelecaniformesFamily: Threskiornithidae
Threskiornithidae is a family of large terrestrial and wading birds which includes the ibises and spoonbills. They have long, broad wings with 11 primary and about 20 secondary feathers. They are strong fliers and despite their size and weight, very capable soarers.
Glossy ibis, Plegadis falcinellus Eurasian spoonbill, Platalea leucorodia
Herons, egrets, and bitterns Order: PelecaniformesFamily: Ardeidae
The family Ardeidae contains the bitterns, herons, and egrets. Herons and egrets are medium to large wading birds with long necks and legs. Bitterns tend to be shorter necked and more wary. Members of Ardeidae fly with their necks retracted, unlike other long-necked birds such as storks, ibises, and spoonbills.
Great bittern, Botaurus stellaris Little bittern, Ixobrychus minutus Black-crowned night heron, Nycticorax nycticorax Squacco heron, Ardeola ralloides Cattle egret, Bubulcus ibis (A) Grey heron, Ardea cinerea Purple heron, Ardea purpurea Great egret, Ardea alba Little egret, Egretta garzetta Western reef heron, Egretta gularis (A)
Pelicans Order: PelecaniformesFamily: Pelecanidae
Pelicans are large water birds with a distinctive pouch under their beak. They have webbed feet with four toes.
Great white pelican, Pelecanus onocrotalus Dalmatian pelican, Pelecanus crispus
Boobies and gannets Order: SuliformesFamily: Sulidae
The sulids comprise the gannets and boobies. Both groups are medium to large coastal seabirds that plunge-dive for fish.
Northern gannet, Morus bassanus (A)
Cormorants and shags Order: SuliformesFamily: Phalacrocoracidae
Phalacrocoracidae is a family of medium to large coastal, fish-eating seabirds that includes cormorants and shags. Plumage colouration varies, with the majority having mainly dark plumage, some species being black-and-white, and a few being colourful.
Pygmy cormorant, Microcarbo pygmeus European shag, Gulosus aristotelis Great cormorant, Phalacrocorax carbo
Osprey Order: AccipitriformesFamily: Pandionidae
The family Pandionidae contains only one species, the osprey. The osprey is a medium-large raptor which is a specialist fish-eater with a worldwide distribution.
Osprey, Pandion haliaetus
Hawks, eagles, and kites Order: AccipitriformesFamily: Accipitridae
Accipitridae is a family of birds of prey which includes hawks, eagles, kites, harriers, and Old World vultures. These birds have powerful hooked beaks for tearing flesh from their prey, strong legs, powerful talons, and keen eyesight.
Black-winged kite, Elanus caeruleus (A) Bearded vulture, Gypaetus barbatus Egyptian vulture, Neophron percnopterus European honey buzzard, Pernis apivorus Griffon vulture, Gyps fulvus Eurasian black vulture, Aegypius monachus Short-toed snake eagle, Circaetus gallicus Lesser spotted eagle, Clanga pomarina Greater spotted eagle, Clanga clanga Booted eagle, Hieraaetus pennatus Steppe eagle, Aquila nipalensis Eastern imperial eagle, Aquila heliaca Golden eagle, Aquila chrysaetos Bonelli's eagle, Aquila fasciata Levant sparrowhawk, Accipiter brevipes Eurasian sparrowhawk, Accipiter nisus Northern goshawk, Accipiter gentilis Western marsh harrier, Circus aeruginosus Hen harrier, Circus cyaneus Pallid harrier, Circus macrourus Montagu's harrier, Circus pygargus Red kite, Milvus milvus Black kite, Milvus migrans White-tailed eagle, Haliaeetus albicilla Rough-legged buzzard, Buteo lagopus Long-legged buzzard, Buteo rufinus Common buzzard, Buteo buteo
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 Little bustard, Tetrax tetrax
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 Little crake, Zapornia parva Baillon's crake, Zapornia pusilla Spotted crake, Porzana porzana Eurasian moorhen, Gallinula chloropus Eurasian coot, Fulica atra
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
Stone-curlews Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Burhinidae
The stone-curlews and thick-knees are a group waders 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.
Eurasian oystercatcher, Haematopus ostralegus
Stilts and avocets Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Recurvirostridae