List of birds of Israel

This is a list of the bird species recorded in Israel. The avifauna of Israel includes a total of 534 species, of which 5 have been introduced by humans, and 138 are rare or accidental. 2 species listed are extirpated in Israel and are not included in the species count. 14 species are globally threatened.

This list's taxonomic treatment (designation and sequence of orders, families, and species) and nomenclature (common and scientific names) follow the conventions of Clements's 5th edition. The family accounts at the beginning of each heading reflects 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 certain relevant categories. It must be noted that 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.

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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.

*Ostrich "Struthio camelus" (Ex)
*Ostrich "Struthio molybdophanes

Loons

Order: GaviiformesFamily: Gaviidae

Loons, known as Divers in Europe, are 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 resembles in shape when swimming, but they completely unrelated to these waterfowl. There are 5 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in Israel.

*Red-throated Loon "Gavia stellata" (A)
*Arctic Loon "Gavia arctica"

Grebes

Order: PodicipediformesFamily: Podicipedidae

Grebes are small to medium-large sized 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. There are 20 species worldwide and 5 species which occur in Israel.

*Little Grebe "Tachybaptus ruficollis"
*Red-necked Grebe "Podiceps grisegena" (A)
*Great Crested Grebe "Podiceps cristatus"
*Horned Grebe "Podiceps auritus" (A)
*Eared Grebe "Podiceps nigricollis"

Albatrosses

Order: ProcellariiformesFamily: Diomedeidae

The albatrosses are among the largest of flying birds, and the great albatrosses from the genus Diomedea have the largest wingspans of any extant birds. There are 21 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Israel.

*Shy Albatross "Thalassarche cauta" (A)

hearwaters and Petrels

Order: ProcellariiformesFamily: Procellariidae

The procellariids are the main group of medium-sized 'true petrels', characterised by united nostrils with a medium septum, and a long outer functional primary. There are 75 species worldwide and 14 species which occur in Israel.

*Atlantic Petrel "Pterodroma incerta" (A)
*Soft-plumaged Petrel "Pterodroma mollis" (A)
*Fea's Petrel "Pterodroma feae" (A)
*Streaked Shearwater "Calonectris leucomelas" (A)
*Cory's Shearwater "Calonectris diomedea"
*Flesh-footed Shearwater "Puffinus carneipes" (A)
*Greater Shearwater "Puffinus gravis" (A)
*Sooty Shearwater "Puffinus griseus"
*Manx Shearwater "Puffinus puffinus"
*Balearic Shearwater "Puffinus mauretanicus" (A)
*Levantine Shearwater "Puffinus yelkouan"
*Little Shearwater "Puffinus assimilis" (A)
*Audubon's Shearwater "Puffinus lherminieri" (A)
*Persian Shearwater "Puffinus persicus" (A)

torm-Petrels

Order: ProcellariiformesFamily: Hydrobatidae

The storm-petrels are relatives of the petrels, and are the smallest of sea-birds. They feed on planktonic crustaceans and small fish picked from the surface, typically while hovering. The flight is fluttering and sometimes bat-like. There are 21 species worldwide and 5 species which occur in Israel.

*Wilson's Storm-Petrel "Oceanites oceanicus" (A)
*European Storm-Petrel "Hydrobates pelagicus" (A)
*Band-rumped Storm-Petrel "Oceanodroma castro" (A)
*Leach's Storm-Petrel "Oceanodroma leucorhoa"
*Swinhoe's Storm-Petrel "Oceanodroma monorhis" (A)

Tropicbirds

Order: PelecaniformesFamily: Phaethontidae

Tropicbirds are slender white birds of tropical oceans, with exceptionally long central tail feathers. Their heads and long wings have black markings. There are 3 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Israel.

*Red-billed Tropicbird "Phaethon aethereus" (A)

Pelicans

Order: PelecaniformesFamily: Pelecanidae

Pelicans are large water birds with a distinctive pouch under the beak. As with other members of the order Pelecaniformes, they have webbed feet with four toes. There are 8 species worldwide and 3 species which occur in Israel.

*Great White Pelican "Pelecanus onocrotalus"
*Pink-backed Pelican "Pelecanus rufescens" (A)
*Dalmatian Pelican "Pelecanus crispus" (A)

Boobies and Gannets

Order: PelecaniformesFamily: Sulidae

The sulids comprise the gannets and boobies. Both groups comprise medium-to-large coastal sea-birds that plunge-dive for fish. There are 9 species worldwide and 3 species which occur in Israel.

*Northern Gannet "Morus bassanus"
*Masked Booby "Sula dactylatra" (A)
*Brown Booby "Sula leucogaster" (A)

Cormorants

Order: PelecaniformesFamily: Phalacrocoracidae

The Phalacrocoracidae is a family of medium-to-large coastal, fish-eating sea-birds 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. There are 38 species worldwide and 3 species which occur in Israel.

*Great Cormorant "Phalacrocorax carbo"
*European Shag "Phalacrocorax aristotelis" (A)
*Pygmy Cormorant "Phalacrocorax pygmaeus"

Darters

Order: PelecaniformesFamily: Anhingidae

Darters are frequently referred to as "snake-birds" because of their long thin neck, which gives a snake-like appearance when they swim with their bodies submerged.The males have black and dark brown plumage, an erectile crest on the nape and a larger bill than the female. The females have a much paler plumage especially on the neck and underparts. The darters have completely webbed feet, and their legs are short and set far back on the body. Their plumage is somewhat permeable, like that of cormorants, and they spread their wings to dry after diving. There are 4 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Israel.

*Darter "Anhinga melanogaster" (A)

Frigatebirds

Order: PelecaniformesFamily: Fregatidae

Frigatebirds are large sea-birds usually found over tropical oceans. They are large, black and white or completely black, with long wings and deeply-forked tails. The males have inflatable coloured throat pouches. They do not swim or walk, and cannot take off from a flat surface. Having the largest wingspan to body weight ratio of any bird, they are essentially aerial, able to stay aloft for more than a week. There are 5 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Israel.

*Lesser Frigatebird "Fregata ariel" (A)

Bitterns, Herons and Egrets

Order: CiconiiformesFamily: Ardeidae

The family Ardeidae contains the bitterns, herons and egrets. Herons and egrets are medium to large sized wading birds with long necks and legs. Bitterns tend to be shorter necked and more wary. Unlike other long-necked birds suck as storks, ibises and spoonbills, members of Ardeidae fly with their necks retracted. There are 61 species worldwide and 14 species which occur in Israel.

*Gray Heron "Ardea cinerea"
*Black-headed Heron "Ardea melanocephala" (A)
*Goliath Heron "Ardea goliath" (A)
*Purple Heron "Ardea purpurea"
*Great Egret "Ardea alba"
*Black Heron "Egretta ardesiaca" (A)
*Intermediate Egret "Egretta intermedia" (A)
*Western Reef-Heron "Egretta gularis"
*Little Egret "Egretta garzetta"
*Squacco Heron "Ardeola ralloides"
*Cattle Egret "Bubulcus ibis"
*Striated Heron "Butorides striata"
*Black-crowned Night-Heron "Nycticorax nycticorax"
*Great Bittern "Botaurus stellaris"

torks

Order: CiconiiformesFamily: Ciconiidae

Storks are large, long-legged, long-necked, wading birds with long, stout bills. Storks are mute; bill-clattering is an important mode of stork communication at the nest. Their nests can be large and may be reused for many years. Many species are migratory. There are 19 species worldwide and 4 species which occur in Israel.

*Yellow-billed Stork "Mycteria ibis" (A)
*Black Stork "Ciconia nigra"
*White Stork "Ciconia ciconia"
*Marabou Stork "Leptoptilos crumeniferus" (A)

Ibises and Spoonbills

Order: CiconiiformesFamily: Threskiornithidae

The 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. There are 36 species worldwide and 3 species which occur in Israel.

*Waldrapp "Geronticus eremita" (A)
*Glossy Ibis "Plegadis falcinellus"
*Eurasian Spoonbill "Platalea leucorodia"

Flamingos

Order: PhoenicopteriformesFamily: Phoenicopteridae

Flamingos are gregarious wading birds, usually 3 to 5 feet high, found in both the Western and Eastern Hemispheres. They are more numerous in the latter. 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 are uniquely used upside-down. There are 6 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Israel.

*Greater Flamingo "Phoenicopterus roseus"

Ducks, Geese and Swans

Order: AnseriformesFamily: Anatidae

The family Anatidae includes the ducks and most duck-like waterfowl, such as geese and swans. These are birds that are modified for an aquatic existence with webbed feet, flattened bills and feathers that are excellent at shedding water due to an oily coating. There are 131 species worldwide and 35 species which occur in Israel.

*Lesser Whistling-Duck "Dendrocygna javanica" (A)
*Mute Swan "Cygnus olor"
*Whooper Swan "Cygnus cygnus" (A)
*Tundra Swan "Cygnus columbianus"
*Greater White-fronted Goose "Anser albifrons"
*Lesser White-fronted Goose "Anser erythropus" (A)
*Greylag Goose "Anser anser"
*Red-breasted Goose "Branta ruficollis" (A)
*Egyptian Goose "Alopochen aegyptiacus" (A)
*Ruddy Shelduck "Tadorna ferruginea"
*Common Shelduck "Tadorna tadorna"
*Eurasian Wigeon "Anas penelope"
*Gadwall "Anas strepera"
*Eurasian Teal "Anas crecca"
*Cape Teal "Anas capensis" (A)
*Mallard "Anas platyrhynchos"
*Northern Pintail "Anas acuta"
*Red-billed Duck "Anas erythrorhyncha" (A)
*Garganey "Anas querquedula"
*Northern Shoveler "Anas clypeata"
*Marbled Teal "Marmaronetta angustirostris"
*Red-crested Pochard "Netta rufina"
*Southern Pochard "Netta erythrophthalma" (A)
*Common Pochard "Aythya ferina"
*Ferruginous Pochard "Aythya nyroca"
*Tufted Duck "Aythya fuligula"
*Greater Scaup "Aythya marila" (A)
*Common Eider "Somateria mollissima" (A)
*Long-tailed Duck "Clangula hyemalis" (A)
*White-winged Scoter "Melanitta fusca" (A)
*Common Goldeneye "Bucephala clangula" (A)
*Smew "Mergellus albellus" (A)
*Red-breasted Merganser "Mergus serrator"
*Common Merganser "Mergus merganser" (A)
*White-headed Duck "Oxyura leucocephala"

Osprey

Order: FalconiformesFamily: Pandionidae

The Pandionidae family 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, Kites and Eagles

Order: FalconiformesFamily: Accipitridae

Accipitridae is a family of birds of prey and include 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. There are 233 species worldwide and 34 species which occur in Israel.

*European Honey-buzzard "Pernis apivorus"
*Oriental Honey-buzzard "Pernis ptilorhynchus"
*Black-shouldered Kite "Elanus caeruleus" (A)
*Red Kite "Milvus milvus" (A)
*Black Kite "Milvus migrans"
*White-tailed Eagle "Haliaeetus albicilla"
*Lammergeier "Gypaetus barbatus" (A)
*Egyptian Vulture "Neophron percnopterus"
*Eurasian Griffon "Gyps fulvus"
*Cinereous Vulture "Aegypius monachus"
*Lappet-faced Vulture "Torgos tracheliotus"
*Short-toed Eagle "Circaetus gallicus"
*Bateleur "Terathopius ecaudatus" (A)
*Western Marsh-Harrier "Circus aeruginosus"
*Northern Harrier "Circus cyaneus"
*Pallid Harrier "Circus macrourus"
*Montagu's Harrier "Circus pygargus"
*Dark Chanting-Goshawk "Melierax metabates" (A)
*Shikra "Accipiter badius" (A)
*Levant Sparrowhawk "Accipiter brevipes"
*Eurasian Sparrowhawk "Accipiter nisus"
*Northern Goshawk "Accipiter gentilis"
*Eurasian Buzzard "Buteo buteo"
*Long-legged Buzzard "Buteo rufinus"
*Rough-legged Hawk "Buteo lagopus" (A)
*Lesser Spotted Eagle "Aquila pomarina"
*Greater Spotted Eagle "Aquila clanga"
*Tawny Eagle "Aquila rapax" (A)
*Steppe Eagle "Aquila nipalensis"
*Imperial Eagle "Aquila heliaca"
*Golden Eagle "Aquila chrysaetos"
*Verreaux's Eagle "Aquila verreauxii" (A)
*Bonelli's Eagle "Aquila fasciatus"
*Booted Eagle "Aquila pennatus"

Caracaras and Falcons

Order: FalconiformesFamily: Falconidae

Falconidae is a family of diurnal birds of prey. They differ from hawks, eagles, and kites in that they kill with their beaks instead of their feet. There are 62 species worldwide and 11 species which occur in Israel.

*Lesser Kestrel "Falco naumanni"
*Eurasian Kestrel "Falco tinnunculus"
*Red-footed Falcon "Falco vespertinus"
*Eleonora's Falcon "Falco eleonorae"
*Sooty Falcon "Falco concolor"
*Merlin "Falco columbarius"
*Eurasian Hobby "Falco subbuteo"
*Lanner Falcon "Falco biarmicus"
*Saker Falcon "Falco cherrug"
*Barbary Falcon "Falco pelegrinoides"
*Peregrine Falcon "Falco peregrinus"

Pheasants and Partridges

Order: GalliformesFamily: Phasianidae

The Phasianidae are a family of terrestrial birds which consists of quails, partridges, snowcocks, francolins, spurfowls, tragopans, monals, pheasants, peafowls and jungle fowls. In general, they are plump (although they may vary in size) and have broad, relatively short wings. There are 156 species worldwide and 4 species which occur in Israel.

*Chukar "Alectoris chukar"
*Sand Partridge "Ammoperdix heyi"
*Black Francolin "Francolinus francolinus"
*Common Quail "Coturnix coturnix"

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". There are 15 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in Israel.

*Demoiselle Crane "Anthropoides virgo"
*Common Crane "Grus grus"

Rails, Crakes, 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, difficult to observe. Most species have strong legs, and have long toes which are well adapted to soft, uneven surfaces. They tend to have short, rounded wings and be weak fliers. There are 143 species worldwide and 8 species which occur in Israel.

*Water Rail "Rallus aquaticus"
*Corn Crake "Crex crex"
*Little Crake "Porzana parva"
*Baillon's Crake "Porzana pusilla"
*Spotted Crake "Porzana porzana"
*Purple Swamphen "Porphyrio porphyrio" (A)
*Common Moorhen "Gallinula chloropus"
*Eurasian Coot "Fulica atra"

Bustards

Order: GruiformesFamily: 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. There are 26 species worldwide and 3 species which occur in Israel.

*Great Bustard "Otis tarda" (A)
*Macqueen's Bustard "Chlamydotis macqueenii"
*Little Bustard "Tetrax tetrax"

Painted snipe

Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Rostratulidae

Painted snipe are short-legged, long-billed birds similar in shape to the true snipes, but more brightly coloured. There are 2 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Israel.

*Greater Painted-snipe "Rostratula benghalensis" (A)

Crab Plover

Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Dromadidae

The Crab Plover is related to the waders. It resembles a plover but with very long grey legs and a strong heavy black bill similar to a tern. It has black and white plumage, a long neck, partially webbed feet and a bill designed for eating crabs.

*Crab Plover "Dromas ardeola" (A)

Oystercatchers

Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Haematopodidae

The oystercatchers are large and noisy plover-like birds, with strong bills used for smashing or prising open molluscs. There are 11 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Israel.

*Eurasian Oystercatcher "Haematopus ostralegus"

Avocets and Stilts

Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Recurvirostridae

Recurvirostridae is a family of large wading birds, which includes the avocets and the stilts. The avocets have long legs and long up-curved bills. The stilts have extremely long legs and long, thin, straight bills. There are 9 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in Israel.

*Black-winged Stilt "Himantopus himantopus"
*Pied Avocet "Recurvirostra avosetta"

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. There are 9 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Israel.

*Eurasian Thick-knee "Burhinus oedicnemus"

Pratincoles and Coursers

Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Glareolidae

Glareolidae is a family of wading birds comprising the pratincoles, which have short legs, long pointed wings and long forked tails, and the coursers, which have long legs, short wings and long pointed bills which curve downwards. There are 17 species worldwide and 4 species which occur in Israel.

*Cream-colored Courser "Cursorius cursor"
*Collared Pratincole "Glareola pratincola"
*Oriental Pratincole "Glareola maldivarum" (A)
*Black-winged Pratincole "Glareola nordmanni"

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, although there are some exceptions. There are 66 species worldwide and 17 species which occur in Israel.

*Northern Lapwing "Vanellus vanellus"
*Spur-winged Plover "Vanellus spinosus"
*Black-headed Lapwing "Vanellus tectus" (A)
*Red-wattled Lapwing "Vanellus indicus" (A)
*Sociable Lapwing "Vanellus gregarius"
*White-tailed Lapwing "Vanellus leucurus"
*Pacific Golden-Plover "Pluvialis fulva"
*European Golden-Plover "Pluvialis apricaria"
*Black-bellied Plover "Pluvialis squatarola"
*Common Ringed Plover "Charadrius hiaticula"
*Little Ringed Plover "Charadrius dubius"
*Kittlitz's Plover "Charadrius pecuarius" (A)
*Snowy Plover "Charadrius alexandrinus"
*Lesser Sandplover "Charadrius mongolus" (A)
*Greater Sandplover "Charadrius leschenaultii"
*Caspian Plover "Charadrius asiaticus"
*Eurasian Dotterel "Charadrius morinellus"

andpipers and allies

Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Scolopacidae

The Scolopacidae are a large diverse family of small to medium sized shorebirds including the sandpipers, curlews, godwits, shanks, tattlers, woodcocks, snipes, dowitchers and phalaropes. The majority of species eat small invertebrates picked out of the mud or soil. Variation in length of legs and bills enable different species to feed in the same habitat, particularly on the coast, without direct competition for food. There are 89 species worldwide and 38 species which occur in Israel.

*Eurasian Woodcock "Scolopax rusticola"
*Jack Snipe "Lymnocryptes minimus"
*Pintail Snipe "Gallinago stenura" (A)
*Great Snipe "Gallinago media"
*Common Snipe "Gallinago gallinago"
*Long-billed Dowitcher "Limnodromus scolopaceus" (A)
*Black-tailed Godwit "Limosa limosa"
*Bar-tailed Godwit "Limosa lapponica"
*Whimbrel "Numenius phaeopus"
*Slender-billed Curlew "Numenius tenuirostris" (A)
*Eurasian Curlew "Numenius arquata"
*Spotted Redshank "Tringa erythropus"
*Common Redshank "Tringa totanus"
*Marsh Sandpiper "Tringa stagnatilis"
*Common Greenshank "Tringa nebularia"
*Lesser Yellowlegs "Tringa flavipes" (A)
*Green Sandpiper "Tringa ochropus"
*Wood Sandpiper "Tringa glareola"
*Terek Sandpiper "Xenus cinereus"
*Common Sandpiper "Actitis hypoleucos"
*Ruddy Turnstone "Arenaria interpres"
*Great Knot "Calidris tenuirostris" (A)
*Red Knot "Calidris canutus"
*Sanderling "Calidris alba"
*Semipalmated Sandpiper "Calidris pusilla" (A)
*Red-necked Stint "Calidris ruficollis" (A)
*Little Stint "Calidris minuta"
*Temminck's Stint "Calidris temminckii"
*Long-toed Stint "Calidris subminuta" (A)
*White-rumped Sandpiper "Calidris fuscicollis" (A)
*Baird's Sandpiper "Calidris bairdii" (A)
*Pectoral Sandpiper "Calidris melanotos" (A)
*Curlew Sandpiper "Calidris ferruginea"
*Dunlin "Calidris alpina"
*Broad-billed Sandpiper "Limicola falcinellus"
*Ruff "Philomachus pugnax"
*Red-necked Phalarope "Phalaropus lobatus"
*Red Phalarope "Phalaropus fulicarius" (A)

kuas and Jaegers

Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Stercorariidae

The family Stercorariidae are, in general, medium to large birds, typically with grey or brown plumage, often with white markings on the wings. They nest on the ground in temperate and arctic regions and are long-distance migrants. There are 7 species worldwide and 5 species which occur in Israel.

*South Polar Skua "Stercorarius maccormicki" (A)
*Great Skua "Stercorarius skua" (A)
*Pomarine Jaeger "Stercorarius pomarinus"
*Parasitic Jaeger "Stercorarius parasiticus"
*Long-tailed Jaeger "Stercorarius longicaudus"

Gulls

Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Laridae

Laridae is a family of medium to large birds seabirds and includes gulls and kittiwakes. They are typically grey or white, often with black markings on the head or wings. They have stout, longish bills and webbed feet. There are 55 species worldwide and 22 species which occur in Israel.

*White-eyed Gull "Larus leucophthalmus"
*Sooty Gull "Larus hemprichii" (A)
*Mew Gull "Larus canus"
*Audouin's Gull "Larus audouinii" (A)
*Great Black-backed Gull "Larus marinus" (A)
*Glaucous Gull "Larus hyperboreus" (A)
*Herring Gull "Larus argentatus" (A)
*Lesser Black-backed Gull "Larus fuscus"
*Heuglin's Gull "Larus heuglini"
*Caspian Gull "Larus cachinnans"
*Armenian Gull "Larus armenicus"
*Yellow-legged Gull "Larus michahellis"
*Great Black-headed Gull "Larus ichthyaetus"
*Brown-headed Gull "Larus brunnicephalus" (A)
*Gray-headed Gull "Larus cirrocephalus" (A)
*Black-headed Gull "Larus ridibundus"
*Slender-billed Gull "Larus genei"
*Mediterranean Gull "Larus melanocephalus"
*Franklin's Gull "Larus pipixcan" (A)
*Little Gull "Larus minutus"
*Sabine's Gull "Xema sabini" (A)
*Black-legged Kittiwake "Rissa tridactyla"

Terns

Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Sternidae

Terns are a group of generally general medium to large sea-birds typically with grey or white plumage, often with black markings on the head. Most terns hunt fish by diving but some pick insects off the surface of fresh water. Terns are generally long-lived birds, with several species now known to live in excess of 25 to 30 years. There are 44 species worldwide and 16 species which occur in Israel.

*Gull-billed Tern "Sterna nilotica"
*Caspian Tern "Sterna caspia"
*Lesser Crested Tern "Sterna bengalensis"
*Sandwich Tern "Sterna sandvicensis"
*Great Crested Tern "Sterna bergii" (A)
*Roseate Tern "Sterna dougallii" (A)
*Common Tern "Sterna hirundo"
*Arctic Tern "Sterna paradisaea"
*Little Tern "Sterna albifrons"
*Saunders's Tern "Sterna saundersi" (A)
*White-cheeked Tern "Sterna repressa"
*Bridled Tern "Sterna anaethetus"
*Sooty Tern "Sterna fuscata" (A)
*Whiskered Tern "Chlidonias hybridus"
*White-winged Tern "Chlidonias leucopterus"
*Black Tern "Chlidonias niger"

kimmers

Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Rynchopidae

Skimmers are a small family of tropical tern-like birds. They have an elongated lower mandible which they use to feed by flying low over the water surface and skimming the water for small fish. There are 3 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Israel.

*African Skimmer "Rynchops flavirostris" (A)

andgrouse

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. There are 16 species worldwide and 5 species which occur in Israel.

*Pin-tailed Sandgrouse "Pterocles alchata"
*Spotted Sandgrouse "Pterocles senegallus"
*Black-bellied Sandgrouse "Pterocles orientalis"
*Crowned Sandgrouse "Pterocles coronatus"
*Lichtenstein's Sandgrouse "Pterocles lichtensteinii"

Pigeons and Doves

Order: ColumbiformesFamily: Columbidae

Pigeons and doves are stout-bodied birds with short necks and short slender bills with a fleshy cere. There are 308 species worldwide and 9 species which occur in Israel.

*Rock Pigeon "Columba livia"
*Stock Pigeon "Columba oenas"
*Common Wood-Pigeon "Columba palumbus"
*Eurasian Turtle-Dove "Streptopelia turtur"
*Oriental Turtle-Dove "Streptopelia orientalis" (A)
*Eurasian Collared-Dove "Streptopelia decaocto"
*African Collared-Dove "Streptopelia roseogrisea" (A)
*Laughing Dove "Streptopelia senegalensis"
*Namaqua Dove "Oena capensis"

Parrots, Macaws and allies

Order: PsittaciformesFamily: Psittacidae

Parrots are small to large birds with a characteristic curved beak shape. Their upper mandibles have slight mobility in the joint with the skull and the have a generally erect stance. All parrots are zygodactyl, having the four toes on each foot placed two at the front and two back. There are 335 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in Israel.

*Rose-ringed Parakeet "Psittacula krameri" (I)
*Monk Parakeet "Myiopsitta monachus" (I)

Cuckoos and Anis

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. Unlike the cuckoo species of the Old World, North American cuckoos are not brood parasites. There are 138 species worldwide and 4 species which occur in Israel.

*Great Spotted Cuckoo "Clamator glandarius"
*Common Cuckoo "Cuculus canorus"
*Horsfield's Cuckoo "Cuculus horsfieldi" (A)
*Dideric Cuckoo "Chrysococcyx caprius" (A)

Barn owls

Order: StrigiformesFamily: Tytonidae

Barn owls are medium to large sized owls with large heads and characteristic heart-shaped faces. They have long strong legs with powerful talons. There are 16 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Israel.

*Barn Owl "Tyto alba"

Typical owls

Order: StrigiformesFamily: Strigidae

Typical owls are small to large solitary nocturnal birds of prey. They have large forward-facing eyes and ears, a hawk-like beak, and a conspicuous circle of feathers around each eye called a facial disk. There are 195 species worldwide and 12 species which occur in Israel.

*Pallid Scops-Owl "Otus brucei"
*African Scops-Owl "Otus senegalensis"
*European Scops-Owl "Otus scops"
*Oriental Scops-Owl "Otus sunia"
*Eurasian Eagle-Owl "Bubo bubo"
*Pharaoh Eagle-Owl "Bubo ascalaphus"
*Brown Fish-Owl "Ketupa zeylonensis" (Ex)
*Tawny Owl "Strix aluco"
*Hume's Owl "Strix butleri"
*Little Owl "Athene noctua"
*Long-eared Owl "Asio otus"
*Short-eared Owl "Asio flammeus"

Nightjars

Order: CaprimulgiformesFamily: Caprimulgidae

Nightjars are medium-sized nocturnal birds with long wings, short legs and very short bills that usually nest on the ground. Most have small feet, of little use for walking, and long pointed wings. Their soft plumage is camouflaged to resemble bark or leaves. There are 86 species worldwide and 3 species which occur in Israel.

*Eurasian Nightjar "Caprimulgus europaeus"
*Egyptian Nightjar "Caprimulgus aegyptius"
*Nubian Nightjar "Caprimulgus nubicus"

wifts

Order: ApodiformesFamily: Apodidae

Swifts are small aerial birds, spending 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 that resemble a crescent or a boomerang. There are 98 species worldwide and 4 species which occur in Israel.

*Alpine Swift "Tachymarptis melba"
*Common Swift "Apus apus"
*Pallid Swift "Apus pallidus"
*Little Swift "Apus affinis"

Kingfishers

Order: CoraciiformesFamily: Alcedinidae

Kingfishers are medium-sized birds with large heads, long pointed bills, short legs, and stubby tails. There are 93 species worldwide and 3 species which occur in Israel.

*Common Kingfisher "Alcedo atthis"
*White-throated Kingfisher "Halcyon smyrnensis"
*Pied Kingfisher "Ceryle rudis"

Bee-eaters

Order: CoraciiformesFamily: Meropidae

The bee-eaters are a group of near passerine birds in the family Meropidae. Most species are found in Africa but others occur in southern Europe, Madagascar, Australia and New Guinea. They are characterised by richly coloured plumage, slender bodies and usually elongated central tail feathers. All are colorful and have long downturned bills and pointed wings, which give them a swallow-like appearance when seen from afar. There are 26 species worldwide and 3 species which occur in Israel.

*Green Bee-eater "Merops orientalis"
*Blue-cheeked Bee-eater "Merops persicus"
*European Bee-eater "Merops apiaster"

Typical Rollers

Order: CoraciiformesFamily: Coraciidae

Rollers resemble crows in size and build, but are more closely related to the kingfishers and bee-eaters. They share the colourful appearance of those groups with blues and browns predominating. The two inner front toes are connected, but the outer toe is not. There are 12 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Israel.

*European Roller "Coracias garrulus"

Hoopoes

Order: CoraciiformesFamily: Upupidae

Hoopoes have black, white and orangey-pink colouring with a large erectile crest on their head. There are 2 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Israel.

*Hoopoe "Upupa epops"

Woodpeckers and allies

Order: PiciformesFamily: Picidae

Woodpeckers are small to medium sized birds with chisel like beaks, short legs, stiff tails and long tongues used for capturing insects. Some species have feet with two toes pointing forward, and two backward, while several species have only three toes. Many woodpeckers have the habit of tapping noisily on tree trunks with their beaks. There are 218 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in Israel.

*Eurasian Wryneck "Jynx torquilla"
*Syrian Woodpecker "Dendrocopos syriacus"

Larks

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Alaudidae

Larks are small terrestrial birds with often extravagant songs and display flights. Most larks are fairly dull in appearance. Their food is insects and seeds. There are 91 species worldwide and 18 species which occur in Israel.

*Black-crowned Sparrow-Lark "Eremopterix nigriceps" (A)
*Chestnut-headed Sparrow-Lark "Eremopterix signata" (A)
*Bar-tailed Lark "Ammomanes cincturus"
*Desert Lark "Ammomanes deserti"
*Greater Hoopoe-Lark "Alaemon alaudipes"
*Thick-billed Lark "Ramphocoris clotbey" (A)
*Calandra Lark "Melanocorypha calandra"
*Bimaculated Lark "Melanocorypha bimaculata"
*Greater Short-toed Lark "Calandrella brachydactyla"
*Hume's Lark "Calandrella acutirostris" (A)
*Lesser Short-toed Lark "Calandrella rufescens"
*Dunn's Lark "Eremalauda dunni"
*Crested Lark "Galerida cristata"
*Wood Lark "Lullula arborea"
*Eurasian Skylark "Alauda arvensis"
*Oriental Skylark "Alauda gulgula"
*Horned Lark "Eremophila alpestris"
*Temminck's Lark "Eremophila bilopha"

wallows and Martins

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Hirundinidae

The Hirundinidae family is a group of passerines characterized by their adaptation to aerial feeding. Their adaptations include a slender streamlined body, long pointed wings and short bills with wide gape. The feet are designed for perching rather than walking, and the front toes are partially joined at the base. There are 75 species worldwide and 8 species which occur in Israel.

*Bank Swallow "Riparia riparia"
*Plain Martin "Riparia paludicola" (A)
*Eurasian Crag-Martin "Ptyonoprogne rupestris"
*Rock Martin "Ptyonoprogne fuligula"
*Barn Swallow "Hirundo rustica"
*Ethiopian Swallow "Hirundo aethiopica" (A)
*Red-rumped Swallow "Cecropis daurica"
*Common House-Martin "Delichon urbica"

Wagtails and Pipits

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Motacillidae

The Motacillidae are a family of small passerine birds with medium to long tails. They include the wagtails, longclaws and pipits. They are slender, ground feeding insectivores of open country. There are 54 species worldwide and 14 species which occur in Israel.

*White Wagtail "Motacilla alba"
*Citrine Wagtail "Motacilla citreola"
*Yellow Wagtail "Motacilla flava"
*Gray Wagtail "Motacilla cinerea"
*Richard's Pipit "Anthus richardi"
*Tawny Pipit "Anthus campestris"
*Blyth's Pipit "Anthus godlewskii" (A)
*Long-billed Pipit "Anthus similis"
*Tree Pipit "Anthus trivialis"
*Olive-backed Pipit "Anthus hodgsoni"
*Meadow Pipit "Anthus pratensis"
*Red-throated Pipit "Anthus cervinus"
*Water Pipit "Anthus spinoletta"
*American Pipit "Anthus rubescens"

Bulbuls

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Pycnonotidae

Bulbuls are medium-sized songbirds. Some are colourful with yellow, red or orange vents, cheeks, throat or supercilia, but most are drab, with uniform olive brown to black plumage. Some species have distinct crests.There are 130 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in Israel.

*White-spectacled Bulbul "Pycnonotus xanthopygos"
*White-cheeked Bulbul "Pycnonotus leucogenys" (A)

Kinglets

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Regulidae

The kinglets or crests are a small group of birds often included in the Old World warblers, but frequently given family status because they also resemble the titmice. There are 7 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Israel.

*Goldcrest "Regulus regulus"

Waxwings

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Bombycillidae

The waxwings are a group of passerine birds characterized by soft silky plumage and unique red tips to some of the wing feathers. In the Bohemian and Cedar Waxwings, these tips look like sealing wax, and give the group its name. These are arboreal birds of northern forests. They live on insects in summer and berries in winter. There are 3 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Israel.

*Bohemian Waxwing "Bombycilla garrulus" (A)

Grey Hypocolius

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Hypocoliidae

The Grey Hypocolius is a small Middle Eastern bird. They are mainly a uniform grey color, with males having a black triangular mask around the eyes, and with the shape and soft plumage of the waxwings.

*Hypocolius "Hypocolius ampelinus" (A)

Wrens

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Troglodytidae

The wrens are mainly small and inconspicuous except for their loud songs. These birds have short wings and a thin down-turned bill. Several species often hold their tails upright. All are insectivorous. There are 80 species worldwide (of which all but one are New World species) and 1 species which occurs in Israel.

*Winter Wren "Troglodytes troglodytes"

Accentors

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Prunellidae

The accentors are in the only bird family, Prunellidae, which is completely endemic to the Palearctic. They are small, fairly drab species superficially similar to sparrows. There are 13 species worldwide and 4 species which occur in Israel.

*Alpine Accentor "Prunella collaris"
*Radde's Accentor "Prunella ocularis"
*Black-throated Accentor "Prunella atrogularis" (A)
*Dunnock "Prunella modularis"

Thrushes and allies

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Turdidae

The thrushes are a group of passerine birds that occur mainly in the Old World. They are plump, soft plumaged, small to medium-sized insectivores or sometimes omnivores, often feeding on the ground. Many have attractive songs. There are 335 species worldwide and 11 species which occur in Israel.

*Rufous-tailed Rock-Thrush "Monticola saxatilis"
*Blue Rock-Thrush "Monticola solitarius"
*Ring Ouzel "Turdus torquatus"
*Eurasian Blackbird "Turdus merula"
*Eyebrowed Thrush "Turdus obscurus" (A)
*Dark-throated Thrush "Turdus ruficollis" (A)
*Dusky Thrush "Turdus naumanni" (A)
*Fieldfare "Turdus pilaris"
*Redwing "Turdus iliacus"
*Song Thrush "Turdus philomelos"
*Mistle Thrush "Turdus viscivorus"

Cisticolas and allies

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Cisticolidae

The Cisticolidae are warblers found mainly in warmer southern regions of the Old World. They are generally very small birds of drab brown or grey appearance found in open country such as grassland or scrub. There are 111 species worldwide and 3 species which occur in Israel.

*Zitting Cisticola "Cisticola juncidis"
*Streaked Scrub-Warbler "Scotocerca inquieta"
*Graceful Prinia "Prinia gracilis"

Old World warblers

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Sylviidae

The family Sylviidae is a group of small insectivorous passerine birds. The Sylviidae mainly occur as breeding species, as the common name implies, in Europe, Asia and, to a lesser extent Africa. Most are of generally undistinguished appearance, but many have distinctive songs. There are 291 species worldwide and 45 species which occur in Israel.

*Cetti's Warbler "Cettia cetti"
*Grasshopper Warbler "Locustella naevia" (A)
*Pallas's Warbler "Locustella certhiola" (A)
*Eurasian River Warbler "Locustella fluviatilis"
*Savi's Warbler "Locustella luscinioides"
*Moustached Warbler "Acrocephalus melanopogon"
*Sedge Warbler "Acrocephalus schoenobaenus"
*Paddyfield Warbler "Acrocephalus agricola" (A)
*Eurasian Reed-Warbler "Acrocephalus scirpaceus"
*Blyth's Reed-Warbler "Acrocephalus dumetorum" (A)
*Marsh Warbler "Acrocephalus palustris"
*Great Reed-Warbler "Acrocephalus arundinaceus"
*Oriental Reed-Warbler "Acrocephalus orientalis" (A)
*Clamorous Reed-Warbler "Acrocephalus stentoreus"
*Basra Reed-Warbler "Acrocephalus griseldis" (A)
*Booted Warbler "Hippolais caligata" (A)
*Eastern Olivaceous Warbler "Hippolais pallida"
*Upcher's Warbler "Hippolais languida"
*Olive-tree Warbler "Hippolais olivetorum"
*Icterine Warbler "Hippolais icterina"
*Willow Warbler "Phylloscopus trochilus"
*Common Chiffchaff "Phylloscopus collybita"
*Mountain Chiffchaff "Phylloscopus sindianus"
*Eastern Bonelli's Warbler "Phylloscopus orientalis"
*Wood Warbler "Phylloscopus sibilatrix"
*Dusky Warbler "Phylloscopus fuscatus" (A)
*Radde's Warbler "Phylloscopus schwarzi" (A)
*Lemon-rumped Warbler "Phylloscopus proregulus" (A)
*Yellow-browed Warbler "Phylloscopus inornatus"
*Hume's Warbler "Phylloscopus humei"
*Greenish Warbler "Phylloscopus trochiloides" (A)
*Blackcap "Sylvia atricapilla"
*Garden Warbler "Sylvia borin"
*Greater Whitethroat "Sylvia communis"
*Lesser Whitethroat "Sylvia curruca"
*Asian Desert Warbler "Sylvia nana"
*Barred Warbler "Sylvia nisoria"
*Eastern Orphean Warbler "Sylvia crassirostris"
*Red Sea Warbler "Sylvia leucomelaena"
*Rueppell's Warbler "Sylvia rueppelli"
*Subalpine Warbler "Sylvia cantillans"
*Sardinian Warbler "Sylvia melanocephala"
*Cyprus Warbler "Sylvia melanothorax"
*Menetries's Warbler "Sylvia mystacea"
*Spectacled Warbler "Sylvia conspicillata"

Old World flycatchers

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Muscicapidae

Old World flycatchers are a large group of small passerine birds native to the Old World. They are mainly small arboreal insectivores. The appearance of these birds is very varied, but they mostly have weak songs and harsh calls. There 274 species worldwide and 35 species which occur in Israel.

*Spotted Flycatcher "Muscicapa striata"
*European Pied Flycatcher "Ficedula hypoleuca"
*Collared Flycatcher "Ficedula albicollis"
*Semicollared Flycatcher "Ficedula semitorquata"
*Red-breasted Flycatcher "Ficedula parva"
*European Robin "Erithacus rubecula"
*Thrush Nightingale "Luscinia luscinia"
*Common Nightingale "Luscinia megarhynchos"
*Bluethroat "Luscinia svecica"
*Red-flanked Bluetail "Tarsiger cyanurus" (A)
*White-throated Robin "Irania gutturalis"
*Rufous-tailed Scrub-Robin "Cercotrichas galactotes"
*Black Scrub-Robin "Cercotrichas podobe"
*Rufous-backed Redstart "Phoenicurus erythronota" (A)
*Black Redstart "Phoenicurus ochruros"
*Common Redstart "Phoenicurus phoenicurus"
*Siberian Stonechat "Saxicola maura"
*Whinchat "Saxicola rubetra"
*European Stonechat "Saxicola rubicola"
*Pied Bushchat "Saxicola caprata" (A)
*White-tailed Wheatear "Oenanthe leucopyga"
*Hooded Wheatear "Oenanthe monacha"
*Black Wheatear "Oenanthe leucura" (A)
*Northern Wheatear "Oenanthe oenanthe"
*Mourning Wheatear "Oenanthe lugens"
*Finsch's Wheatear "Oenanthe finschii"
*Variable Wheatear "Oenanthe picata" (A)
*Red-rumped Wheatear "Oenanthe moesta"
*Pied Wheatear "Oenanthe pleschanka"
*Cyprus Wheatear "Oenanthe cypriaca"
*Black-eared Wheatear "Oenanthe hispanica"
*Red-tailed Wheatear "Oenanthe xanthoprymna" (A)
*Desert Wheatear "Oenanthe deserti"
*Isabelline Wheatear "Oenanthe isabellina"
*Blackstart "Cercomela melanura"

Babblers

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Timaliidae

The babblers or timaliids are somewhat diverse in size and coloration, but are characterised by soft fluffy plumage. There are 270 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Israel.

*Arabian Babbler "Turdoides squamiceps"

Parrotbills

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Paradoxornithidae

The parrotbills are a group of birds native to East and Southeast Asia, though feral populations are known from elsewhere. They are generally small, long-tailed birds which inhabit reedbeds and similar habitats. There are 20 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Israel.

*Bearded Reedling "Panurus biarmicus" (A)

Chickadees and Titmice

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Paridae

The Paridae are mainly small stocky woodland species with short stout bills. Some have crests. They are adaptable birds, with a mixed diet including seeds and insects. There are species 59 worldwide and 3 species which occur in Israel.

*Sombre Tit "Poecile lugubris"
*Coal Tit "Periparus ater" (A)
*Great Tit "Parus major"

Nuthatches

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Sittidae

Nuthatches are small woodland birds. They have the unusual ability to climb down trees head first, unlike other birds which can only go upwards. Nuthatches have big heads, short tails and powerful bills and feet. There are 24 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in Israel.

*Eurasian Nuthatch "Sitta europaea"
*Rock Nuthatch "Sitta neumayer"

Wallcreeper

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Tichodromidae

The Wallcreeper is a small bird with stunning crimson, grey and black plumage, related to the nuthatch family.

*Wallcreeper "Tichodroma muraria"

Penduline tits

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Remizidae

The penduline tits are a group of small passerine birds, related to the true tits. They are insectivores. There are 13 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Israel.

*Eurasian Penduline-Tit "Remiz pendulinus"

unbirds and Spiderhunters

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Nectariniidae

The sunbirds and spiderhunters are very small passerine birds which feed largely on nectar, although they will also take insects, especially when feeding young. Flight is fast and direct on their short wings. Most species can take nectar by hovering like a hummingbird, but usually perch to feed. There are 131 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Israel.

*Palestine Sunbird "Cinnyris oseus"

Old World Orioles

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Oriolidae

The Old World Orioles are colourful passerine birds. They are not related to the New World orioles. There are 29 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Israel.

*Eurasian Golden Oriole "Oriolus oriolus"

hrikes

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Laniidae

Shrikes are passerine birds known for their habit of catching other birds and small animals and impaling the uneaten portions of their bodies on thorns. A typical shrike's beak is hooked, like a bird of prey. There are 31 species worldwide and 7 species which occur in Israel.

*Red-backed Shrike "Lanius collurio"
*Rufous-tailed Shrike "Lanius isabellinus"
*Long-tailed Shrike "Lanius schach" (A)
*Southern Gray Shrike "Lanius meridionalis"
*Lesser Gray Shrike "Lanius minor"
*Masked Shrike "Lanius nubicus"
*Woodchat Shrike "Lanius senator"

Crows, Jays, Ravens and Magpies

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Corvidae

The Corvidae family includes crows, ravens, jays, choughs, magpies, treepies, nutcrackers, and ground jays. Corvids are above average in size for the bird order Passeriformes. Some of the larger species show high levels of learning behavior. There are 120 species worldwide and 10 species which occur in Israel.

*Eurasian Jay "Garrulus glandarius"
*Red-billed Chough "Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax" (A)
*Yellow-billed Chough "Pyrrhocorax graculus"
*Eurasian Jackdaw "Corvus monedula"
*House Crow "Corvus splendens"
*Rook "Corvus frugilegus"
*Brown-necked Raven "Corvus ruficollis"
*Fan-tailed Raven "Corvus rhipidurus"
*Common Raven "Corvus corax"
*Hooded Crow "Corvus cornix"

tarlings

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Sturnidae

Starlings are small to medium-sized passerine birds. Their flight is strong and direct, and they are very gregarious. Their preferred habitat is fairly open country. They eat insects and fruit. Plumage is typically dark with a metallic sheen. There are 125 species worldwide and 5 species which occur in Israel.

*Common Myna "Acridotheres tristis" (I)
*Vinous-breasted Starling "Acridotheres burmannicus" (I)
*Rosy Starling "Pastor roseus"
*European Starling "Sturnus vulgaris"
*Tristram's Starling "Onychognathus tristramii"

Waxbills and allies

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Estrildidae

The estrildid finches are small passerine birds of the Old World tropics and Australasia. They are gregarious and often colonial seed-eaters with short thick but pointed bills. They are all similar in structure and habits, but have a wide variation in plumage colours and pattern. There are 141 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Israel.

*White-throated Munia "Euodice malabarica" (I)

Buntings, Sparrows, Seedeaters and allies

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Emberizidae

The emberizids are a large family of passerine birds. They are seed-eating birds with a distinctively shaped bill. In Europe, most species are named as buntings. In North America, most of the species in this family are known as Sparrows, but these birds are not closely related to the Old World sparrows which are in the family Passeridae. Many emberizid species have distinctive head patterns. There are species 275 worldwide and 14 species which occur in Israel.

*Yellowhammer "Emberiza citrinella"
*Pine Bunting "Emberiza leucocephalos"
*Rock Bunting "Emberiza cia"
*Cinereous Bunting "Emberiza cineracea"
*Ortolan Bunting "Emberiza hortulana"
*Cretzschmar's Bunting "Emberiza caesia"
*House Bunting "Emberiza striolata"
*Little Bunting "Emberiza pusilla"
*Rustic Bunting "Emberiza rustica"
*Yellow-breasted Bunting "Emberiza aureola" (A)
*Black-headed Bunting "Emberiza melanocephala"
*Red-headed Bunting "Emberiza bruniceps" (A)
*Reed Bunting "Emberiza schoeniclus"
*Corn Bunting "Emberiza calandra"

iskins, Crossbills and allies

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Fringillidae

Finches are seed-eating passerine birds, that are small to moderately large and have a strong beak, usually conical and in some species very large. All have 12 tail feathers and 9 primaries. These birds have a bouncing flight with alternating bouts of flapping and gliding on closed wings, and most sing well. There are 137 species worldwide and 16 species which occur in Israel.

*Chaffinch "Fringilla coelebs"
*Brambling "Fringilla montifringilla"
*Common Rosefinch "Carpodacus erythrinus"
*Pale Rosefinch "Carpodacus synoicus"
*Red Crossbill "Loxia curvirostra" (A)
*European Greenfinch "Carduelis chloris"
*Eurasian Siskin "Carduelis spinus"
*European Goldfinch "Carduelis carduelis"
*Eurasian Linnet "Carduelis cannabina"
*Fire-fronted Serin "Serinus pusillus"
*European Serin "Serinus serinus"
*Syrian Serin "Serinus syriacus"
*Hawfinch "Coccothraustes coccothraustes"
*Crimson-winged Finch "Rhodopechys sanguinea"
*Trumpeter Finch "Bucanetes githaginea"
*Desert Finch "Rhodospiza obsoleta"

parrows

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Passeridae

Sparrows are small passerine birds. In general, sparrows tend to be small, plump, brown or grey birds with short tails and short powerful beaks. Sparrows are seed-eaters, and they also consume small insects. There are 35 species worldwide and 7 species which occur in Israel.

*House Sparrow "Passer domesticus"
*Spanish Sparrow "Passer hispaniolensis"
*Dead Sea Sparrow "Passer moabiticus"
*Eurasian Tree Sparrow "Passer montanus" (A)
*Chestnut-shouldered Petronia "Petronia xanthocollis" (A)
*Rock Petronia "Petronia petronia"
*Pale Rockfinch "Carpospiza brachydactyla"

ee also

*List of birds
*Lists of birds by region

References

*cite web
last = Lepage
first = Denis
authorlink =
coauthors =
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url = http://www.bsc-eoc.org/avibase/avibase.jsp?region=il&pg=checklist&list=clements
title = Checklist of birds of Israel
format =
work = Bird Checklists of the World
publisher = Avibase
accessdate = 26 April
accessyear = 2007
*cite book
title=Birds of the World: a Checklist
first= James F.
last = Clements
publisher = Cornell University Press
date = 2000
id = ISBN 0934797161
pages = 880