List of birds of North Korea

This is a list of the bird species recorded in North Korea. The avifauna of North Korea includes a total of 318 species, none of which are introduced, accidental or endemic. 1 species listed is extirpated in North Korea and is not included in the species count.

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.

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.

* (Ex) Extirpated A species that no longer occurs in North Korea although populations exist elsewhere.

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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 4 species which occur in North Korea.

*Red-throated Loon "Gavia stellata"
*Arctic Loon "Gavia arctica"
*Pacific Loon "Gavia pacifica"
*Yellow-billed Loon "Gavia adamsii"

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 4 species which occur in North Korea.

*Little Grebe "Tachybaptus ruficollis"
*Red-necked Grebe "Podiceps grisegena"
*Great Crested Grebe "Podiceps cristatus"
*Eared Grebe "Podiceps nigricollis"

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 2 species which occur in North Korea.

*Streaked Shearwater "Calonectris leucomelas"
*Flesh-footed Shearwater "Puffinus carneipes"

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 1 species which occurs in North Korea.

*Swinhoe's Storm-Petrel "Oceanodroma monorhis"

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 North Korea.

*Great Cormorant "Phalacrocorax carbo"
*Japanese Cormorant "Phalacrocorax capillatus"
*Pelagic Cormorant "Phalacrocorax pelagicus"

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 North Korea.

*Lesser Frigatebird "Fregata ariel"

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 10 species which occur in North Korea.

*Gray Heron "Ardea cinerea"
*Purple Heron "Ardea purpurea"
*Great Egret "Ardea alba"
*Intermediate Egret "Egretta intermedia"
*Little Egret "Egretta garzetta"
*Chinese Egret "Egretta eulophotes"
*Cattle Egret "Bubulcus ibis"
*Striated Heron "Butorides striata"
*Yellow Bittern "Ixobrychus sinensis"
*Schrenck's Bittern "Ixobrychus eurhythmus"

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 2 species which occur in North Korea.

*Black Stork "Ciconia nigra"
*Oriental Stork "Ciconia boyciana"

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 North Korea.

*Crested Ibis "Nipponia nippon" (Ex)
*Eurasian Spoonbill "Platalea leucorodia"
*Black-faced Spoonbill "Platalea minor"

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 32 species which occur in North Korea.

*Whooper Swan "Cygnus cygnus"
*Tundra Swan "Cygnus columbianus"
*Swan Goose "Anser cygnoides"
*Bean Goose "Anser fabalis"
*Greater White-fronted Goose "Anser albifrons"
*Snow Goose "Chen caerulescens"
*Brant "Branta bernicla"
*Ruddy Shelduck "Tadorna ferruginea"
*Common Shelduck "Tadorna tadorna"
*Mandarin Duck "Aix galericulata"
*Eurasian Wigeon "Anas penelope"
*Falcated Duck "Anas falcata"
*Baikal Teal "Anas formosa"
*Eurasian Teal "Anas crecca"
*Mallard "Anas platyrhynchos"
*Spot-billed Duck "Anas poecilorhyncha"
*Northern Pintail "Anas acuta"
*Garganey "Anas querquedula"
*Northern Shoveler "Anas clypeata"
*Baer's Pochard "Aythya baeri"
*Tufted Duck "Aythya fuligula"
*Greater Scaup "Aythya marila"
*Lesser Scaup "Aythya affinis"
*Harlequin Duck "Histrionicus histrionicus"
*Long-tailed Duck "Clangula hyemalis"
*Black Scoter "Melanitta nigra"
*White-winged Scoter "Melanitta fusca"
*Common Goldeneye "Bucephala clangula"
*Smew "Mergellus albellus"
*Red-breasted Merganser "Mergus serrator"
*Common Merganser "Mergus merganser"
*Scaly-sided Merganser "Mergus squamatus"

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 21 species which occur in North Korea.

*Oriental Honey-buzzard "Pernis ptilorhynchus"
*Black Kite "Milvus migrans"
*White-tailed Eagle "Haliaeetus albicilla"
*Steller's Sea-Eagle "Haliaeetus pelagicus"
*Lammergeier "Gypaetus barbatus"
*Cinereous Vulture "Aegypius monachus"
*Eastern Marsh-Harrier "Circus spilonotus"
*Northern Harrier "Circus cyaneus"
*Pied Harrier "Circus melanoleucos"
*Chinese Goshawk "Accipiter soloensis"
*Japanese Sparrowhawk "Accipiter gularis"
*Eurasian Sparrowhawk "Accipiter nisus"
*Northern Goshawk "Accipiter gentilis"
*Gray-faced Buzzard "Butastur indicus"
*Eurasian Buzzard "Buteo buteo"
*Upland Buzzard "Buteo hemilasius"
*Rough-legged Hawk "Buteo lagopus"
*Greater Spotted Eagle "Aquila clanga"
*Steppe Eagle "Aquila nipalensis"
*Imperial Eagle "Aquila heliaca"
*Golden Eagle "Aquila chrysaetos"

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 5 species which occur in North Korea.

*Eurasian Kestrel "Falco tinnunculus"
*Amur Falcon "Falco amurensis"
*Merlin "Falco columbarius"
*Eurasian Hobby "Falco subbuteo"
*Peregrine Falcon "Falco peregrinus"

Grouse

Order: GalliformesFamily: Tetraonidae

Grouse are game birds, similar to quails and partridge. There are 18 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in North Korea.

*Black Grouse "Tetrao tetrix"
*Hazel Grouse "Bonasa bonasia"

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 2 species which occur in North Korea.

*Japanese Quail "Coturnix japonica"
*Ring-necked Pheasant "Phasianus colchicus"

Buttonquails

Order: GruiformesFamily: Turnicidae

The buttonquails are small, drab, running birds which resemble the true quails.The female is the brighter of the sexes, and initiates courtship. The male incubates the eggs and tends the young. There are 16 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in North Korea.

*Yellow-legged Buttonquail "Turnix tanki"

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 4 species which occur in North Korea.

*White-naped Crane "Grus vipio"
*Common Crane "Grus grus"
*Hooded Crane "Grus monacha"
*Red-crowned Crane "Grus japonensis"

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 North Korea.

*Swinhoe's Rail "Coturnicops exquisitus"
*Water Rail "Rallus aquaticus"
*Baillon's Crake "Porzana pusilla"
*Ruddy-breasted Crake "Porzana fusca"
*Band-bellied Crake "Porzana paykullii"
*Watercock "Gallicrex cinerea"
*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 1 species which occurs in North Korea.

*Great Bustard "Otis tarda"

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 North Korea.

*Eurasian Oystercatcher "Haematopus ostralegus"

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 8 species which occur in North Korea.

*Northern Lapwing "Vanellus vanellus"
*Pacific Golden-Plover "Pluvialis fulva"
*Black-bellied Plover "Pluvialis squatarola"
*Long-billed Plover "Charadrius placidus"
*Little Ringed Plover "Charadrius dubius"
*Snowy Plover "Charadrius alexandrinus"
*Greater Sandplover "Charadrius leschenaultii"
*Oriental Plover "Charadrius veredus"

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 22 species which occur in North Korea.

*Eurasian Woodcock "Scolopax rusticola"
*Solitary Snipe "Gallinago solitaria"
*Common Snipe "Gallinago gallinago"
*Black-tailed Godwit "Limosa limosa"
*Little Curlew "Numenius minutus"
*Whimbrel "Numenius phaeopus"
*Eurasian Curlew "Numenius arquata"
*Far Eastern Curlew "Numenius madagascariensis"
*Common Redshank "Tringa totanus"
*Common Greenshank "Tringa nebularia"
*Nordmann's Greenshank "Tringa guttifer"
*Green Sandpiper "Tringa ochropus"
*Wood Sandpiper "Tringa glareola"
*Terek Sandpiper "Xenus cinereus"
*Common Sandpiper "Actitis hypoleucos"
*Ruddy Turnstone "Arenaria interpres"
*Sanderling "Calidris alba"
*Pectoral Sandpiper "Calidris melanotos"
*Sharp-tailed Sandpiper "Calidris acuminata"
*Curlew Sandpiper "Calidris ferruginea"
*Dunlin "Calidris alpina"
*Spoon-billed Sandpiper "Eurynorhynchus pygmeus"

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 5 species which occur in North Korea.

*Black-tailed Gull "Larus crassirostris"
*Mew Gull "Larus canus"
*Black-headed Gull "Larus ridibundus"
*Saunders's Gull "Larus saundersi"
*Relict Gull "Larus relictus"

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 3 species which occur in North Korea.

*Common Tern "Sterna hirundo"
*Little Tern "Sterna albifrons"
*White-winged Tern "Chlidonias leucopterus"

Auks, Murres, and Puffins

Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Alcidae

Alcids are superficially similar to penguins due to their black-and-white colours, their upright posture and some of their habits, however they are not related to the penguins bnd differ in being able to fly. Auks live on the open sea, only deliberately coming ashore to nest. There are 24 species worldwide and 6 species which occur in North Korea.

*Common Murre "Uria aalge"
*Spectacled Guillemot "Cepphus carbo"
*Long-billed Murrelet "Brachyramphus perdix"
*Ancient Murrelet "Synthliboramphus antiquus"
*Japanese Murrelet "Synthliboramphus wumizusume"
*Rhinoceros Auklet "Cerorhinca monocerata"

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 4 species which occur in North Korea.

*Rock Pigeon "Columba livia"
*Hill Pigeon "Columba rupestris"
*Oriental Turtle-Dove "Streptopelia orientalis"
*Eurasian Collared-Dove "Streptopelia decaocto"

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 North Korea.

*Northern Hawk-Cuckoo "Cuculus hyperythrus"
*Common Cuckoo "Cuculus canorus"
*Horsfield's Cuckoo "Cuculus horsfieldi"
*Lesser Cuckoo "Cuculus poliocephalus"

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 North Korea.

*Collared Scops-Owl "Otus lettia"
*Oriental Scops-Owl "Otus sunia"
*Eurasian Eagle-Owl "Bubo bubo"
*Snowy Owl "Bubo scandiacus"
*Tawny Owl "Strix aluco"
*Ural Owl "Strix uralensis"
*Northern Hawk Owl "Surnia ulula"
*Little Owl "Athene noctua"
*Brown Hawk-Owl "Ninox scutulata"
*Long-eared Owl "Asio otus"
*Short-eared Owl "Asio flammeus"
*Northern Boobook "Ninox japonica"

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 1 species which occurs in North Korea.

*Gray Nightjar "Caprimulgus indicus"

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 2 species which occur in North Korea.

*White-throated Needletail "Hirundapus caudacutus"
*Fork-tailed Swift "Apus pacificus"

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 4 species which occur in North Korea.

*Common Kingfisher "Alcedo atthis"
*Ruddy Kingfisher "Halcyon coromanda"
*Black-capped Kingfisher "Halcyon pileata"
*Crested Kingfisher "Megaceryle lugubris"

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 North Korea.

*Dollarbird "Eurystomus orientalis"

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 North Korea.

*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 11 species which occur in North Korea.

*Eurasian Wryneck "Jynx torquilla"
*Gray-capped Woodpecker "Dendrocopos canicapillus"
*Pygmy Woodpecker "Dendrocopos kizuki"
*Lesser Spotted Woodpecker "Dendrocopos minor"
*Rufous-bellied Woodpecker "Dendrocopos hyperythrus"
*White-backed Woodpecker "Dendrocopos leucotos"
*Great Spotted Woodpecker "Dendrocopos major"
*Eurasian Three-toed Woodpecker "Picoides tridactylus"
*White-bellied Woodpecker "Dryocopus javensis"
*Black Woodpecker "Dryocopus martius"
*Gray-faced Woodpecker "Picus canus"

Pittas

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Pittidae

Pittas are medium-sized by passerine standards, and stocky, with fairly long, strong legs, short tails and stout bills. Many, but not all, are brightly coloured. They are spend the majority of their time on wet forest floors, eating snails, insects and similar invertebrate prey which they find there. There are 32 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in North Korea.

*Fairy Pitta "Pitta nympha"

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 2 species which occur in North Korea.

*Crested Lark "Galerida cristata"
*Eurasian Skylark "Alauda arvensis"

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 5 species which occur in North Korea.

*Bank Swallow "Riparia riparia"
*Barn Swallow "Hirundo rustica"
*Red-rumped Swallow "Cecropis daurica"
*Common House-Martin "Delichon urbica"
*Asian Martin "Delichon dasypus"

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 7 species which occur in North Korea.

*Forest Wagtail "Dendronanthus indicus"
*Black-backed Wagtail "Motacilla lugens"
*Japanese Wagtail "Motacilla grandis"
*Yellow Wagtail "Motacilla flava"
*Gray Wagtail "Motacilla cinerea"
*Olive-backed Pipit "Anthus hodgsoni"
*American Pipit "Anthus rubescens"

Cuckoo-shrikes

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Campephagidae

The cuckoo-shrikes are small to medium-sized passerine birds. They are predominantly greyish with white and black, although some species are brightly coloured. There are 82 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in North Korea.

*Ashy Minivet "Pericrocotus divaricatus"

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 1 species which occurs in North Korea.

*Brown-eared Bulbul "Ixos amaurotis"

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 North Korea.

*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 2 species which occur in North Korea.

*Bohemian Waxwing "Bombycilla garrulus"
*Japanese Waxwing "Bombycilla japonica"

Dippers

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Cinclidae

Dippers are a group of perching birds whose habitat includes aquatic environments in the Americas, Europe, and Asia. They are named for their bobbing or dipping movements. There are 5 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in North Korea.

*Brown Dipper "Cinclus pallasii"

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 North Korea.

*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 2 species which occur in North Korea.

*Alpine Accentor "Prunella collaris"
*Siberian Accentor "Prunella montanella"

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 9 species which occur in North Korea.

*White-throated Rock-Thrush "Monticola gularis"
*Blue Rock-Thrush "Monticola solitarius"
*Siberian Thrush "Zoothera sibirica"
*Scaly Thrush "Zoothera dauma"
*Gray-backed Thrush "Turdus hortulorum"
*Japanese Thrush "Turdus cardis"
*Eyebrowed Thrush "Turdus obscurus"
*Pale Thrush "Turdus pallidus"
*Dusky Thrush "Turdus naumanni"

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 1 species which occurs in North Korea.

*White-browed Chinese Warbler "Rhopophilus pekinensis"

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 18 species which occur in North Korea.

*Asian Stubtail "Urosphena squameiceps"
*Manchurian Bush-Warbler "Cettia canturians"
*Japanese Bush-Warbler "Cettia diphone"
*Lanceolated Warbler "Locustella lanceolata"
*Middendorff's Grasshopper-Warbler "Locustella ochotensis"
*Pleske's Warbler "Locustella pleskei"
*Gray's Warbler "Locustella fasciolata"
*Black-browed Reed-Warbler "Acrocephalus bistrigiceps"
*Oriental Reed-Warbler "Acrocephalus orientalis"
*Dusky Warbler "Phylloscopus fuscatus"
*Radde's Warbler "Phylloscopus schwarzi"
*Lemon-rumped Warbler "Phylloscopus proregulus"
*Yellow-browed Warbler "Phylloscopus inornatus"
*Arctic Warbler "Phylloscopus borealis"
*Greenish Warbler "Phylloscopus trochiloides"
*Pale-legged Leaf-Warbler "Phylloscopus tenellipes"
*Eastern Crowned Leaf-Warbler "Phylloscopus coronatus"
*Marsh Grassbird "Megalurus pryeri"

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 14 species which occur in North Korea.

*Gray-spotted Flycatcher "Muscicapa griseisticta"
*Siberian Flycatcher "Muscicapa sibirica"
*Asian Brown Flycatcher "Muscicapa dauurica"
*Korean Flycatcher "Ficedula zanthopygia"
*Narcissus Flycatcher "Ficedula narcissina"
*Mugimaki Flycatcher "Ficedula mugimaki"
*Red-breasted Flycatcher "Ficedula parva"
*Blue-and-white Flycatcher "Cyanoptila cyanomelana"
*Rufous-tailed Robin "Luscinia sibilans"
*Siberian Rubythroat "Luscinia calliope"
*Siberian Blue Robin "Luscinia cyane"
*Red-flanked Bluetail "Tarsiger cyanurus"
*Daurian Redstart "Phoenicurus auroreus"
*Siberian Stonechat "Saxicola maura"

Monarch flycatchers

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Monarchidae

The monarch flycatchers are small to medium-sized insectivorous passerines, which hunt by flycatching. There are 99 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in North Korea.

*Japanese Paradise-Flycatcher "Terpsiphone atrocaudata"
*Asian Paradise-Flycatcher "Terpsiphone paradisi"

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 North Korea.

*Vinous-throated Parrotbill "Paradoxornis webbianus"

Long-tailed tits

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Aegithalidae

Long-tailed tits are a group of small passerine birds with medium to long tails. They make woven bag nests in trees. Most eat a mixed diet that includes insects. There are 9 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in North Korea.

*Long-tailed Tit "Aegithalos caudatus"

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 5 species which occur in North Korea.

*Marsh Tit "Poecile palustris"
*Willow Tit "Poecile montana"
*Coal Tit "Periparus ater"
*Great Tit "Parus major"
*Varied Tit "Sittiparus varius"

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 North Korea.

*Eurasian Nuthatch "Sitta europaea"
*Snowy-browed Nuthatch "Sitta villosa"

Treecreepers

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Certhiidae

Treecreepers are small woodland birds, brown above and white below. They have thin pointed down-curved bills, which they use to extricate insects from bark. They have stiff tail feathers, like woodpeckers, which they use to support themselves on vertical trees. There are 6 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in North Korea.

*Eurasian Treecreeper "Certhia familiaris"

White-eyes

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Zosteropidae

The white-eyes are small and are mostly of undistinguished appearance, the plumage above being generally either some dull color like greenish olive, but some species have a white or bright yellow throat, breast or lower parts, and several have buff flanks. As their name suggests many species have a white ring around the eyes. There are 96 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in North Korea.

*Chestnut-flanked White-eye "Zosterops erythropleurus"
*Japanese White-eye "Zosterops japonicus"

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 North Korea.

*Black-naped Oriole "Oriolus chinensis"

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 4 species which occur in North Korea.

*Tiger Shrike "Lanius tigrinus"
*Bull-headed Shrike "Lanius bucephalus"
*Brown Shrike "Lanius cristatus"
*Chinese Gray Shrike "Lanius sphenocercus"

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 8 species which occur in North Korea.

*Eurasian Jay "Garrulus glandarius"
*Azure-winged Magpie "Cyanopica cyana"
*Eurasian Magpie "Pica pica"
*Eurasian Nutcracker "Nucifraga caryocatactes"
*Daurian Jackdaw "Corvus dauuricus"
*Rook "Corvus frugilegus"
*Carrion Crow "Corvus corone"
*Large-billed Crow "Corvus macrorhynchos"

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 2 species which occur in North Korea.

*Daurian Starling "Sturnia sturnina"
*White-cheeked Starling "Sturnus cineraceus"

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 13 species which occur in North Korea.

*Pine Bunting "Emberiza leucocephalos"
*Meadow Bunting "Emberiza cioides"
*Rufous-backed Bunting "Emberiza jankowskii"
*Ochre-rumped Bunting "Emberiza yessoensis"
*Chestnut-eared Bunting "Emberiza fucata"
*Little Bunting "Emberiza pusilla"
*Yellow-throated Bunting "Emberiza elegans"
*Yellow-breasted Bunting "Emberiza aureola"
*Yellow Bunting "Emberiza sulphurata"
*Black-faced Bunting "Emberiza spodocephala"
*Pallas's Bunting "Emberiza pallasi"
*Reed Bunting "Emberiza schoeniclus"
*Lapland Longspur "Calcarius lapponicus"

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 North Korea.

*Brambling "Fringilla montifringilla"
*Asian Rosy-Finch "Leucosticte arctoa"
*Pine Grosbeak "Pinicola enucleator"
*Common Rosefinch "Carpodacus erythrinus"
*Pallas's Rosefinch "Carpodacus roseus"
*Red Crossbill "Loxia curvirostra"
*White-winged Crossbill "Loxia leucoptera"
*Common Redpoll "Carduelis flammea"
*Hoary Redpoll "Carduelis hornemanni"
*Eurasian Siskin "Carduelis spinus"
*Oriental Greenfinch "Carduelis sinica"
*Eurasian Bullfinch "Pyrrhula pyrrhula"
*Hawfinch "Coccothraustes coccothraustes"
*Yellow-billed Grosbeak "Eophona migratoria"
*Japanese Grosbeak "Eophona personata"
*Long-tailed Rosefinch "Uragus sibiricus"

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 2 species which occur in North Korea.

*Russet Sparrow "Passer rutilans"
*Eurasian Tree Sparrow "Passer montanus"

ee also

*List of birds
*Lists of birds by region

References

*cite web
last = Lepage
first = Denis
authorlink =
coauthors =
year =
url = http://www.bsc-eoc.org/avibase/avibase.jsp?region=kp&pg=checklist&list=clements
title = Checklist of birds of North Korea
format =
work = Bird Checklists of the World
publisher = Avibase
accessdate = 27 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