Top 15 Types Of Birds In Greece (With Pictures)

Here are the top 15 birds in Greece, featuring stunning images and surprising facts that will captivate any bird lover.

birds of greece illustrated

Greece hosts a diverse range of bird species distinguished by their vivid colors and unique habits. The Golden Eagle, known for its vast wingspan and swift hunting capabilities, dominates the mountainous landscapes. The European Bee-eater, with its striking multicolored plumage, skillfully captures insects mid-flight. The White Stork, easily recognizable by its black and white feathers and red legs, is often seen across both rural and urban settings. Not to be overlooked, the Hoopoe impresses with its distinctive crown and melodious call. Exploring these species further reveals a myriad of fascinating behaviors and adaptations in the avian world.

Golden Eagle

majestic bird of prey

The Golden Eagle is one of the largest and most formidable birds of prey in Greece. It is renowned for its impressive wingspan and hunting prowess. Inhabiting mountainous terrains and vast open landscapes, this bird species excels in agility and speed, primarily feeding on small mammals.

Conservation initiatives are essential to safeguard its role within the ecosystem, highlighting its ecological importance.

European Bee-eater

colorful bird with long beak

Renowned for their strikingly vibrant plumage, European Bee-eaters, Merops apiaster, exhibit a dazzling array of green, blue, yellow, and chestnut hues.

These migratory birds adeptly hunt bees and other insects in mid-flight, showcasing skills characteristic of birds of prey.

Social and colorful, they gather in large flocks, enhancing their visual spectacle during migration and breeding seasons across European and African landscapes.

White Stork

stately elegant bird species

While European Bee-eaters captivate with their aerial agility, the White Stork, Ciconia ciconia, commands attention through its significant presence in Greece's skies and landscapes.

This migratory bird species showcases distinctive black and white plumage, long red legs, and a pointed bill. Revered for symbolizing good luck and fertility, White Storks are commonly spotted nesting atop structures in both rural and urban settings.

Hoopoe

bird with distinctive crest

Hoopoes, distinguished by their long, curved bills and striking feathered crowns, are a mesmerizing sight in Greece's diverse habitats. Their pink, buff, black, and white plumage is unmistakable.

Known for their unique crown display and melodious 'hoop-hoop' calls, these birds thrive in Greece's open woodlands and grasslands, feeding primarily on insects like beetles and caterpillars.

Red-backed Shrike

bird with crimson markings

Shifting focus to another avian species, the Red-backed Shrike, Lanius collurio, presents a vivid contrast with its striking red back and black mask. Found in Greece's open woodlands and scrublands, they are notable for impaling prey on thorns.

Their melodious song enriches the Hellenic landscape. Conservation efforts by the Hellenic Ornithological Society are essential to halting their population decline.

Eurasian Scops Owl

adorable small owl species

The Eurasian Scops Owl, a diminutive yet adept predator, thrives in the diverse habitats of Greece. Recognizable by its ear tufts and heart-shaped facial disk, it excels in nocturnal hunting, targeting small mammals and insects.

Its plumage, varying from grayish-brown to reddish-brown, offers superb camouflage. During breeding season, this owl is known for its distinctive 'poo-poo' call, a familiar sound among the birds in Greece.

Kentish Plover

coastal bird of kent

Kentish Plovers, small and agile shorebirds, are commonly spotted along Greece's coastlines during their breeding season. These birds boast a distinctive black chest band and a white forehead, set against a speckled brown and white back.

They nest on sandy beaches and their diet includes insects, crustaceans, and small invertebrates. Their rapid movements while foraging and intricate courtship rituals are notable.

Little Egret

elegant white wading bird

From the dynamic shorelines inhabited by Kentish Plovers, we turn our attention to the wetland domains of the Little Egret, Egretta garzetta, a small white heron that graces the Greek landscape.

Recognized by the Hellenic Rarities Committee, this bird is noted for its slender black bill, long black legs, and distinctive yellow feet, thriving in Greece's coastal lagoons and marshes.

Eurasian Spoonbill

large wading bird species

Shifting focus to another remarkable avian species, the Eurasian Spoonbill stands out with its unique spoon-shaped bill and elegant white plumage. Found in wetlands across Greece, this species recorded feeds by sweeping its bill in shallow waters to catch aquatic prey.

Listed as Least Concern, conservation efforts have been vital in maintaining stable populations of these visually striking birds.

Griffon Vulture

large scavenger bird species

Among the majestic birds of prey in Greece, the Griffon Vulture is notable for its expansive wingspan of up to 2.8 meters.

This large bird found in Greece utilizes thermal currents for soaring flight, efficiently scouring landscapes for carrion.

With a distinctive white head and dark brown body, these social creatures greatly aid in maintaining ecological balance by preventing disease spread through their scavenging behavior.

Sardinian Warbler

small mediterranean songbird species

Turning our attention to smaller avian species, the Sardinian Warbler, Sylvia melanocephala, is a prevalent and charming bird found across Greece. Sporting a distinctive black head and white eye-ring, it thrives in shrubby habitats.

This warbler's melodious song enhances its appeal among the diverse types of birds in Greece. Its diet includes insects, berries, and fruits, showcasing remarkable adaptability.

Flamingo

pink feathers stand out

The Greater flamingo, Phoenicopterus roseus, graces the wetlands of Greece with its vivid pink plumage and elegant, long legs. These birds thrive in coastal reed beds, salt pans, and lagoons, such as those in the Axios Delta and Lake Kerkini.

Their striking color comes from carotenoids in their diet. They engage in synchronized behaviors, showcasing their social nature and adaptation to their aquatic habitats.

Eleonora's Falcon

majestic raptor in italy

From the colorful wetlands inhabited by flamingos, our focus shifts to the skies where Eleonora's Falcon reigns over the Mediterranean islands of Greece. Named after Eleonora of Arborea, these migratory birds found in Greece display remarkable aerial hunting skills, primarily targeting insects.

With strong site fidelity, they return annually to the same nesting sites, adapting their late breeding to the autumn migration of small birds.

Black-headed Bunting

colorful bird with black head

As we explore the diverse avian population of Greece, attention is drawn to the Black-headed Bunting, a small passerine noted for its vivid coloration and habitat preferences.

Found throughout Greece, these birds inhabit open fields and meadows, displaying striking black and yellow plumage. Males are particularly vibrant with black heads and white details, while females feature more muted tones.

They primarily feed on seeds and insects.

Are any of the top 15 types of birds in Greece known for having yellow beaks?

Yes, several of the top 15 types of birds in Greece are known for having yellow beaks. Some of these birds include the Eurasian golden oriole, hoopoe, and the black-headed bunting. You can find beautiful birds with yellow beaks pictures showcasing these incredible species in their natural habitat.

Pygmy Cormorant

small black water bird

Renowned for their efficient diving skills, Pygmy Cormorants inhabit Greece's coastal and wetland regions.

This small water bird, distinguished by its slender neck and hooked bill, excels in underwater hunting.

Their dark, metallic-sheened plumage and webbed feet aid in swimming.

Such features underscore the diversity among the number of bird species, highlighting adaptability and specialization in avian evolution.