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More than 900 species of birds have been observed in Europe. The avifauna of Europe is broadly similar to that of Asia north of the Himalayas and North Africa, both of which also belong to the Palearctic realm. There are also many groups shared with North America. On the other hand, many groups characteristic of the Afrotropical and Indomalayan realms are entirely absent from Europe, including jacanas, darters, trogons, hornbills, honeyguides, barbets (families Lybiidae in Africa and Megalaimidae in Asia), parrots, pittas, cuckooshrikes, broadbills (families Calyptomenidae and Eurylaimidae), drongos, monarch flycatchers, white-eyes, and estrildid finches (although parrots and estrildid finches have been introduced to Europe by humans).
Two species that occurred in the European region until recently (post 1800) — the great auk and the Canary Islands oystercatcher — are now globally extinct, while one additional species — the slender-billed curlew — may also be extinct. In addition, the common buttonquail has been extirpated from Europe, but survives in Africa and Asia. 71 bird species are considered threatened in Europe.[1]
The following tags have been used to indicate the status of species in Europe. The commonly occurring native species do not fall into any of these categories.
- (A) Accidental - a species that rarely or accidentally occurs in Europe
- (E) Endemic - a species endemic to Europe
- (Ext) Extinct - a species that no longer exists
- (Ex) Extirpated - a species that is extinct in the wild in Europe
- (I) Introduced - a species introduced to Europe as a consequence, direct or indirect, of human actions
The taxonomic order follows the IOC World Bird List version 13.1.[2]
- ^ BirdLife International. "European Red List of Birds 2021" (PDF). BirdLife International. Retrieved 9 July 2023.
- ^ "IOC World Bird List". International Ornithological Congress.