List of birds of Moldova

This is a list of the bird species recorded in Moldova.  The avifauna of Moldova include a total of around 300 species, none of which are endemic. 

This list's taxonomic treatment (designation and sequence of orders, families and species) and nomenclature (common and scientific names) follow the conventions of The Clements Checklist of Birds of the World, 6th edition.  The family accounts at the beginning of each heading reflect this taxonomy, as do the species counts found in each family account. 

Loons
Order: GaviiformesFamily: Gaviidae

Loons, known as divers in Europe, are a group of aquatic birds found in many parts of North America and northern Europe.  They are the size of a large duck or small goose, which they somewhat resemble when swimming, but to which they are completely unrelated.  There are 5 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in Moldova. 

Red-throated loon, Gavia stellata
Arctic loon, Gavia arctica

Grebes
Order: PodicipediformesFamily: Podicipedidae

Grebes are small to medium-large freshwater diving birds.  They have lobed toes and are excellent swimmers and divers.  However, they have their feet placed far back on the body, making them quite ungainly on land.  There are 20 species worldwide and 5 species which occur in Moldova. 

Little grebe, Tachybaptus ruficollis
Red-necked grebe, Podiceps grisegena
Great crested grebe, Podiceps cristatus
Horned grebe, Podiceps auritus
Eared grebe, Podiceps nigricollis

Shearwaters and petrels
Order: ProcellariiformesFamily: Procellariidae

The procellariids are the main group of medium-sized "true petrels", characterised by united nostrils with medium septum and a long outer functional primary. 

Manx shearwater, Puffinus puffinus
Yelkouan shearwater, Puffinus yelkouan

Cormorants
Order: SuliformesFamily: Phalacrocoracidae

Phalacrocoracidae is a family of medium to large coastal, fish-eating seabirds that includes cormorants and shags.  Plumage colouration varies, with the majority having mainly dark plumage, some species being black-and-white and a few being colourful. 

Great cormorant, Phalacrocorax carbo
European shag, Phalacrocorax aristotelis
Pygmy cormorant, Microcarbo pygmeus

Pelicans
Order: PelecaniformesFamily: Pelecanidae

Pelicans are large water birds with a distinctive pouch under their beak.  As with other members of the order Pelecaniformes, they have webbed feet with four toes. 

Great white pelican, Pelecanus onocrotalus
Dalmatian pelican, Pelecanus crispus

Bitterns, herons and egrets
Order: PelecaniformesFamily: Ardeidae

The family Ardeidae contains the bitterns, herons and egrets.  Herons and egrets are medium to large wading birds with long necks and legs.  Bitterns tend to be shorter necked and more wary.  Members of Ardeidae fly with their necks retracted, unlike other long-necked birds such as storks, ibises and spoonbills. 

Grey heron, Ardea cinerea
Purple heron, Ardea purpurea
Great egret, Ardea alba
Little egret, Egretta garzetta
Squacco heron, Ardeola ralloides
Black-crowned night heron, Nycticorax nycticorax
Great bittern, Botaurus stellaris
Cattle egret, Bubulcus ibis

Ibises and spoonbills
Order: PelecaniformesFamily: Threskiornithidae

Threskiornithidae is a family of large terrestrial and wading birds which includes the ibises and spoonbills.  They have long, broad wings with 11 primary and about 20 secondary feathers.  They are strong fliers and despite their size and weight, very capable soarers. 

Glossy ibis, Plegadis falcinellus
Eurasian spoonbill, Platalea leucorodia

Storks
Order: CiconiiformesFamily: Ciconiidae

Storks are large, long-legged, long-necked, wading birds with long, stout bills.  Storks are mute, but bill-clattering is an important mode of communication at the nest.  Their nests can be large and may be reused for many years.  Many species are migratory. 

Black stork, Ciconia nigra
White stork, Ciconia ciconia

Ducks, geese and swans

Order: AnseriformesFamily: Anatidae

Anatidae includes the ducks and most duck-like waterfowl, such as geese and swans.  These birds are adapted to an aquatic existence with webbed feet, flattened bills, and feathers that are excellent at shedding water due to an oily coating. 

Mute swan, Cygnus olor
Whooper swan, Cygnus cygnus
Greater white-fronted goose, Anser albifrons
Lesser white-fronted goose, Anser erythropus
Greylag goose, Anser anser
Red-breasted goose, Branta ruficollis
Ruddy shelduck, Tadorna ferruginea
Common shelduck, Tadorna tadorna
Eurasian wigeon, Mareca penelope
Gadwall, Mareca strepera
Green-winged teal, Anas crecca
Mallard, Anas platyrhynchos
Northern pintail, Anas acuta
Garganey, Spatula querquedula
Northern shoveler, Spatula clypeata
Red-crested pochard, Netta rufina
Common pochard, Aythya ferina
Ferruginous pochard, Aythya nyroca
Tufted duck, Aythya fuligula
Common goldeneye, Bucephala clangula
Smew, Mergellus albellus
Red-breasted merganser, Mergus serrator

Osprey
Order: AccipitriformesFamily: Pandionidae

The family Pandionidae contains only one species, the osprey.  The osprey is a medium-large raptor which is a specialist fish-eater with a worldwide distribution. 

Osprey, Pandion haliaetus

Hawks, kites and eagles

Order: AccipitriformesFamily: Accipitridae

Accipitridae is a family of birds of prey, which includes hawks, eagles, kites, harriers and Old World vultures.  These birds have powerful hooked beaks for tearing flesh from their prey, strong legs, powerful talons and keen eyesight. 

European honey buzzard, Pernis apivorus
Red kite, Milvus milvus
Black kite, Milvus migrans
White-tailed eagle, Haliaeetus albicilla
Egyptian vulture, Neophron percnopterus
Eurasian griffon, Gyps fulvus
Cinereous vulture, Aegypius monachus
Short-toed snake eagle, Circaetus gallicus
Western marsh harrier, Circus aeruginosus
Hen harrier, Circus cyaneus
Pallid harrier, Circus macrourus
Montagu's harrier, Circus pygargus
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
Lesser spotted eagle, Clanga pomarina
Greater spotted eagle, Clanga clanga
Steppe eagle, Aquila nipalensis
Imperial eagle, Aquila heliaca
Golden eagle, Aquila chrysaetos
Bonelli's eagle, Aquila fasciata
Booted eagle, Hieraaetus 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 talons.  There are 62 species worldwide and 7 species which occur in Moldova. 

Lesser kestrel, Falco naumanni
Eurasian kestrel, Falco tinnunculus
Red-footed falcon, Falco vespertinus
Merlin, Falco columbarius
Eurasian hobby, Falco subbuteo
Saker falcon, Falco cherrug
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 vary in size) and have broad, relatively short wings.  

Grey partridge, Perdix perdix
Common quail, Coturnix coturnix
Ring-necked pheasant, Phasianus colchicus

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 Moldova. 

Demoiselle crane, Grus 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, making them difficult to observe.  Most species have strong legs and long toes which are well adapted to soft uneven surfaces.  They tend to have short, rounded wings and to be weak fliers. 

Water rail, Rallus aquaticus
Corn crake, Crex crex
Little crake, Porzana parva
Baillon's crake, Porzana pusilla
Spotted crake, Porzana porzana
Common moorhen, Gallinula chloropus
Eurasian coot, Fulica atra

Bustards

Order: OtidiformesFamily: Otididae

Bustards are large terrestrial birds mainly associated with dry open country and steppes in the Old World.  They are omnivorous and nest on the ground.  They walk steadily on strong legs and big toes, pecking for food as they go.  They have long broad wings with "fingered" wingtips and striking patterns in flight.  Many have interesting mating displays. 

Great bustard, Otis tarda

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 Moldova. 

Eurasian oystercatcher, Haematopus ostralegus

Avocets and stilts
Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Recurvirostridae

Recurvirostridae is a family of large wading birds, which includes the avocets and 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 Moldova. 

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 Moldova. 

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 2 species which occur in Moldova. 

Collared pratincole, Glareola pratincola
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.  There are 66 species worldwide and 4 species which occur in Moldova. 

Northern lapwing, Vanellus vanellus
European golden plover, Pluvialis apricaria
Little ringed plover, Charadrius dubius
Kentish plover, Charadrius alexandrinus

Sandpipers and allies
Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Scolopacidae

Scolopacidae is 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 these species eat small invertebrates picked out of the mud or soil.  Variation in length of legs and bills enables multiple species to feed in the same habitat, particularly on the coast, without direct competition for food.  There are 23 species which have been recorded in Moldova. 

Eurasian woodcock, Scolopax rusticola
Jack snipe, Lymnocryptes minimus
Great snipe, Gallinago media
Common snipe, Gallinago gallinago
Black-tailed godwit, Limosa limosa
Slender-billed curlew, Numenius tenuirostris
Eurasian curlew, Numenius arquata
Spotted redshank, Tringa erythropus
Common redshank, Tringa totanus
Marsh sandpiper, Tringa stagnatilis
Common greenshank, Tringa nebularia
Green sandpiper, Tringa ochropus
Wood sandpiper, Tringa glareola
Terek sandpiper, Xenus cinereus
Common sandpiper, Actitis hypoleucos
Ruddy turnstone, Arenaria interpres
Sanderling, Calidris alba
Little stint, Calidris minuta
Temminck's stint, Calidris temminckii
Curlew sandpiper, Calidris ferruginea
Dunlin, Calidris alpina
Broad-billed sandpiper, Calidris falcinellus
Ruff, Calidris pugnax

Gulls, terns, and skimmers
Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Laridae

Laridae is a family of medium to large seabirds, the gulls, terns and skimmers.  Gulls are typically grey or white, often with black markings on the head or wings.  They have stout, longish bills and webbed feet.  Terns are a group of generally medium to large seabirds 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 known to live in excess of 30 years. 

Common gull, Larus canus
Lesser black-backed gull, Larus fuscus
Caspian gull, Larus cachinnans
Black-headed gull, Chroicocephalus ridibundus
Slender-billed gull, Chroicocephalus genei
Mediterranean gull, Ichthyaetus melanocephalus
Little gull, Hydrocoloeus minutus
Gull-billed tern, Gelochelidon nilotica
Caspian tern, Hydroprogne caspia
Sandwich tern, Thalasseus sandvicensis
Common tern, Sterna hirundo
Little tern, Sternula albifrons
Whiskered tern, Chlidonias hybrida
White-winged tern, Chlidonias leucopterus
Black tern, Chlidonias niger

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 5 species which occur in Moldova. 

Rock pigeon, Columba livia
Stock dove, Columba oenas
Common wood pigeon, Columba palumbus
European turtle dove, Streptopelia turtur
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.  The Old World cuckoos are brood parasites.  There are 138 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in Moldova. 

Great spotted cuckoo, Clamator glandarius
Common cuckoo, Cuculus canorus

Barn owls
Order: StrigiformesFamily: Tytonidae

Barn owls are medium to large 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 Moldova. 

Barn owl, Tyto alba

Typical owls
Order: StrigiformesFamily: Strigidae

The 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.  

Eurasian scops owl, Otus scops
Eurasian eagle-owl, Bubo bubo
Tawny owl, Strix aluco
Little owl, Athene noctua
Long-eared owl, Asio otus
Short-eared owl, Asio flammeus

Nightjars
Order: CaprimulgiformesFamily: Caprimulgidae

Nightjars are medium-sized nocturnal birds that usually nest on the ground.  They have long wings, short legs and very short bills.  Most have small feet, of little use for walking, and long pointed wings.  Their soft plumage is camouflaged to resemble bark or leaves.  

Eurasian nightjar, Caprimulgus europaeus

Swifts
Order: CaprimulgiformesFamily: Apodidae

Swifts are small birds which spend 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 which resemble a crescent or boomerang.  

Alpine swift, Tachymarptis melba
Common swift, Apus apus

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 1 species which occurs in Moldova. 

Common kingfisher, Alcedo atthis

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 colourful 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 1 species which occurs in Moldova. 

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 Moldova. 

European roller, Coracias garrulus

Hoopoes

Order: BucerotiformesFamily: 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 Moldova. 

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. 

Eurasian wryneck, Jynx torquilla
Lesser spotted woodpecker, Dryobates minor
Middle spotted woodpecker, Dendrocoptes medius
White-backed woodpecker, Dendrocopos leucotos
Great spotted woodpecker, Dendrocopos major
Syrian woodpecker, Dendrocopos syriacus
Black woodpecker, Dryocopus martius
European green woodpecker, Picus viridis
Grey-faced woodpecker, Picus canus

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. 

Calandra lark, Melanocorypha calandra
Greater short-toed lark, Calandrella brachydactyla
Lesser short-toed lark, Alaudala rufescens
Dupont's lark, Chersophilus duponti
Crested lark, Galerida cristata
Wood lark, Lullula arborea
Eurasian skylark, Alauda arvensis
Horned lark, Eremophila alpestris

Swallows and martins

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Hirundinidae

The family Hirundinidae is adapted to aerial feeding.  They have a slender streamlined body, long pointed wings and a short bill with a wide gape.  The feet are adapted to 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 Moldova. 

Sand martin, Riparia riparia
Eurasian crag martin, Ptyonoprogne rupestris
Barn swallow, Hirundo rustica
Red-rumped swallow, Cecropis daurica
Common house martin, Delichon urbicum

Wagtails and pipits
Order: PasseriformesFamily: Motacillidae

Motacillidae is 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 Moldova. 

White wagtail, Motacilla alba
Yellow wagtail, Motacilla flava
Grey wagtail, Motacilla cinerea
Tawny pipit, Anthus campestris
Tree pipit, Anthus trivialis
Meadow pipit, Anthus pratensis
Water pipit, Anthus spinoletta

Kinglets
Order: PasseriformesFamily: Regulidae

The kinglets, also called 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 2 species which occur in Moldova. 

Goldcrest, Regulus regulus
Common firecrest, Regulus ignicapillus

Waxwings
Order: PasseriformesFamily: Bombycillidae

The waxwings are a group of birds with 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 Moldova. 

Bohemian waxwing, Bombycilla garrulus

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 Moldova. 

White-throated dipper, Cinclus cinclus

Wrens
Order: PasseriformesFamily: Troglodytidae

The wrens are mainly small and inconspicuous except for their loud songs.  These birds have short wings and thin down-turned bills.  Several species often hold their tails upright.  All are insectivorous. 

Eurasian 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 1 species which occurs in Moldova. 

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. 

Ring ouzel, Turdus torquatus
Eurasian blackbird, Turdus merula
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 1 species which occurs in Moldova. 

Zitting cisticola, Cisticola juncidis

Bush warblers and allies
Order: PasseriformesFamily: Scotocercidae

Cetti's warbler, Cettia cetti

Locustellid warblers
Order: PasseriformesFamily: Locustellidae

Lanceolated warbler, Locustella lanceolata
Common grasshopper warbler, Locustella naevia
Eurasian river warbler, Locustella fluviatilis
Savi's warbler, Locustella luscinioides

Acrocephalid warblers
Order: PasseriformesFamily: Acrocephalidae

Moustached warbler, Acrocephalus melanopogon
Aquatic warbler, Acrocephalus paludicola
Sedge warbler, Acrocephalus schoenobaenus
Eurasian reed warbler, Acrocephalus scirpaceus
Marsh warbler, Acrocephalus palustris
Great reed warbler, Acrocephalus arundinaceus
Eastern olivaceous warbler, Iduna pallida
Olive-tree warbler, Hippolais olivetorum
Icterine warbler, Hippolais icterina

Phylloscopid warblers
Order: PasseriformesFamily: Phylloscopidae

Willow warbler, Phylloscopus trochilus
Common chiffchaff, Phylloscopus collybita
Wood warbler, Phylloscopus sibilatrix

Sylviid warblers, parrotbills, and allies
Order: PasseriformesFamily: Sylviidae

The family Sylviidae is a group of small insectivorous passerine birds.  They 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. 

Eurasian blackcap, Sylvia atricapilla
Garden warbler, Sylvia borin
Greater whitethroat, Sylvia communis
Lesser whitethroat, Sylvia curruca
Barred warbler, Sylvia nisoria
Western Orphean warbler, Sylvia hortensis
Subalpine warbler, Sylvia cantillans
Sardinian warbler, Sylvia melanocephala

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 highly varied, but they mostly have weak songs and harsh calls. 

Common rock thrush, Monticola saxatilis
Blue rock thrush, Monticola solitarius
Spotted flycatcher, Muscicapa striata
European pied flycatcher, Ficedula hypoleuca
Collared flycatcher, Ficedula albicollis
Red-breasted flycatcher, Ficedula parva
European robin, Erithacus rubecula
Thrush nightingale, Luscinia luscinia
Common nightingale, Luscinia megarhynchos
Bluethroat, Luscinia svecica
Black redstart, Phoenicurus ochruros
Common redstart, Phoenicurus phoenicurus
Whinchat, Saxicola rubetra
European stonechat, Saxicola rubicola
Northern wheatear, Oenanthe oenanthe
Pied wheatear, Oenanthe pleschanka
Black-eared wheatear, Oenanthe hispanica
Isabelline wheatear, Oenanthe isabellina

Bearded reedling
Order: PasseriformesFamily: Panuridae

The parrotbills are a group of birds native to East and Southeast Asia, though feral populations exist elsewhere.  They are generally small, long-tailed birds which inhabit reed beds and similar habitats. 

Bearded reedling, Panurus biarmicus

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 which includes insects.  There are 9 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Moldova. 

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 59 species worldwide and 7 species which occur in Moldova. 

Sombre tit, Poecile lugubris
Marsh tit, Poecile palustris
Willow tit, Poecile montana
Coal tit, Periparus ater
Crested tit, Lophophanes cristatus
Great tit, Parus major
Eurasian blue tit, Cyanistes caeruleus

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 Moldova. 

Eurasian nuthatch, Sitta europaea
Rock nuthatch, Sitta neumayer

Wallcreeper
Order: PasseriformesFamily: Tichodromidae

The wallcreeper is a small bird related to the nuthatch family, which has stunning crimson, grey and black plumage. 

Wallcreeper, Tichodroma muraria

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 2 species which occur in Moldova. 

Eurasian treecreeper, Certhia familiaris
Short-toed treecreeper, Certhia brachydactyla

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 Moldova. 

Eurasian penduline tit, Remiz pendulinus

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 Moldova. 

Eurasian golden oriole, Oriolus oriolus

Shrikes
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 5 species which occur in Moldova. 

Red-backed shrike, Lanius collurio
Great grey shrike, Lanius excubitor
Lesser grey shrike, Lanius minor
Woodchat shrike, Lanius senator

Crows, jays, ravens and magpies
Order: PasseriformesFamily: Corvidae

The family Corvidae includes crows, ravens, jays, choughs, magpies, treepies, nutcrackers and ground jays.  Corvids are above average in size among the Passeriformes, and some of the larger species show high levels of intelligence.  There are 120 species worldwide and 8 species which occur in Moldova. 

Eurasian jay, Garrulus glandarius
Eurasian magpie, Pica pica
Eurasian nutcracker, Nucifraga caryocatactes
Eurasian jackdaw, Corvus monedula
Rook, Corvus frugilegus
Carrion crow, Corvus corone
Common raven, Corvus corax
Hooded crow, Corvus cornix

Starlings
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 Moldova. 

Rosy starling, Pastor roseus
European starling, Sturnus vulgaris

Old World buntings
Order: PasseriformesFamily: Emberizidae

The emberizids are a large family of passerine birds.  They are seed-eating birds with distinctively shaped bills.  Many emberizid species have distinctive head patterns.  

Yellowhammer, Emberiza citrinella
Cirl bunting, Emberiza cirlus
Rock bunting, Emberiza cia
Ortolan bunting, Emberiza hortulana
Black-headed bunting, Emberiza melanocephala
Reed bunting, Emberiza schoeniclus
Corn bunting, Emberiza calandra

Finches, euphonias, 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 twelve tail feathers and nine primaries.  These birds have a bouncing flight with alternating bouts of flapping and gliding on closed wings, and most sing well.  

Common chaffinch, Fringilla coelebs
Brambling, Fringilla montifringilla
Red crossbill, Loxia curvirostra
European greenfinch, Chloris chloris
Common redpoll, Acanthis flammea
Eurasian siskin, Spinus spinus
European goldfinch, Carduelis carduelis
Common linnet, Linaria cannabina
European serin, Serinus serinus
Eurasian bullfinch, Pyrrhula pyrrhula
Hawfinch, Coccothraustes coccothraustes

Old World sparrows
Order: PasseriformesFamily: Passeridae

Old World 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, but they also consume small insects. 

House sparrow, Passer domesticus
Spanish sparrow, Passer hispaniolensis
Eurasian tree sparrow, Passer montanus

See also

List of birds
Lists of birds by region

References

Category:Lists of birds by country
Category:Lists of birds of Europe
Category:Fauna of Moldova
Birds