In December 2004, and after years of preparatory work, the committee that deals with the rare species of birds that are occasionally observed in Greece was established. This committee is called "Hellenic Rarities Committee".
It is a joint activity of the Hellenic Ornithological Society / BirdLife Greece and the Hellenic Bird Ringing Centre, but it operates independently by both bodies.
- Terms of reference
- List of the rare birds of Greece
- Unusual Record Report Form
- Annual Reports
- List of the Birds οf Greece
- Photos
- Contact
Basic aims of the Committee
The basic aims of the HRC are to monitor, record and evaluate all the observations concerning:
- occurrence of new or rare species in Greece
- unusually large concentrations of any species of bird
- occurrences of species outside their normal distribution range
- occurrences of species outside their normal season in Greece
Responsibilities of the Committee
Among the committee’s framework are:
- Composition of registration forms for ornithological observations
- Collection of all observations considered important, including those not initially disclosed to it
- Receiving of registration forms submitted to it and evaluating them objectively, on the basis of international literature and experience
- Keeping up to date with international advances made in recognition and distribution of birds, as well as in systematic taxonomy
- Keeping archival material of the registration forms, with all the attached data (photographs, drawings, etc)
- Contributing to the scientific research and study of birds, by publicizing data referring to their occurrence and distribution in Greece
- Informing HOS members and any other concerned of the updates regarding bird observations that increase our knowledge about Greek avifauna
- Informing the scientific committee of the HOS and asking its contribution and cooperation when needed, just like any other individual or organization that can contribute
- Processing of the bird list of Greece, which is continuously monitored, complemented and revised if necessary, based on international advances on issues of bird recognition and systematic taxonomy.
The initial list of the Committee was based on G.Handrinos and T.Akriotis’ book "The Birds of Greece", Helm, 1997, and includes 422 species that have been recorded in Greece until 31/12/1995.
Committee’s Operation
The Committee is comprised of seven coequal members. Every member’s term is initially five years, but there’s no obligation if a member wants to withdraw for any reason.
In case of withdrawal, the Committee decides for every new member that will join it. It may also, if it is desired, to increase in the future the total number of members, as long as it judges that this increase will lead to more efficient operation. The Committee keeps a number of contributors that provide constant support in its activities or act as advisors in specialized sections.
HRC shall meet at least once a year.
With the existing sevenfold composition, a quorum is set when at least four members are present.
The decision to approve or reject a form is made by unanimous consent of the present members.
The Committee may ask the opinion of an expert (Greek or foreign), in case it is essential for the evaluation of an observation.
Any registration form initially rejected, may be revaluated only upon the presentation of new facts, provided by a new applicant, which will facilitate its evaluation.
The forms may look like a report composed by the observer; otherwise registration forms of the HRC must be submitted. The applicant must:
- Provide full description of the bird(s) and the circumstances of the observation, analyzing the identification criteria.
- Attach the copies of notebooks, drawings, photographs and any other available material.
- Name all the other co-observers, able to confirm the observation.
Updating - Communication
The Committee’s resolutions, acceptance or rejection of observations, are publicized through HRC’s and HOS’s printed and electronic media, first to the applicants and then to any other concerned.
Furthermore, in the end of each year the yearly report of HRC is published, including every resolution, acceptance or rejection, the update of the Greek bird list, and any other activity performed by HRC.
The Committee’s archive is stored temporarily in the Athens’ office of HOS and it is confidential, which means that there’s no free access. However, it can be put to the disposal of anyone concerned after authorization from the Committee, and under no other circumstance.
Communication with the Committee is through the following address: P.O. Box 3994, 102 10, Athens with the following note: the receiver should be the Hellenic Ornithological Society (which owns the P.O. Box), with the footnote "for the Hellenic Rarities Committee". There are also two e-mail addresses: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Composition of the Committee
George Handrinos, Chairman
Nikos Probonas, Secretary
Kostas Papaconstantinou, Member
Michalis Dretakis, Member
Apostolis Christopoulos, MemberNikos Samaritakis, MemberCharalambos Alivizatos, MemberContributors of the Committee are:
Triantafyllos Akriotis, Yiannis Tsougrakis, Didier Vangeluwe, Chris Vlachos, Eleni Galinou, Paschalis Dougalis, Takis Latsoudis, Eleni Makrygianni, Νikos Petrou, Clairie Papazoglou, Dimitris Bertzeletos, Thodoros Kominos and Maria Dimaki.
Which observations are sent to the Committee
Α. Observations of species that have not been recorded before, that is all the species not included in the List of the Birds of Greece.
Β. Observations of species included in the checklist and which:- Have less than 50 records in Greece. These species are shown below in the List of the Rare Birds of Greece. [Note that in this list are included species that, with the increase of birdwatchers in the last few years, seems to be regular visitors in Greece (e.g. Cattle Egret). Nevertheless, the published or the generally known observations for these species are less than 50. Therefore the Committee encourages observers to send forms regarding all the species in the list, irregardless whether some of them seem less "important" than others.]
- Have been recorded more than 50 times, however their observations are still very important either for they have become very rare and there are very few reports in the last years (e.g. Slender-billed Curlew), or because we still know very little about their status and well documented reports are very important in order to know more about them (e.g. European Storm-Petrel). These species are also included in the list.
- Occur in areas far away from their normal distribution (e.g. in islands never recorded before). As the "normal distribution" we the maps found in G.Handrinos - T. Akriotis "The birds of Greece", 1997.
- Are migratory species and occur in a time period that they are not expected tbe found in Greece. There are reports for early or very late migrants, wintering of summer visitors, or the presence of exclusively winter visitors during the summer. In this case, also, the aforementioned publication is taken as the basic source of knowledge for the phenology of the seasonal presence of species.
- Occur in very large concentrations, in a habitat much different than usual, and, generally, unusual records or records that may create nature protection issues (e.g. individuals or large concentrations of species in new areas, changing of nesting sites, etc).
Explanation: since we can never be absolutely confident in what is "important" for the Categories B3, B4 and B5, the Committee encourages all observers to send all the records they think are important, and explaining why they are so. There is the prospect of gathering large quantities of "non-important" reports. However, the Committee appreciates that, in the present phase, it is very important to collect as many records of the birds of Greece as possible.
Note: every year the Committee will remove from the List of the Rare Birds of Greece those species that will have more than 50 accepted records. It can, nevertheless, add others, if the need to protect wild nature demands it.
Documentation standards: every observation sent to the Committee must be documented with all the facts needed to have a positive identification of the species. The Committee is bound to ask for more evidence in case of very important observations.
Asian Desert Warbler Sylvia nana (Photo: Manos Vatzolas), Western Reef-Heron Egretta gularis (Photo: Kyrillos Samaras)
List of the Rare Birds of Greece
List compiled by the Hellenic Rarities Committee
Species Scientific Name 1 Bean Goose Anser fabalis 2 Snow Goose Anser caerulescens 3 Brant Goose Branta bernicla 4 Blue-winged Teal Anas discors 5 Marbled Duck Marmaronetta angustirostris 6 Common Eider Somateria mollissima 7 Long-tailed Duck Clangula hyemalis 8 Common Scoter Melanitta nigra 9 Black Francolin Francolinus francolinus 10 Black Grouse Tetrao tetrix 11 Great Northern Loon Gavia immer 12 Great Shearwater Puffinus gravis 13 Sooty ShearwaterPuffinus griseus 14 Balearic Shearwater Puffinus mauretanicus 15 European Storm Petrel Hydrobates pelagicus 16 Striated Heron Butorides striata 17 Western Reef Egret Egretta gularis 18 Black Heron Egretta ardesiaca 19 Black-winged Kite Elanus caeruleus 20 Amur Falcon Falco amurensis 21 Barbary Falcon Falco pelegrinoides 22 Corn Crake Crex crex 23 Allen’s Gallinule Porphyrio alleni 24 Purple Swamphen Porphyrio porphyrio 25 Demoiselle Crane Grus virgo 26 Little Bustard Tetrax tetrax 27 Houbara Bustard Chlamydotis undulata 28 Great Bustard Otis tarda 29 Pacific Golden Plover Pluvialis fulva 30 Sociable Lapwing Vanellus gregarius 31 White-tailed Lapwing Vanellus leucurus 32 Kittlitz's Plover Charadrius pecuarius 33 Caspian Plover Charadrius asiaticus 34 Upland Sandpiper Bartramia longicauda 35 Slender-billed Curlew Numenius tenuirostris 36 Stilt Sandpiper Calidris himantopus 37 Purple Sandpiper Calidris maritima 38 Baird’s Sandpiper Calidris bairdii 39 White-rumped Sandpiper Calidris fuscicollis 40 Buff-breasted Sandpiper Calidris subruficollis 41 Pectoral Sandpiper Calidris melanotos 42 Wilson's Phalarope Phalaropus tricolor 43 Red Phalarope Phalaropus fulicarius 44 Spotted Sandpiper Actitis macularius 45 Lesser Yellowlegs Tringa flavipes 46 Long-billed Dowitcher Limnodromus scolopaceus 47 Cream-coloured Courser Cursorius cursor 48 Black-winged Pratincole Glareola nordmanni 49 Pomarine Skua Stercorarius pomarinus 50 Long-tailed Jaeger Stercorarius longicaudus 51 Great Skua Stercorarius skua 52 Bridled Tern Onychoprion anaethetus 53 Lesser Crested Tern Sterna bengalensis 54 Arctic Tern Sterna paradisaea 55 Laughing Gull Larus atricilla 56 Pallas's Gull Larus ichthyaetus 57 White-eyed Gull Larus leucophthalmus 58 European Herring Gull Larus argentatus 59 Armenian Gull Larus armenicus 60 Iceland Gull Larus glaucoides 61 Greater Black-backed Gull Larus marinus 62 Black-bellied Sandgrouse Pterocles orientalis 63 Pin-tailed Sandgrouse Pterocles alchata 64 Pallas's Sandgrouse Syrrhaptes paradoxus 65 Oriental Turtle Dove Streptopelia orientalis 66 Laughing Dove Streptopelia senegalensis 67 Eurasian Pygmy Owl Glaucidium passerinum 68 Ural Owl Strix uralensis 69 Little Swift Apus affinis 70 White-throated Kingfisher Halcyon smyrnensis 71 Pied Kingfisher Ceryle rudis 72 Green Bee-eater Merops orientalis 73 Dupont's Lark Chersophilus duponti 74 Bimaculated Lark Melanocorypha bimaculata 75 White-winged Lark Melanocorypha leucoptera 76 Black Lark Melanocorypha yeltoniensis 77 Lesser Short-toed Lark Calandrella rufescens 78 Blyth’s Pipit Anthus godlewskii 79 Eurasian Rock Pipit Anthus petrosus 80 White-throated Robin Irania gutturalis 81 Moussier's Redstart Phoenicurus moussieri 82 Siberian Stonechat Saxicola maurus 83 Desert Wheatear Oenanthe deserti 84 Finsch's Wheatear Oenanthe finschii 85 Hooded Wheatear Oenanthe monacha 86 White-crowned Wheatear Oenanthe leucopyga 87 Black Wheatear Oenanthe leucura 88 White's Thrush Zoothera dauma 89 Black-throated Thrush Turdus atrogularis 90 Booted Warbler Iduna caligata 91 Western Olivaceous Warbler Iduna opaca 92 Melodious Warbler Hippolais polyglotta 93 Aquatic Warbler Acrocephalus paludicola 94 Paddyfield Warbler Acrocephalus agricola 95 Marmora’s Warbler Sylvia sarda 96 Dartford Warbler Sylvia undata 97 Spectacled Warbler Sylvia conspicillata 98 Western Subalpine Warbler Sylvia inornata 99 Green Warbler Phylloscopus nitidus 100 Arctic Warbler Phylloscopus borealis 101 Pallas's Leaf Warbler Phylloscopus proregulus 102 Yellow-browed Warbler Phylloscopus inornatus 103 Hume’s Warbler Phylloscopus humei 104 Dusky Warbler Phylloscopus fuscatus 105 Western Bonelli’s Warbler Phylloscopus bonelli 106 Iberian Chiffchaff Phylloscopus ibericus 107 Asian Brown Flycatcher Muscicapa dauurica 108 Isabelline Shrike Lanius isabellinus 109 Turkestan Shrike Lanius phoenicuroides 110 Southern Grey Shrike Lanius meridionalis 111 Spotless Starling Sturnus unicolor 112 Dead Sea Sparrow Passer moabiticus 113 Pale Rockfinch Carpospiza brachydactyla 114 Red-fronted Serin Serinus pusillus 115 Trumpeter Finch Bucanetes githagineus 116 Common Rosefinch Carpodacus erythrinus 117 Snow Bunting Plectrophenax nivalis 118 Pine Bunting Emberiza leucocephalos 119 Rustic Bunting Emberiza rustica 120 Little Bunting Emberiza pusilla 121 Yellow-breasted Bunting Emberiza aureola Download the Unusual Record Report Form on the link below:
After filling in the form you can send it via e-mail to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or through regular post to:
Hellenic Ornithological Society / BirdLife Greece
(for the Hellenic Rarities Committee)
P.O. Box 3994,
102 10,
Athens, GreeceHELLENIC RARITIES COMMITTEE ANNUAL REPORT 2020:
pdf
Older Reports:
HELLENIC RARITIES COMMITTEE ANNUAL REPORT 2019: pdf
HELLENIC RARITIES COMMITTEE ANNUAL REPORT 2018: pdf
HELLENIC RARITIES COMMITTEE ANNUAL REPORT 2017: pdf
HELLENIC RARITIES COMMITTEE ANNUAL REPORT 2016: pdf
HELLENIC RARITIES COMMITTEE ANNUAL REPORT 2015: pdf
HELLENIC RARITIES COMMITTEE ANNUAL REPORT 2014: pdf
HELLENIC RARITIES COMMITTEE ANNUAL REPORT 2013: pdf
HELLENIC RARITIES COMMITTEE ANNUAL REPORT 2012: pdf
HELLENIC RARITIES COMMITTEE ANNUAL REPORT 2011: pdf
HELLENIC RARITIES COMMITTEE ANNUAL REPORT 2010: pdf
HELLENIC RARITIES COMMITTEE ANNUAL REPORT 2009: pdfHELLENIC RARITIES COMMITTEE ANNUAL REPORT 2008: pdfHELLENIC RARITIES COMMITTEE ANNUAL REPORT 2007: pdf
HELLENIC RARITIES COMMITTEE ANNUAL REPORT 2006: pdf
HELLENIC RARITIES COMMITTEE ANNUAL REPORT 2005: pdf
Species Scientific Name ANSERIFORMES Anatidae 1 Mute Swan Cygnus olor A 2 Tundra Swan Cygnus columbianus A 3 Whooper Swan Cygnus cygnus A 4 Bean Goose Anser fabalis A 5 Greater White-fronted Goose Anser albifrons A 6 Lesser White-fronted Goose Anser erythropus A 7 Greylag Goose Anser anser A 8 Snow Goose Anser caerulescens A 9 Brant Goose Branta bernicla A 10 Red-breasted Goose Branta ruficollis A 11 Ruddy Shelduck Tadorna ferruginea A 12 Common Shelduck Tadorna tadorna A 13 Eurasian Wigeon Anas penelope A 14 Gadwall Anas strepera A 15 Eurasian Teal Anas crecca A 16 Mallard Anas platyrhynchos A 17 Northern Pintail Anas acuta A 18 Garganey Anas querquedula A 19 Blue-winged Teal Anas discors A 20 Northern Shoveler Anas clypeata A 21 Marbled Duck Marmaronetta angustirostris A 22 Red-crested Pochard Netta rufina A 23 Common Pochard Aythya ferina A 24 Ferruginous Duck Aythya nyroca A 25 Tufted Duck Aythya fuligula A 26 Greater Scaup Aythya marila A 27 Common Eider Somateria mollissima A 28 Long-tailed Duck Clangula hyemalis A 29 Common Scoter Melanitta nigra A 30 Velvet Scoter Melanitta fusca A 31 Common Goldeneye Bucephala clangula A 32 Smew Mergellus albellus A 33 Red-breasted Merganser Mergus serrator A 34 Common Merganser Mergus merganser A 35 White-headed Duck Oxyura leucocephala A GALLIFORMES Phasianidae 36 Common Quail Coturnix coturnix A 37 Red-legged Partridge Alectoris rufa C 38 Rock Partridge Alectoris graeca A 39 Chukar Partirdge Alectoris chukar A 40 Black Francolin Francolinus francolinus B 41 Hazel Grouse Tetrastes bonasia A 42 Black Grouse Tetrao tetrix A 43 Western Capercaillie Tetrao urogallus A 44 Grey Partridge Perdix perdix A 45 Common Pheasant Phasianus colchicus A GAVIIFORMES Gaviidae 46 Red-throated Loon Gavia stellata A 47 Black-throated Loon Gavia arctica A 48 Great Northern Loon Gavia immer A PODICIPEDIFORMES Podicipedidae 49 Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis A 50 Great Crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus A 51 Red-necked Grebe Podiceps grisegena A 52 Horned Grebe Podiceps auritus A 53 Black-necked Grebe Podiceps nigricollis A PROCELLARIIFORMES Procellariidae 54 Cory’s Shearwater Calonectris diomedea A 55 Great Shearwater Puffinus gravis A 56 Sooty Shearwater Puffinus griseus A 57 Yelkouan Shearwater Puffinus yelkouan A 58 Balearic Shearwater Puffinus mauretanicus A Hydrobatidae 59 European Storm Petrel Hydrobates pelagicus A PELECANIFORMES Sulidae 60 Northern Gannet Morus bassanus A Phalacrocoracidae 61 Great Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo A 62 European Shag Phalacrocorax aristotelis A 63 Pygmy Cormorant Phalacrocorax pygmeus A Pelecanidae 64 Great White Pelican Pelecanus onocrotalus A 65 Dalmatian Pelican Pelecanus crispus A CICONIIFORMES Ardeidae 66 Eurasian Bittern Botaurus stellaris A 67 Little Bittern Ixobrychus minutus A 68 Black-crowned Night Heron Nycticorax nycticorax A 69 Striated heron Butorides striata A 70 Squacco Heron Ardeola ralloides A 71 Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis A 72 Western Reef Egret Egretta gularis A 73 Little Egret Egretta garzetta A 74 Black Heron Egretta ardesiaca A 75 Great Egret Egretta alba A 76 Grey Heron Ardea cinerea A 77 Purple Heron Ardea purpurea A Ciconiidae 78 Black Stork Ciconia nigra A 79 White Stork Ciconia ciconia A Threskiornithidae 80 Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus A 81 Eurasian Spoonbill Platalea leucorodia A PHOENICOPTERIFORMES Phoenicopteridae 82 Greater Flamingo Phoenicopterus roseus A ACCIPITRIFORMES Accipitridae 83 European Honey Buzzard Pernis apivorus A 84 Black-winged Kite Elanus caeruleus A 85 Black Kite Milvus migrans A 86 Red Kite Milvus milvus A 87 White-tailed Eagle Haliaeetus albicilla A 88 Bearded Vulture Gypaetus barbatus A 89 Egyptian Vulture Neophron percnopterus A 90 Griffon Vulture Gyps fulvus A 91 Cinereous Vulture Aegypius monachus A 92 Short-toed Snake Eagle Circaetus gallicus A 93 Western Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginosus A 94 Northern Harrier Circus cyaneus A 95 Pallid Harrier Circus macrourus A 96 Montagu's Harrier Circus pygargus A 97 Northern Goshawk Accipiter gentilis A 98 Eurasian Sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus A 99 Levant Sparrowhawk Accipiter brevipes A 100 Common Buzzard Buteo buteo A 101 Long-legged Buzzard Buteo rufinus A 102 Rough-legged Buzzard Buteo lagopus A 103 Greater Spotted Eagle Aquila clanga A 104 Lesser Spotted Eagle Aquila pomarina A 105 Booted Eagle Aquila pennata A 106 Golden Eagle Aquila chrysaetos A 107 Bonelli's Eagle Aquila fasciata A 108 Steppe Eagle Aquila nipalensis A 109 Eastern Imperial Eagle Aquila heliaca A Pandionidae 110 Osprey Pandion haliaetus A FALCONIFORMES Falconidae 111 Lesser Kestrel Falco naumanni A 112 Common Kestrel Falco tinnunculus A 113 Red-footed Falcon Falco vespertinus A 114 Amur Falcon Falco amurensis A 115 Merlin Falco columbarius A 116 Eurasian Hobby Falco subbuteo A 117 Eleonora's Falcon Falco eleonorae A 118 Lanner Falcon Falco biarmicus A 119 Saker Falcon Falco cherrug A 120 Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus A 121 Barbary Falcon Falco pelegrinoides A GRUIFORMES Rallidae 122 Water Rail Rallus aquaticus A 123 Spotted Crake Porzana porzana A 124 Little Crake Porzana parva A 125 Baillon's Crake Porzana pusilla A 126 Corn Crake Crex crex A 127 Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus A 128 Allen’s Gallinule Porphyrio alleni A 129 Purple Swamphen Porphyrio porphyrio A 130 Eurasian Coot Fulica atra A Gruidae 131 Common Crane Grus grus A 132 Demoiselle Crane Grus virgo A Otididae 133 Little Bustard Tetrax tetrax A 134 Houbara Bustard Chlamydotis undulata B 135 Great Bustard Otis tarda A CHARADRIIFORMES Burhinidae 136 Eurasian Stone-curlew Burhinus oedicnemus A Recurvirostridae 137 Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus A 138 Pied Avocet Recurvirostra avosetta A Haematopodidae 139 Eurasian Oystercatcher Haematopus ostralegus A Charadriidae 140 Pacific Golden Plover Pluvialis fulva A 141 European Golden Plover Pluvialis apricaria A 142 Grey Plover Pluvialis squatarola A 143 Spur-winged Lapwing Vanellus spinosus A 144 Sociable Lapwing Vanellus gregarius A 145 White-tailed Lapwing Vanellus leucurus A 146 Northern Lapwing Vanellus vanellus A 147 Little Ringed Plover Charadrius dubius A 148 Common Ringed Plover Charadrius hiaticula A 149 Kittlitz's Plover Charadrius pecuarius A 150 Kentish Plover Charadrius alexandrinus A 151 Greater Sand Plover Charadrius leschenaultii A 152 Caspian Plover Charadrius asiaticus A 153 Eurasian Dotterel Charadrius morinellus A Scolopacidae 154 Upland Sandpiper Bartramia longicauda A 155 Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus A 156 Slender-billed Curlew Numenius tenuirostris A 157 Eurasian Curlew Numenius arquata A 158 Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa A 159 Bar-tailed Godwit Limosa lapponica A 160 Ruddy Turnstone Arenaria interpres A 161 Red Knot Calidris canutus A 162 Ruff Calidris pugnax A 163 Broad-billed Sandpiper Calidris falcinellus A 164 Curlew Sandpiper Calidris ferruginea A 165 Stilt Sandpiper Calidris himantopus A 166 Temminck’s Stint Calidris temminckii A 167 Sanderling Calidris alba A 168 Dunlin Calidris alpina A 169 Purple Sandpiper Calidris maritima A 170 Baird’s Sandpiper Calidris bairdii A 171 Little Stint Calidris minuta A 172 White-rumped Sandpiper Calidris fuscicollis A 173 Buff-breasted Sandpiper Calidris subruficollis A 174 Pectoral Sandpiper Calidris melanotos A 175 Wilson's Phalarope Phalaropus tricolor A 176 Red-necked Phalarope Phalaropus lobatus A 177 Red Phalarope Phalaropus fulicarius A 178 Terek Sandpiper Xenus cinereus A 179 Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos A 180 Spotted Sandpiper Actitis macularius A 181 Green Sandpiper Tringa ochropus A 182 Spotted Redshank Tringa erythropus A 183 Common Greenshank Tringa nebularia A 184 Lesser Yellowlegs Tringa flavipes A 185 Marsh Sandpiper Tringa stagnatilis A 186 Wood Sandpiper Tringa glareola A 187 Common Redshank Tringa totanus A 188 Jack Snipe Lymnocryptes minimus A 189 Long-billed Dowitcher Limnodromus scolopaceus A 190 Eurasian Woodcock Scolopax rusticola A 191 Common Snipe Gallinago gallinago A 192 Great Snipe Gallinago media A Glareolidae 193 Cream-coloured Courser Cursorius cursor A 194 Collared Pratincole Glareola pratincola A 195 Black-winged Pratincole Glareola nordmanni A Stercorariidae 196 Pomarine Skua Stercorarius pomarinus A 197 Parasitic Jaeger Stercorarius parasiticus A 198 Long-tailed Jaeger Stercorarius longicaudus A 199 Great Skua Stercorarius skua A Sternidae 200 Bridled Tern Onychoprion anaethetus A 201 Little Tern Sternula albifrons A 202 Gull-billed Tern Gelochelidon nilotica A 203 Caspian Tern Hydroprogne caspia A 204 Whiskered Tern Chlidonias hybrida A 205 Black Tern Chlidonias niger A 206 White-winged Tern Chlidonias leucopterus A 207 Sandwich Tern Sterna sandvicensis A 208 Lesser Crested Tern Sterna bengalensis A 209 Common Tern Sterna hirundo A 210 Arctic Tern Sterna paradisaea A Laridae 211 Little Gull Hydrocoloeus minutus A 212 Black-legged Kittiwake Rissa tridactyla A 213 Slender-billed Gull Larus genei A 214 Black-headed Gull Larus ridibundus A 215 Laughing Gull Larus atricilla A 216 Pallas's Gull Larus ichthyaetus A 217 Audouin's Gull Larus audouinii A 218 Mediterranean Gull Larus melanocephalus A 219 White-eyed Gull Larus leucophthalmus B 220 Mew Gull Larus canus A 221 Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus A 222 European Herring Gull Larus argentatus A 223 Caspian Gull Larus cachinnans A 224 Armenian Gull Larus armenicus A 225 Yellow-legged Gull Larus michahellis A 226 Iceland Gull Larus glaucoides A 227 Greater Black-backed Gull Larus marinus A PTEROCLIDIFORMES Pteroclidae 228 Black-bellied Sandgrouse Pterocles orientalis A 229 Pin-tailed Sandgrouse Pterocles alchata A 230 Pallas's Sandgrouse Syrrhaptes paradoxus B COLUMBIFORMES Columbidae 231 Rock Dove Columba livia A 232 Stock Dove Columba oenas A 233 Common Wood Pigeon Columba palumbus A 234 Eurasian Collared Dove Streptopelia decaocto A 235 European Turtle Dove Streptopelia turtur A 236 Oriental Turtle Dove Streptopelia orientalis A 237 Laughing Dove Streptopelia senegalensis A PSITTACIFORMES Psittacidae 238 Rose-ringed Parakeet Psittacula krameri C CUCULIFORMES Cuculidae 239 Great Spotted Cuckoo Clamator glandarius A 240 Common Cuckoo Cuculus canorus A STRIGIFORMES Tytonidae 241 Barn Owl Tyto alba A Strigidae 242 Eurasian Scops Owl Otus scops A 243 Eurasian Eagle Owl Bubo bubo A 244 Eurasian Pygmy Owl Glaucidium passerinum A 245 Little Owl Athene noctua A 246 Tawny Owl Strix aluco A 247 Ural Owl Strix uralensis A 248 Long-eared Owl Asio otus A 249 Short-eared Owl Asio flammeus A 250 Boreal Owl Aegolius funereus A CAPRIMULGIFORMES Caprimulgidae 251 European Nightjar Caprimulgus europaeus A APODIFORMES Apodidae 252 Common Swift Apus apus A 253 Pallid Swift Apus pallidus A 254 Alpine Swift Apus melba A 255 Little Swift Apus affinis A CORACIIFORMES Alcedinidae 256 White-throated Kingfisher Halcyon smyrnensis A 257 Common Kingfisher Alcedo atthis A 258 Pied Kingfisher Ceryle rudis A Meropidae 259 Green Bee-eater Merops orientalis A 260 European Bee-eater Merops apiaster A 261 Blue-cheeked Bee-eater Merops persicus A Coraciidae 262 European Roller Coracias garrulus A Upupidae 263 Hoopoe Upupa epops A PICIFORMES Picidae 264 Eurasian Wryneck Jynx torquilla A 265 Grey-headed Woodpecker Picus canus A 266 European Green Woodpecker Picus viridis A 267 Black Woodpecker Dryocopus martius A 268 Great Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopos major A 269 Syrian Woodpecker Dendrocopos syriacus A 270 Middle Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopos medius A 271 White-backed Woodpecker Dendrocopos leucotos A 272 Lesser Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopos minor A 273 Three-toed Woodpecker Picoides tridactylus A PASSERIFORMES Alaudidae 274 Dupont's Lark Chersophilus duponti A 275 Calandra Lark Melanocorypha calandra A 276 Bimaculated Lark Melanocorypha bimaculata A 277 White-winged Lark Melanocorypha leucoptera A 278 Black Lark Melanocorypha yeltoniensis A 279 Greater Short-toed Lark Calandrella brachydactyla A 280 Lesser Short-toed Lark Calandrella rufescens A 281 Crested Lark Galerida cristata A 282 Woodlark Lullula arborea A 283 Eurasian Skylark Alauda arvensis A 284 Horned Lark Eremophila alpestris A Hirundinidae 285 Sand Martin Riparia riparia A 286 Eurasian Crag Martin Ptyonoprogne rupestris A 287 Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica A 288 Common House Martin Delichon urbicum A 289 Red-rumped Swallow Cecropis daurica A Motacillidae 290 Richard’s Pipit Anthus richardi A 291 Tawny Pipit Anthus campestris A 292 Blyth’s Pipit Anthus godlewskii A 293 Tree Pipit Anthus trivialis A 294 Meadow Pipit Anthus pratensis A 295 Red-throated Pipit Anthus cervinus A 296 Water Pipit Anthus spinoletta A 297 Eurasian Rock Pipit Anthus petrosus A 298 Yellow Wagtail Motacilla flava A 299 Citrine Wagtail Motacilla citreola A 300 Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea A 301 White Wagtail Motacilla alba A Bombycillidae 302 Bohemian Waxwing Bombycilla garrulus A Cinclidae 303 White-throated Dipper Cinclus cinclus A Troglodytidae 304 Winter Wren Troglodytes troglodytes A Prunellidae 305 Dunnock Prunella modularis A 306 Alpine Accentor Prunella collaris A Turdidae 307 Rufous-tailed Scrub Robin Cercotrichas galactotes A 308 European Robin Erithacus rubecula A 309 Thrush Nightingale Luscinia luscinia A 310 Common Nightingale Luscinia megarhynchos A 311 Bluethroat Luscinia svecica A 312 White-throated Robin Irania gutturalis A 313 Black Redstart Phoenicurus ochruros A 314 Common Redstart Phoenicurus phoenicurus A 315 Moussier's Redstart Phoenicurus moussieri A 316 Whinchat Saxicola rubetra A 317 Siberian Stonechat Saxicola maurus A 318 Common Stonechat Saxicola rubicola A 319 Isabelline Wheatear Oenanthe isabellina A 320 Northern Wheatear Oenanthe oenanthe A 321 Pied Wheatear Oenanthe pleschanka A 322 Black-eared Wheatear Oenanthe hispanica A 323 Desert Wheatear Oenanthe deserti A 324 Finsch's Wheatear Oenanthe finschii A 325 Hooded Wheatear Oenanthe monacha A 326 White-crowned Wheatear Oenanthe leucopyga A 327 Black Wheatear Oenanthe leucura A 328 Common Rock Thrush Monticola saxatilis A 329 Blue Rock Thrush Monticola solitarius A 330 White's Thrush Zoothera dauma A 331 Ring Ouzel Turdus torquatus A 332 Common Blackbird Turdus merula A 333 Black-throated Thrush Turdus atrogularis A 334 Fieldfare Turdus pilaris A 335 Song Thrush Turdus philomelos A 336 Redwing Turdus iliacus A 337 Mistle Thrush Turdus viscivorus A Sylviidae 338 Cetti's Warbler Cettia cetti A 339 Zitting Cisticola Cisticola juncidis A 340 Common Grasshopper Warbler Locustella naevia A 341 River Warbler Locustella fluviatilis A 342 Savi's Warbler Locustella luscinioides A 343 Booted Warbler Iduna caligata A 344 Western Olivaceous Warbler Iduna opaca A 345 Eastern Olivaceous Warbler Iduna pallida A 346 Olive-tree Warbler Hippolais olivetorum A 347 Icterine Warbler Hippolais icterina A 348 Melodious Warbler Hippolais polyglotta A 349 Moustached Warbler Acrocephalus melanopogon A 350 Aquatic Warbler Acrocephalus paludicola A 351 Sedge Warbler Acrocephalus schoenobaenus A 352 Paddyfield Warbler Acrocephalus agricola A 353 Marsh Warbler Acrocephalus palustris A 354 Eurasian Reed Warbler Acrocephalus scirpaceus A 355 Great Reed Warbler Acrocephalus arundinaceus A 356 Marmora’s Warbler Sylvia sarda A 357 Dartford Warbler Sylvia undata A 358 Spectacled Warbler Sylvia conspicillata A 359 Subalpine Warbler Sylvia cantillans A 360 Western Subalpine Warbler Sylvia inornata A 361 Sardinian Warbler Sylvia melanocephala A 362 Ruppell's Warbler Sylvia rueppelli A 363 Eastern Orphean Warbler Sylvia crassirostris A 364 Barred Warbler Sylvia nisoria A 365 Lesser Whitethroat Sylvia curruca A 366 Common Whitethroat Sylvia communis A 367 Garden Warbler Sylvia borin A 368 Eurasian Blackcap Sylvia atricapilla A 369 Green Warbler Phylloscopus nitidus A 370 Arctic Warbler Phylloscopus borealis A 371 Pallas's Leaf Warbler Phylloscopus proregulus A 372 Yellow-browed Warbler Phylloscopus inornatus A 373 Hume’s Warbler Phylloscopus humei A 374 Dusky Warbler Phylloscopus fuscatus A 375 Western Bonelli’s Warbler Phylloscopus bonelli A 376 Eastern Bonelli’s Warbler Phylloscopus orientalis A 377 Wood Warbler Phylloscopus sibilatrix A 378 Iberian Chiffchaff Phylloscopus ibericus A 379 Common Chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybita A 380 Willow Warbler Phylloscopus trochilus A 381 Goldcrest Regulus regulus A 382 Common Firecrest Regulus ignicapilla A Muscicapidae 383 Asian Brown Flycatcher Muscicapa dauurica A 384 Spotted Flycatcher Muscicapa striata A 385 Red-breasted Flycatcher Ficedula parva A 386 Semicollared Flycatcher Ficedula semitorquata A 387 Collared Flycatcher Ficedula albicollis A 388 European Pied Flycatcher Ficedula hypoleuca A Timaliidae 389 Bearded Reedling Panurus biarmicus A Aegithalidae 390 Long-tailed Tit Aegithalos caudatus A Paridae 391 Eurasian Blue Tit Cyanistes caeruleus A 392 Great Tit Parus major A 393 European Crested Tit Lophophanes cristatus A 394 Coal Tit Periparus ater A 395 Sombre Tit Poecile lugubris A 396 Marsh Tit Poecile palustris A 397 Willow Tit Poecile montanus A Sittidae 398 Kruper's Nuthatch Sitta krueperi A 399 Eurasian Nuthatch Sitta europaea A 400 Western Rock Nuthatch Sitta neumayer A Tichodromadidae 401 Wallcreeper Tichodroma muraria A Certhiidae 402 Eurasian Treecreeper Certhia familiaris A 403 Short-toed Treecreeper Certhia brachydactyla A Remizidae 404 Eurasian Penduline Tit Remiz pendulinus A Oriolidae 405 Eurasian Golden Oriole Oriolus oriolus A Laniidae 406 Isabelline Shrike Lanius isabellinus A 407 Turkestan Shrike Lanius phoenicuroides A 408 Red-backed Shrike Lanius collurio A 409 Lesser Grey Shrike Lanius minor A 410 Great Grey Shrike Lanius excubitor A 411 Southern Grey Shrike Lanius meridionalis A 412 Woodchat Shrike Lanius senator A 413 Masked Shrike Lanius nubicus A Corvidae 414 Eurasian Jay Garrulus glandarius A 415 Common Magpie Pica pica A 416 Spotted Nutcracker Nucifraga caryocatactes A 417 Alpine Chough Pyrrhocorax graculus A 418 Red-billed Chough Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax A 419 Western Jackdaw Corvus monedula A 420 Rook Corvus frugilegus A 421 Hooded Crow Corvus corone A 422 Northern Raven Corvus corax A Sturnidae 423 Spotless Starling Sturnus unicolor A 424 Common Starling Sturnus vulgaris A 425 Rosy Starling Pastor roseus A Passeridae 426 House Sparrow Passer domesticus A 427 Spanish Sparrow Passer hispaniolensis A 428 Dead Sea Sparrow Passer moabiticus A 429 Eurasian Tree Sparrow Passer montanus A 430 Pale Rockfinch Carpospiza brachydactyla A 431 Rock Sparrow Petronia petronia A 432 White-winged Snowfinch Montifringilla nivalis A Fringillidae 433 Common Chaffinch Fringilla coelebs A 434 Brambling Fringilla montifringilla A 435 Red-fronted Serin Serinus pusillus A 436 European Serin Serinus serinus A 437 European Greenfinch Carduelis chloris A 438 European Goldfinch Carduelis carduelis A 439 Eurasian Siskin Carduelis spinus A 440 Common Linnet Carduelis cannabina A 441 Red Crossbill Loxia curvirostra A 442 Trumpeter Finch Bucanetes githagineus A 443 Common Rosefinch Carpodacus erythrinus A 444 Eurasian Bullfinch Pyrrhula pyrrhula A 445 Hawfinch Coccothraustes coccothraustes A Emberizidae 446 Snow Bunting Plectrophenax nivalis A 447 Pine Bunting Emberiza leucocephalos A 448 Yellowhammer Emberiza citrinella A 449 Cirl Bunting Emberiza cirlus A 450 Rock Bunting Emberiza cia A 451 Cinereous Bunting Emberiza cineracea A 452 Ortolan Bunting Emberiza hortulana A 453 Cretzschmar's Bunting Emberiza caesia A 454 Rustic Bunting Emberiza rustica A 455 Little Bunting Emberiza pusilla A 456 Yellow-breasted Bunting Emberiza aureola A 457 Common Reed Bunting Emberiza schoeniclus A 458 Black-headed Bunting Emberiza melanocephala A 459 Corn Bunting Emberiza calandra A Categories of species
The Hellenic Rarities Committee in its meeting on 2/12/2005 and on the occasion of the renewal of the list of birds of Greece, decided (following the international standards) the categorization of the species as follows:
Category A, which includes species observed in the wild after 1/1/1950, includes 453 species.
In category B, which includes species that have been observed in the wild from 1800 to 1949, 4 species are included:
Black francolin (Francolinus francolinus),
Houbara bustard (Chlamydotis undulata),
White-eyed gull (Larus leucophthalmus),
Pallas's sandgrouse (Syrrhaptes paradoxus)
In category C, which includes released species, escaped species that have established a viable breeding population or birds from a category C population in another country (not breeding in the country), 2 species are included:
Red-legged partridge (Alectoris rufa),
Rose-ringed parakeet (Psittacula krameri)
For the following categories:
Category D, which includes any species that is definitely not a genuine vagrant (in which case it goes Category A) or an escaped captive bird (in which case it goes Category E); and
Category E, which includes escaped captive birds
The Committee has received and assessed reference forms, but the species in these categories are not included in the national species list (always following the international standards).
Find below the photos of the rare birds that have been recorded in Greece:
Hooded Wheatear Oenanthe monacha in Lesvos (Photo. Eleni Galinou)
Long-billed Dowitcher Limnodromus scolopaceus in Crete (Photo. Thanasis Kasvikis)
You can Contact the Hellenic Rarities Committee:
- Through e-mail at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. & This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
- Through post to the following address:
Hellenic Ornithological Society
(with the footnote "for the Hellenic Rarities Committee")
P.O. Box 3994, 10210AthensUseful Links:
