There are over 600 species that live in continental France. Despite being one of the most industrialized nations, the country has diverse habitats, from woodlands to wetlands.
Some popular birds living in France include the Eurasian Blackbird, the European Green Woodpecker, and the European Goldfinch.
List of Common Birds Found in France
Birds of Prey
- Bonelli’s Eagle
- Common Kestrel
- Eurasian Buzzard
- Eurasian Sparrowhawk
- Golden Eagle
- Griffon Vulture
- Hen Harrier
- Marsh Harrier
- Merlin
- Northern Goshawk
- Osprey
- Peregrine Falcon
- Red Kite
Garden Birds
- Common Chiffchaff
- Common Starling
- Dunnock
- Eurasian Blackbird
- Eurasian Blue Tit
- Eurasian Bullfinch
- Eurasian Wren
- European Goldfinch
- European Greenfinch
- European Green Woodpecker
- European Nuthatch
- European Robin
- European Serin
- European Stonechat
- Great Spotted Woodpecker
- Great Tit
- House Sparrow
- Long-tailed Tit
- Song Thrush
Water Birds
- Black-headed Gull
- Common Kingfisher
- Common Sandpiper
- Common Shelduck
- Common Tern
- Eurasian Coot
- Eurasian Curlew
- Gadwall
- Gray Heron
- Gray Plover
- Great Crested Grebe
- Great White Egret
- Little Egret
- Little Grebe
- Mallard
- Eurasian Moorhen
- Northern Lapwing
- Purple Heron
- Redshank
- Tufted Duck
Woodland Birds
- Eurasian Blackcap
- Common Chaffinch
- Common Nightingale
- Common Redstart
- Common Wood Pigeon
- Eurasian Jay
- Eurasian Magpie
- European Pied Flycatcher
- European Turtle Dove
- Goldcrest
- Marsh Tit
- Spotted Flycatcher
Coastal Birds
- Atlantic Puffin
- Black-legged Kittiwake
- Common Guillemot
- Common Gull
- European Shag
- Herring Gull
- Lesser Black-backed Gull
- Little Tern
- Mediterranean Gull
- Northern Gannet
- Razorbill
- Sanderling
- Sandwich Tern
Wetland Birds
- Bearded Reedling
- Black-crowned Night Heron
- Eurasian Bittern
- Eurasian Spoonbill
- Gray Wagtail
- Great Reed Warbler
- Reed Warbler
- Savi’s Warbler
- Water Rail
Migratory Birds
- Barn Swallow
- Black Kite
- Common Cuckoo
- Common Swift
- Eurasian Golden Oriole
- Eurasian Hoopoe
- European Bee-eater
- European Nightjar
- European Roller
- Willow Warbler
Common French Birds by Color
White Birds
- Common Shelduck
- Mediterranean Gull
- Mute Swan
- White Heron
- White Seagull
Black Birds
- Black-necked Grebe
- Carrion Crow
- Common Kestrel
- Common Raven
- Eurasian Blackbird
Gray Birds
- Black-headed Gull
- European Starling
- House Martin
- Eurasian Magpie
- Song Thrush
Brown Birds
- Eurasian Collared Dove
- Great Spotted Woodpecker
- House Sparrow
- Skylark
- Tawny Owl
Blue Birds
- Common Kingfisher
- Common Nightingale
- Eurasian Sparrowhawk
- Sand Martin
- Whinchat
Red Birds
- Eurasian Blackcap
- Eurasian Jay
- Eurasian Nuthatch
- European Robin
- Greater Flamingo
Yellow Birds
- European Goldfinch
- European Serin
- Willow Warbler
- Yellowhammer
Green Birds
- Budgerigar
- Common Swift
- Common Wood Pigeon
- Eurasian Bullfinch
- Goldcrest
Some of France’s best sites to go birdwatching include Pyrenees National Park, Vanoise National Park, and Mont Saint-Michel Bay. Spring is an exciting time for birdwatching in France as many migratory species return from their wintering grounds.
FAQs
1. What endangered birds can be found in France? France is home to several rare birds like the Audoin’s Gull, the European Roller, and the Little Bustard.
2. What types of birds can be seen in the Provence region of France? Provence is home to several birds like the Bonelli’s Eagle, the Greater Flamingo, and the Merlin.
3. What is the smallest bird found in France? The Goldcrest is the smallest bird in France and Europe, barely 3.3–3.7 inches in length.
