Iconic bird of Romania

Common Birds of Romania

Romania's Danube Delta is Europe's largest and best-preserved delta — a UNESCO biosphere reserve hosting the continent's greatest waterbird diversity and vast pelican colonies.

400+
Total species
0
Endemics
20
Threatened
Apr–Jun
Best months
🐦
1. Dalmatian PelicanNear Threatened
Pelecanus crispus

The Danube Delta holds one of the world's largest Dalmatian Pelican breeding populations — flocks of 100+ fly to fishing grounds in formation, creating one of Europe's greatest spectacles.

📍 Danube Delta throughout🗓 Apr–Jun
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2. Pygmy CormorantLeast Concern
Microcarbo pygmaeus

Europe's smallest cormorant — nests in enormous mixed colonies with herons, egrets, and spoonbills in flooded willow and alder forest throughout the delta.

📍 Danube Delta willow forest and lakes🗓 Apr–Jun
🐦
3. Ferruginous DuckNear Threatened
Aythya nyroca

One of Europe's most threatened wildfowl species — the Danube Delta's maze of quiet oxbow lakes and reed-fringed channels supports a significant breeding population.

📍 Danube Delta oxbow lakes🗓 Apr–Jun
🐦
4. Eurasian SpoonbillLeast Concern
Platalea leucorodia

Nests in large colonies in the delta's flooded willows — sweeps the spatula-shaped bill through shallow water in tight feeding groups that thrash the shallows into a frenzy.

📍 Danube Delta mixed colonies🗓 Apr–Jun
🐦
5. Whiskered TernLeast Concern
Chlidonias hybridus

Breeds in vast colonies on floating vegetation mats in the delta — the dark-bellied breeding-plumage tern is one of the most attractive of the marsh terns.

📍 Delta pools and lakes🗓 May–Aug
🐦
6. Glossy IbisLeast Concern
Plegadis falcinellus

Breeds in thousands at the delta — at close range, the supposedly "dark brown" ibis reveals extraordinary iridescent green and purple plumage in breeding condition.

📍 Danube Delta marshes🗓 Apr–Aug
🐦
7. White PelicanLeast Concern
Pelecanus onocrotalus

Breeds alongside Dalmatian Pelicans in massive colonies — the two species can be told apart in flight by the pattern of black in the wing (white in White, gray in Dalmatian Pelican).

📍 Danube Delta lakes🗓 Apr–Sep
🐦
8. RollerLeast Concern
Coracias garrulus

Romania's farmland and forest edge still support significant populations — one of Europe's most spectacularly colored birds, performing tumbling aerial displays.

📍 Eastern Romania farmland and oak forest🗓 May–Aug

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