This is a list of the bird species recorded in the Canary Islands. The avifauna of the Canary Islands include a total of 394 species, of which seven are endemic, and nine have been introduced by humans. One listed species is extinct.
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, 2022 edition. The family accounts at the beginning of each heading reflect this taxonomy, as do the species counts found in each family account. Introduced and accidental species are included in the total counts for the Canary Islands.
The following tags have been used to highlight several categories. The commonly occurring native species do not fall into any of these categories.
(A) Accidental - a species that rarely or accidentally occurs in the Canary Islands (E) Endemic - a species endemic to the Canary Islands (I) Introduced - a species introduced to the Canary Islands as a consequence, direct or indirect, of human actions (Extinct) Extinct globally - a species that no longer exists
Ducks, geese, and waterfowl
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.
Graylag goose, Anser anser (A) Greater white-fronted goose, Anser albifrons (A) Pink-footed goose, Anser brachyrhynchus (A) Brant, Branta bernicla (A) Barnacle goose, Branta leucopsis (A) Ruddy shelduck, Tadorna ferruginea Common shelduck, Tadorna tadorna (A) Muscovy duck, Cairina moschata (I) Wood duck, Aix sponsa (A) Garganey, Spatula querquedula Blue-winged teal, Spatula discors (A) Northern shoveler, Spatula clypeata Gadwall, Mareca strepera Eurasian wigeon, Mareca penelope American wigeon, Mareca americana (A) Mallard, Anas platyrhynchos (A) American black duck, Anas rubripes (A) Northern pintail, Anas acuta Green-winged teal, Anas crecca Marbled teal, Marmaronetta angustirostris (A) Common pochard, Aythya ferina Ring-necked duck, Aythya collaris (A) Ferruginous duck, Aythya nyroca (A) Tufted duck, Aythya fuligula Greater scaup, Aythya marila (A) Lesser scaup, Aythya affinis (A) Common scoter, Melanitta nigra (A) Long-tailed duck, Clangula hyemalis (A) Hooded merganser, Lophodytes cucullatus (A) Red-breasted merganser, Mergus serrator (A)
Pheasants, grouse, and allies
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.
Ring-necked pheasant, Phasianus colchicus (I) Common quail, Coturnix coturnix
Flamingos
Order: PhoenicopteriformesFamily: Phoenicopteridae
Flamingos are gregarious wading birds, usually tall, found in both the Western and Eastern Hemispheres. Flamingos filter-feed on shellfish and algae. Their oddly shaped beaks are specially adapted to separate mud and silt from the food they consume and, uniquely, are used upside-down.
Greater flamingo, Phoenicopterus roseus (A) Lesser flamingo, Phoenicopterus minor (A)
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.
Little grebe, Tachybaptus ruficollis (A) Pied-billed grebe, Podilymbus podiceps (A) Great crested grebe, Podiceps cristatus (A) Eared grebe, Podiceps nigricollis
Pigeons and doves
Order: ColumbiformesFamily: Columbidae
Pigeons and doves are stout-bodied birds with short necks and short slender bills with a fleshy cere. The Madeiran wood pigeon (Columba palumbus maderensis), an endemic subspecies, is extinct.
Rock pigeon, Columba livia
Common wood-pigeon, Columba palumbus
Bolle's pigeon, Columba bollii (E) Laurel pigeon, Columba junoniae (E) European turtle-dove, Streptopelia turtur Eurasian collared-dove, Streptopelia decaocto African collared-dove, Streptopelia roseogrisea (I) Laughing dove, Streptopelia senegalensis (A)