Discover the Birds of Greece & its Birding Destinations

Rarity alerts

Our Rarity Codes

The Rarity Codes presented here are an unofficial classification of bird species in Greece, developed for the Rarity Alert section of Birding in Greece. Inspired by the American Birding Association (ABA) system, these codes are based on our personal assessment and aim to help birders and visitors understand the relative rarity of a sighting - therefore not representing an official classification by the Hellenic Rarities Committee. Our Rarity Alert includes all species of Codes 4 and 5, non-resident Code 3 species, as well as selected Code 2 regional rarities.

1. 1

   Code 1: Common species

   Resident species and/or migratory and winter visitors, widespread and frequently present throughout most of mainland and island Greece (including common seabirds).

2. 2

   Code 2: Uncommon species

   Visitors and/or resident species found in Greece consistently in small numbers and/or regularly occurring only regionally (e.g., only in Northern Greece). Note that some species in this category may be harder to observe (due to their habits or distribution) than some in Category 3.

3. 3

   Code 3: Scarce species

   Annual visitors with only a few records in Greece each year or resident species with an extremely restricted range (e.g. Capercaillie, Bearded Vulture, Pheasant). This includes established winter visitors with small or very local populations (e.g. Lesser White-fronted Goose, White-headed Duck), as well as species that were until recently included in the Committee’s “Rare Birds List” (e.g., Velvet Scoter, Steppe Eagle).

4. 4

   Code 4: Rare species

   Species that occur irregularly and not annually in Greece, with at least 5 documented records during the last 30 years, showing an established but irregular pattern of occurrence. This category includes occasional (but not annual) winter visitors (e.g. Common Eider, Pallas’s Gull), as well as rare species that only very recently established a known wintering site (e.g., Finsch’s Wheatear, Pine Bunting). The only exception concerns migratory vagrants with fewer than 5 recent records in Greece but which show a clear and recurring pattern of occurrence in Europe and the Balkans (e.g. Olive-backed Pipit).

5. 5

   Code 5: Accidental species

   Species with fewer than 5 documented records in Greece during the last 30 years, with no established pattern of occurrence in Greece or neighboring regions.

6. 6

   Code 6: Extinct species

   Species listed in Greece’s checklist, but which have either become extinct (Slender-billed Curlew) or, due to their distribution, are unlikely to be observed again in the country (Black Francolin). This includes introduced species that once maintained viable populations but are now observed only as escapees (Red-legged Partridge).

See this year's Rarity Alerts →