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Czech Republic

European Penduline Tit Remiz Pendulinus ©Konrad Kroczek Website

Czechia, also known as the Czech Republic, and historically known as Bohemia, is a landlocked country in Central Europe. The country is bordered by Austria to the south, Germany to the west, Poland to the northeast and Slovakia to the southeast. It has a hilly landscape that covers an area of 78,871 km2 (30,452 square miles) with a little over 10.6 million people. It has a mostly temperate continental and oceanic climate. The capital and largest city, with c.1.4 million people, is Prague; other major cities and urban areas include Brno, Ostrava, Plzeň and Liberec.

Bohemia, to the west, consists of a basin drained by the Elbe and the Vltava rivers, surrounded by mostly low mountains, such as the Krkonoše range of the Sudetes. The highest point in the country, Sněžka at 5,259 ft, is located here. Moravia, the eastern part of the country, is also hilly. It is drained mainly by the Morava River, but it also contains the source of the Oder River. Water from the Czech Republic flows to three different seas: the North Sea, Baltic Sea, and Black Sea.

Phytogeographically, the Czech Republic belongs to the Central European province of the Circumboreal Region, within the Boreal Kingdom. According to the World Wide Fund for Nature, the territory of the Czech Republic can be subdivided into four ecoregions: the Western European broadleaf forests, Central European mixed forests, Pannonian mixed forests, and Carpathian montane conifer forests.

Edmund’s Canyon, River Kamenice, České Švýcarsko National Park – ©Harke CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons

The Czech Republic has a temperate climate, situated in the transition zone between the oceanic and continental climate types, with warm summers and cold, cloudy and snowy winters. The temperature difference between summer and winter is due to the landlocked geographical position. Temperatures vary depending on the elevation. In general, at higher altitudes, the temperatures decrease and precipitation increases. The wettest area in the Czech Republic is found around Bílý Potok in Jizera Mountains and the driest region is the Louny District to the northwest of Prague. Another factor is the distribution of the mountains. At the highest peak the average temperature is −0.4 °C, whereas in the lowlands of the South Moravian Region, the average temperature is as high as 10 °C. The country’s capital, Prague, has a similar average temperature, although this is influenced by urban factors.

Podyjí National Park – ©Joadl CC BY-SA 3.0 AT via Wikimedia Commons

The coldest month is usually January, followed by February and December. During these months, there is snow in the mountains and sometimes in the cities and lowlands. During March, April, and May, the temperature usually increases, especially during April, when the temperature and weather tends to vary during the day. Spring is also characterized by higher water levels in the rivers, due to melting snow with occasional flooding. The warmest month of the year is July, followed by August and June. On average, summer temperatures are about 20-30 °C higher than during winter. Summer is also characterised by rain and storms. Autumn generally begins in September, which is still warm and dry. During October, temperatures usually fall below 15 °C. By the end of November, temperatures usually range around the freezing point.

Bohemian Switzerland National Park – ©Huhulenik CC BY 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons

Birding Czechia

As of 2020, the Czech Republic ranks as the 21st most environmentally conscious country in the world in Environmental Performance Index.  There are four national parks in the Czech Republic. The oldest is Krkonoše National Park (Biosphere Reserve), and the others are Šumava National Park (Biosphere Reserve), Podyjí National Park, and Bohemian Switzerland. There are 25 other Protected Landscape Areas. The fauna of the Czech Republic includes a wide variety of animal species including some rare birds, for example, several eagle species, bustard species, and Black Storks. If visiting the capital, (see top sites) its parks are surprisingly good for birds as is the surrounding are with fishponds and lakes and wooded areas as well as farmland.

Sumava Mountains National Park is good for montane and forest species such as Hazel and Black Grouse, Ural Owl, Three toed and White-backed Wodpeckers. Boreal, Pygmy, Ural & Eurasian Eagle Owls, Short-toed Treecreeper and Wryneck. In farmland and lowland areas Red-backed Shrike, Corncrake and Red-breasted Flycatcher are all likely to be seen.

Krkonoše National Park – ©Sebastian Mierzwa CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons

Areas of lakes or fishponds, such as at Trebon and in South Moravia are always worth visiting with scrub and banks holding Middle Spotted Woodpecker, Spotted and Collared Flycatchers, Garden Warbler and Common Redstart. Reeded areas are especially good for Little & Great Bittern Black-crowned Night Heron, Penduline Tit, Bluethroat and Savi’s, River & Marsh Warblers. Red-crested Pochard, Great Egret, Spoonbill will be found in the water with White-tailed Eagle and Marsh Harrier hunting over it. These lowlands are also good for target species such as Syrian Woodpecker, Golden Oriole, Hoopoe, European Bee-eaters, Barred warbler, Nightingale and shrikes. Raptors that can be found in any suitable habitat include Red & Black Kite, Hobby, Saker and Imperial Eagle.

Top Sites

  • Prague

    Satellite View
    Compared to most European metropolitan areas Prague is quite green with abandoned slopes and a large variety of biotopes that can be hardly found in other towns. Perhaps as a result of hunting in the past rural areas have virtually no crows and none are breeding (zero pairs!) in Prague (500 km2). What a difference in comparison with cities abroad. However, the population of magpies is dramatically increasing in the last 3-5 years. On the other hand I estimate about 250 pairs of kestrels that breed mainly in the central area. Kestrels may not be surprising, but what about 100 pairs of sparrowhawks breeding in this area (70-90 pairs in the central 220 km2). Many people visit Prague because you can close observe nests of sparrowhawks that are quite unafraid of man. Peregrines have unfortunately disappeared from Prague, but in the parks buzzards are breeding more and more toward the city centre. During breeding they hunt in parks being hidden under canopy. We know this because some of them are equipped with radio transmitters. Also one or two eagle owls are breeding within the city limits of Greater Prague.
Contributors
Number of Species

  • Number of bird species: 431

    (As of March 2025)
Checklist

  • Avibase

    PDF Checklist
    This checklist includes all bird species found in Czechia , based on the best information available at this time. It is based on a wide variety of sources that I collated over many years. I am pleased to offer these checklists as a service to birdwatchers. If you find any error, please do not hesitate to report them.

  • E-Bird

    PDF Checklist
    This checklist is generated with data from eBird (ebird.org), a global database of bird sightings from birders like you. If you enjoy this checklist, please consider contributing your sightings to eBird. It is 100% free to take part, and your observations will help support birders, researchers, and conservationists worldwide.

  • Wikipedia

    Annotated List
    This is a list of the bird species recorded in the Czech Republic. The avifauna of the Czech Republic includes (as of October 2024) a total of 431 species, but this number may change as a major re-evaluation of both historical and contemporary records is currently underway. Of these 431 species, 8 have been introduced by humans.
Useful Reading

  • Birding in Eastern Europe

    | By Gerard Gorman | WildSounds | 2006 | Paperback | 288 pages, illustrations | ISBN: 9781898665076 Buy this book from NHBS.com

  • Birds of Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East

    | Photographic Guide | By Frédéric Jiguet & Aurélien Audevard | PUP | 2017 | Paperback | 447 pages, 2200 colour photos, colour distribution maps | ISBN: 9780691172439 Buy this book from NHBS.com

  • Birds of the Czech Republic

    | By Joseph Kren | Christopher Helm | 2000 | Hardcover | 336 pages, 43 b/w photos, 29 illustrations, 400 maps | Out of Print | ISBN: 9780713647846 Buy this book from NHBS.com

  • Collins Bird Guide

    | By Lars Svensson | Harper Collins | Edition 3 | 2023 | Paperback | 478 pages, 4000+ colour illustrations, 700 colour distribution maps | ISBN: 9780008547462 Buy this book from NHBS.com

  • Important Bird Areas in the Czech Republic

    | By Petra Malkova & David Lacina | BirdLife International (Czechoslovak Section) | 2002 | Paperback | 144 pages, colour photos, tables | Out of Prtint | ISBN: 9788090221666 Buy this book from NHBS.com
Birding Aps

  • Collins Bird Guide

    Android
    The Collins Bird Guide App provides everything you need to identify a species quickly and learn about it thoroughly.

  • Collins Bird Guide

    Apple iOS |
    Collins Bird Guide 4+ A field guide to Europe NatureGuides Ltd. Designed for iPad

Organisations

  • Czech Rarities Committee

    Website
    Czech Rarities Committee was established by Czech Ornithological Society in 1989. Includes a Checklist of the birds of the Czech republic as well as latest decisions on rarities etc. This home page is only available in Czech at the moment. We are working on English versions of the most important pages. Until now, you can view Members and List of considered species.

  • Czech Society for Ornithology

    Website
    Czech Society for Ornithology (CSO) is a non-governmental organisation uniting birdwatchers, nature lovers, amateurs and professionals interested in the research and protection of birds. It is the Czech national Partner of BirdLife International.

  • Czech Society for Ornithology - Eastern Bohemia Branch (VCP CSO)

    Website
    The Eastern Bohemia Branch of the Czech Society of Ornithology (VČP ČSO) at the East Bohemian Museum in Pardubice was established in March 1975 as a regional branch of the CSO with its jurisdiction in the territory of the Královéhradecký and Pardubický Regions. The mission of the VČP ČSO is primarily to organize activities aimed at the protection and research of birds and their popularization. At present, VČP ČSO has almost 200 members, mainly from East Bohemia, but also from other parts of the republic.

  • Jihocesky Ornitologicky klub

    Website
    Stranky Jihocesky Ornithology club…

  • Kuksovská Ornithological Society

    Website
    Kuksovská Ornithological Society (abbr. KOS, respectively. KOSbird) is the name for the independent company (not officially registered anywhere), consisting of enthusiasts for ornithology, respectively. called. birdwatching. Founded in early 2015, its founder is Michael Stanek. Area of ​​focus partly on Nachod district, but especially Trutnovsko, around the village of Kuks (ie. The village as such. Stipulating Kašov, Žireč, Choustníkovo Hradiste Vlčkovice in the foothills, Slotov, Brod nad Labem, Heřmanice, Krabčice etc.). Observations also underway to distant locations, eg. On the MV Delight and other locations around Nove Mesto nad Metuji, Hradec Kralove, etc.

  • Nepomucký Ornitologický Spolek

    Website
    The Nepomuco Ornithological Association is a non-governmental non-profit organization - a civic association. The Association was founded in 2001 as a pure ornithological organization. Today, while much of our activity is related to ornithology, we are also concerned with the protection of other animals and plants, especially with the protection of their habitats.

  • Ornithological Club Holysov

    Facebook Page
    Birds, bird protection and birding in southwestern Bohemia (Czech Republic)... see also their Facebook page
Reserves

Abbreviations Key

  • *Protected areas of the Czech Republic

    InformationSatellite View
    Interacvtive list of national parks and other protected areas

  • Animal Rescue Centre - Makov

    WebpageSatellite View
    The Center accepts all injured or ill animals. It takes care of abandoned baby animals and provides first aid, veterinary treatment, rehabilitation, preparation for release and actual release back to nature.

  • BiR Josefov Meadows

    WebpageSatellite View
    This unique project arising near the fort Josefov close to Jaroměř in Eastern Bohemia aims to create first private ornithological reserve in central Europe. We want to allow waders and other wetland species comeback to sometime flooded meadows and allow people to visit the area and admire its beauty.

  • Biosphere Reserves in the Czech Republic

    InformationSatellite View
    Interactive Map with notes on several reserves…

  • Important Bird Areas in the Czech Republic

    WebpageSatellite View
    Welcome to a virtual tour of the Important Bird Areas in the Czech Republic.

  • NNR Soos

    InformationSatellite View
    A popular nature trail dedicated to geology, botany and zoology leads through the reserve. You may also visit a geopark, a museum with natural history and paleontological expositions, a display of life-size prehistoric reptiles, the "Avian World of the Cheb District" exposition, and a fallow-deer preserve.

  • NP Krkonoše

    InformationSatellite View
    It lies in the Krkonoše Mountains which is the highest range of the country. The park has also been listed as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve site. It borders Karkonosze National Park in Poland. Website (in Czech) HERE

  • NP Podyjí

    InformationSatellite View
    152 species of bird have been recorded in the park. The IBA trigger species recorded are Syrian woodpecker (Dendrocopos syriacus) and Barred warbler (Sylvia nisoria). The faunal species recorded consist of 65 species of mammals. There are seven species of reptiles, which include a tree snake and green lizard.

  • NP České Švýcarsko

    InformationSatellite View
    In 1999 the Czech government decided to create the Bohemian Switzerland National Park (Národní park České Švýcarsko) to its originally envisaged extent. On 1 January 2000 the valuable forest and rock landscape, the gorges of the Kamnitz and the area around the Růžovský vrch were given national park status.

  • NP Šumava

    InformationSatellite View
    The Bohemian Forest (Czech: Šumava) mountain range is covered by the most extensive forest in Central Europe, whose natural composition was, however, changed and today spruce plantations prevail in most of the area. In many places non-native spruce varieties were planted. Since the 1970s there has existed a stable population of lynxes.

  • Wetlands

    WebsiteSatellite View
    The Czech Republic currently (2018) has 14 sites designated as Wetlands of International Importance (Ramsar Sites), with a surface area of 60,207 hectares.
Sightings, News & Forums

  • eBird

    Sightings
    eBirding This Month

  • Život na zahradě (Ptačí zahrady)

    News, Views, Discussion
    Czech on-line birding community - Website with a forum, blogs and a photogallery dedicated to Czech birders…
Guides & Tour Operators

  • Czech Birding

    Tour Operator
    Many of the Czech Republic's best birding areas are, however, vast and finding the key species, especially when one's time is limited, can at times be a daunting task. And as is often the case some of the very special species, such as rare raptors, owls and woodpeckers, can be difficult to find and observe without inside local knowledge. Thus, Czech Birding is in the process of setting up a network of professional English speaking local guides (including some of the Czech Republic's top ornithologists) to guide visiting birders for a few hours, one day, or on private trips, in Prague, South Bohemia and South Moravia.

  • E-Tours

    Tour Operator
    We have been organizing the birdwatching tours since 1991. We work for leading UK and world`s birding tour operators and various associations. We have three main criteria in designing the BW holidays : Professional competence and personality of expert group leaders and the local ornithologist Choice of the most interesting sites Smooth organization and a comfortable environment to ensure customer enjoyment and commercial success. E-mail us for a detailed itinerary and birdlists! info@etours.cz

  • Eco-tours Eastern Europe

    Tour Operator
    South Bohemia during Spring - Birds & some Culture

  • HeatherLea

    Tour Operator
    A special Wallcreeper and Woodpecker short break! An exciting short holiday to an underexplored part of Central Europe, ideal for busy birders who want to see some key European birds in winter.

  • NatureTrek

    Tour Operator
    An 8-day birdwatching holiday to the Czech Republic - starting in Prague and ending in the Austrian capital of Vienna - in search of its bird and historical highlights.

  • Probirder

    Tour Operator
    Czechia (Czech Republic) is a surprisingly neglected birding destination. There are high mountains, dense forests, peat bogs, riverine woods, old parklands and many fish ponds. Key areas include the Trebonsko Basin, Nové Mlyny Reservoirs, Soutok Floodplain, Pálava Hills and Sumava. Special birds are White-tailed Eagle, Black Grouse, Corncrake, Eurasian Pygmy, Tengmalm’s, Ural and Eagle Owls, 10 woodpecker species and masses of geese in winter. There are also Europe’s only wild-breeding, “countable” Reeve’s Pheasants.

  • Rockjumper Birding Tours

    Tour Operator
    Our comprehensive Central and Eastern European birding tour takes in several unique areas situated in four countries: the Czech Republic, Austria, Hungary and Croatia. Though the focus is essentially upon the region’s birds, we will certainly not neglect the many cultural and historical sites and old towns that we will encounter. Indeed, this is a region steeped in history, both ancient and recent, and there will be opportunities to opt out of some of the birding excursions for those who wish to take in a little history instead.
Trip Reports

  • 2016 [06 June] - Fraser Simpson

    Report
    This was really a family trip with our 17-month-old son rather than a birding trip. Having been to the extremes of Europe for the exciting species in the past, there was no pressure to see anything new. Just relaxed camping, sight-seeing with some birding and sound recording at dawn while the family slept on.

  • 2018 [09 September] - Balazs Szigeti - Hungary & the Czech Republic

    PDF Report
    ...just as we entered Trebon, we were lucky enough to have very close views of the much smaller but equally elegant Eurasian Jackdaw as they were feeding in the grass of a roundabout, only three meters from our bus...

  • 2019 [07 July] - James Dee

    PDF Report
    Sightings of interest include; 18 Red-crested Pochard, a Grey-headed Woodpecker, a Nutcracker, three Icterine Warblers, one Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, a Honey Buzzard, 20 Serin, seven Red-backed Shrike, a Great Reed Warbler, 10 White Stork, a Crossbill, five Turtle Dove, a White-tailed Eagle, eight Golden Orioles, a Short-toed Treecreeper and the fourth White-backed Woodpecker of the year
Other Links

  • Birdwatching CZ

    Website
    Birding in the Czech Republic

  • Czech Birding

    Website
    The site for birds and birding in Bohemia & Moravia!
Blogs

  • Czech Wildlife

    BLOG
    Czech birding and wildlife by Jiří Švestka
Photographers & Artists

  • BirdPhoto.cz

    Gallery
    At present, you will find here 18543 photos from these authors: Petr Šaj | Tomáš Pospíšil | Dušan Boucný | Luděk Boucný | Tomáš Bělka | Zdeněk Tunka |

  • Gallery - Martin and Ondra - PhotoTrip

    Gallery
    Bird and nature photo gallery (photobank)…

  • Photographer - Alex Auer

    Gallery
    Birds and Nature Photo Gallery

  • Photographer - Ivan Miksik - NatureBlink

    Gallery
    Nature, wildlife and travel photos

  • Photographer - Jiri Bohdal

    Gallery
    Excellent all-round photographer with some great bird pictures

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