


Top 20 Most Common Bird in Lebanon
Lebanon boasts a rich biodiversity, stemming from its diverse landscapes ranging from Mediterranean coasts to rugged mountains. Its avian population includes an intriguing mix of 20 commonly spotted birds. These species, with unique attributes such as fascinating coloration, intriguing behaviors, or distinct adaptations, make birdwatching in Lebanon a captivating experience.

Most Common Bird

1. Graceful Prinia
The graceful prinia (Prinia gracilis) is a small warbler (in some older works it is referred to as graceful warbler). This prinia is a resident breeder in Northeast Africa (the Nile valley in particular) and southern Asia, from Egypt and Somalia east to Pakistan and North India, where it is sometimes called streaked wren-warbler. This active passerine bird is typically found in shrub or tall grass in a variety of habitats with thick undergrowth, tamarisks or similar cover. Graceful prinia builds its nest in a bush or grass and lays 3-5 eggs. These 10–11 cm long warblers have short rounded wings, and a long tapering tail with each feather tipped with black and white. In breeding plumage, adults are grey-brown above, with dark streaking. The underparts are whitish with buff flanks, and the bill is short and black. The sexes are similar. In winter, adults are brighter sandy brown above with weaker streaking, there is more buff on the sides, and the bill is paler. There are 12 subspecies, of which P. g. akyildizi, of southern Turkey is the darkest, brownest, and most heavily streaked above, and has the brightest buff flanks. The long tail is often cocked, and the flight of this species is weak. Like most warblers, graceful prinia is insectivorous. The call is a rolling trilled breep, and the song is a hard rolling repletion of zerlip.


2. European Greenfinch
The european Greenfinch is a sociable bird and often forms flocks, particularly in the winter. The population of this species has been in decline due to loss of habitat and changes in land use. Identify this bird by its bright yellow head and breast on males, and green-brown head on females, and its sociable behavior in open woodlands, gardens, parks, and hedgerows.


3. White-spectacled Bulbul
The white-spectacled bulbul (Pycnonotus xanthopygos) is a member of the bulbul family. It is 20–25 cm (7.9–9.8 in) in length with a wingspan of 20–25 cm (7.9–9.8 in). These birds live in fruit plantations, gardens, and cities. It is the most common member of the bulbul family in Israel and Lebanon. In Turkey, it is mainly found in the coastal Mediterranean region, but its range extends from Patara/Gelemiş near Kaş in the west to Türkoğlu in the east. Breeding populations are found from Central and Southern Turkey to Western Syria, Lebanon, Western Jordan, Israel, Sinai and western, central and southern Arabia. Both sexes are similar; juveniles have a browner hood and less obvious eye-rings than the adults. The nest – a small cup of thin twigs, grass stems, leaves and moss – is generally located in bushes and lined with hair, shredded bark and small roots.


4. Eurasian Blackbird
Unafraid of humans, the dark-winged eurasian Blackbird has gained a great deal of cultural significance, mentioned in popular nursery rhymes and songs across the world. Elegant and with an appealing song, they can be aggressive when they are in their breeding period.

5. House Sparrow
Just as its name implies, the little house Sparrow socializes with humans more than any other bird species. Able to adapt and thrive in almost any habitat, excluding the extremes such as deserts and mountain peaks, this species was once restricted only to North Africa and Eurasia but now is found across the globe. Unfortunately, this opportunistic eater is not completely harmless—it can cause considerable damage to crops.

6. Sardinian Warbler
The Sardinian warbler (Curruca melanocephala) is a common and widespread typical warbler from the Mediterranean region. Like most Curruca species, it has distinct male and female plumages. The adult male has a grey back, whitish underparts, black head, white throat and red eyes. Plumages are somewhat variable even in the same locality, with the intensity of a reddish hue on upper- and/or underside varies from absent to (in some subspecies) pronounced. The female is mainly brown above and buff below, with a grey head. The Sardinian warbler's song is fast and rattling, and is very characteristic of the Mediterranean areas where this bird breeds.


7. Great Tit
Great Tit is a small and plump bird, with a thick black line running through its bright yellow face. It is a common sight in gardens, woodlands, and parks. It is often seen foraging for food in an acrobatic way. Well known for its intelligence, it has been observed using tools, solving problems, and even counting up to five.


8. Yellow-legged Gull
Yellow-legged Gull is a large seagull that can be found along coastal regions of the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. It has a distinctive yellow coloration on its legs and beak, giving it its name. It is an opportunistic feeder, and known to be very territorial. Some populations of Yellow-legged Gulls are migratory, traveling long distances to breed during the summer months.


9. Common Buzzard
The common Buzzard is a medium-sized bird of prey found in many parts of the world. It inhabits a variety of habitats such as forests, grasslands, and mountains. It is an opportunistic hunter, preying on mammals, birds, reptiles, and insects. They also scavenge on carrion. They are often seen soaring on thermal currents, perching on high vantage points, and performing acrobatic maneuvers during courtship.


10. Hooded Crow
The hooded Crow is often mistaken for the carrion crow (Corvus corone) and has even been regarded as the same species; indeed, these two species may breed to create a hybrid. The hooded Crow is commonly found in woodlands, farmlands, and suburban areas. They can usually be seen in pairs or small groups, looking to find decaying meat, grain, and other protein.

11. Common Chaffinch
The common Chaffinch has a varied diet, mainly feeding on seeds and berries, but also eating insects, allowing it to thrive in different habitats. The Common Chaffinch is also known for its melodic song, with the males being particularly vocal during the breeding season. Their songs can often be heard in the spring and early summer.


12. European Goldfinch
Prized for its brilliantly colored plumage and pleasant, musical song, the european Goldfinch has been often held in captivity, until this activity became illegal in the 1970s. Native to Europe, the species has been introduced to Australia and New Zealand. It's a very sociable bird that likes to feed on seeds and often visits feeders.

13. Little Egret
The small size of the little Egret makes the bird easily recognizable among larger species that share the same range. The egret is seen almost anywhere there are small fish including marshes, estuaries, and rivers. The bird often searches for food by itself but prefers to build nests in communities, occasionally with other bird species.

14. Eurasian Wren
Tiny and usually well-camouflaged with its brown plumage, the eurasian Wren is a fairly populous bird that may sometimes be seen hopping quickly and quietly along a forest floor, rustling sticks and flipping over leaves as it searches for insects. The species, though, is more often heard than seen; though quite small, the eurasian Wren has a loud, melodious song.

15. Eurasian Jay
The eurasian Jay is a striking bird with distinctive blue, black, and white plumage. It is known for its bold and curious nature, often seen rummaging through gardens and forests for food. Despite its small size, it is very intelligent and able to store food for later consumption. Its sharp calls and acrobatics in the trees make it a joy to observe in the wild.


16. Laughing Dove
The laughing Dove is a small dove named after its distinctive laugh-like vocalization. This ground-feeding, non-migratory bird is a regular inhabitant of man-altered environments such as villages, gardens, and orchards. In cities, these doves tend to become quite confident. They pair for life and live in very small communities.

17. Lesser Whitethroat
The lesser whitethroat (Curruca curruca) is a common and widespread typical warbler which breeds in temperate Europe, except the southwest, and in the western and central Palearctic. This small passerine bird is strongly migratory, wintering in Africa just south of the Sahara, Arabia and India. Unlike many typical warblers, the sexes are almost identical. This is a small species with a grey back, whitish underparts, a grey head with a darker "bandit mask" through the eyes and a white throat. It is slightly smaller than the whitethroat, and lacks the chestnut wings and uniform head-face color of that species. The lesser whitethroat's song is a fast and rattling sequence of tet or che calls, quite different from the whitethroat's scolding song. Like most "warblers", it is insectivorous, but will also take berries and other soft fruit. This is a bird of fairly open country and cultivation, with large bushes for nesting and some trees. The nest is built in low shrub or brambles, and 3 to 7 eggs are laid.


18. Common Kestrel
The common Kestrel is a small falcon found throughout much of Europe, Asia, and Africa. It feeds on small mammals, birds, and insects and is known for its ability to hover in the air to spot prey. It can be found in a variety of habitats. Some populations have declined due to habitat loss.


19. Common Chiffchaff
The common Chiffchaff is a small warbler known for its distinctive "chiff-chaff" call. It can be found in woodlands, gardens, and parks throughout Europe and Asia. It feeds on small insects, spiders and other invertebrates, which it catches by gleaning from leaves and branches. In the breeding season, males will sing to attract females and defend their territories.


20. Black-headed Gull
Black-headed Gull is a medium-sized gull found in Europe and Asia. It has a white body and grey wings, and a black head that turns chocolate brown in the summer. It is found in a variety of habitats, including coastal areas, lakes, and wetlands. It is migratory, wintering in southern Europe and parts of Africa.
