Israel is home to a diverse array of bird species due to its location at the crossroads of Africa, Asia and Europe. Over 500 species of birds have been recorded in Israel, with around 380 species regularly occurring. Israel’s varied habitats, from Mediterranean woodlands to the Negev desert, attract both resident and migratory birds throughout the year.
What are the most common birds in Israel?
Some of the most frequently encountered birds in Israel include:
- House Sparrow – Abundant in cities, towns, and agricultural areas across Israel.
- Barn Swallow – Common summer visitor seen near buildings and cliffs.
- Common Bulbul – Widespread resident known for its fluty call.
- Laughing Dove – Very common resident of scrubby habitats.
- Great Tit – One of the most ubiquitous residents in woodlands and parks.
- Hoopoe – Colorful and distinctive resident easily recognized by its crown of feathers.
- Golden Jackal – Heard more often than seen, with a haunting howl.
- Graceful Prinia – Active little warbler favoring bushes and thickets.
- Eurasian Blackcap – Common warbler in a variety of wooded habitats.
- Palestine Sunbird – Beautiful nectar-feeding resident often seen in gardens.
When are peak bird watching times in Israel?
The best times to observe birds in Israel are during the spring and fall migrations.
Spring migration occurs from March to May as birds fly from Africa to Europe and western Asia to breed. Massive numbers of raptors, storks, pelicans, songbirds and other species pass through Israel in spring, taking advantage of Israel’s unique location between the Mediterranean Sea and the Rift Valley. Popular spring migration sites include Eilat, Ma’agan Michael and the Hula Valley.
Fall migration takes place from August to November as birds return south to their wintering grounds. The southward journey sees the return of many of the same species seen in spring. The central coast around Tel Aviv and Netanya is a hotspot for observing fall passerine migration.
Resident desert species such as larks and sandgrouse congregate around water sources in large numbers during the dry summer months, providing excellent bird watching opportunities.
What are the best places to see birds in Israel?
Some top birding sites in Israel include:
- Hula Valley – Wetlands hosting thousands of migrating birds and rare residents like the pygmy cormorant.
- Eilat Mountains – See spectacular raptor migration over this desert mountain range in spring and fall.
- Ma’agan Michael – Coastal wetlands on the Mediterranean providing stopover habitat for migratory waterfowl and songbirds.
- Jerusalem Bird Observatory – Ringing station with birds of prey and songbirds in the Judean Hills.
- Agamon Hula – Lake rich in waterbirds in the Upper Galilee.
- Neot Semadar – Oasis supporting desert species like MacQueen’s bustard.
- Nizzana Sands – Desert area with larks, sandgrouse, wheatears and other arid country species.
- Ein Gedi Nature Reserve – Oasis near the Dead Sea where desert species come to drink.
What habitats and geography influence Israel’s birdlife?
Israel contains a mosaic of habitats ranging from Mediterranean to desert that shape its avifauna. Key habitats include:
- Mediterranean woodlands and scrub – The Mediterranean climate zone supports typical birds like warblers, shrikes, sunbirds and buntings.
- Coastal wetlands – Marshes, lakes and flooded agricultural fields used as stopover sites by migratory waterfowl.
- Deserts – The Negev, Arava and Judean deserts host desert specialists like sandgrouse, larks and wheatears.
- Mountain ranges – The Golan Heights and Eilat Mountains are migration highways and support cliff-nesting species.
- Kibbutz fields and fishponds – These agricultural habitats attract birds like cranes, storks, and passerines.
- Urban parks and gardens – House sparrows, bulbuls and other species thrive in man-made green spaces.
Israel’s location between three continents also influences its avifauna, with Palearctic, Afrotropical, and Indomalayan species all found here.
What are some rare and endangered birds found in Israel?
Although small in size, Israel is home to globally threatened and Near East endemic bird species. Some examples include:
- Lappet-faced Vulture – Critically Endangered vulture dependent on carrion and susceptible to poisoning.
- Lesser Kestrel – Vulnerable falcon that nests colonially in buildings in the Negev and Golan Heights.
- Syrian Serin – Endangered finch now extremely rare in Israel and limited to Mount Hermon.
- Basra Reed-warbler – Near Threatened warbler localized in marshy habitat near the Mediterranean.
- Yelkouan Shearwater – Globally Near Threatened seabird breeding on islands off southern Israel.
Conservation programs aim to protect key sites and habitats for these threatened species in Israel.
How can visitors go bird watching in Israel?
Israel offers world-class bird watching for international visitors. Options for birding tours include:
- Joining multi-day birding tours visiting top sites across Israel.
- Hiring local birding guides available in major birding destinations like Eilat.
- Renting a car and using birding trail maps and field guides to explore independently.
- Staying at birding lodges set up for enthusiasts like the Kfar Ruppin Lodge.
- Volunteering on surveys and conservation projects to gain skills.
It’s easy for individual travelers to go birding in Israel by public transit as well. Major sites like the Hula Valley and Eilat are accessible by bus, with affordable guesthouses available nearby.
Which bird field guides and maps are best for birders in Israel?
Top resources for identifying birds and finding hotspots in Israel include:
- The Israel Birding Map – Map with sites, trails and information in English published by the Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel (SPNI).
- Collins Bird Guide – Widely considered the best field guide for Europe and the Middle East.
- The Birds of Israel – Definitive academic reference by Shirihai detailing species accounts, identification, ranges and behaviors.
- Birding Israel website – Up-to-date information on birding tours, trip reports and sightings.
Having a good map and field guide is essential for navigating and identifying the diverse avifauna.
What are some tricks for identifying birds as a beginner birder in Israel?
Here are some tips for beginners learning to identify birds in Israel’s challenging environment:
- Get familiar with the common species first. Focus on 10-20 frequently seen birds like bulbul, sparrow and dove.
- Pay attention to behavior and habitat. Knowing where to look helps narrow identification.
- Use apps like eBird to log sightings, get help with ID, and maintain lists.
- Bring binoculars and use them to scan flocks and look for key field marks.
- Take pictures if possible and consult a guidebook to confirm identity.
- Record interesting songs and calls heard to aid in learning bird sounds.
- Join a local bird walk to get insight from more experienced birders.
With some practice at common species, reading a guidebook, and using tools like apps and binoculars, bird identification gets easier over time.
What conservation efforts help protect birds in Israel?
Several conservation initiatives are underway to safeguard birds and their habitats in Israel:
- Designating Important Bird Areas (IBAs) – Sites identified as critical to birds during breeding, wintering or migration.
- Banning harmful pesticides – Restricting chemicals that poison birds and reduce prey.
- Monitoring threatened species – Tracking populations of endangered birds to inform protections.
- Ecotourism development – Building sustainable birding tourism to support communities and species.
- Nest box programs – Installing nest sites to boost breeding populations.
- Invasive species control – Removing non-native plants and animals that degrade habitat.
- Environmental education – Teaching values of conservation to future generations.
Key partners in bird conservation include the Israel Nature and Parks Authority, the Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel (SPNI), and the International Birding and Research Center in Eilat (IBRCE).
Conclusion
Israel’s diverse landscapes, strategic location for migration, and growing ecotourism opportunities make it a world-class birding destination. From rare lappet-faced vultures to flocks of migrating storks, over 500 species can be found across the country. By using local field guides, visiting top habitats guided by maps, and honing ID skills over time, even beginners can enjoy the amazing birdlife Israel has to offer.