In terms of biodiversity, the Balkan Peninsula is recognized as one of Europe’s finest birding regions. The number of bird species recorded in Serbia is 352. In recent years, 240 were breeding in the country.

Significant percentages of European populations of Little Bittern, Purple Heron, Ferruginous Duck, Scops Owl, Middle Spotted and Syrian Woodpeckers, to mention but a few, breed in Serbia. Species of global conservation concern breeding along the Danube are the Ferruginous Duck and the Eastern Imperial Eagle.

The best seasons are April (spring migration), May – June (breeding season), August – November (autumn migration) and December – January when 200,000-300,000 waterbirds overwinters along the Danube.

Sun can be formidable: don’t forget a wide-brimmed hat, water bottle and sunscreen cream. For wetland areas, insect repellent is also heartily recommended. An early start to any birding day is essential – mid-day summer temperatures often climb well into the thirties.

Top-25 birds to look for along the Danube are:

Ferruginous Duck

Predominantly bird of Eastern Europe, the Ferruginous Duck is an uncommon migratory breeding species in Serbia (some birds overwinter) of ponds overgrown with reeds, e.g. Svilojevo, Veliko blato and Dubovački rit.

Black Stork

Predominantly bird of Eastern Europe, the Black Stork is an uncommon migratory breeding species in Serbia, mostly of riparian forests along the big lowland rivers, such as Monoštorski rit, Koviljski rit and Beljarica.

White Stork

Common migratory breeding species numerous in villages along the lowland rivers. It is possible anywhere along the Danube. Some sites to search are Svilojevo, Koviljski rit and Dubovački rit.

Pygmy Cormorant

Species of southeastern Europe and a fairly common resident breeder of Serbia, in winter especially numerous in Belgrade. Localised in breeding season (best chances in Dubovački rit, Koviljski rit and Patrovaradinski rit), in winter they can be found everywhere, some of the places with biggest nimbers are the Danube in inner Belgrade (Kožara, Veliko blato, Reva) and Labudovo okno.

Little Bittern

Common migratory breeding species of well vegetated wetlands. Places to look for are Svilojevo, Petrovaradindski rit, Veliko blato, etc. In Belgrade, this one is also very easy at the Reva Pond.

Purple Heron

Predominantly species of southern Europe, in Serbia Purple Heron is an uncommon migratory breeding bird of ponds overgrown with reeds. Some habitats to search are Petrovaradinski rit, Veliko blato and Dubovački rit.

Squacco Heron

Very localised species of southern Europe, the Squacco Heron is more numerous along the Danube. In Serbia, it is an uncommon migratory breeding species of well vegetated wetlands, such as Petrovaradinski rit, Veliko blato and Dubovački rit. In Belgrade, this one is also very easy at the Reva Pond.

Black-crowned Night-Heron

Mostly species of southern Europe, the Black-crowned Night-Heron is a common migratory breeding bird of well vegetated wetlands such as Svilojevo, Petrovaradinski rit, Veliko blato and Dubovački rit.

White-tailed Eagle

The White-tailed Eagle, the largest of European eagles, inhabits mostly Eastern Europe. In Serbia it is an uncommon resident breeding species of riparian forests along large rivers. Places to search are Monoštorski rit, Koviljski rit, Veliko blato, etc. There is a breeding pair at the Veliko Ratno Island Reserve in Belgrade.

Eastern Imperial Eagle

Rare and threatened raptor of southeast Europe, the Eastern Imperial Eagle is very rare and highly localised resident breeding species in Serbia, with majority of population in Fruska gora national park.

Whiskered Tern

Bird of southern and eeastern Europe, the Whiskered Tern is a common migratory breeding species and the commonest marsh tern of Serbia. It breeds on fish farms, with a few sites along the Danube such as the Veliko blato, Dubovački rit and Mala Vrbica.

European Bee-eater

The European Bee-eater is a bird of the south of the continent. In Serbia it is a common migratory breeding species, especially along the lowlands rivers. Some sites to look for this species are Beljarica and Reva in Belgrade, and Hatarica and Labudovo okno further east.

Eurasian Hoopoe

Among the most attractive birds of Europe, in Serbia the Eurasian Hoopoe is an uncommon but widespread migratory breeding species of open sunny areas, especially Hatarica, Labudovo okno and Mala Vrbica.

Middle Spotted Woodpecker

Middle Spotted Woodpecker is a fairly common resident breeding species, that breeds through the country, including the Danube riparian forests, Fruška gora and Đerdap.

Syrian Woodpecker

Syrian Woodpecker is a species of central and southeast Europe. In Serbia, it is a common resident breeding species of wooded steppe and more open agricultural habitats that can be found everywhere.

Black Woodpecker

Black Woodpecker is an uncommon resident breeding species of riparian and other forests. Search for it in Monoštorski rit, Fruška gora, Petrovaradinski rit and Đerdap.

Lesser Gray Shrike

Scarce migratory breeding species, but possible in all relatively open terrains. In Belgrade it was observed at Reva Pond, but possibly the best areas are sunny and sandy slopes of Hatarica, Labudovo okno and Mala Vrbica.

Eurasian Golden Oriole

Common migratory breeding species, more often heard than observed. It can be found anywhere in the Danube floodplain and other forests.

Crested Lark

Common resident breeding species of mostly agricultural areas, check dirt roads and arable fields.

Eurasian Penduline-Tit

Uncommon migratory breeding species, characteristic for lush-vegetated ponds and rivers such as Kožara, Petrovaradinski rit and Monoštorski rit.

Icterine Warbler

Uncommon migratory breeding species, characteristic breeder of riparian forest most easily told by song. Some areas to search: Kožara, Beljarica and Koviljski rit.

Barred Warbler

Along the Danube uncommon and localised migratory breeding species present in open sunny habitats of Hatarica and adjoining Deliblato sands, as well as the Labudovo okno.

Savi’s Warbler

Fairly common migratory breeding species of ponds, canals, fish farms with reeds, e.g. Veliko blato and Svilojevo fish farms and Petrovaradinski rit.

Collared Flycatcher

Common migratory breeding species of old deciduous forests, e.g. Monoštorski rit, Koviljski rit and Fruška gora.

Ortolan Bunting

Common migratory breeding species found at Fruska gora and further downriver, a species of mosaic agricultural habitats, more numerous in hilly regions of Fruška gora, Đerdap and around the Mala Vrbica fish farm.