Research Article

An updated checklist of bird species in the Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve (Romania)

Mihai Marinov^‡, Alexandru-Cătălin Doroșencu^‡, Vasile Alexe^‡, Lucian-Eugen Bolboacă^‡, Janos Botond Kiss^‡

‡ Danube Delta National Institute for Research and Development, Tulcea, Romania

Corresponding author: Mihai Marinov ( mihai.marinov@ddni.ro )

Academic editor: Zahrah Adnan Alshammarri

This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY 4.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.

Citation: Marinov M, Doroșencu A-C, Alexe V, Bolboacă L-E, Kiss JB (2026) An updated checklist of bird species in the Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve (Romania). Scientific Annals of the Danube Delta Institute 31: 1-14. https://doi.org/10.3897/saddi.31.161357

Abstract

In 2023, we published the first list of birds from the Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve and recorded the presence of 365 species. By that time, eight additional species had been registered. Based on scientific literature, online sources, and field investigations, we identified a total of 373 bird species observed in the Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve, belonging to 61 families (out of a total of 65 families in Romania) and 19 orders. Our interest in publishing such biodiversity lists is not only important from a scientific point of view but also supports reports and presentations in which we refer to the current number of species in published material.

Key words

Birds, checklist, Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve, species

Introduction

A total of 365 species were included in the first list of the bird fauna of the Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve (DDBR) (Marinov et al. 2023). Not even two years after publication, new species were identified. The new list also included species recorded before 2023 but omitted from the article mentioned above. Initially, we intended to prepare only a corrigendum, but considering that eight new species were included, we decided to return with a new article. In the future, we plan to create an official online list of birds from the DDBR, given that the list will continue to grow due to the increasing number of ornithologists and bird-watchers who come to ring and observe birds.

Materials and methods

As mentioned in the first Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve bird checklist (Marinov et al. 2023), research on this subject began in 2003 and has continued to the present. In addition to our observations, we referred to specialized literature, especially sources providing information on numerical ratings or rare alerts (Ion 2009; Kiss 1973, 1982a, 1982b; Kiss and Szabó 2000, 2003; Maarten et al. 2004; Munteanu 1960, 1976, 1977, 2006, 2009; Munteanu et al. 1989; Munteanu and Toniuc 1991; Munteanu et al. 1991, 1996, 2002, 2004; Munteanu and Marinov 2004; Munteanu and Weber 2005; Sándor et al. 2007). At the same time, we used information from the Rombird website (https://rombird.ro/). The use of Rombird data was requested in writing on 15 January 2025 via email, and the agreement to use these data for the publication of a scientific article was confirmed by a positive written response on 27 February 2025. The study area comprises the entire territory of the Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve.

Results and discussion

In 2003, the officially published number was 325 bird species registered in the Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve (Gâştescu and Ştiucă 2006).
In 2012, the number increased to 331 species (Marinov 2012, PhD thesis).
In 2019, the number increased to 362 species (Marinov et al. 2019; Baciu 2025); however, 365 species were reported, as three species that escaped from households or private collections were also included.
In 2023, the number increased to 365 species (Marinov et al. 2023).
In 2025, the number increased to 373 bird species recorded in the Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve.

In the previous list (Marinov et al. 2023), seven species were excluded: Syrrhaptes paradoxus, Columba livia forma domestica, Streptopelia orientalis, and four species that escaped from households or private collections: Cygnus atratus, Alopochen aegyptiacus, Aix galericulata, and Aix sponsa. In the current list, as mentioned above, eight new bird species were added for the Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve. These eight species are, in taxonomic order, Calidris subruficollis, Clamator glandarius, Anthus petrosus, Phylloscopus bonelli, Phylloscopus schwarzi, Bucanetes githagineus, Emberiza pusilla, and Seiurus aurocapilla (Table 1). Without a doubt, the last species, the ovenbird (Seiurus aurocapilla), is particularly important, as it led to an increase in the number of bird families in the DDBR from 60 to 61 (Parulidae). Several other species were also analyzed, such as the Armenian gull (Larus armenicus) and the desert wheatear (Oenanthe deserti), but these were identified just outside the DDBR limits. A special case is represented by Numenius tenuirostris, which was the subject of a recent study in which modeling suggested a 96% probability of extinction (Buchanan et al. 2024). However, the IUCN still classifies this species as critically endangered, and on this basis, we have not removed it from our list (BirdLife International 2018).

Given that all eight newly registered species are accidental, they are not supported by scientific articles documenting their presence in the DDBR; available information is limited to press articles and online sources. Unlike the first list (Marinov et al. 2023), we therefore did not include qualitative and quantitative indices or bibliographic resources in Table 1. For qualitative and quantitative indices derived from the Standard Data Forms of the two SPA Natura 2000 sites overlapping with the DDBR (ROSPA0031 Danube Delta and Razim Complex–Sinoie and ROSPA0076 Black Sea), as well as those added by us where missing, together with the related bibliography, consultation of the first list is recommended (Marinov et al. 2023).

The 373 bird species recorded in the DDBR belong to 61 families (out of a total of 65 families in Romania) and 19 orders (out of 19 orders in Romania; Table 1). In this analysis, and in Table 1, we followed the systematics proposed by Munteanu (2001), the most recent comprehensive nomenclatural reference for the ornithofauna of Romania.

Table 1.

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The qualitative and quantitative composition of the ornithofauna of the Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve (DDBR) (systematics following Munteanu 2001).

No	Order	No	Family	No	Species	Place / last observation (Rare/Accidental species)
1	Gaviiformes	1	Gaviidae	1	Gavia stellata	the Black Sea coast, the arms of the Danube, some larger channels
				2	Gavia arctica	the Black Sea coast
				3	Gavia immer	the Black Sea coast (Sf. Gheorghe, 1976)
2	Podicipediformes	2	Podicipedidae	4	Tachybaptus ruficollis	suitable biotopes in the DDBR
				5	Podiceps cristatus	suitable biotopes in the DDBR
				6	Podiceps grisegena	suitable biotopes in the DDBR
				7	Podiceps auritus	the Black Sea coast (Zmeica L., 2024 – https://rombird.ro)
				8	Podiceps nigricollis	the Black Sea coast
3	Procellariiformes	3	Procellariidae	9	Puffinus yelkouan	the Black Sea coast (Chituc, Vadu, 2024 – https://rombird.ro)
4	Pelecaniformes	4	Phalacrocoracidae	10	Phalacrocorax carbo	suitable biotopes in the DDBR
				11	Phalacrocorax aristotelis	Corbu, Vadu, 2016 – https://rombird.ro
				12	Phalacrocorax pygmeus	suitable biotopes in the DDBR
		5	Pelecanidae	13	Pelecanus onocrotalus	suitable biotopes in the DDBR
		5	Pelecanidae	14	Pelecanus crispus	suitable biotopes in the DDBR
5	Ciconiiformes	6	Ardeidae	15	Botaurus stellaris	suitable biotopes in the DDBR
				16	Ixobrychus minutus	suitable biotopes in the DDBR
				17	Nycticorax nycticorax	suitable biotopes in the DDBR
				18	Ardeola ralloides	suitable biotopes in the DDBR
				19	Bubulcus ibis	nesting in the West of the fluvial delta; Partizani, Stipoc s.a.
				20	Egretta garzetta	suitable biotopes in the DDBR
				21	Casmerodius albus	suitable biotopes in the DDBR
				22	Ardea cinerea	suitable biotopes in the DDBR
				23	Ardea purpurea	suitable biotopes in the DDBR
		7	Ciconiidae	24	Ciconia ciconia	suitable biotopes in the DDBR
		7	Ciconiidae	25	Ciconia nigra	suitable biotopes in the DDBR
		8	Threskiornithidae	26	Plegadis falcinellus	suitable biotopes in the DDBR
		8	Threskiornithidae	27	Platalea leucorodia	suitable biotopes in the DDBR
6	Phoenicopteriformes	9	Phoenicopteridae	28	Phoenicopterus ruber	Murighiol, Istria, Sabangia, Jurilovca, Gr. Chituc, Sinoe L., Tuzla-Nuntași L. (2024)
7	Anseriformes	10	Anatidae	29	Cygnus olor	suitable biotopes in the DDBR
				30	Cygnus bewickii	in the lagoon area (Sabangia, 2025)
				31	Cygnus cygnus	suitable biotopes in the DDBR
				32	Anser fabalis	Chilia Veche, Pardina, Murighiol, Istria (Gr. Lupilor, 2025 – https://rombird.ro)
				33	Anser caerulescens	Sărături – Murighiol L. & Sf. Gheorghe (1981), Letea (1994).
				34	Anser brachyrhynchus	Pardina, Istria, Murighiol
				35	Anser albifrons	suitable biotopes in the DDBR
				36	Anser erythropus	suitable biotopes on the territory of the DDBR (Ilganii de Sus, 2024)
				37	Anser anser	suitable biotopes in the DDBR
				38	Branta leucopsis	Plopu, Luncaviţa, Sabangia, Istria, Stipoc (2016 – https://rombird.ro)
7	Anseriformes	10	Anatidae	39	Branta bernicla	Murighiol, Sălcioara, Maliuc (Vişina 2011)
				40	Branta ruficollis	suitable biotopes in the DDBR
				41	Tadorna ferruginea	suitable biotopes in the DDBR
				42	Tadorna tadorna	suitable biotopes in the DDBR
				43	Anas penelope	suitable biotopes in the DDBR
				44	Anas strepera	suitable biotopes in the DDBR
				45	Anas crecca	suitable biotopes in the DDBR
				46	Anas platyrhynchos	suitable biotopes in the DDBR
				47	Anas acuta	suitable biotopes in the DDBR
				48	Anas querquedula	suitable biotopes in the DDBR
				49	Anas clypeata	suitable biotopes in the DDBR
				50	Netta rufina	suitable biotopes in the DDBR
				51	Aythya ferina	suitable biotopes in the DDBR
				52	Aythya nyroca	suitable biotopes in the DDBR
				53	Aythya collaris	Lupilor Sand levee, Chituc, Sacalin, Cape Midia (2005)
				54	Aythya fuligula	suitable biotopes in the DDBR
				55	Aythya marila	the Black Sea coast (Chituc, 2024, https://rombird.ro)
				56	Somateria mollissima	the Black Sea coast, Chituc, Vadu & Sf. Gheorghe (2018, https://rombird.ro)
				57	Clangula hyemalis	the Black Sea coast, Tulcea, Istria, Sabangia, Grindu (2021)
				58	Melanitta nigra	Sacalin & lagoons, Sf. Gheorghe, Chituc, Ligheanca L., Sinoe, Vadu (2024)
				59	Melanitta fusca	Sacalin and lagoons, Furtuna L., Ligheanca L., Corbu (2024)
				60	Bucephala clangula	suitable biotopes in the DDBR
				62	Mergus albellus	suitable biotopes in the DDBR
				63	Mergus serrator	Razim-Sinoie, Sacalin & Babadag L.
				63	Mergus merganser	Razim-Sinoie, Tulcea, Nebunu L., Babadag, Gorgova, Roșu, Nuntași
				64	Oxyura leucocephala	Razim-Sinoie (Mila 23, 2022)
8	Falconiformes	11	Accipitridae	65	Pernis apivorus	Letea, Caraorman, the plateau area
				66	Milvus migrans	suitable biotopes in the DDBR
				67	Milvus milvus	C. A. Rosetti (Istria 1992)
				68	Elanus caeruleus	Vadu (2022, https://rombird.ro)
				69	Haliaeetus albicilla	suitable biotopes in the DDBR
				70	Neophron percnopterus	Tulcea, Letea, Dranov Can., Caraorman Can. (https://rombird.ro), Somova (2023)
				71	Gyps fulvus	Bogdaproste L. (1997), Zaghen (2010), Sf. Gheorghe (2021 – https://rombird.ro)
				72	Aegypius monachus	Enisala (1958), Agighiol (2022), Periprava (2022 – https://rombird.ro)
				73	Circaetus gallicus	Letea, the West side of DDBR
				74	Circus aeruginosus	suitable biotopes on the territory of the DDBR
				75	Circus cyaneus	suitable biotopes in the DDBR
				76	Circus macrourus	suitable biotopes in the DDBR
				77	Circus pygargus	suitable biotopes in the DDBR
8	Falconiformes	11	Accipitridae	78	Accipiter gentilis	suitable biotopes in the DDBR
				79	Accipiter nisus	suitable biotopes in the DDBR
				80	Accipiter brevipes	suitable biotopes in the DDBR
				81	Buteo buteo	suitable biotopes in the DDBR
				82	Buteo rufinus	suitable biotopes in the DDBR
				83	Buteo lagopus	suitable biotopes in the DDBR
				84	Aquila pomarina	suitable biotopes in the DDBR
				85	Aquila clanga	suitable biotopes in the DDBR
				86	Aquila nipalensis	Chilia branch – Pardina, Tulcea (2020 – https://rombird.ro)
				87	Aquila heliaca	Pardina, Pardina, Mila 23, Tulcea, Zebil (2021 – https://rombird.ro)
				88	Aquila chrysaetos	Zona Tulcea (Can. Sireasa, Tulcea, Zaghen 2020 – https://rombird.ro)
				89	Hieraaetus pennatus	Murighiol, Letea, Enisala
				90	Hieraaetus fasciatus	Somova (1974)
		12	Pandionidae	91	Pandion haliaetus	suitable biotopes in the DDBR
		13	Falconidae	92	Falco naumanni	the Black Sea coast (Mahmudia, 2010)
				93	Falco tinnunculus	suitable biotopes in the DDBR
				94	Falco vespertinus	suitable biotopes in the DDBR
				95	Falco columbarius	suitable biotopes in the DDBR
				96	Falco subbuteo	suitable biotopes in the DDBR
				97	Falco eleonorae	Sacalin, Vadu, Crișan, Şontea Nouă, Letea, Vadu (2024) (https://rombird.ro)
				98	Falco cherrug	suitable biotopes in the DDBR
				99	Falco peregrinus	suitable biotopes in the DDBR
9	Galliformes	14	Phasianidae	100	Perdix perdix	suitable biotopes in the DDBR
				101	Coturnix coturnix	suitable biotopes in the DDBR
				102	Phasianus colchicus	suitable biotopes in the DDBR
10	Gruiformes	15	Rallidae	103	Rallus aquaticus	suitable biotopes in the DDBR
				104	Porzana porzana	suitable biotopes in the DDBR
				105	Porzana parva	suitable biotopes in the DDBR
				106	Porzana pussilla	suitable biotopes in the DDBR
				107	Crex crex	in passage in suitable biotopes, nesting in Maliuc and Letea
				108	Galinulla chloropus	suitable biotopes in the DDBR
				109	Fulica atra	suitable biotopes in the DDBR
		16	Gruidae	110	Grus grus	in the lagoon area, Pardina, Letea, Periteaşca, agricultural areas
		16	Gruidae	111	Anthropoides virgo	Istria, Nuntasi, Vadu, Corbu, Crisan, Sf. Gheorghe, Caraorman, Sinoe (Tuzla, 2024) (https://rombird.ro)
		17	Otididae	112	Tetrax tetrax	Victoria, Salcioara, C.A.Rosetti, Istria, Tulcea, Mahmudia, (Saele 2025, (https://rombird.ro)
		17	Otididae	113	Otis tarda	C. A. Rosetti (Sarinasuf, 2005)
11	Charadriiformes	18	Haematopodidae	114	Haematopus ostralegus	in the lagoon area and on the Black Sea coast, less often in the interior of the delta
		19	Recurvirostridae	115	Himantopus himantopus	suitable biotopes in the DDBR especially salty and brackish areas
		19	Recurvirostridae	116	Recurvirostra avosetta	suitable biotopes in the DDBR, especially salty and brackish areas
11	Charadriiformes	20	Burhinidae	117	Burhinus oedicnemus	Sf. Gheorghe, Letea, Caraorman, Gr. Lupilor, zona de platou
		21	Glareolidae	118	Glareola pratincola	Istria – Sinoie, Gr. Lupilor, Murighiol, N and W of the lagoon system
		21	Glareolidae	119	Glareola nordmanni	Istria, Vadu, Chituc, Sinoie (2024) (https://rombird.ro)
		22	Charadriidae	120	Charadrius dubius	in the lagoon area and on the Black Sea coast
				121	Charadrius hiaticula	Istria, the lagoon area and the Black Sea coast
				122	Charadrius vociferus	Sacalin (L. Istria, 1993)
				123	Charadrius alexandrinus	suitable biotopes in the DDBR
				124	Charadrius leschenaultii	Istria (Vadu 2012, https://rombird.ro)
				125	Charadrius asiaticus	Istria (Gr. Saele, 1996)
				126	Charadrius morinellus	Sacalin, Letea, Caraorman, Saele, Istria (2023, https://rombird.ro)
				127	Pluvialis fulva	Vadu, Nuntași, Gr. Lupilor (2024) (https://rombird.ro)
				128	Pluvialia apricaria	Sacalin, Sinoie, Chituc, coastal area
				129	Pluvialus squatarola	Sacalin, Sinoie, Chituc, coastal area
				130	Chettusia gregaria	Gorgova, Istria (Gr. Saele, 1993)
				131	Vanelus spinosus	Dranov 1964, Istria, Gr. Lupilor, Vadu (2023) (https://rombird.ro)
				132	Chettusia leucura	Istria, Sulina Sf. Gheorghe, many other areas, Vadu (2024) (https://rombird.ro)
				133	Vanellus vanellus	suitable biotopes in the DDBR
		23	Scolopacidae	134	Calidris canutus	Sacalin, Gr. Lupilor, Sarinasuf, Nuntasi, Gr. Chituc, Sf. Gheorghe (Sf. Gheorghe, 2025) (https://rombird.ro)
				135	Calidris alba	suitable biotopes in the DDBR
				136	Chalidris minuta	suitable biotopes in the DDBR
				137	Calidris temminckii	suitable biotopes in the DDBR
				138	Calidris melanotos	Caraorman, Istria (2022), Vadu, Nuntași, Gr. Chituc (https://rombird.ro)
				139	Calidris ferruginea	suitable biotopes in the DDBR
				140	Calidris alpina	suitable biotopes in the DDBR
				141	Calidris subruficollis	L. Nuntași, L. Tuzla (L. Tuzla, 2020) (https://rombird.ro)
				142	Limicola falcinellus	suitable biotopes in the DDBR
				143	Philomachus pugnax	suitable biotopes in the DDBR
				144	Lymnocryptes minimus	Istria, Murighiol, Ceamurlia, Vadu, Saele, Gr. Chituc (2024) (https://rombird.ro)
				145	Gallinago gallinago	suitable biotopes in the DDBR
				146	Gallinago media	Istria, Murighiol, Vadu (Cape Midia, 2024) (https://rombird.ro)
				147	Limnodromus scolopaceus	Sacalin (Saele Sand levee, 1993)
				148	Scolopax rusticola	suitable biotopes in the DDBR
				149	Limosa limosa	suitable biotopes in the DDBR
				150	Limosa lapponica	Istria, Sacalin, Chituc, Sarinasuf (Vadu, 2024) (https://rombird.ro)
				151	Numenius phaeopus	suitable biotopes in the DDBR (Bombeuri-Sinoie – https://rombird.ro)
				152	Numenius tenuirostris	Istria, Cardon, Letea (Caraorman, 1992) – probably extinct species
11	Charadriiformes	23	Scolopacidae	153	Numenius arquata	suitable biotopes in the DDBR
				154	Tringa erythropus	suitable biotopes in the DDBR
				155	Tringa totanus	suitable biotopes in the DDBR
				156	Tringa stagnatilis	Istria, Plopu, Murighiol, Gr. Lupilor
				157	Tringa nebularia	suitable biotopes in the DDBR
				158	Tringa ochropus	suitable biotopes in the DDBR
				159	Tringa glareola	suitable biotopes in the DDBR
				160	Xenus cinereus	suitable biotopes in the DDBR (Tuzla L., 2022, https://rombird.ro)
				161	Actitis hypoleucos	suitable biotopes in the DDBR
				162	Arenaria interpres	Sacalin, Chituc, Sulina Sinoie, Sarinasuf
		24	Phalaropidae	163	Phalaropus lobatus	Leahova, Sacalin, Furtuna L., Chituc, Istria (Vadu, 2024)
		24	Phalaropidae	164	Phalaropus fulicarius	Istria, Sinoie (Gr. Chituc, 2024)
		25	Stercorariidae	165	Stercorarius pomarinus	the Black Sea coast
				166	Stercorarius parasiticus	the Black Sea coast,
				167	Stercorarius longicaudus	the Black Sea coast, (Gr. Chituc, 2014 – https://rombird.ro)
				168	Stercorarius skua	Istria, the Black Sea coast (Razim L., 2010)
		26	Laridae	169	Larus ichtyaetus	suitable biotopes in the DDBR.
				170	Larus melanocephalus	Sărături-Murighiol, Sinoie, Istria, Sacalin. Since 2022 they did not complete nesting at Saraturi-Murighiol
				171	Larus minutus	suitable biotopes in the DDBR
				172	Larus ridibundus	suitable biotopes in the DDBR
				173	Larus genei	coastal area; some observations in the interior area
				174	Larus canus	suitable biotopes in the DDBR
				175	Larus argentatus	Tulcea, Midia, Corbu, Vadu, Gura Portiței (2025) (https://rombird.ro)
				176	Larus fuscus	the Black Sea coast, the arms of the Danube, rarely other areas
				177	Larus michahellis	Coastal area, Tulcea
				178	Larus cachinnans	suitable biotopes in the DDBR
				179	Larus glaucoides	Sacalin (1970)
				180	Larus hyperboreus	Chituc (2005
				181	Larus marinus	The coastal area, less often in the inner area of the Danube Delta (Chituc, 2024 – https://rombird.ro)
				182	Rissa tridactyla	Black Sea coast, less often other areas (Chituc, 2022 – https://rombird.ro)
				183	Larus sabini	Istria
		27	Sternidae	184	Gelochelidon nilotica	Istria, Letea, Murighiol, Sacalin, Chituc, Saele
				185	Sterna caspia	suitable biotopes in the DDBR
				186	Sterna sandvicensis	Musura, Black Sea coast
				187	Sterna hirundo	suitable biotopes in the DDBR
				188	Sterna albifrons	the Black Sea coast, Istria, Sacalin
				189	Sterna paradisaea	Istria, Vadu (Sf. Gheorghe, 2022 https://rombird.ro)
				190	Chlidonias hybrida	suitable biotopes in the DDBR
				191	Chlidonias niger	suitable biotopes in the DDBR
				192	Chlidonias leucopterus	suitable biotopes in the DDBR
12	Columbiformes	28	Columbidae	193	Columba oenas	suitable biotopes in the DDBR
				194	Columba palumbus	suitable biotopes in the DDBR
				195	Streptopelia decaocto	localities
				196	Streptopelia turtur	suitable biotopes in the DDBR
13	Cuculiformes	29	Cuculidae	197	Cuculus canorus	suitable biotopes in the DDBR
13	Cuculiformes	29	Cuculidae	198	Clamator glandarius	Gr. Lupilor, Sf. Gheorghe (Sf. Gheorghe, 2024 https://rombird.ro)
14	Strigiformes	30	Tytonidae	199	Tyto alba	Sălcioara, Gr. Lupilor, Cardon, Caraorman, Casla Vadanei
		31	Strigidae	200	Otus scops	Gr. Lupilor, Mila 26, Tulcea, coastal area, etc
				201	Bubo bubo	Doloşman (1980). Reintroduced specimens observed in several locations, e.g. Caraorman, 2022
				202	Athene noctua	Localities and their edges, less often outside the localities, pillars, etc.
				203	Strix aluco	suitable biotopes in the DDBR
				204	Asio flammeus	Sacalin, Istria, Chituc, Sulina
				205	Asio otus	suitable biotopes in the DDBR
15	Caprimulgiformes	32	Caprimulgidae	206	Caprimulgus europaeus	Letea, Caraorman, Sf. Gheorghe
16	Apodiformes	33	Apodidae	207	Apus apus	Tulcea, Dolosman, Enisala, etc
				208	Apus pallidus	Enisala, Istria, (https://rombird.ro) Tulcea (2022)
				209	Apus melba	Istria, Doloşman (Vadu, 2018, https://rombird.ro))
17	Coraciiformes	34	Alcedinidae	210	Alcedo atthis	suitable biotopes in the DDBR
		35	Meropidae	211	Merops apiaster	suitable biotopes in the DDBR
		36	Coraciidae	212	Coracias garrulus	suitable biotopes in the DDBR
		37	Upupidae	213	Upupa epops	suitable biotopes in the DDBR
18	Piciformes	38	Picidae	214	Jynx torquilla	suitable biotopes in the DDBR
				215	Picus canus	suitable biotopes in the DDBR
				216	Picus viridis	Sf. Gheorghe, Bogdaproste C., Ciulineţ, Letea
				217	Dryocopus martius	suitable biotopes in the DDBR
				218	Dendrocopos major	suitable biotopes in the DDBR
				219	Dendrocopos syriacus	localities from DDBR
				220	Dendrocopos medius	suitable biotopes in the DDBR
				221	Dendrocopos minor	suitable biotopes in the DDBR
19	Passeriformes	39	Alaudidae	222	Melanocorypha calandra	suitable biotopes in the DDBR
				223	Melanocorypha yeltoniensis	Sacalin
				224	Calandrella rufescens	Chituc (2014) (https://rombird.ro)
				225	Calandrella brachydactyla	suitable biotopes in the DDBR
				226	Galerida cristata	suitable biotopes in the DDBR
				227	Lullula arborea	Letea, Caraorman, other areas
				228	Alauda arvensis	suitable biotopes in the DDBR
				229	Eremophila alpestris	suitable biotopes in the DDBR
		40	Hirundinidae	230	Riparia riparia	suitable biotopes in the DDBR
				231	Hirundo rustica	suitable biotopes in the DDBR
				232	Hirundo daurica	suitable biotopes in the DDBR
				233	Delichon urbica	suitable biotopes in the DDBR
19	Passeriformes	41	Motacillidae	234	Anthus richardi	Vadu, Istria (Chituc, 2024 – https://rombird.ro)
				235	Anthus campestris	Istria, Caraorman, Letea, Gr. Lupilor, Chituc and ather areas
				236	Anthus trivialis	suitable biotopes in the DDBR
				237	Anthus pratensis	suitable biotopes in the DDBR
				238	Anthus cervinus	suitable biotopes in the DDBR
				239	Anthus spinoletta	suitable biotopes in the DDBR
				240	Anthus petrosus	Sulina (2022 – https://rombird.ro)
				241	Motacilla flava	suitable biotopes in the DDBR
				242	Motacilla citreola	Istria, Sf. Gheorghe, other areas (Vadu, 2024 – https://rombird.ro)
				243	Motacilla cinerea	suitable biotopes in the DDBR
				244	Motacilla alba	suitable biotopes in the DDBR
		42	Bombycillidae	245	Bombycilla garrulus	suitable biotopes in the DDBR
		43	Troglodytidae	246	Troglodytes troglodytes	suitable biotopes in the DDBR
		44	Prunellidae	247	Prunella modularis	suitable biotopes in the DDBR
		44	Prunellidae	248	Prunella montanella	Chituc (2021)
		45	Turdidae	249	Erithacus rubecula	suitable biotopes in the DDBR
				250	Cercotrichas galactotes	Istria (possible error)
				251	Luscinia svecica	suitable biotopes in the DDBR
				252	Luscinia luscinia	suitable biotopes in the DDBR
				253	Luscinia megarhynchos	suitable biotopes in the DDBR
				254	Phoenicurus ochruros	suitable biotopes in the DDBR
				255	Phoenicurus phoenicurus	suitable biotopes in the DDBR
				256	Saxicola rubetra	suitable biotopes in the DDBR
				257	Saxicola maurus	Sf. Gheorghe, Letea, Istria, Chituc (2024) (https://rombird.ro)
				258	Saxicola torquata	suitable biotopes in the DDBR
				259	Oenanthe isabellina	suitable biotopes in the DDBR
				260	Oenanthe pleschanka	Istria, Enisala
				261	Oenanthe hispanica	Istria (Vadu, 2018) (https://rombird.ro)
				262	Oenanthe oenanthe	suitable biotopes in the DDBR
				263	Monticola saxatilis	Portita (2021)
				264	Monticola solitarius	Stipoc (2018 – https://rombird.ro)
				265	Zoothera dauma	Caraorman (1984)
				266	Turdus torquatus	Doloşman, Sacalin, Istria, Lupilor Sand Levee, Ceamurlia, Vadu (2024 – https://rombird.ro)
				267	Turdus merula	suitable biotopes in the DDBR
				268	Turdus pilaris	suitable biotopes in the DDBR
				269	Turdus philomelos	suitable biotopes in the DDBR
				270	Turdus iliacus	suitable biotopes in the DDBR
				271	Turdus viscivorus	suitable biotopes in the DDBR
		46	Sylvidae	272	Cettia cetti	(Babadag L., 2025)
				273	Locustella luscinioides	suitable biotopes in the DDBR
				274	Locustella certhiola	suitable biotopes in the DDBR
				275	Locustella naevia	suitable biotopes in the DDBR
				276	Locustella fluviatilis	suitable biotopes in the DDBR
19	Passeriformes			277	Acrocephalus melanopogon	suitable biotopes in the DDBR
				278	Acrocephalus paludicola	(Istria, 2006)
				279	Acrocephalus shoenobaenus	suitable biotopes in the DDBR
				280	Acrocephalus agricola	suitable biotopes in the DDBR
				281	Acrocephalus dumetorum	Istria, Sinoie, Gr. Lupilor, Sf. Gheorghe, Chituc (2024 – https://rombird.ro)
				282	Acrocephalus palustris	suitable biotopes in the DDBR
				283	Acrocephalus scirpaceus	suitable biotopes in the DDBR
				284	Acrocephalus arundinaceus	suitable biotopes in the DDBR
				285	Hippolais pallida	suitable biotopes in the DDBR
				286	Hippolais icterina	suitable biotopes in the DDBR
				287	Sylvia cantillans	Vadu, Istria, Sf. Gheorghe (2021) (https://rombird.ro)
				288	Sylvia melanocephala	Sacalin (2006)
				289	Sylvia rueppelli	Sacalin, Sf. Gheorghe, Vadu (2009) (https://rombird.ro)
				290	Sylvia nisoria	suitable biotopes in the DDBR
				291	Sylvia curruca	suitable biotopes in the DDBR
				292	Sylvia communis	suitable biotopes in the DDBR
				293	Sylvia borin	suitable biotopes in the DDBR
				294	Sylvia atricapilla	suitable biotopes in the DDBR
				295	Sylvia nana	Chituc (1997)
				296	Sylvia crassirostris	Murighiol, Chituc (2021 – https://rombird.ro)
				297	Phylloscopus trochiloides	Sf. Gheorghe, Chituc (2022) (https://rombird.ro)
				298	Phylloscopus humei	Sf. Gheorghe, Chituc (2024) (https://rombird.ro)
				299	Phylloscopus nitidus	Chituc (2021 – https://rombird.ro)
				300	Phylloscopus inornatus	Vadu, Mahmudia, Chituc (2022) (https://rombird.ro)
				301	Phylloscopus proregulus	Sf. Gheorghe, Chituc (2024), https://rombird.ro)
				302	Phylloscopus sibilatrix	suitable biotopes in the DDBR
				303	Phylloscopus collybita	suitable biotopes in the DDBR
				304	Phylloscopus fuscatus	Sf. Gheorghe, Chituc (2023 – https://rombird.ro)
				305	Phylloscopus trochilus	suitable biotopes in the DDBR
				306	Phylloscopus orientalis	Chituc (2018 – https://rombird.ro)
				307	Phylloscopus bonelli	Chituc (2021, 2024 – https://rombird.ro)
				308	Phylloscopus schwarzi	Gr. Chituc (2023 – https://rombird.ro)
				309	Regulus regulus	suitable biotopes in the DDBR
				310	Regulus ignicapillus	suitable biotopes in the DDBR
		47	Muscicapidae	311	Muscicapa striata	suitable biotopes in the DDBR
				312	Ficedula parva	suitable biotopes in the DDBR
				313	Ficedula albicollis	suitable biotopes in the DDBR
				314	Ficedula hypoleuca	suitable biotopes in the DDBR
				315	Ficedula semitorquata	Vadu, Periprava, Istria (2019) (https://rombird.ro)
				316	Tarsiger cyanurus	Chituc (2023 – https://rombird.ro)
		48	Timaliidae	317	Panurus biarmicus	suitable biotopes in the DDBR
19	Passeriformes	49	Paridae	318	Aegithalos caudatus	suitable biotopes in the DDBR
				319	Parus palustris	suitable biotopes in the DDBR
				320	Parus lugubris	Maliuc and other areas
				321	Parus ater	suitable biotopes in the DDBR
				322	Parus caeruleus	suitable biotopes in the DDBR
				323	Parus major	suitable biotopes in the DDBR
		50	Sittidae	324	Sitta europaea	Caraorman, Tulcea (2025)
		51	Tichodromadidae	325	Trichodroma muraria	Tulcea (1992)
		52	Certhiidae	326	Certhia familiaris	suitable biotopes in the DDBR
		52	Certhiidae	327	Certhia brachydactyla	Letea, Caraorman
		53	Remizidae	328	Remiz pendulinus	suitable biotopes in the DDBR
		54	Oriolidae	329	Oriolus oriolus	suitable biotopes in the DDBR
		55	Laniidae	330	Lanius collurio	suitable biotopes in the DDBR
				331	Lanius minor	suitable biotopes in the DDBR
				332	Lanius excubitor	suitable biotopes in the DDBR
				333	Lanius senator	suitable biotopes in the DDBR
				334	Lanius nubicus	Sf. Gheorghe, Vadu (2023 – https://rombird.ro)
				335	Lanius isabellinus	Sacalin (https://rombird.ro), Gr. Lupilor (2007)
		56	Corvidae	336	Garrulus glandarius	suitable biotopes in the DDBR
				337	Pica pica	suitable biotopes in the DDBR
				338	Nucifraga caryocatactes	C. A. Rosetti, Tulcea (2022)
				339	Corvus monedula	suitable biotopes in the DDBR
				340	Corvus frugilegus	suitable biotopes in the DDBR
				341	Corvus c. cornix	suitable biotopes in the DDBR
				342	Corvus corax	suitable biotopes in the DDBR
		57	Sturnidae	343	Sturnus vulgaris	suitable biotopes in the DDBR
		57	Sturnidae	344	Sturnus roseus	suitable biotopes in the DDBR
		58	Passeridae	345	Passer domesticus	suitable biotopes in the DDBR
				346	Passer hispaniolensis	Murighiol, Sarinasuf, Caraorman and other areas
				347	Passer montanus	suitable biotopes in the DDBR
				348	Montifringilla nivalis	Sacalin (1970)
		59	Fringillidae	349	Fringilla coelebs	suitable biotopes in the DDBR
				350	Fringilla montifringilla	suitable biotopes in the DDBR
				351	Serinus serinus	suitable biotopes in the DDBR
				352	Carduelis chloris	suitable biotopes in the DDBR
				353	Carduelis carduelis	suitable biotopes in the DDBR
				354	Carduelis spinus	suitable biotopes in the DDBR
				355	Carduelis cannabina	suitable biotopes in the DDBR
				356	Carduelis flammea	Chituc (2022 – https://rombird.ro)
				357	Loxia curvirostra	Sacalin, Sf. Gheorghe, Holbina (2023 – https://rombird.ro)
				358	Carpodacus erythrinus	Istria, Cardon, Gr. Lupilor, Gr. Chituc (2023 – https://rombird.ro)
				359	Bucanetes githagineus	Sf. Gheorghe & Vadu (Sf. Gheorghe, 2016 – https://rombird.ro)
				360	Pyrrhula pyrrhula	suitable biotopes in the DDBR
				361	Coccothraustes coccothraustes	suitable biotopes in the DDBR
19	Passeriformes	60	Emberizidae	362	Calcarius lapponicus	Istria (2009) (https://rombird.ro)
				363	Plectrophenax nivalis	Iancina, Ciotica, Sălcioara, Vadu (2024, (https://rombird.ro)
				364	Emberiza leucocephalos	Sf. Gheorghe, Chituc (2023) (https://rombird.ro)
				365	Emberiza caesia	Vadu (2013) (https://rombird.ro)
				366	Emberiza rustica	Chituc (2016) (https://rombird.ro)
				367	Emberiza citrinella	suitable biotopes in the DDBR
				368	Emberiza hortulana	suitable biotopes in the DDBR
				369	Emberiza shoeniclus	suitable biotopes in the DDBR
				370	Emberiza pusilla	Periprava, Sf. Gheorghe (Chituc, 2024 – https://rombird.ro)
				371	Emberiza melanocephala	suitable biotopes in the DDBR
				372	Miliaria calandra	suitable biotopes in the DDBR
		61	Parulidae	373	Seiurus aurocapilla	Chituc (2023) (https://rombird.ro)
Total: 19 Orders		Total: 61 Families		Total: 373 Species

Conclusion

The number of bird species recorded in the Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve increased over the last two decades by 13%, from 325 to 373. This increase is determined by the growing interest in birdwatching, improved equipment performance, and increased funding for monitoring projects. The large number of bird species highlights the importance of the Danube Delta for birds and the need for protection of both the Danube Delta and its ornithofauna.

Acknowledgements

Field investigations were carried out within several research projects. We also express our gratitude to all individuals who contributed to the completion of the table dedicated to this bird checklist on the Rombird website (https://rombird.ro/). In addition, the authors thank Mr. Mihai Baciu for the initial support, without which this article would not have been written.

Additional information

Conflict of interest

The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Ethical statement

No ethical statement was reported.

Use of AI

No use of AI was reported.

Funding

No funding was reported.

Author contributions

Doroșencu Alexandru-Cătălin, Alexe Vasile, Bolboacă Lucian-Eugen, and Kiss Janos Botond contributed to the interpretation of the results. Marinov Mihai took the lead in writing the manuscript. All authors provided critical feedback and helped shape the research, analysis, and manuscript.

Author ORCIDs

Mihai Marinov https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7058-3059

Alexandru-Cătălin Doroșencu https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7629-6122

Vasile Alexe https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0360-0613

Lucian-Eugen Bolboacă https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1440-4239

Janos Botond Kiss https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1790-4992

Data availability

The authors confirm that the data supporting the findings of this study are available within the article. Some data supporting the findings of this study are also available at https://rombird.ro/.

References

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﻿Abstract

Key words

﻿Introduction

﻿Materials and methods

﻿Results and discussion

﻿Conclusion

﻿Acknowledgements

﻿Additional information