Birds to See in China in August
157 bird species on our list for China are recorded regularly in August
Of these, the most often recorded are Eurasian Tree Sparrow, Barn Swallow, Little Egret, Pied Wagtail and Little Grebe. New this month: Yellow-browed Warbler, Common Snipe, Garganey and Lesser Black-backed Gull and 3 more.
On the move in August
GBIF · AugArriving
At their peak
From China’s bird records, 2019–2024: arriving birds are regular this month but not last; leaving birds are regular this month but not next.
Other months
All 157 birds in August
157 birds
Eurasian Tree SparrowPasser montanusResidentCommon13–14 cmRecorded all year · 2.93% in Aug
Barn SwallowHirundo rusticaSummer visitorCommon17–19 cmRecorded all year · 2.20% in Aug
Little EgretEgretta garzettaResidentCommon55–65 cmRecorded all year · 2.19% in Aug
Pied WagtailMotacilla albaResidentCommon17–19 cmRecorded all year · 1.72% in Aug
Little GrebeTachybaptus ruficollisResidentCommon23–29 cmRecorded all year · 1.48% in Aug
Black-crowned Night-heronNycticorax nycticoraxResidentCommon58–65 cmRecorded all year · 1.41% in Aug
Grey HeronArdea cinereaResidentCommon90–98 cmRecorded all year · 1.27% in Aug
MoorhenGallinula chloropusResidentCommon30–38 cmRecorded all year · 1.23% in Aug
Crested MynaAcridotheres cristatellusResidentCommon24–27 cmRecorded all year · 1.10% in Aug
Great White EgretArdea albaResidentCommon80–104 cmRecorded all year · 1.03% in Aug
Common KingfisherAlcedo atthisResidentCommon16–17 cmRecorded all year · 0.99% in Aug
HoopoeUpupa epopsResidentCommon25–32 cmRecorded all year · 0.83% in Aug
MallardAnas platyrhynchosResidentCommon50–65 cmRecorded all year · 0.77% in Aug
Common SandpiperActitis hypoleucosResidentCommon18–20 cmRecorded all year · 0.66% in Aug
Great Crested GrebePodiceps cristatusResidentCommon46–51 cmRecorded all year · 0.64% in Aug
CootFulica atraResidentCommon36–42 cmRecorded all year · 0.62% in Aug
Common TernSterna hirundoSummer visitorCommon31–35 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.58% in Aug
GreenshankTringa nebulariaResidentCommon30–35 cmRecorded all year · 0.58% in Aug
Great Spotted WoodpeckerDendrocopos majorResidentCommon23–26 cmRecorded all year · 0.54% in Aug
Black-headed GullChroicocephalus ridibundusResidentCommon38–44 cmRecorded all year · 0.49% in Aug
Great CormorantPhalacrocorax carboResidentCommon80–100 cmRecorded all year · 0.49% in Aug
KestrelFalco tinnunculusResidentCommon32–39 cmRecorded all year · 0.48% in Aug
Wood SandpiperTringa glareolaSummer visitorUncommon19–21 cmRecorded all year · 0.47% in Aug
Little Ringed PloverThinornis dubiusSummer visitorCommon14–17 cmRecorded all year · 0.45% in Aug
Kentish PloverCharadrius alexandrinusResidentUncommon15–17 cmRecorded all year · 0.42% in Aug
Black-tailed GullLarus crassirostrisSummer visitorUncommon43–51 cmRecorded all year · 0.40% in Aug
Common PheasantPhasianus colchicusResidentCommon50–90 cmRecorded all year · 0.39% in Aug
RedshankTringa totanusSummer visitorUncommon27–29 cmRecorded all year · 0.37% in Aug
WhimbrelNumenius phaeopusSummer visitorUncommon40–46 cmRegularly Apr–Jan · 0.37% in Aug
Marsh TitPoecile palustrisResidentCommon12–13 cmRecorded all year · 0.36% in Aug
Black-tailed GodwitLimosa limosaSummer visitorUncommon40–44 cmRecorded all year · 0.35% in Aug
Grey WagtailMotacilla cinereaResidentCommon17–20 cmRecorded all year · 0.34% in Aug
Rock DoveColumba liviaResidentUncommon31–34 cmRecorded all year · 0.33% in Aug
Gull-billed TernGelochelidon niloticaSummer visitorUncommon33–42 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.33% in Aug
Eurasian Collared DoveStreptopelia decaoctoResidentUncommon30–32 cmRecorded all year · 0.31% in Aug
Plumbeous Water-redstartPhoenicurus fuliginosusResidentUncommon12–15 cmRecorded all year · 0.30% in Aug
Purple HeronArdea purpureaSummer visitorUncommon78–90 cmRecorded all year · 0.29% in Aug
Little TernSternula albifronsSummer visitorUncommon21–25 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.29% in Aug
White-winged TernChlidonias leucopterusSummer visitorUncommon20–27 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.28% in Aug
Green SandpiperTringa ochropusWinter visitorUncommon21–24 cmRecorded all year · 0.28% in Aug
AvocetRecurvirostra avosettaResidentUncommon42–45 cmRecorded all year · 0.26% in Aug
Red-billed ChoughPyrrhocorax pyrrhocoraxSummer visitorUncommon39–43 cmRecorded all year · 0.26% in Aug
HobbyFalco subbuteoSummer visitorCommon28–35 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.23% in Aug
Black RedstartPhoenicurus ochrurosSummer visitorUncommon13–15 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.23% in Aug
Sharp-tailed SandpiperCalidris acuminataSummer visitorUncommon17–22 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.22% in Aug
Ruddy ShelduckTadorna ferrugineaResidentCommon58–70 cmRecorded all year · 0.21% in Aug
DunlinCalidris alpinaWinter visitorUncommon16–22 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.21% in Aug
Scaly-breasted MuniaLonchura punctulataResidentUncommon11–12 cmRecorded all year · 0.21% in Aug
CuckooCuculus canorusSummer visitorCommon32–34 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.21% in Aug
Ruddy TurnstoneArenaria interpresSummer visitorUncommon21–24 cmRecorded all year · 0.19% in Aug
CurlewNumenius arquataResidentUncommon50–60 cmRecorded all year · 0.19% in Aug
Grey PloverPluvialis squatarolaResidentUncommon27–30 cmRecorded all year · 0.19% in Aug
Peregrine FalconFalco peregrinusWinter visitorUncommon34–58 cmRecorded all year · 0.19% in Aug
Spotted RedshankTringa erythropusResidentUncommon29–31 cmRecorded all year · 0.19% in Aug
Mandarin DuckAix galericulataResidentUncommon41–49 cmRecorded all year · 0.18% in Aug
Yellow-browed WarblerPhylloscopus inornatusWinter visitorCommon10–11 cmRegularly Aug–May · 0.17% in Aug
Bar-tailed GodwitLimosa lapponicaSummer visitorUncommon37–41 cmRecorded all year · 0.16% in Aug
Common RosefinchCarpodacus erythrinusSummer visitorUncommon13–15 cmRecorded all year · 0.15% in Aug
Pacific Golden-PloverPluvialis fulvaWinter visitorUncommon23–26 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.15% in Aug
Common SnipeGallinago gallinagoWinter visitorUncommon25–27 cmRegularly Aug–Jun · 0.15% in Aug
Carrion CrowCorvus coroneResidentCommon45–47 cmRecorded all year · 0.14% in Aug
Coal TitPeriparus aterResidentUncommon10–12 cmRecorded all year · 0.13% in Aug
Sand MartinRiparia ripariaSummer visitorUncommon12–14 cmRegularly Mar–Nov · 0.12% in Aug
Horned LarkEremophila alpestrisSummer visitorUncommon16–20 cmRegularly Apr–Feb · 0.12% in Aug
Curlew SandpiperCalidris ferrugineaSummer visitorUncommon18–23 cmRegularly Mar–Oct · 0.12% in Aug
Red KnotCalidris canutusSummer visitorUncommon23–26 cmRegularly Mar–Jan · 0.11% in Aug
SanderlingCalidris albaSummer visitorUncommon18–20 cmRecorded all year · 0.11% in Aug
Temminck's StintCalidris temminckiiWinter visitorUncommon13–15 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.11% in Aug
TwiteLinaria flavirostrisSummer visitorUncommon13–14 cmRecorded all year · 0.11% in Aug
Red-crested PochardNetta rufinaResidentUncommon53–57 cmRecorded all year · 0.10% in Aug
Greylag GooseAnser anserResidentUncommon75–90 cmRecorded all year · 0.10% in Aug
Eurasian JayGarrulus glandariusResidentUncommon32–35 cmRecorded all year · 0.10% in Aug
Common SwiftApus apusSummer visitorCommon16–17 cmRegularly Apr–Aug · 0.10% in Aug
Eurasian SpoonbillPlatalea leucorodiaWinter visitorUncommon80–90 cmRecorded all year · 0.10% in Aug
Bar-headed GooseAnser indicusResidentUncommon68–78 cmRecorded all year · 0.09% in Aug
Black EagleIctinaetus malaiensisResidentUncommon65–80 cmRecorded all year · 0.09% in Aug
Willow TitPoecile montanusResidentUncommon11–12 cmRecorded all year · 0.09% in Aug
Common RavenCorvus coraxSummer visitorUncommon54–67 cmRecorded all year · 0.09% in Aug
Little OwlAthene noctuaResidentUncommon21–23 cmRecorded all year · 0.08% in Aug
Swan GooseAnser cygnoidesWinter visitorUncommon81–94 cmRecorded all year · 0.08% in Aug
WryneckJynx torquillaWinter visitorUncommon16–18 cmRecorded all year · 0.08% in Aug
Blue Rock-thrushMonticola solitariusResidentUncommon21–23 cmRecorded all year · 0.08% in Aug
Vega GullLarus vegaeWinter visitorUncommon55–67 cmRegularly Jun–Apr · 0.07% in Aug
Northern LapwingVanellus vanellusWinter visitorUncommon28–31 cmRecorded all year · 0.07% in Aug
PochardAythya ferinaWinter visitorUncommon42–49 cmRecorded all year · 0.07% in Aug
SparrowhawkAccipiter nisusWinter visitorCommon28–38 cmRecorded all year · 0.07% in Aug
Crag MartinPtyonoprogne rupestrisSummer visitorUncommon14–15 cmRegularly Mar–Jan · 0.07% in Aug
Red-necked PhalaropePhalaropus lobatusPassage migrantUncommon18–19 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.07% in Aug
Eurasian OystercatcherHaematopus ostralegusSummer visitorUncommon40–45 cmRecorded all year · 0.06% in Aug
Common ShelduckTadorna tadornaResidentUncommon58–67 cmRecorded all year · 0.06% in Aug
GarganeySpatula querquedulaWinter visitorUncommon37–41 cmRegularly Aug–Jun · 0.06% in Aug
Eurasian NuthatchSitta europaeaResidentUncommon12–15 cmRecorded all year · 0.06% in Aug
Golden EagleAquila chrysaetosResidentUncommon66–102 cmRecorded all year · 0.05% in Aug
Bearded TitPanurus biarmicusResidentUncommon13–15 cmRecorded all year · 0.05% in Aug
GadwallMareca streperaWinter visitorCommon46–56 cmRecorded all year · 0.05% in Aug
Black-necked GrebePodiceps nigricollisResidentUncommon28–34 cmRecorded all year · 0.04% in Aug
Black SwanCygnus atratusResidentUncommon110–142 cmRecorded all year · 0.04% in Aug
Oriental Honey-buzzardPernis ptilorhynchusSummer visitorUncommon52–68 cmRecorded all year · 0.04% in Aug
Roseate TernSterna dougalliiSummer visitorRare33–41 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.04% in Aug
White-tailed RobinMyiomela leucuraResidentUncommon16–18 cmRecorded all year · 0.04% in Aug
Common MerganserMergus merganserWinter visitorCommon58–68 cmRegularly Jun–Apr · 0.04% in Aug
OspreyPandion haliaetusWinter visitorUncommon54–58 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.04% in Aug
Oriental Scops-owlOtus suniaSummer visitorUncommon16–20 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.04% in Aug
Red CrossbillLoxia curvirostraResidentUncommon15–17 cmRecorded all year · 0.04% in Aug
DipperCinclus cinclusSummer visitorUncommon17–20 cmRecorded all year · 0.03% in Aug
Eurasian WrenTroglodytes troglodytesResidentUncommon9–10 cmRecorded all year · 0.03% in Aug
Tufted DuckAythya fuligulaWinter visitorUncommon40–47 cmRegularly Jun–Apr · 0.03% in Aug
GoldcrestRegulus regulusWinter visitorUncommon9–10 cmRecorded all year · 0.03% in Aug
House SparrowPasser domesticusSummer visitorUncommon14–17 cmRecorded all year · 0.03% in Aug
Eurasian SkylarkAlauda arvensisWinter visitorUncommon16–18 cmRecorded all year · 0.03% in Aug
RuffCalidris pugnaxWinter visitorUncommon20–32 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.03% in Aug
Eurasian BitternBotaurus stellarisResidentUncommon69–81 cmRecorded all year · 0.02% in Aug
Whooper SwanCygnus cygnusWinter visitorUncommon140–165 cmRecorded all year · 0.02% in Aug
Alpine ChoughPyrrhocorax graculusSummer visitorUncommon36–39 cmRegularly Apr–Dec · 0.02% in Aug
TreecreeperCerthia familiarisResidentUncommon12–14 cmRecorded all year · 0.02% in Aug
RookCorvus frugilegusResidentUncommon45–47 cmRecorded all year · 0.02% in Aug
WheatearOenanthe oenantheSummer visitorUncommon15–16 cmRegularly Apr–Aug · 0.02% in Aug
Lady Amherst's PheasantChrysolophus amherstiaeSummer visitorUncommon100–120 cmRegularly Dec–Oct · 0.02% in Aug
Little StintCalidris minutaPassage migrantRare13–15 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.02% in Aug
Orange-headed ThrushGeokichla citrinaResidentRare20–23 cmRecorded all year · 0.02% in Aug
Booted EagleHieraaetus pennatusSummer visitorUncommon42–51 cmRegularly Mar–Dec · 0.01% in Aug
Lesser WhitethroatCurruca currucaSummer visitorRare11–13 cmRegularly May–Nov · 0.01% in Aug
Rufous-tailed Rock-thrushMonticola saxatilisSummer visitorRare16–19 cmRegularly May–Aug · 0.01% in Aug
Cinereous VultureAegypius monachusResidentUncommon98–120 cmRegularly Oct–Aug · 0.01% in Aug
Blue-eared BarbetPsilopogon cyanotisResidentRare20–23 cmRegularly Oct–Aug · 0.01% in Aug
Great TitParus majorSummer visitorUncommonRegularly Feb–Dec · 0.01% in Aug
Red-necked GrebePodiceps grisegenaPassage migrantRare40–50 cmRegularly Apr–Aug · 0.01% in Aug
ChukarAlectoris chukarResidentRare32–38 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in Aug
MagpiePica picaSummer visitorUncommon44–46 cmRegularly May–Feb · 0.01% in Aug
European GoldfinchCarduelis carduelisSummer visitorUncommon12–13 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.01% in Aug
BuzzardButeo buteoSummer visitorRare51–57 cmRegularly May–Jan · 0.01% in Aug
Desert FinchRhodospiza obsoletaSummer visitorRare13–14 cmRegularly Jan–Aug · 0.01% in Aug
Long-tailed TitAegithalos caudatusWinter visitorUncommon13–16 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in Aug
Red JunglefowlGallus gallusResidentRare42–75 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in Aug
Reed BuntingEmberiza schoeniclusResidentUncommon14–16 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in Aug
Spotted FlycatcherMuscicapa striataSummer visitorRare14–16 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.01% in Aug
Golden PheasantChrysolophus pictusSummer visitorUncommon90–105 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in Aug
Horned GrebePodiceps auritusResidentRare31–38 cmRegularly Apr–Feb · 0.01% in Aug
House MartinDelichon urbicumSummer visitorUncommon13–15 cmRegularly May–Aug · 0.01% in Aug
Little BitternIxobrychus minutusSummer visitorRare33–38 cmRegularly May–Aug · 0.01% in Aug
Common StarlingSturnus vulgarisResidentUncommon21–23 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in Aug
Glossy IbisPlegadis falcinellusResidentRare48–66 cmRegularly Dec–Sep · 0.01% in Aug
Lesser Black-backed GullLarus fuscusWinter visitorUncommon52–64 cmRegularly Aug–May · 0.01% in Aug
Ringed PloverCharadrius hiaticulaPassage migrantRare17–19 cmRegularly Aug–Apr · 0.01% in Aug
NightingaleLuscinia megarhynchosSummer visitorUncommon15–17 cmRegularly May–Aug · 0.00% in Aug
Bonelli's EagleAquila fasciataResidentRare65–72 cmRecorded all year · 0.00% in Aug
Red-backed ShrikeLanius collurioSummer visitorRare16–18 cmRegularly May–Aug · 0.00% in Aug
Stock DoveColumba oenasSummer visitorRare32–34 cmRegularly May–Dec · 0.00% in Aug
ChaffinchFringilla coelebsResidentUncommon14–16 cmRegularly Oct–Aug · 0.00% in Aug
Muscovy DuckCairina moschataResidentRare66–84 cmRecorded all year · 0.00% in Aug
Common RedstartPhoenicurus phoenicurusSummer visitorRare13–15 cmRegularly May–Aug · 0.00% in Aug
JackdawColoeus monedulaSummer visitorRare34–39 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.00% in Aug
Lesser Spotted WoodpeckerDryobates minorResidentRare14–16 cmRegularly May–Mar · 0.00% in Aug
Long-billed DowitcherLimnodromus scolopaceusPassage migrantRare27–30 cmRegularly Aug–Apr · 0.00% in Aug
Tree PipitAnthus trivialisSummer visitorRare14–16 cmRegularly May–Aug · 0.00% in Aug
Western Marsh-harrierCircus aeruginosusSummer visitorRare48–56 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.00% in Aug
NightjarCaprimulgus europaeusSummer visitorRare24–28 cmRegularly May–Aug · 0.00% in Aug
Data: EOD – eBird Observation Dataset (Cornell Lab of Ornithology), accessed via GBIF.org, CC BY 4.0. Records from 2019–2024, aggregated and filtered by Birdfact. How these lists are made

