Birds to See in Switzerland in December
151 bird species on our list for Switzerland are recorded regularly in December
Of these, the most often recorded are Carrion Crow, Great Tit, Blackbird, Blue Tit and Chaffinch. New this month: Green Sandpiper, Tundra Bean Goose, Smew and Swan Goose.
On the move in December
GBIF · DecArriving
At their peak
Great White EgretBusiest month of the year · All year
Black-necked GrebeBusiest month of the year · Aug–May
Eurasian WigeonBusiest month of the year · Sep–May
CurlewBusiest month of the year · All year
Red-breasted MerganserBusiest month of the year · Nov–May
Hen HarrierBusiest month of the year · Oct–Apr
From Switzerland’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 151 birds in December
151 birds
Carrion CrowCorvus coroneResidentCommon45–47 cmRecorded all year · 4.35% in Dec
Great TitParus majorResidentCommonRecorded all year · 3.70% in Dec
BlackbirdTurdus merulaResidentCommon24–25 cmRecorded all year · 3.58% in Dec
Blue TitCyanistes caeruleusResidentCommon11–12 cmRecorded all year · 3.30% in Dec
ChaffinchFringilla coelebsResidentCommon14–16 cmRecorded all year · 3.10% in Dec
MallardAnas platyrhynchosResidentCommon50–65 cmRecorded all year · 2.70% in Dec
European RobinErithacus rubeculaResidentCommon13–14 cmRecorded all year · 2.65% in Dec
House SparrowPasser domesticusResidentCommon14–17 cmRecorded all year · 2.53% in Dec
MagpiePica picaResidentCommon44–46 cmRecorded all year · 2.26% in Dec
Grey HeronArdea cinereaResidentCommon90–98 cmRecorded all year · 2.23% in Dec
Black-headed GullChroicocephalus ridibundusResidentCommon38–44 cmRecorded all year · 2.23% in Dec
CootFulica atraResidentCommon36–42 cmRecorded all year · 2.17% in Dec
Great CormorantPhalacrocorax carboResidentCommon80–100 cmRecorded all year · 2.11% in Dec
Yellow-legged GullLarus michahellisResidentCommon52–68 cmRecorded all year · 2.00% in Dec
Great Crested GrebePodiceps cristatusResidentCommon46–51 cmRecorded all year · 1.92% in Dec
BuzzardButeo buteoResidentCommon51–57 cmRecorded all year · 1.89% in Dec
Mute SwanCygnus olorResidentCommon140–160 cmRecorded all year · 1.83% in Dec
Common MerganserMergus merganserResidentCommon58–68 cmRecorded all year · 1.78% in Dec
Tufted DuckAythya fuligulaResidentCommon40–47 cmRecorded all year · 1.67% in Dec
Red KiteMilvus milvusResidentCommon60–66 cmRecorded all year · 1.52% in Dec
Eurasian WrenTroglodytes troglodytesResidentCommon9–10 cmRecorded all year · 1.51% in Dec
Great Spotted WoodpeckerDendrocopos majorResidentCommon23–26 cmRecorded all year · 1.47% in Dec
MoorhenGallinula chloropusResidentCommon30–38 cmRecorded all year · 1.26% in Dec
WoodpigeonColumba palumbusResidentCommon40–42 cmRecorded all year · 1.24% in Dec
Eurasian JayGarrulus glandariusResidentCommon32–35 cmRecorded all year · 1.23% in Dec
PochardAythya ferinaWinter visitorCommon42–49 cmRecorded all year · 1.21% in Dec
GadwallMareca streperaWinter visitorCommon46–56 cmRecorded all year · 1.20% in Dec- Great White EgretArdea albaWinter visitorCommon80–104 cmRecorded all year · 1.19% in Dec
Little GrebeTachybaptus ruficollisResidentCommon23–29 cmRecorded all year · 1.14% in Dec
Pied WagtailMotacilla albaResidentCommon17–19 cmRecorded all year · 1.12% in Dec
GreenfinchChloris chlorisResidentCommon15–16 cmRecorded all year · 1.11% in Dec
Rock DoveColumba liviaResidentCommon31–34 cmRecorded all year · 1.07% in Dec
Eurasian NuthatchSitta europaeaResidentCommon12–15 cmRecorded all year · 1.06% in Dec
Marsh TitPoecile palustrisResidentCommon12–13 cmRecorded all year · 1.02% in Dec
Grey WagtailMotacilla cinereaResidentCommon17–20 cmRecorded all year · 1.02% in Dec
European GoldfinchCarduelis carduelisResidentCommon12–13 cmRecorded all year · 1.01% in Dec
KestrelFalco tinnunculusResidentCommon32–39 cmRecorded all year · 0.97% in Dec
Long-tailed TitAegithalos caudatusResidentCommon13–16 cmRecorded all year · 0.97% in Dec
Common KingfisherAlcedo atthisWinter visitorCommon16–17 cmRecorded all year · 0.94% in Dec
Short-toed TreecreeperCerthia brachydactylaResidentCommon12–14 cmRecorded all year · 0.93% in Dec
Eurasian TealAnas creccaWinter visitorCommon34–38 cmRecorded all year · 0.89% in Dec
Eurasian SiskinSpinus spinusWinter visitorCommon11–13 cmRecorded all year · 0.87% in Dec
Eurasian Tree SparrowPasser montanusResidentCommon13–14 cmRecorded all year · 0.86% in Dec
Eurasian Collared DoveStreptopelia decaoctoResidentCommon30–32 cmRecorded all year · 0.81% in Dec
Common GullLarus canusWinter visitorCommon40–46 cmRegularly Nov–Apr · 0.80% in Dec
European Green WoodpeckerPicus viridisResidentCommon30–36 cmRecorded all year · 0.76% in Dec
Red-crested PochardNetta rufinaResidentCommon53–57 cmRecorded all year · 0.73% in Dec
Northern ShovelerSpatula clypeataWinter visitorCommon44–51 cmRegularly Aug–May · 0.64% in Dec
GoldcrestRegulus regulusResidentCommon9–10 cmRecorded all year · 0.61% in Dec
RookCorvus frugilegusResidentCommon45–47 cmRecorded all year · 0.60% in Dec
Coal TitPeriparus aterResidentCommon10–12 cmRecorded all year · 0.59% in Dec
GoldeneyeBucephala clangulaWinter visitorCommon40–51 cmRegularly Nov–Mar · 0.58% in Dec
Water RailRallus aquaticusResidentCommon23–28 cmRecorded all year · 0.57% in Dec
ChiffchaffPhylloscopus collybitaSummer visitorCommon10–12 cmRecorded all year · 0.55% in Dec
FieldfareTurdus pilarisResidentCommon22–27 cmRecorded all year · 0.55% in Dec
Greylag GooseAnser anserResidentCommon75–90 cmRecorded all year · 0.54% in Dec
Reed BuntingEmberiza schoeniclusResidentCommon14–16 cmRecorded all year · 0.53% in Dec
Water PipitAnthus spinolettaResidentCommon15–17 cmRecorded all year · 0.50% in Dec
Mistle ThrushTurdus viscivorusResidentCommon26–29 cmRecorded all year · 0.50% in Dec
Common StarlingSturnus vulgarisResidentCommon21–23 cmRecorded all year · 0.47% in Dec
Common RavenCorvus coraxResidentCommon54–67 cmRecorded all year · 0.47% in Dec
HawfinchCoccothraustes coccothraustesWinter visitorUncommon17–18 cmRecorded all year · 0.45% in Dec- Black-necked GrebePodiceps nigricollisWinter visitorUncommon28–34 cmRegularly Aug–May · 0.44% in Dec
BramblingFringilla montifringillaWinter visitorCommon14–16 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.44% in Dec
SparrowhawkAccipiter nisusResidentCommon28–38 cmRecorded all year · 0.43% in Dec
JackdawColoeus monedulaResidentCommon34–39 cmRecorded all year · 0.43% in Dec
Crested TitLophophanes cristatusResidentCommon11–12 cmRecorded all year · 0.42% in Dec
Common SnipeGallinago gallinagoWinter visitorCommon25–27 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.41% in Dec- Eurasian WigeonMareca penelopeWinter visitorUncommon42–51 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.40% in Dec
- CurlewNumenius arquataWinter visitorUncommon50–60 cmRecorded all year · 0.39% in Dec
Northern PintailAnas acutaWinter visitorUncommon59–76 cmRegularly Aug–May · 0.35% in Dec
BullfinchPyrrhula pyrrhulaResidentUncommon15–17 cmRecorded all year · 0.35% in Dec
FirecrestRegulus ignicapillaResidentCommon9–10 cmRecorded all year · 0.35% in Dec
DipperCinclus cinclusResidentUncommon17–20 cmRecorded all year · 0.33% in Dec
Ruddy ShelduckTadorna ferrugineaResidentUncommon58–70 cmRecorded all year · 0.31% in Dec
Egyptian GooseAlopochen aegyptiacaResidentUncommon63–73 cmRecorded all year · 0.29% in Dec
YellowhammerEmberiza citrinellaResidentCommon16–17 cmRecorded all year · 0.29% in Dec
Alpine ChoughPyrrhocorax graculusResidentCommon36–39 cmRecorded all year · 0.23% in Dec
Hooded CrowCorvus cornixResidentUncommon44–51 cmRecorded all year · 0.22% in Dec
Black RedstartPhoenicurus ochrurosSummer visitorCommon13–15 cmRecorded all year · 0.22% in Dec
Whooper SwanCygnus cygnusWinter visitorUncommon140–165 cmRegularly Nov–Mar · 0.22% in Dec- Red-breasted MerganserMergus serratorWinter visitorUncommon52–58 cmRegularly Nov–May · 0.22% in Dec
Eurasian SkylarkAlauda arvensisResidentUncommon16–18 cmRecorded all year · 0.20% in Dec
Meadow PipitAnthus pratensisWinter visitorCommon14–15 cmRegularly Sep–Apr · 0.20% in Dec- Hen HarrierCircus cyaneusWinter visitorUncommon41–52 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.19% in Dec
DunnockPrunella modularisResidentUncommon14–15 cmRecorded all year · 0.19% in Dec
Common ShelduckTadorna tadornaWinter visitorUncommon58–67 cmRecorded all year · 0.19% in Dec
Eurasian BitternBotaurus stellarisWinter visitorUncommon69–81 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.19% in Dec
Arctic LoonGavia arcticaWinter visitorUncommon58–77 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.18% in Dec
RedwingTurdus iliacusWinter visitorUncommon20–24 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.17% in Dec
Peregrine FalconFalco peregrinusResidentUncommon34–58 cmRecorded all year · 0.17% in Dec
Willow TitPoecile montanusResidentUncommon11–12 cmRecorded all year · 0.15% in Dec
Red CrossbillLoxia curvirostraResidentUncommon15–17 cmRecorded all year · 0.14% in Dec
Lesser Black-backed GullLarus fuscusResidentUncommon52–64 cmRecorded all year · 0.13% in Dec
European Herring GullLarus argentatusWinter visitorUncommon55–67 cmRegularly Sep–Apr · 0.12% in Dec
Song ThrushTurdus philomelosSummer visitorCommon20–23 cmRecorded all year · 0.12% in Dec
EiderSomateria mollissimaWinter visitorUncommon50–71 cmRecorded all year · 0.12% in Dec
TreecreeperCerthia familiarisResidentUncommon12–14 cmRecorded all year · 0.12% in Dec
Western Marsh-harrierCircus aeruginosusSummer visitorUncommon48–56 cmRecorded all year · 0.12% in Dec
Common SandpiperActitis hypoleucosWinter visitorCommon18–20 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.11% in Dec
Northern GoshawkAstur gentilisResidentUncommon46–61 cmRecorded all year · 0.11% in Dec
StonechatSaxicola rubicolaSummer visitorUncommon12–13 cmRecorded all year · 0.11% in Dec
Great Grey ShrikeLanius excubitorWinter visitorUncommon22–26 cmRegularly Sep–Mar · 0.10% in Dec
LinnetLinaria cannabinaSummer visitorCommon13–14 cmRecorded all year · 0.10% in Dec
Little GullHydrocoloeus minutusWinter visitorUncommon25–30 cmRegularly Apr–Feb · 0.09% in Dec
Velvet ScoterMelanitta fuscaWinter visitorUncommon51–58 cmRegularly Nov–Apr · 0.08% in Dec
Greater White-fronted GooseAnser albifronsWinter visitorUncommon64–81 cmRegularly Nov–Mar · 0.08% in Dec
Red-necked GrebePodiceps grisegenaWinter visitorUncommon40–50 cmRegularly Nov–Apr · 0.08% in Dec
Bearded TitPanurus biarmicusResidentUncommon13–15 cmRecorded all year · 0.07% in Dec
Northern LapwingVanellus vanellusResidentUncommon28–31 cmRecorded all year · 0.07% in Dec
Horned GrebePodiceps auritusWinter visitorUncommon31–38 cmRegularly Nov–May · 0.07% in Dec
Golden EagleAquila chrysaetosResidentUncommon66–102 cmRecorded all year · 0.07% in Dec
Greater ScaupAythya marilaWinter visitorUncommon39–56 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.06% in Dec
Mediterranean GullIchthyaetus melanocephalusResidentUncommon37–40 cmRecorded all year · 0.06% in Dec
Barnacle GooseBranta leucopsisWinter visitorUncommon58–70 cmRecorded all year · 0.06% in Dec
Common LoonGavia immerWinter visitorUncommon66–91 cmRegularly Nov–Mar · 0.06% in Dec
Stock DoveColumba oenasResidentUncommon32–34 cmRecorded all year · 0.06% in Dec
Tawny OwlStrix alucoResidentUncommon37–43 cmRecorded all year · 0.06% in Dec
Little EgretEgretta garzettaSummer visitorUncommon55–65 cmRecorded all year · 0.05% in Dec
Golden PloverPluvialis apricariaPassage migrantUncommon26–29 cmRegularly Nov–Apr · 0.05% in Dec
DunlinCalidris alpinaWinter visitorUncommon16–22 cmRegularly Aug–Apr · 0.05% in Dec
Lesser Spotted WoodpeckerDryobates minorResidentUncommon14–16 cmRecorded all year · 0.05% in Dec
Red-breasted GooseBranta ruficollisWinter visitorUncommon53–56 cmRegularly Jun–Apr · 0.05% in Dec
SerinSerinus serinusSummer visitorCommon11–12 cmRegularly Feb–Dec · 0.05% in Dec
SmewMergellus albellusWinter visitorRare38–44 cmRegularly Dec–Apr · 0.04% in Dec
Tundra SwanCygnus columbianusWinter visitorRare120–150 cmRegularly Nov–Feb · 0.04% in Dec
Great Black-backed GullLarus marinusWinter visitorUncommon64–79 cmRegularly Nov–Feb · 0.04% in Dec
Mandarin DuckAix galericulataResidentRare41–49 cmRecorded all year · 0.04% in Dec
Jack SnipeLymnocryptes minimusWinter visitorRare17–19 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.04% in Dec
Red-throated LoonGavia stellataWinter visitorRare53–69 cmRegularly Nov–May · 0.03% in Dec
Cattle EgretArdea ibisResidentUncommon46–56 cmRecorded all year · 0.03% in Dec
Common RedpollAcanthis flammeaSummer visitorUncommon12–14 cmRecorded all year · 0.03% in Dec
MerlinFalco columbariusWinter visitorRare24–33 cmRegularly Sep–Apr · 0.03% in Dec
Common CraneGrus grusWinter visitorUncommon100–130 cmRegularly Oct–May · 0.03% in Dec
Tundra Bean GooseAnser serrirostrisWinter visitorUncommon66–84 cmRegularly Dec–Mar · 0.03% in Dec
Green SandpiperTringa ochropusWinter visitorUncommon21–24 cmRegularly Jun–Apr · 0.02% in Dec
Corn BuntingEmberiza calandraSummer visitorUncommon16–19 cmRecorded all year · 0.02% in Dec
Long-tailed DuckClangula hyemalisWinter visitorRare37–60 cmRegularly Nov–Apr · 0.02% in Dec
Eurasian OystercatcherHaematopus ostralegusWinter visitorRare40–45 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.02% in Dec
Cirl BuntingEmberiza cirlusResidentUncommon15–17 cmRecorded all year · 0.02% in Dec
Eurasian WoodcockScolopax rusticolaWinter visitorRare33–38 cmRegularly Sep–Jun · 0.02% in Dec
Common PheasantPhasianus colchicusResidentUncommon50–90 cmRecorded all year · 0.02% in Dec
Common ScoterMelanitta nigraWinter visitorRare43–54 cmRegularly Nov–Feb · 0.01% in Dec
Black GrouseLyrurus tetrixSummer visitorUncommon40–55 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in Dec
WoodlarkLullula arboreaSummer visitorUncommon15–17 cmRegularly Oct–Jul · 0.01% in Dec
Wood DuckAix sponsaResidentRare47–54 cmRegularly Apr–Feb · 0.01% in Dec
Muscovy DuckCairina moschataResidentRare66–84 cmRegularly Sep–Jul · 0.01% in Dec
Barn OwlTyto albaResidentRare33–39 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in Dec
Red-billed ChoughPyrrhocorax pyrrhocoraxResidentRare39–43 cmRegularly Apr–Feb · 0.01% in Dec
Black SwanCygnus atratusPassage migrantRare110–142 cmRegularly Apr–Jan · 0.00% in Dec
Swan GooseAnser cygnoidesPassage migrantRare81–94 cmRegularly Oct–Jan · 0.00% in Dec
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