{"id":8646,"date":"2020-08-18T15:35:38","date_gmt":"2020-08-18T15:35:38","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/tiqets-blog-staging.local\/birds-in-amsterdam\/"},"modified":"2025-08-22T08:48:21","modified_gmt":"2025-08-22T08:48:21","slug":"birds-in-amsterdam","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.tiqets.com\/blog\/birds-in-amsterdam\/","title":{"rendered":"Birds in Amsterdam: A Local Guide","gt_translate_keys":[{"key":"rendered","format":"text"}]},"content":{"rendered":"\n

\u2013<\/em>\u00a0This post was written by\u00a0Mick Murray<\/strong><\/em>\u00a0\u2013<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Spending some time in Amsterdam? Birdwatching might not be the first thing you think of. But look a little closer, and you\u2019ll find that Amsterdam hosts a surprising amount of winged wildlife in its city limits \u2013 and sometimes where you least expect it. The Dutch capital is a paradise for bird lovers, and there are plenty of opportunities for keen birders to see a wide variety of species. Below you\u2019ll find a list of different birds in Amsterdam \u2013 from the standard pigeons and seagulls to some truly unexpected creatures.

Read on to find out more about nature in Amsterdam, and the amazing animals that share the city and its surroundings with their human counterparts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Parakeet (Parkiet)<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n
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\"A
Wild parakeet perches on the edge of its nest hole in the side of a tree trunk. Photo by Photography by Adri<\/a>. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

If you haven\u2019t been to Amsterdam before, there might be a bit of a surprise waiting for you in the local parks. You’ll hear some wings flapping, trees rustling, and some weird shrieking before you see them: a whole flock of colorful green parakeets flying overhead. While obviously not native to the area<\/a>, these birds are now an Amsterdam staple and really do add some color to the city (despite technically being a destructive pest).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Where do the parrots in Amsterdam come from? There are plenty of urban legends explaining their origin story; from a zoo-based breakout that seems straight out of a Pixar film to Jimi Hendrix himself somehow deciding to enhance the local ecosystem by releasing these birds in Amsterdam, for reasons perhaps only known to those who attended Woodstock.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The likeliest answer (sorry Jimi) is that these were imported for private collectors, and ended up either accidentally escaping or being let go because the owner couldn\u2019t care for them anymore. This would also explain why there was never an incident report of a zoo missing its birds \u2013 if you\u2019d just lost some valuable illegal birds you definitely weren\u2019t meant to have in your house, the police probably wouldn\u2019t be your first port of call. Despite the odds, the parakeets thrived, and are now some of the most iconic Amsterdam birds around.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Heron (Reiger)<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n
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\"A
A heron standing next to the water in Vondelpark, Amsterdam. Photo by AmyJohnsonCreative<\/a>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Herons are traditionally found near small rivers or in rural areas far removed from the urban hustle and bustle of a city like Amsterdam. However, recent decades have seen an increase in the number of herons spotted around the Dutch capital. As of 2017, there were around 5,000 herons in the Amsterdam region<\/a>; 800 of which were breeding pairs. In other words, there\u2019s a fairly stable population.

Some residents have actually grown quite friendly with the birds. In what might be the ultimate story relating to birds in Amsterdam, a heron was seen frequently returning to the same spot<\/a> where his human friend fed him some tasty chicken every day until she, unfortunately, passed away. The bird returned to the abandoned house daily \u2013 waiting for her to come back. It\u2019s like a Dutch version of Hachiko the dog, except with a lot more feathers and talons.

If you\u2019re looking for a real photo opportunity, check out the Albert Cuyp market at the start and end of the day \u2013 if there\u2019s one thing that\u2019s guaranteed to attract a bunch of herons, it\u2019s the scent of fresh (and not-so-fresh) fish ready to be sold on the market, or snatched up by a cheeky Amsterdam bird when the vendor has their back turned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stork (Ooievaar)<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n
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\"Couple
Couple of white storks in the nest. Photo by Frank Cornelissen<\/a>. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

When you think of storks, what comes to mind? Is it their uniquely reliable baby delivery service? Their big ol\u2019 beak? Your 7th-grade biology teacher, Mr. Stork?

Residents around the Westerpark and Vondelpark areas of Amsterdam might imagine their local park instead. These Amsterdam birds make for a majestic and unexpected sight around the city’s green spaces.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Visit around springtime, and you\u2019ll get to see the storks feed and raise their own offspring \u2013 which begs the question, do storks think that a magical human delivers their little baby storklings?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Swan (Zwaan)<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n
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\"A
Swans swimming along the canal in Amsterdam. Photo by alenapetrachkova<\/a>. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

These graceful creatures tend to float around the UNESCO-listed canal ring of Amsterdam, making the waterways even more scenic than they already are. Whether you\u2019re taking a stroll along the water or exploring the city on a cruise, swans are some of the most impressive birds in Amsterdam. You\u2019ll find them floating around most canals in the city \u2013 even the ones in the Red Light District.

If you\u2019re lucky enough to spot one of these elegant creatures floating by, make sure you keep your distance \u2013 especially if there are babies involved. They can go from \u2018gentle ballet-like creature\u2019 to \u2018vicious feathered warlord\u2019 very quickly, as one man found out<\/a> when trying to save a cygnet in need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Looking for more Amsterdam bird-lore? You have absolutely clicked on the right article. As recently as 2019, local police officers were called to settle a vicious territorial dispute between two families<\/a>\u2026 of swans. Seven hours, three ambulances, and two police vehicles (including a boat) later, the war was over \u2013 with only minor injuries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eurasian Magpie (Ekster)<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n
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\"Photo
Eurasian magpie during the flight. Photo by Wang LiQiang<\/a>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Known by locals as an \u2018Ekster\u2019, these highly intelligent birds can be found cawing around Amsterdam\u2019s many parks \u2013 and helping the slightly more dim-witted seagulls get into everyone\u2019s trash. Wondering how smart a bird can really be? They\u2019re actually intelligent enough to recognize their own mirror image<\/a>, which even many of us humans are finding increasingly difficult after the first half of 2020.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Combine that with the fact that they look like they\u2019re wearing elegant tuxedos, these are some of the best birds in Amsterdam to spend a couple of minutes watching. Curious by nature, they learn by closely and meticulously inspecting new things \u2013 and actually stealing these new things away to safety if they think they\u2019re under threat. This is where the popular urban myth on magpies \u2018stealing\u2019 shiny things comes from; they\u2019re actually just trying to further their education.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Coot (Koet)<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n
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\"A
Coot bird perched on the edge of a boat in Amsterdam. Photo by Andrea Izzotti<\/a>. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

If you hear a unique and slightly shrill melodious sound while walking along the canals of Amsterdam in the evening, there\u2019s a pretty good chance it\u2019s one of these guys! The humble coot is a ubiquitous sight along the city\u2019s waterways, and it\u2019s one of the Amsterdam birds you\u2019re guaranteed to see even if you\u2019re only spending an hour or two in the city.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Much like the slightly more regal-looking heron, coots have firmly established themselves as residents of Amsterdam in their own right. Local biologist Remco Daalder (who wrote an excellent book<\/a> on a specific colony of these birds in Amsterdam) has gone as far as describing coots as \u2018the most human of all birds<\/a>\u2019. There are plenty of articles<\/a> praising this humble bird for its true Amsterdammer values, like being moody, noisy, and aggressive<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Uhh, direct, straight-forward, and authentic. We meant direct, straight-forward, and authentic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Moorhen (Waterhoen)<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n
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\"The
The common moorhen swimming in a river on a sunny day. Photo by Lioneska<\/a>. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Also known in English as a swamp hen, or swamp chicken, this is basically a slightly more colorful blue version of the coot. We will not dignify this bird with a more comprehensive description.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kingfisher (IJsvogel)<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n
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\"Two
Common kingfishers in the Frankendael Park in Amsterdam. Photo by Laura Balvers<\/a>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Even if you live in Amsterdam, you might not have expected this one to be on the list. While they generally avoid areas with a lot of people (and are very elusive birds by nature), they\u2019ve been spotted in plenty of places around Amsterdam over the years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re lucky, you might see them around the Amsterdamse Bos area, Westelijk Havengebied, Gaasperpark, Amstelpark, and more. During wintertime, they can sometimes even be seen in the city center \u2013 but don\u2019t hold your breath.

Your best bet is to try the northern part of Amsterdam, which is home to an ever-growing number of breeding pairs<\/a>. Due to increasingly warm winters, the bird is becoming more comfortable in the Dutch climate, and is finding it easier and easier to make its way into the official list of common Amsterdam birds. Thanks, global warming.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Great Tit (Koolmees)<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n
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\"The
The great tit sitting on tree branch. Photo by Balazs Justin<\/a>. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Dear reader, at this point there was a golden opportunity to use some less-than-savory keywords. It would have driven a lot of Google-based traffic to this page about certain things to see in Amsterdam. Please note that we chose the high road here.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The great tit has been voted as the most frequently spotted backyard bird in Amsterdam<\/a>, which is great news for anyone who likes these colourful little visitors in their garden. While you can see this species in plenty of places around the world, there is one unique thing about these birds in Amsterdam: their song.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A study by the University of Leiden<\/a> shows that the birds actually adjust their song to the environment in which they live \u2013 in this case, the bustling symphony of squeaking bicycles, honking cars, trains, and general noise found on the streets of Amsterdam. Evidently, great tits have two different songs: one for the forest, and one for urban environments. Why not go to both and see if you can hear the difference?  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Common Swift (Gierzwaluw)<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n
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\"Swift
Common swift flying. Photo by Gallinago_media<\/a>. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

These birds are among the many exotic avian visitors to Amsterdam. Studies between 2013 and 2017 indicate that there are around 2,600 breeding pairs that return to the city every year to nest in the crevices and crannies of Amsterdam\u2019s old buildings. The city\u2019s centuries-old homes, churches, and warehouses provide the perfect place to build a safe and secluded nest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While these birds can fly up to 120 km\/h, there\u2019s one thing they can\u2019t escape from: the perils of home renovation. Newer buildings provide less space for the birds to nest in and around, making it increasingly difficult for them to safely find a home in Amsterdam. This realization prompted local residents to form an action group, specifically created to keep Amsterdam a great place for the common swift to live \u2013 an initiative that has support from the local authorities<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of the most scenic colonies can be found in a historic old church building<\/a> in De Pijp. If you arrive at the right time of year (between May and July), you might be able to see the birds flocking in a mass-migration event.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A cool and gross fact about swifts is that they build their nests primarily out of their own saliva. Use this information wisely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Egyptian Geese (Nijlgans)<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n
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\"Egyptian
Egyptian goose resting on a house boat in Amsterdam Canal. Photo by Marc Bruxelle<\/a>.
<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Half duck, half goose, 100% reminder of the fact that birds used to be dinosaurs. Egyptian geese have made the parks and waterways of Amsterdam their home in recent years. Thankfully, they\u2019re not nearly as aggressive as Canadian geese (it\u2019s still not recommended to try your luck, though).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Similar to their parakeet counterparts, Egyptian geese were brought to the Netherlands as an ornamental species \u2013 in other words, people thought they looked super interesting and wanted to collect them. Eventually they used their powerful goose brains to escape, and have since taken over a significant part of the nation as their own territory. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting fact about Egyptian geese? Their history goes a long way back \u2013 they even have their own ancient hieroglyph<\/a>. Going even further than that, the Egyptian earth god Geb <\/a>was often depicted in the form of a goose, his sacred animal of choice. He was believed to have laid a cosmic egg (hence his nickname ‘The Great Cackler’) and was considered the parent of more famous modern gods such as Osiris, Isis, and Seth. Think about that next time an Egyptian goose looks at you funny. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gulls (Meeuwen)<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n
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\"A
European herring gull in Amsterdam. Photo by Gergo Nagy<\/a>. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

The screeching, the unchecked aggression, the constant looming threat of them stealing your fries. It\u2019s seagulls. There are multiple different types of these birds in Amsterdam, and it\u2019s interesting to see the differences between them. If we had to pick a favorite seagull, it might be the black-headed gull. This is a slightly smaller and less aggressive variety, and it actually looks pretty cute for a seagull. 10\/10, would voluntarily give it some hard-earned fries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Peregrine Falcon (Slechtvalk)<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n
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\"Picture
Photo of Peregrine Falcon by Harry Collins Photography<\/a>. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Also known as the fastest bird in the world \u2013 much to the consternation of the common swift \u2013 this falcon can often be seen around the Schiphol Airport area, presumably challenging the planes to races. They can also venture into the city sometimes, and in recent years a particularly inventive couple<\/a> made their nest in one of Amsterdam\u2019s most beautiful buildings: the Rijksmuseum.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In a display of extreme ingratitude, the very same couple later left the Rijksmuseum (including the cushy nesting boxes the museum painstakingly installed for them) to live in another scenic location: the top of the Westertoren<\/a>, arguably the most picturesque tower in the city.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When they\u2019re not relaxing and living the high life, these predatory birds have a top speed of over 300 km\/h, making it an extremely difficult time to be a pigeon in Amsterdam right now.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Flamingos<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n
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\"Flock
Flock of flamingos in a swamp at the ARTIS Zoo, Amsterdam. Photo by DigiGuy<\/a>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Come to Amsterdam at the right time, and you might be lucky enough to spot a group of colorful pink flamingos in the heart of the city\u2026 at ARTIS Zoo<\/a>. The zoo has a wide variety of birds, like penguins, parrots, peacocks, pelicans \u2013 and those are just the ones starting with P.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While it\u2019s always more exciting to see birds out in the wild, ARTIS provides visitors with the chance to see some pretty amazing creatures that you simply won\u2019t find elsewhere in the Netherlands \u2013 unless you\u2019ve got a hot tip on where to find a giant toucan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Honourable mentions: <\/strong><\/em>
Blackbirds, sparrows, thrush, wood pigeons, crows, robins, starlings, ducks, and more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Looking forward to spotting some birds in Amsterdam?<\/strong> Good luck! If you’re planning to check out the flamingos, remember to get your ARTIS tickets<\/a> in advance to avoid any waiting at the door.<\/h4>\n","protected":false,"gt_translate_keys":[{"key":"rendered","format":"html"}]},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

A guide to some of the best birds in Amsterdam \u2013 featuring everything from parakeets to kingfishers, and maybe even a rogue flamingo or two.<\/p>\n","protected":false,"gt_translate_keys":[{"key":"rendered","format":"html"}]},"author":31,"featured_media":8647,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[38],"tags":[26,28,27],"class_list":["post-8646","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-amsterdam","tag-amsterdam","tag-europe","tag-the-netherlands"],"acf":[],"gt_translate_keys":[{"key":"link","format":"url"}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tiqets.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8646","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tiqets.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tiqets.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tiqets.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/31"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tiqets.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=8646"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.tiqets.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8646\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":20039,"href":"https:\/\/www.tiqets.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8646\/revisions\/20039"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tiqets.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/8647"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tiqets.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=8646"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tiqets.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=8646"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tiqets.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=8646"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}