This is a list of the bird species recorded in North Korea. The avifauna of North Korea include a total of 386 species, one of which is introduced.
This list's taxonomic treatment (designation and sequence of orders, families and species) and nomenclature (common and scientific names) follow the conventions of The Clements Checklist of Birds of the World, 2022 edition. The family accounts at the beginning of each heading reflect this taxonomy, as do the species counts found in each family account.
The following tag has been used to highlight extirpated species. The commonly occurring native species are untagged.
(A) Accidental - a species that rarely or accidentally occurs in North Korea
(I) Introduced - a species introduced to North Korea as a consequence, direct or indirect, of human actions (Ex) Extirpated - a species that no longer occurs in North Korea although populations exist elsewhere
Ducks, geese, and waterfowl
Order: AnseriformesFamily: Anatidae
Anatidae includes the ducks and most duck-like waterfowl, such as geese and swans. These birds are adapted to an aquatic existence with webbed feet, flattened bills, and feathers that are excellent at shedding water due to an oily coating.
Snow goose (흰기러기), Anser caerulescens (A) Swan goose (물개리), Anser cygnoides Greater white-fronted goose (작은기러기(쇠기러기)), Anser albifrons Lesser white-fronted goose (흰이마기러기[흰이마쇠기러기]), Anser erythropus (A) Taiga bean-goose (큰기러기), Anser fabalis Tundra bean-goose (큰기러기), Anser serrirostris Brant (검은기러기), Branta bernicla (A) Cackling goose (카나다기러기), Branta hutchinsii (A) Mute swan (흑고니), Cygnus olor (A) Tundra swan (고니[곤이]), Cygnus columbianus Whooper swan (큰고니), Cygnus cygnus Ruddy shelduck (진경이), Tadorna ferruginea (A) Common shelduck (꽃진경이), Tadorna tadorna (A) Mandarin duck (원앙), Aix galericulata Baikal teal (태극오리), Sibirionetta formosa Garganey (발구지[알락발구지]), Spatula querquedula Northern shoveler (넙적부리오리), Spatula clypeata Gadwall, Mareca strepera Falcated duck, Mareca falcata Eurasian wigeon, Mareca penelope Eastern spot-billed duck, Anas zonorhyncha Mallard, Anas platyrhynchos Northern pintail, Anas acuta Green-winged teal, Anas crecca Common pochard, Aythya ferina Baer's pochard, Aythya baeri (A) Tufted duck, Aythya fuligula Greater scaup, Aythya marila Harlequin duck, Histrionicus histrionicus Surf scoter, Melanitta perspicillata (A) Stejneger's scoter, Melanitta stejnegeri Black scoter, Melanitta americana Long-tailed duck, Clangula hyemalis Common goldeneye, Bucephala clangula Smew, Mergellus albellus Common merganser, Mergus merganser Red-breasted merganser, Mergus serrator Scaly-sided merganser (비오리[호사비오리]), Mergus squamatus (A)
Pheasants, grouse, and allies
Order: GalliformesFamily: Phasianidae
The Phasianidae are a family of terrestrial birds. In general, they are plump (although they vary in size) and have broad, relatively short wings.
Hazel grouse, Tetrastes bonasia
Black grouse, Lyrurus tetrix
Ring-necked pheasant, Phasianus colchicus
Japanese quail, Coturnix japonica
Grebes
Order: PodicipediformesFamily: Podicipedidae
Grebes are small to medium-large freshwater diving birds. They have lobed toes and are excellent swimmers and divers. However, they have their feet placed far back on the body, making them quite ungainly on land.
Little grebe, Tachybaptus ruficollis
Horned grebe, Podiceps auritus
Red-necked grebe, Podiceps grisegena
Great crested grebe, Podiceps cristatus
Eared grebe, Podiceps nigricollis
Pigeons and doves
Order: ColumbiformesFamily: Columbidae
Pigeons and doves are stout-bodied birds with short necks and short slender bills with a fleshy cere.
Rock pigeon, Columba livia (I) Hill pigeon, Columba rupestris Oriental turtle-dove, Streptopelia orientalis Eurasian collared-dove, Streptopelia decaocto (A) Red collared-dove, Streptopelia tranquebarica (A)
Sandgrouse
Order: PterocliformesFamily: Pteroclidae
Sandgrouse have small, pigeon like heads and necks, but sturdy compact bodies. They have long pointed wings and sometimes tails and a fast direct flight. Flocks fly to watering holes at dawn and dusk. Their legs are feathered down to the toes.
Pallas's sandgrouse (모래닭[사계]), Syrrhaptes paradoxus (A)