Well recognized group of animals living in Knyszyn Forest are birds. Their abundance  of both number of species and pairs result from unique nature value that can be found in primeval forest.

There have been recorded over than 160 bird species in Knyszyn Forest Landscape Park. 153 of them are probably breeding ones while 143 are defenitely breeding. 

Among such great number some of them constitute dominant species which can be met during the first trip to the forest or strolling in the meadow. These are: chaffinch  Fringilla coelebs, wood warbler Phylloscopus sibilatrix, robin  Erithacus rubecula, chiffchaff  Phylloscopus collybita, goldcrest Regulus regulus, song trush Turdus philomelos, yellowhammer Emberiza citrinella, tree pipit Anthus trivialis and skylark Alauda arvensis.

Pygmy owl. Fot. Arch KFLP

The fact that  Knyszyn Forest  has the boreal character is confirmed by the occurrence of such species as: northern bullfinch Pyrrhula pyrrhula, nutcracker Nucifraga caryocatactes and red crossbill Loxia curvirostra.

Important role in diversity of avifauna’s species composition is fulfiled by river valleys. Despite of the fact that they are managed by people and rivers are partialy regulated the valleys make the bird’s world richer. 

River valleys related species are divided into 3 groups:

1. Water type species occurrying in natural river fragments and  old-river beds. They include: grebes, ducks, terns, common heron Ardea cinerea, coot  Fulica atra, kingfisher Alcedo atthis and  rushes or sedgelands related species: harriers,  redshank Tringa totanus, common snipe Gallinago gallinago, corn crake Crex crex, penduline tit Remiz pendulinus, grasshopper Locustella naevia, rosefinch  Carpodacus erythrinus.

2. Birds of deforestationed river valleys: white stork Ciconia ciconia, partridge Perdix perdix, coturnix Coturnix coturnix, lapwing Vanellus vanellus, meadow pipit Anthus pratensis, white wagtail Motacilla alba, yellow wagtail Motacilla flava, fieldfare  Turdus pilaris, starling Sturnus vulgaris, barred warbler Sylvia nisoria.
   
   
   White stork. Fot. Arch. KFLP
    

3. Birds of wet forests: crane Grus grus, black stork Ciconia nigra, lesser spotted eagle Aquila pomarina, honey buzzard Pernis apivorus, redwing Turdus iliacus and white-backed woodpecker Dendrocopos leucotos.
   
   
   Cranes. Fot. KFLP