Białowieża National Park

🇵🇱 Poland

🦬 European Bison in the Primeval Forest
🌍 #142 Global · 3.8 ★★★★★ ★★★★★ #2 in Europe #12 in Temperate Forest
Eastern Europe, Poland 445 spp. recorded

Białowieża National Park is a temperate forest straddling the border of Poland and Belarus in Eastern Europe. It protects a mosaic of ancient woodlands, meadows and wetlands, where towering oaks and silver birches create a layered canopy.

52.857° N   24.177° E

Wildlife

SIGHTING PROBABILITY Share of citizen-science records from the park that report this species
<5%
Rare5–20%
With luck20–40%
Possible40–70%
Likely>70%
Very likely
ACTIVITY PATTERN
☀️ Diurnal 🌙 Nocturnal 🌅 Crepuscular ☀️🌙 Day & Night

⭐ Iconic Species

Wisent ★

Wisent

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Bison bonasus

80–90% · Very likely
Black Woodpecker ★
LC

Black Woodpecker

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Dryocopus martius

40–50% · Likely
Chaffinch ★
LC

Chaffinch

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Fringilla coelebs

70–80% · Very likely

📊 Most Spotted

Great Tit
LC Endemic

Great Tit

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Parus major

70–80% · Very likely
Eurasian Blackbird
LC Endemic

Eurasian Blackbird

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Turdus merula

70–80% · Likely
Great Spotted Woodpecker
LC Endemic

Great Spotted Woodpecker

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Dendrocopos major

70–80% · Likely
grass snake
LC

grass snake

🌙 Nocturnal Reptile

Natrix natrix

70–80% · Likely
Common Chiffchaff
LC

Common Chiffchaff

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Phylloscopus collybita

60–70% · Likely
European Toad
LC

European Toad

🌙 Nocturnal Amphibian

Bufo bufo

60–70% · Likely
European Robin
LC

European Robin

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Erithacus rubecula

60–70% · Likely
European Common Frog
LC

European Common Frog

☀️ Diurnal Amphibian

Rana temporaria

60–70% · Likely
Yellowhammer
LC

Yellowhammer

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Emberiza citrinella

60–70% · Likely
Blackcap
LC

Blackcap

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Sylvia atricapilla

60–70% · Likely
European Starling
LC Endemic

European Starling

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Sturnus vulgaris

60–70% · Likely
Song Thrush
LC

Song Thrush

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Turdus philomelos

60–70% · Likely

⭐ Iconic Species

Wisent ★

Wisent

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Bison bonasus

80–90% · Very likely

📊 Most Spotted

Elk
LC Endemic

Elk

☀️🌙 Day & Night Mammal

Cervus elaphus

50–60% · Likely
Western Roe Deer
LC

Western Roe Deer

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Capreolus capreolus

50–60% · Likely
Red Fox
LC Endemic

Red Fox

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Vulpes vulpes

40–50% · Likely
Eurasian Beaver
LC

Eurasian Beaver

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Castor fiber

40–50% · Likely
Eurasian Red Squirrel
LC Endemic

Eurasian Red Squirrel

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Sciurus vulgaris

40–50% · Likely
Gray Wolf
LC Endemic

Gray Wolf

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Canis lupus

40–50% · Likely
🐒 No photo available
LC

European Mole

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Talpa europaea

40–50% · Likely
Elk
LC

Elk

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Alces alces

30–40% · Possible
Wild Boar
LC Endemic

Wild Boar

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Sus scrofa

30–40% · Possible
European Badger
LC

European Badger

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Meles meles

30–40% · Possible
Northern White-breasted Hedgehog
LC

Northern White-breasted Hedgehog

🌙 Nocturnal Mammal

Erinaceus roumanicus

20–30% · Possible
Mainland Raccoon Dog
LC

Mainland Raccoon Dog

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Nyctereutes procyonoides

20–30% · Possible

⭐ Iconic Species

Black Woodpecker ★
LC

Black Woodpecker

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Dryocopus martius

40–50% · Likely
Chaffinch ★
LC

Chaffinch

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Fringilla coelebs

70–80% · Very likely

📊 Most Spotted

Great Tit
LC Endemic

Great Tit

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Parus major

70–80% · Very likely
Eurasian Blackbird
LC Endemic

Eurasian Blackbird

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Turdus merula

70–80% · Likely
Great Spotted Woodpecker
LC Endemic

Great Spotted Woodpecker

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Dendrocopos major

70–80% · Likely
Common Chiffchaff
LC

Common Chiffchaff

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Phylloscopus collybita

60–70% · Likely
European Robin
LC

European Robin

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Erithacus rubecula

60–70% · Likely
Yellowhammer
LC

Yellowhammer

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Emberiza citrinella

60–70% · Likely
Blackcap
LC

Blackcap

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Sylvia atricapilla

60–70% · Likely
European Starling
LC Endemic

European Starling

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Sturnus vulgaris

60–70% · Likely
Song Thrush
LC

Song Thrush

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Turdus philomelos

60–70% · Likely
Blue Tit
LC

Blue Tit

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Cyanistes caeruleus

60–70% · Likely
Wood Pigeon
LC Endemic

Wood Pigeon

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Columba palumbus

50–60% · Likely
Eurasian Jay
LC Endemic

Eurasian Jay

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Garrulus glandarius

50–60% · Likely

📊 Most Spotted

grass snake
LC

grass snake

🌙 Nocturnal Reptile

Natrix natrix

70–80% · Likely
Eastern Slow-worm

Eastern Slow-worm

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Anguis colchica

40–50% · Likely
Viviparous Lizard
LC

Viviparous Lizard

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Zootoca vivipara

30–40% · Possible
Sand Lizard
LC

Sand Lizard

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Lacerta agilis

20–30% · Possible
Adder
LC Endemic

Adder

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Vipera berus

Insufficient data

📊 Most Spotted

European Toad
LC

European Toad

🌙 Nocturnal Amphibian

Bufo bufo

60–70% · Likely
European Common Frog
LC

European Common Frog

☀️ Diurnal Amphibian

Rana temporaria

60–70% · Likely
Moor Frog
LC

Moor Frog

☀️ Diurnal Amphibian

Rana arvalis

10–20% · With luck
Shelkovnikov's Tree Frog
LC

Shelkovnikov's Tree Frog

🌅 Crepuscular Amphibian

Hyla orientalis

10–20% · With luck
Pool Frog
LC

Pool Frog

Amphibian

Pelophylax lessonae

10–20% · With luck
Common Spadefoot
LC

Common Spadefoot

☀️ Diurnal Amphibian

Pelobates fuscus

Insufficient data
Great Crested Newt
LC

Great Crested Newt

Amphibian

Triturus cristatus

Insufficient data

Animal Events

🦌

European Bison Rutting Season

AugSep

Dominant bulls compete for mating rights in open glades, offering dramatic wildlife viewing opportunities.

Wisent

Wisent

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Bison bonasus

80–90% · Very likely
🦌

Autumn Deer Rut and Crane Migration

SepOct

Red deer stags roar in mating battles while thousands of Common Cranes pass overhead, creating a spectacle of sound and movement.

Elk
LC Endemic

Elk

☀️🌙 Day & Night Mammal

Cervus elaphus

50–60% · Likely
Common Crane
LC

Common Crane

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Grus grus

30–40% · Possible
🐦

Spring Bird Migration Symphony

AprMay

Over 200 migratory bird species arrive, filling the forest with songs; dawn chorus is unforgettable.

Chaffinch
LC

Chaffinch

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Fringilla coelebs

70–80% · Very likely
Common Cuckoo
LC

Common Cuckoo

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Cuculus canorus

40–50% · Likely
Blackcap
LC

Blackcap

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Sylvia atricapilla

60–70% · Likely

Sighting Calendar

Chance of spotting each species, month by month

Months
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Species Total
40–50
40–50
50–60
70–80
70–80
60–70
60–70
50–60
50–60
50–60
30–40
30–40
Wisent
90–100
90–100
80–90
80–90
80–90
70–80
80–90
70–80
80–90
90–100
80–90
90–100
Black Woodpecker
40–50
60–70
50–60
40–50
50–60
30–40
30–40
30–40
20–30
20–30
30–40
40–50
Chaffinch
30–40
30–40
70–80
90–100
90–100
80–90
70–80
50–60
50–60
50–60
30–40
30–40
Great Tit
60–70
60–70
70–80
70–80
70–80
60–70
60–70
60–70
70–80
60–70
70–80
60–70
Eurasian Blackbird
30–40
30–40
70–80
70–80
80–90
80–90
60–70
50–60
50–60
40–50
20–30
20–30
Great Spotted Woodpecker
70–80
80–90
70–80
70–80
70–80
70–80
70–80
60–70
50–60
50–60
50–60
60–70
grass snake
20–30
20–30
30–40
60–70
70–80
60–70
60–70
70–80
80–90
70–80
20–30
30–40
Common Chiffchaff
30–40
20–30
10–20
80–90
80–90
70–80
60–70
50–60
60–70
40–50
10–20
20–30
European Toad
20–30
40–50
80–90
50–60
70–80
50–60
70–80
60–70
70–80
50–60
20–30
30–40
European Robin
30–40
20–30
50–60
80–90
70–80
60–70
70–80
60–70
60–70
40–50
20–30
20–30
European Common Frog
40–50
20–30
70–80
40–50
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
50–60
60–70
70–80
20–30
Yellowhammer
60–70
40–50
40–50
60–70
70–80
70–80
50–60
20–30
20–30
60–70
40–50
40–50
Blackcap
20–30
20–30
10–20
70–80
80–90
70–80
60–70
40–50
30–40
20–30
10–20
20–30
European Starling
30–40
20–30
50–60
60–70
70–80
50–60
20–30
40–50
50–60
50–60
30–40
20–30
Song Thrush
20–30
20–30
50–60
70–80
70–80
60–70
50–60
30–40
40–50
20–30
10–20
20–30
Animal Events
🦌 European Bison Rutting Season
🐦 Spring Bird Migration Symphony
🦌 Autumn Deer Rut and Crane Migration

Sighting Zones

Warm areas are where all species together are recorded most, so they track where people go as much as where animals are. For one species, see the map on its own page.

0.0 ★★★★★ ★★★★★ Excellent
🦬 European Bison in the Primeval Forest

Where Wildlife Score

How good is this park for seeing wildlife?
🦜

Biodiversity

Good

How rich is the wildlife?

4.3 Global avg
3.5 ★★★★★ ★★★★★
Species by taxon
🦅 Birds
336
🐒 Mammals
87
🦎 Reptiles
9
🐸 Amphibians
13
445 Total Species
850 Global average across 296 parks
20 Threatened 10 Endemic
🔭

Sighting

Very good

How likely to see animals?

3.6 Global avg
4.0 ★★★★★ ★★★★★
🎯
Top-12 Avg Probability
62% Global avg
69%
📊
Coverage (183 species at ≥5% of 445 in the inventory)
24% Global avg
41%
🔀
Taxon variety in top 12 (8 bird, 2 amphibian, 1 mammal, 1 reptile)
46% Global avg
69%
🔭
Species per 10 outings (distinct species a visitor would meet over 10 outings — effort held equal across parks)
134 Global avg
135
🌟
Iconic-group species (≥15%) (every species from the 19 iconic groups — monkeys, cats, toucans, macaws, sloths, crocodilians… — not just the 4 highlighted above)
15 Global avg
12
⭐
High-prob species (>40%)
27 Global avg
35

Quick answers

What animals can you see in Białowieża National Park?

The most likely sightings are Wisent (seen by 80–90% of wildlife watchers), Chaffinch (seen by 70–80% of wildlife watchers), Great Tit (seen by 70–80% of wildlife watchers), Eurasian Blackbird (seen by 70–80% of wildlife watchers), Great Spotted Woodpecker (seen by 70–80% of wildlife watchers) — among 445 recorded vertebrate species, based on citizen-science data from GBIF.

When is the best time to visit Białowieża National Park for wildlife?

May has the highest combined sighting rate for the park's top species in our month-by-month GBIF data. The full sighting calendar on this page shows each species' best months.

Can you see Wisent in Białowieża National Park?

Yes — about 86% of wildlife watchers report a Wisent sighting in Białowieża National Park, based on 237 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

Can you see Black Woodpecker in Białowieża National Park?

Yes — about 44% of wildlife watchers report a Black Woodpecker sighting in Białowieża National Park, based on 366 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

Can you see Chaffinch in Białowieża National Park?

Yes — about 76% of wildlife watchers report a Chaffinch sighting in Białowieża National Park, based on 629 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

⚖️

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