Hortobágy National Park

🇭🇺 Hungary

🐦 Great Egrets Over the Puszta Marshes
🌍 #134 Global · 3.9 ★★★★★ ★★★★★ #1 in Europe #8 in Temperate Forest
Eastern Europe, Hungary 470 spp. recorded

Hortobágy National Park is a protected grassland and wetland region situated on the Great Hungarian Plain in Eastern Europe. Unlike densely forested reserves, this open temperate habitat features vast alkaline plains, shallow marshes, and slow-moving rivers that stretch across the horizon.

47.663° N   21.154° 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

Great Bustard ★
EN

Great Bustard

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Otis tarda

5–10% · With luck
Common Crane ★
LC

Common Crane

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Grus grus

40–50% · Likely
Eurasian Spoonbill ★
LC

Eurasian Spoonbill

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Platalea leucorodia

50–60% · Likely
White-tailed Eagle ★
LC

White-tailed Eagle

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Haliaeetus albicilla

50–60% · Likely

📊 Most Spotted

Greylag Goose
LC

Greylag Goose

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Anser anser

80–90% · Very likely
Great Egret
LC Endemic

Great Egret

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Ardea alba

80–90% · Very likely
Western Marsh-Harrier
LC

Western Marsh-Harrier

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Circus aeruginosus

70–80% · Very likely
European Starling
LC Endemic

European Starling

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Sturnus vulgaris

70–80% · Very likely
Grey Heron
LC

Grey Heron

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Ardea cinerea

70–80% · Very likely
Northern Lapwing
NT

Northern Lapwing

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Vanellus vanellus

70–80% · Very likely
Rook
LC

Rook

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Corvus frugilegus

70–80% · Very likely
Mallard
LC

Mallard

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Anas platyrhynchos

70–80% · Very likely
Common Kestrel
LC Endemic

Common Kestrel

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Falco tinnunculus

70–80% · Very likely
Black-headed Gull

Black-headed Gull

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Chroicocephalus ridibundus

70–80% · Very likely
Eurasian Tree Sparrow
LC

Eurasian Tree Sparrow

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Passer montanus

60–70% · Likely
Eurasian Goldfinch
LC

Eurasian Goldfinch

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Carduelis carduelis

50–60% · Likely

📊 Most Spotted

Brown Hare
LC

Brown Hare

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Lepus europaeus

40–50% · Possible
Western Roe Deer
LC

Western Roe Deer

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Capreolus capreolus

30–40% · Possible
Muskrat
LC

Muskrat

☀️🌙 Day & Night Mammal

Ondatra zibethicus

20–30% · Possible
🐒 No photo available
LC

European Mole

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Talpa europaea

20–30% · Possible
Northern White-breasted Hedgehog
LC

Northern White-breasted Hedgehog

🌙 Nocturnal Mammal

Erinaceus roumanicus

Insufficient data
Red Fox
LC Endemic

Red Fox

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Vulpes vulpes

10–20% · With luck
Mound-building Mouse
LC

Mound-building Mouse

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Mus spicilegus

Insufficient data
Takhi

Takhi

Mammal

Equus przewalskii

Insufficient data
Eurasian Beaver
LC

Eurasian Beaver

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Castor fiber

10–20% · With luck
Stoat
LC Endemic

Stoat

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Mustela erminea

Insufficient data
European Badger
LC

European Badger

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Meles meles

Insufficient data
Black-bellied Hamster
CR

Black-bellied Hamster

Mammal

Cricetus cricetus

Insufficient data

⭐ Iconic Species

Great Bustard ★
EN

Great Bustard

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Otis tarda

5–10% · With luck
Common Crane ★
LC

Common Crane

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Grus grus

40–50% · Likely
Eurasian Spoonbill ★
LC

Eurasian Spoonbill

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Platalea leucorodia

50–60% · Likely
White-tailed Eagle ★
LC

White-tailed Eagle

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Haliaeetus albicilla

50–60% · Likely

📊 Most Spotted

Greylag Goose
LC

Greylag Goose

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Anser anser

80–90% · Very likely
Great Egret
LC Endemic

Great Egret

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Ardea alba

80–90% · Very likely
Western Marsh-Harrier
LC

Western Marsh-Harrier

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Circus aeruginosus

70–80% · Very likely
European Starling
LC Endemic

European Starling

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Sturnus vulgaris

70–80% · Very likely
Grey Heron
LC

Grey Heron

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Ardea cinerea

70–80% · Very likely
Northern Lapwing
NT

Northern Lapwing

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Vanellus vanellus

70–80% · Very likely
Rook
LC

Rook

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Corvus frugilegus

70–80% · Very likely
Mallard
LC

Mallard

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Anas platyrhynchos

70–80% · Very likely
Common Kestrel
LC Endemic

Common Kestrel

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Falco tinnunculus

70–80% · Very likely
Black-headed Gull

Black-headed Gull

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Chroicocephalus ridibundus

70–80% · Very likely
Eurasian Tree Sparrow
LC

Eurasian Tree Sparrow

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Passer montanus

60–70% · Likely
Eurasian Goldfinch
LC

Eurasian Goldfinch

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Carduelis carduelis

50–60% · Likely

📊 Most Spotted

grass snake
LC

grass snake

🌙 Nocturnal Reptile

Natrix natrix

50–60% · Likely
Sand Lizard
LC

Sand Lizard

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Lacerta agilis

40–50% · Likely
European Pond Turtle
NT Endemic

European Pond Turtle

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Emys orbicularis

40–50% · Likely

📊 Most Spotted

European Tree Frog
LC

European Tree Frog

☀️ Diurnal Amphibian

Hyla arborea

50–60% · Likely
Green Toad
LC

Green Toad

🌙 Nocturnal Amphibian

Bufotes viridis

30–40% · Possible
European Fire-Bellied Toad
LC

European Fire-Bellied Toad

☀️ Diurnal Amphibian

Bombina bombina

20–30% · Possible
Danube Crested Newt
LC

Danube Crested Newt

☀️ Diurnal Amphibian

Triturus dobrogicus

20–30% · Possible
Marsh Frog
LC

Marsh Frog

☀️ Diurnal Amphibian

Pelophylax ridibundus

20–30% · Possible
Smooth Newt
LC

Smooth Newt

🌅 Crepuscular Amphibian

Lissotriton vulgaris

Insufficient data
Common Spadefoot
LC

Common Spadefoot

☀️ Diurnal Amphibian

Pelobates fuscus

Insufficient data
Agile Frog
LC

Agile Frog

🌅 Crepuscular Amphibian

Rana dalmatina

Insufficient data

Animal Events

🐦

Great Bustard Display

MarAprMayJun

During spring, male Great Bustards perform elaborate courtship displays with puffed-up necks and tail feathers, offering a unique wildlife spectacle.

Great Bustard
EN

Great Bustard

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Otis tarda

5–10% · With luck
🐦

Autumn Crane Migration

SepOctNov

Thousands of Common Cranes gather at Hortobágy’s wetlands and surrounding agricultural fields, creating one of Europe’s most spectacular bird migrations.

Eurasian Spoonbill
LC

Eurasian Spoonbill

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Platalea leucorodia

50–60% · Likely
Common Crane
LC

Common Crane

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Grus grus

40–50% · Likely
🐦

Winter Waterfowl Concentration

DecJan

Hortobágy’s frozen and open waters attract dense congregations of waterfowl, including swans, geese, and diving ducks, providing exceptional birdwatching opportunities.

Mallard
LC

Mallard

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Anas platyrhynchos

70–80% · Very likely
Mute Swan

Mute Swan

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Cygnus olor

50–60% · Likely
White-tailed Eagle
LC

White-tailed Eagle

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Haliaeetus albicilla

50–60% · 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
50–60
60–70
60–70
50–60
50–60
60–70
70–80
70–80
70–80
70–80
60–70
60–70
Great Bustard
<5
<5
10–20
5–10
<5
5–10
5–10
10–20
5–10
<5
<5
<5
Common Crane
20–30
40–50
20–30
10–20
20–30
20–30
30–40
20–30
60–70
80–90
70–80
40–50
Eurasian Spoonbill
20–30
30–40
50–60
60–70
70–80
60–70
70–80
60–70
70–80
30–40
10–20
20–30
White-tailed Eagle
60–70
50–60
40–50
40–50
40–50
30–40
50–60
40–50
50–60
70–80
50–60
70–80
Greylag Goose
80–90
90–100
90–100
80–90
70–80
80–90
80–90
90–100
80–90
80–90
80–90
90–100
Great Egret
80–90
80–90
80–90
70–80
80–90
80–90
90–100
80–90
90–100
80–90
60–70
80–90
Western Marsh-Harrier
60–70
60–70
80–90
70–80
70–80
80–90
80–90
80–90
90–100
80–90
60–70
70–80
European Starling
80–90
60–70
70–80
60–70
60–70
80–90
80–90
80–90
80–90
80–90
60–70
70–80
Grey Heron
60–70
80–90
70–80
60–70
60–70
70–80
80–90
90–100
80–90
80–90
60–70
70–80
Northern Lapwing
50–60
60–70
70–80
70–80
70–80
60–70
70–80
80–90
80–90
80–90
70–80
50–60
Rook
70–80
60–70
70–80
60–70
70–80
70–80
60–70
70–80
80–90
80–90
60–70
70–80
Mallard
40–50
70–80
70–80
70–80
50–60
60–70
80–90
80–90
80–90
80–90
80–90
80–90
Common Kestrel
80–90
70–80
70–80
60–70
60–70
60–70
70–80
70–80
80–90
70–80
70–80
80–90
Black-headed Gull
50–60
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
70–80
70–80
70–80
70–80
80–90
60–70
60–70
Eurasian Tree Sparrow
50–60
60–70
60–70
50–60
40–50
60–70
80–90
70–80
60–70
80–90
70–80
50–60
Eurasian Goldfinch
30–40
50–60
50–60
40–50
50–60
50–60
70–80
70–80
60–70
60–70
50–60
50–60
Animal Events
🐦 Great Bustard Display
🐦 Autumn Crane Migration
🐦 Winter Waterfowl Concentration

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
🐦 Great Egrets Over the Puszta Marshes

Where Wildlife Score

How good is this park for seeing wildlife?
🦜

Biodiversity

Good

How rich is the wildlife?

4.3 Global avg
3.6 ★★★★★ ★★★★★
Species by taxon
🦅 Birds
352
🐒 Mammals
90
🦎 Reptiles
15
🐸 Amphibians
13
470 Total Species
850 Global average across 296 parks
29 Threatened 10 Endemic
🔭

Sighting

Very good

How likely to see animals?

3.6 Global avg
3.9 ★★★★★ ★★★★★
🎯
Top-12 Avg Probability
62% Global avg
74%
📊
Coverage (187 species at ≥5% of 470 in the inventory)
24% Global avg
40%
🔀
Taxon variety in top 12 (12 bird)
46% Global avg
0%
🔭
Species per 10 outings (distinct species a visitor would meet over 10 outings — effort held equal across parks)
134 Global avg
149
🌟
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
6
⭐
High-prob species (>40%)
27 Global avg
44

Quick answers

What animals can you see in Hortobágy National Park?

The most likely sightings are Greylag Goose (seen by 80–90% of wildlife watchers), Great Egret (seen by 80–90% of wildlife watchers), Western Marsh-Harrier (seen by 70–80% of wildlife watchers), European Starling (seen by 70–80% of wildlife watchers), Grey Heron (seen by 70–80% of wildlife watchers) — among 470 recorded vertebrate species, based on citizen-science data from GBIF.

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

August 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 Great Bustard in Hortobágy National Park?

It's possible but not guaranteed: about 5% of wildlife watchers report a Great Bustard sighting in Hortobágy National Park, based on 26 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data. Sightings take luck and time in the field.

Can you see Common Crane in Hortobágy National Park?

Yes — about 46% of wildlife watchers report a Common Crane sighting in Hortobágy National Park, based on 232 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

Can you see Eurasian Spoonbill in Hortobágy National Park?

Yes — about 51% of wildlife watchers report a Eurasian Spoonbill sighting in Hortobágy National Park, based on 257 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

Can you see White-tailed Eagle in Hortobágy National Park?

Yes — about 55% of wildlife watchers report a White-tailed Eagle sighting in Hortobágy National Park, based on 276 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

⚖️

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