Bird's-nest Orchid
EN

Bird's-nest Orchid

Neottia nidus-avis

UnknownLCEULCEU

Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neottia_nidus-avis

Overview

Neottia nidus-avis, the bird's-nest orchid, is a non-photosynthetic orchid, native to Europe, Russia, with sporadic presence in North-Africa, and some parts of the Middle East.

Bird's-nest Orchid faces significant decline due to habitat loss from deforestation and forest fragmentation, which disrupts the complex mycorrhizal relationships essential for this non-photosynthetic orchid's survival. Climate change and altered forest management practices further threaten the specific microhabitat conditions and fungal partnerships this species requires.

Threat summary

Habitat

It is widespread across most of Europe, occurring also in Algeria, Its conservation status in the UK is near-threatened.

Other threatened species in Orchidaceae

CR

Huntleya apiculata

Unknown
Masdevallia niesseniaeCR

Masdevallia niesseniae

Unknown
Encyclia nematocaulonCR

Encyclia nematocaulon

Unknown
Lepanthes diaziaeCR

Lepanthes diaziae

Unknown

Threatened in Åland Islands

Calidris ferrugineaVU

Calidris ferruginea

Declining
VU

Syndyas nigripes

Unknown
Chrysotus cupreusCR

Chrysotus cupreus

Unknown
VU

narulukkokiiluri

Syntormon filiger

Unknown

Frequently asked questions

Why is Bird's-nest Orchid classified as Endangered?
Bird's-nest Orchid is classified as Endangered — facing a very high risk of extinction in the wild — because population numbers are declining steeply and key habitats are under sustained pressure. Bird's-nest Orchid faces significant decline due to habitat loss from deforestation and forest fragmentation, which disrupts the complex mycorrhizal relationships essential for this non-photosynthetic orchid's survival. Climate change and altered forest management practices further threaten the specific microhabitat conditions and fungal partnerships this species requires.
Where does Bird's-nest Orchid live?
Bird's-nest Orchid occurs in Åland Islands, Albania, Andorra, Armenia, Australia, and Austria (plus 44 other countries). Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Bird's-nest Orchid?
The main threats to Bird's-nest Orchid are ai-1, ai-2, ai-3, and ai-4. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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