Bird's-nest Orchid
Neottia nidus-avis
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.
50
Countries
Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neottia_nidus-avis
Taxonomy & Classification
Kingdom
Plantae
Phylum
Tracheophyta
Class
Liliopsida
Order
Asparagales
Family
Orchidaceae
Genus
Neottia
Bird's-nest Orchid belongs to the family Orchidaceae, order Asparagales, within the Liliopsida class.
Species Profile
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.
Key Facts
Habitat & Distribution
It is widespread across most of Europe, occurring also in Algeria, Its conservation status in the UK is near-threatened.
Threats
IUCN Red List: Endangered
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.
Disruption of mycorrhizal fungal relationships
Habitat loss and forest fragmentation
Changes in forest management practices
Climate change altering forest microhabitats
Collection pressure from orchid enthusiasts
Found in 50 Countries
National vs Global Threat Status
How this species is assessed at the national level compared to its IUCN global status (EN).
| Country | National Status | Global Status | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| EU | LCLeast Concern | ENEndangered | Lower local risk |
| EU | LCLeast Concern | ENEndangered | Lower local risk |
National Red List data sourced from the National Red List Project (nationalredlist.org, ZSL) and country-specific Red List authorities.
Community Sightings
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Sources & Attribution
How to Cite
IUCN: IUCN (2025). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2025-1. Available at: https://www.iucnredlist.org. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2025-1.RLTS
GBIF: GBIF.org (2025). GBIF Home Page. Available at: https://www.gbif.org
National Red Lists: ZSL (2025). National Red List. Zoological Society of London. Available at: https://www.nationalredlist.org
This page: SpeciesRadar (2025). Bird's-nest Orchid (Neottia nidus-avis). SpeciesRadar: Intelligence for Earth's Biodiversity. Available at: https://speciesradar.org/species/birds-nest-orchid