The increasing interest in the urban ecosystem is indicated in Italy by the great number of ornithological atlases in progress. Since 1986, research has been carried out in 14 urban areas ranging in size from 10-360 km². Seven of these have already been published. Atlases of the wintering bird community are being prepared in two cities and an atlas of the entire annual bird fauna has been completed in another city. Since 1990, a coordinating group has been meeting to standardize research methodologies, and to exchange results and information. A classification of the environments occurring in Italian cities has also been drawn up. All the urban atlases produced in Italy thus far have been based on small-sized mapping units (0.25- 2.00 km²). In some cities, quantitative survey methods, such as extensive mapping, transect, direct counting, VCP, have also been used. In Italian urban areas 167 species of birds have been recorded thus far (47.6 % of the Italian avifauna). The main aims of an urban ornithological atlas are scientific (faunal), practical (urban planning, nature conservation) and cultural (education). The research carried out to date will make it possible to draw a picture of the Italian urban bird fauna. Moreover, a comparison of historical and present records may allow future trends to be foreseen.