[1][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11] Neottia nidus-avis grows to 40 cm (16 in) tall and each shoot can carry up to 60 flowers.

[12][13] It is widespread across most of Europe, occurring also in Algeria,[2] Tunisia,[3] western Siberia, the Caucasus, Iran and Turkey.

In the British Isles, Neottia nidus-avis is found in shady woodland, especially beech, on basic soils.

[17] The Latin binomial Neottia nidus-avis, as well as the common names of this orchid in several languages, derive from a comparison of the tangled roots of the plant to a bird's nest.

[12] Twayblade orchids were recently reassigned to the genus Neottia after scientists found that they were closely related to N. nidus-avis.