•WNV and USUV circulation has been demonstrated in wild birds in Northwest Italy.•WNV antibodies were more prevalent (p<0.001) in trans-Saharan migrants birds.•Antibody titers were slightly higher to WNV than USUV.•Ringing and rehabilitation organizations had a critical role during this study. Usutu virus (USUV) and West Nile virus (WNV) are emerging pathogens that can cause neurological disease in humans. From March 2012 to June 2013, a sero-survey on wild birds was carried out to investigate the circulation of both viruses in Northwest (NW) Italy. Samples belonging to 47 different bird species have been collected using a volunteer based network and a wildlife rehabilitation center. Four of 297 serum samples had neutralizing antibodies against USUV (P=1.34%, IC 95% 0.36–3.4), while 10 of 233 samples tested positive for WNV (P=4.29%, IC 95% 2.07–7.75). Neutralizing antibodies for WNV were significantly more prevalent (p<0.001) in trans-Saharan migrants (P=21%, IC 95% 9.55–37.3) than in resident and short-distance birds, but no migratory habit-related differences were found for USUV. Antibodies in resident bird species suggest that both viruses are circulating in NW Italy.