Seen close up the raven is a truly magnificent bird. The largest member of the crow family, it is the biggest passerine (perching) bird in Europe, and occurs all over Ireland.Size is the raven's most distinguishing feature. At 54 to 68 cm long, with a wingspan doubling that, it dwarfs any other black bird found in Ireland. Its glossy plumage is entirely black. It has long … [Read more...] about Raven (Corvus corax)
Birds
Hooded Crow (Corvus cornix)
The hooded crow, grey crow or “hoodie” as it's sometimes called, is almost identical to the closely related carrion crow (Corvus corone) except for its distinctive grey and black plumage. The two birds are so similar in fact that until recently they were considered to be different races of the same species, but now hooded crows have been formally acknowledged as a species in … [Read more...] about Hooded Crow (Corvus cornix)
Ireland’s Wildlife: Fieldfare (Turdus pilaris)
The fieldfare is a large, attractive thrush that is a widespread and abundant winter visitor to these shores. Most of the birds that overwinter here originate in Scandinavia and the number of birds and the time of their arrival varies from year to year depending on the severity of the winter and the state of the berry crop in their homeland. In milder years or if the berry crop … [Read more...] about Ireland’s Wildlife: Fieldfare (Turdus pilaris)
Chaffinch (Fringilla coelebs)
They say familiarity breeds contempt... and, in the case of the chaffinch that's probably true. The male chaffinch in its full breeding regalia is one of our most colourful and striking birds. If it wasn't for the fact that we see them so often we'd marvel at these colourful little finches.The chaffinch is found all over Ireland in woodlands, parks, gardens, fields, scrub … [Read more...] about Chaffinch (Fringilla coelebs)
Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus)
The peregrine falcon is undoubtedly one of Ireland’s most impressive birds. A large, powerful falcon it is considered by many to be the ultimate bird-of-prey, diving in a spectacular, vertical stoop to strike its quarry – other birds – in mid air. The peregrine is thought to reach speeds of up to 180 mph as it plummets earthward, though it usually levels off slightly and slows … [Read more...] about Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus)
Dunnock (Prunella modularis)
The dunnock is a small brown bird that is a common, if rather shy visitor to many Irish gardens. Still referred to by many by its old name of hedge sparrow, the dunnock isn't actually related to the sparrows at all. It is the only Irish representative of the accentor family – a group of small ground and scrub dwelling birds that hop around in a characteristically crouched … [Read more...] about Dunnock (Prunella modularis)
Lapwing (Vanellus vanellus)
The lapwing, also called the green plover and the peewit, is a common resident and winter visitor on coastal mudflats and mixed farmland all over Ireland. Despite this attractive wader's common and widespread status, alarmingly populations have declined by more than 50% in 25 years. The species is red-listed on the Birds of Conservation Concern in Ireland (BoCCI) … [Read more...] about Lapwing (Vanellus vanellus)
Goldcrest (Regulus regulus)
The diminutive goldcrest is not only Ireland's smallest bird, but also Europe's – a title it shares with its close relative the firecrest. It is widespread and found throughout the country, and often visits gardens, especially during winter months. Despite it's restless, flitting behaviour and distinctive markings this bird's tiny size makes it easy to overlook. Reaching just … [Read more...] about Goldcrest (Regulus regulus)
Sparrowhawk (Accipiter nisus)
Fast and agile, the sparrowhawk is a supremely capable aerial predator. This fierce-looking bird is one of our most common and widespread raptors, and is found throughout the country. However its shy and secretive nature means that it often goes undetected.Sparrowhawks are medium-sized birds, with a body length of between 28 and 30 centimetres (11 and 15 inches), a wingspan … [Read more...] about Sparrowhawk (Accipiter nisus)
Long Tailed Tit (Aegithalos caudatus)
Few birds in Ireland are as endearing as the long tailed tit. The acrobatic antics of this small, fluffy bird with its extraordinarily long tail are a joy to behold as it flits from tree to tree. It occasionally frequents gardens, usually in small family groups, and sometimes visits peanut feeders and fat balls to supplement its diet, especially over the winter. With its round … [Read more...] about Long Tailed Tit (Aegithalos caudatus)
Blue Tit (Parus caeruleus)
The blue tit is one of Ireland's smallest and most attractive birds. Its distinctive cobalt crown, blue and yellow plumage, white cheek patches and black eye-stripe are unmistakable as it hops acrobatically from branch to branch in search of insect larvae, or hangs upside down at the garden peanut feeder.Ireland’s commonest tit species, the blue tit is found all over the … [Read more...] about Blue Tit (Parus caeruleus)
Wren (Troglodytes troglodytes)
The wren is a small bird with a big personality. Considering its small size it has an incredibly loud voice; the familiar song, prolonged and full of complex chirrs, rattles, trills and whistles, is delivered with a gusto that belies the bird’s diminutive stature. Ongoing national surveys conducted by Birdwatch Ireland show that the wren is one of our most abundant and … [Read more...] about Wren (Troglodytes troglodytes)
Song Thrush (Turdus philomelos)
The song thrush is a familiar thrush species, and one of Ireland's finest songsters. A key player in the acclaimed “Dawn Chorus”, this attractive speckled thrush is a familiar sight in many Irish gardens, and according to Birdwatch Ireland's annual Garden Bird Survey features regularly as one of our top 20 garden species. This is a resident species, and is found all over … [Read more...] about Song Thrush (Turdus philomelos)
European Robin (Erithacus rubecula)
Ask a cross-section of the population to name their favourite bird and chances are a high proportion will say the robin. These endearing little birds that feature so prominently at Christmas time have become ubiquitous in our parks and gardens. They are perhaps the one species of bird that practically everybody in the country can recognise instantly. Robins are found … [Read more...] about European Robin (Erithacus rubecula)
Blackbird (Turdus merula)
The blackbird is a ubiquitous bird of Irish parks and gardens, and is a common sight everywhere from the heart of our largest cities to the remotest rural setting. Originally a woodland bird the blackbird now exploits the wide variety of habitats presented to it by people. The species does very well on agricultural land and in urban centres, but it is suburban gardens that have … [Read more...] about Blackbird (Turdus merula)
Barn Owl (Tyto alba)
The barn owl will be familiar to many as the signature bird of RTE’s flagship Friday night programme, “The Late Late Show”. This is undoubtedly one of Ireland’s most striking birds, but unfortunately the Barn Owl’s ghostly silhouette and its characteristic rasping shriek are becoming increasingly scarce in Ireland. Adult barn owls are 33 – 39 cm (13 – 15½ inches) long with a … [Read more...] about Barn Owl (Tyto alba)
Coal Tit (Periparus ater)
The coal tit is one of the “usual suspects”, commonly seen at practically every peanut feeder in Ireland. Over the winter this tiny bird, one of our smallest, is a regular visitor to garden birdtables and feeders. It has a particular penchant for peanuts, and should the opportunity present itself the enterprising coal tit will make repeat visits to the supply, carrying away … [Read more...] about Coal Tit (Periparus ater)
Merlin (Falco columbarius)
Extreme speed and diminutive size are the signature characteristics of the merlin, Ireland’s smallest raptor. This is a very agile bird, flying low to the ground at great speed as it twists and turns after its prey. Adult merlins are only 32-39cm (12.5-15.5 inches) long with a wingspan of 65-82cm (25.5-32 inches) and weigh just 130-300g (0.3-0.7 lb). Despite its tiny size this … [Read more...] about Merlin (Falco columbarius)
Herring Gull (Larus argentatus)
A trip to the coast practically guarantees a close encounter with the herring gull. This is the ubiquitous “seagull”: its mewling cries synonymous with the seaside, its strong profile and bold manner familiar to us all. These large, noisy gulls are common around our coasts all year ‘round, and often venture inland to congregate around rubbish tips, ploughed fields and inland … [Read more...] about Herring Gull (Larus argentatus)
Eurasian Jay (Garrulus glandarius)
The jay is one of Ireland's most striking birds with its brightly coloured pink, black, white and blue plumage. Although they are the most colourful member of the crow family, jays can be surprisingly difficult to see. They are shy, and secretive woodland birds that rarely venture far from cover.If there are jays in the neighbourhood, however, you will invariably hear them. … [Read more...] about Eurasian Jay (Garrulus glandarius)
Hen Harrier (Circus cyaneus)
The languid flight of the hen harrier, gliding with wings held in its characteristic shallow V, has become a rare sight in Ireland. Historically one of our most persecuted birds of prey, the hen harrier's habit of taking free-range domestic fowl (which led to the bird's common name) did little to endear it to poultry keepers, and many were shot. Hen harriers also fell foul of … [Read more...] about Hen Harrier (Circus cyaneus)
