A-Z of Birds

Jacanas

African Jacana

The African Jacana is monotypic and hails from the family Jacanidae which consists six genera and eight species. These unusual wading birds are identified by their long legs and extremely long slim toes and claws which enable them to distribute their weight evenly, thereby allowing them to walk across water on thin and flimsy floating vegetation.

Crows

Alpine Chough

A medium-sized member of the crow family that breeds at high altitudes. It is also referred to as the Yellow-billed Chough.

Swifts

Alpine Swift

Breeding throughout mountainous regions of southern Europe and across to the Himalayas these birds are migratory, overwintering in southern Africa or central India. Worldwide, there are a total of ten subspecies from the nominate species, apus melba.

Warblers

Aquatic Warbler

Aquatic Warblers are rare but regular passage migrants to northwest Europe in the autumn.

Divers

Arctic Loon

One of only five species of Divers or Loons, the northern hemisphere’s Arctic Loon has a particularly spectacular monochrome patternation in its breeding plumage, covering its neck, chest, mantle and scapulars.

Skuas

Arctic Skua

The Arctic Skua, also known as the Parasitic Jaeger, is a medium-sized seabird well known for its aggressive nature.

Gulls and terns

Arctic Tern

Avian athletes that travel pole to pole.

Gulls and terns

Audouin’s Gull

Named in honour of the French naturalist and ornithologist, Jean Victor Audouin (1797 – 1841) the Audouin’s gull is one of the world’s rarest and is limited in the main to regions within and surrounding the Mediterranean Sea.

Bustards

Australian Bustard

Nicknamed the 'bush turkey' by Aboriginals, the Australian Bustard is a large member of the Bustard family (Otididae). They are also monotypic and can be found across all states in Australia.