A-Z of Birds

Sandpipers, snipes and phalaropes

Black-Tailed Godwit

An impressive, proud looking wader with particularly fine summer plumage which migrates south from its northern breeding grounds from July to October, returning for the summer from late February through April.

Thrushes

Blackbird

Whether singing its cheery song at daybreak or rustling through the leaf litter along a hedgerow, the Eurasian Blackbird is a ubiquitous species of town and country.

Warblers

Blackcap

Within its range and to differentiate it from other similar species, it is often referred to as an Eurasian Blackcap. This sexually dichromatic, stocky little warbler, is a member of the genus Sylvia and is sometimes nicknamed the Northern Nightingale due to its beautiful and frequent song.

Chats

Blue Rock Thrush

Widespread throughout Southern Europe, North Africa and Southern Asia, the blue rock thrush is a large sized chat which is predominantly sedentary, although a partial migrant within specific narrow geographical areas.

Tits

Blue Tit

The Eurasian blue tit, of which there are nine sub-species, is a small round headed tit, common to gardens and woodland areas throughout most of Europe and encroaching into Asia Minor.

Chats

Bluethroat

The bluethroat is a member of the chat family and like the larger thrushes, falls under the scientific umbrella of Turdidae. Turdus in Latin means thrush. There are some 300 different species of chats and thrushes within the Turdidae family.

Kites, hawks and eagles

Bonelli’s Eagle

A member of the sub-family of booted eagles due to its feather covered legs and named after the famous Italian ornithologist Franco Andrea Bonelli, the species is considered endangered across Europe but secure elsewhere within its range.

Kites, hawks and eagles

Booted Eagle

Europe’s smallest eagle, the booted eagle, otherwise known as the Booted Hawk Eagle, prefers the warmer climes of southern Europe and south central Asia and whilst not threatened globally, its population within Europe is showing signs of decline.

Finches

Brambling

Although monotypic, the brambling is a close relative of the chaffinch with whom it often flocks. Found almost exclusively across the northern palearctic it migrates south in September returning to its breeding grounds in April each year.