Welcome to this small guide to the birds around my village. It’s a simple way to explore the rich variety of species that call this place home. Take a moment to observe, listen, and enjoy the beauty of nature as you get to know the birds that fill our skies and fields. Move your cursor over the images to get a closer look!
White Stork. A tall, elegant bird with white feathers, black wingtips, and a long, pointed red beak. Known for its bill-clattering sound during courtship, which echoes from their large, untidy nests built on rooftops, poles, and trees. Unlike many other large birds, it flies with its neck outstretched, using slow, steady wingbeats and thermal currents to soar effortlessly over long distances. They prefer open fields, grasslands, and wetlands for feeding, wading through shallow water or walking across meadows in search of amphibians, insects, small mammals, and even reptiles.
A highly migratory species, most European populations travel to Africa for the winter. In recent years, particularly in southern Europe, some storks have begun overwintering rather than migrating, often due to food availability near human settlements.
Tip: Look for their nests on church towers, utility poles, or tall trees, especially in spring and summer. In open fields, watch for them striding gracefully through meadows or wetlands in search of food.
Black Redstart. A small, dark songbird with a distinctive orange-red tail that contrasts sharply with its otherwise muted plumage. Males in breeding plumage are slate-grey to black with a subtle white wing patch, while females and juveniles are brownish-grey, both retaining the characteristic tail. Frequently seen flicking its tail nervously while perched, it moves with quick, darting motions as it forages for insects. Its song is a mix of melodic notes and scratchy, metallic tones, often delivered from rooftops or rocky outcrops. Some populations are resident, while others migrate from higher altitudes and colder regions to milder lowlands in winter. During migration, it can appear unexpectedly in gardens and coastal areas.
Tip: Scan old buildings, rocky outcrops, and urban rooftops for their characteristic tail flicking and listen for their distinctive song, especially at dawn and dusk.
Common Blackbird. A familiar thrush, with males easily recognized by their glossy black plumage, bright yellow-orange beak, and matching eye-ring, while females and juveniles are brown with subtle streaking. Its flute-like, melodious song is a hallmark of dawn and dusk, filling gardens, woodlands, and parks with rich, flowing notes. Often seen hopping across lawns or rummaging through leaf litter in search of insects, worms, and berries. Present year-round, though some individuals from colder regions migrate short distances in winter.
Tip: Look for them foraging on the ground and listen for their beautifully structured song from treetops or rooftops at sunrise and sunset.
Common Chiffchaff. A small, active warbler with olive-brown plumage, a pale underside, and a distinctive habit of flicking its tail while foraging. Best recognized by its repetitive "chiff-chaff" song, which echoes through woodlands, hedgerows, and parks in spring. Feeds mainly on insects, often seen flitting among branches in constant motion. A year-round resident in milder regions, while northern populations migrate south for the winter.
Tip: Listen for their rhythmic, two-note song in woodlands and scrub, especially in early spring.
Little Owl. A small, stocky owl with a flat head, yellow eyes, and white eyebrows giving it a stern expression. Its call is a series of sharp, repeated notes, often heard at dusk or night, creating an enigmatic and slightly eerie atmosphere. It inhabits open countryside, farmland, and villages, roosting in tree hollows or buildings and often seen perched on walls or stones during the day. Non-migratory, present year-round, with pairs establishing and fiercely defending their territories.
Tip: Look for them at sunset, perched on rooftops or telegraph poles.
Common Buzzard. A medium-sized, broad-winged raptor with highly variable brown plumage, ranging from pale to dark morphs. Its short, fan-shaped tail and rounded wingtips give it a distinctive silhouette as it soars on thermals, often emitting a plaintive, mewing call. Found in mixed woodland and open countryside, it hunts small mammals, birds, and reptiles but also scavenges carrion, frequently seen perched on fence posts or trees scanning for prey. Present year-round, though some northern populations migrate south in winter.
Tip: Look for them circling high on sunny days or perched in open areas near fields and roadsides.
Cattle Egret. A small, stocky white heron with a short, thick neck and a yellow bill. During breeding season, it develops buff-colored plumes on its head, chest, and back. Unlike other egrets, it often forages in fields and grasslands, frequently seen following livestock to catch insects disturbed by their movement. It is highly adaptable and has expanded its range worldwide. Often found in agricultural areas, wetlands, and urban parks.
Tip: Look for them in open fields or near grazing animals where they hunt for insects and small prey.
Common Chaffinch. A colorful and widespread finch, with males sporting a blue-grey cap, pinkish breast, and bold white wing bars, while females are more subdued in brown tones. Its loud, cheerful song and distinctive "pink-pink" call make it easy to detect in woodlands, gardens, and parks. Often seen foraging on the ground, especially beneath trees, where it searches for seeds and insects. Present year-round, though northern populations migrate south in winter.
Tip: Watch for them hopping beneath trees or in mixed flocks with other finches, especially in colder months.
Sky Lark. A small, brown bird with a subtle crest and white outer tail feathers. Famous for its continuous, high-pitched song, given during a hovering display flight that can last for minutes, filling the sky with a cascade of musical notes. Lives in open farmland and meadows, nesting on the ground. Present year-round, with some migratory movements in winter to more temperate areas.
Tip: Listen for their iconic song high above open fields.
Western Marsh Harrier. A large, slender raptor with long wings, a distinctive gliding flight, and a strong association with wetlands. Males are a mix of grey and brown, while females are rich chocolate-brown with a pale cream crown. Often seen flying low over reed beds in search of small mammals and birds, using its keen eyesight to detect prey. Its soft, whistling call is mostly heard during aerial courtship displays in spring. Present year-round in some areas, with numbers increasing in winter as migrants arrive from northern Europe.
Tip: Scan marshes and reed beds for their graceful, low flight, often with wings held in a shallow V.
Northern Goshawk. A powerful and secretive raptor, with slate-grey upperparts, finely barred underparts, and piercing orange or yellow eyes. Larger and bulkier than a Sparrowhawk, it is an agile hunter, capable of rapid bursts of speed through dense woodland to catch birds and mammals. Its sharp "kek-kek" call is most often heard during the breeding season, echoing through the forest. Prefers mature woodlands but may also be seen at forest edges or open clearings. Non-migratory in most of its range, though some northern populations move south in winter.
Tip: Early morning walks in quiet forests offer the best chance to glimpse one as it dashes between trees or perches silently in the canopy.
European Stonechat. A small, lively bird with a black head, white collar, and warm orange breast in males, while females are browner with a more subdued coloration. Its sharp "chat-chat" call, resembling clinking stones, is a distinctive sound in open landscapes. Often seen perched on low shrubs, fence posts, or reeds, flicking its tail as it scans for insects. Prefers scrubby fields, heathland, and coastal dunes, where it remains active year-round.
Tip: Look for them on exposed perches, especially in open countryside, where their distinctive calls and frequent tail flicking make them easy to spot.
Corn Bunting. A large, heavyset bunting with streaked brown plumage, a sturdy bill, and a somewhat ungainly appearance. Lacks the bright colors of other buntings but is easily recognized by its distinctive, jangling song, often likened to a set of clinking keys. Prefers open farmland, grasslands, and steppe-like habitats, where it perches on fence posts or wires to sing. In winter, it gathers in loose flocks, sometimes mixing with other seed-eating birds. Present year-round, though some individuals move to milder areas in harsh weather.
Tip: Listen for their metallic trills in farmland landscapes, especially from exposed perches.
Crested Lark. A medium-sized lark, easily recognized by its prominent, upright crest, sandy-brown plumage, and streaked underparts. Well adapted to arid landscapes, it blends seamlessly into dry, open habitats such as agricultural fields, roadside verges, and wastelands. Its melodious, rolling song is often delivered in a fluttering display flight or from a prominent perch like a rock or fence post. Unlike many other larks, it is largely sedentary, remaining in its territory year-round, with males singing even during winter to defend their space. Feeds on seeds and insects, often seen foraging on bare ground with a slow, deliberate walk.
Tip: Look for them on dirt tracks and open fields, especially where the ground is dry and sparsely vegetated, and listen for their sweet, rising song on sunny days.
Woodchat Shrike. A striking bird with a black mask, chestnut crown, and white underparts. Juveniles and females have a duller, brownish plumage with a scaled pattern on the back and chest, helping them blend into their surroundings. Known for its harsh, chattering calls and habit of impaling prey on thorns. Prefers open woodlands, orchards, and farmland with scattered trees. A summer visitor, though some populations may linger year-round in warmer climates.
Tip: Check for them in orchards or along hedgerows.
Black Kite. A dark, medium-sized raptor with a slightly forked tail and buoyant, agile flight. Its plumage is mostly brown, with paler streaks on the head and underparts. The tail is less deeply forked than that of the Red Kite, and its wings appear long and slightly angled in flight. Its call is a high, whistling sound, often heard when they gather in groups. Opportunistic and adaptable, it scavenges frequently, feeding on carrion, small mammals, fish, and even human refuse. Prefers open countryside, wetlands, and urban areas, often seen soaring over towns, dumps, and rivers in search of food. A summer visitor. Some populations are migratory, spending winters in Africa or southern Asia, while others remain year-round in milder climates.
Tip: Watch for them gliding effortlessly over open fields or rivers.
Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica). A graceful bird with iridescent blue upperparts, a reddish throat, and long, forked tail streamers. Its cheerful, twittering song fills the air as it skims low over fields and water, catching insects. A summer visitor, arriving in spring to breed and departing in early autumn.
Tip: Watch for them around barns, bridges, and open farmland.
Common House Martin (Delichon urbicum). Similar to the swallow but with a white rump and shorter tail. Its soft, bubbling song is often heard as it flies high in the sky. Builds mud nests under eaves of buildings, forming noisy colonies. A spring and summer visitor.
Tip: Look for their distinctive mud nests on the sides of buildings.
Sand Martin (Riparia riparia). A small, agile swallow with brown upperparts and a distinct breast band. Its twittering calls fill the air as it feeds over rivers and lakes. Nests in colonies in sandy banks. A summer visitor.
Tip: Look for their nesting tunnels in riverbanks or quarries.
European Bee-eater. A stunning, multicolored bird with a long, slender body, pointed wings, and a gracefully curved black bill. Its plumage features a striking combination of turquoise, yellow, chestnut, and green, making it one of the most colorful birds in Europe. Often detected by its distinctive, rolling "prreeep" call before it comes into view. Highly social, it is commonly seen in flocks, especially during migration. Inhabits open countryside, farmland, and river valleys, nesting in burrows dug into sandy banks or cliffs. A skilled aerial hunter, it catches flying insects such as bees, dragonflies, and butterflies, often beating them against a perch before swallowing. A summer visitor, arriving in late spring and departing in early autumn to winter in Africa.
Tip: Scan open fields and riverbanks, where they hunt flying insects in graceful, acrobatic flights. Look for nesting colonies on sandy slopes or eroded riverbanks.
Osprey. A large, fish-eating raptor with striking brown and white plumage, a dark eye stripe, and long, powerful wings that form a distinctive M-shaped silhouette in flight. Unlike most raptors, it has reversible outer toes, allowing it to grasp slippery fish with ease. Its high-pitched, whistling calls are usually heard near lakes, rivers, and coastal waters. An expert fisher, it hovers briefly before plunging feet-first into the water to catch prey with its sharp talons. A migratory visitor, often seen in spring and autumn as it travels between breeding grounds in the northern hemisphere and wintering areas in Africa, South Asia, and South America. Some populations remain year-round in warmer regions.
Tip: Watch for them hovering over lakes, rivers, or coastal waters before making a dramatic dive to catch fish. Look for them perched on dead trees or poles near water, where they rest and eat their catch.
Egyptian Vulture. A striking, medium-sized vulture with predominantly white plumage, contrasting black flight feathers, and a distinctive yellow, bare-skinned face. Juveniles are darker, with brownish plumage that gradually lightens over several years. Unlike larger vultures, it has a slender build and a wedge-shaped tail, which helps distinguish it in flight. Silent for much of the year, though it can produce soft grunts and hisses when interacting with others. Inhabits rocky areas, cliffs, and open countryside, often seen soaring high in search of carrion, but also known to feed on small animals, eggs, and even human food waste. Remarkably intelligent, it is one of the few bird species known to use tools, sometimes using rocks to break open eggs. A summer visitor in many parts of Europe and Central Asia, migrating to Africa for the winter.
Tip: Look for them soaring in thermals over hills and cliffs, especially near livestock areas or carcasses. Juveniles can be trickier to identify due to their darker coloration.
Spotted Flycatcher. A slender, grey-brown bird with subtle streaking on its pale underparts and a relatively plain appearance. Despite its modest colors, it is an agile and efficient hunter, often seen darting from an exposed perch to snatch flying insects before returning to the same spot. Its song is a soft, high-pitched series of notes, while its call is a sharp, metallic "tzip." Found in open woodlands, parks, gardens, and orchards, it prefers areas with scattered trees and plenty of insect life. A summer visitor to Europe and parts of Asia, arriving in late spring and departing for Africa in early autumn. Unlike many other small songbirds, it has a rather calm and upright posture, making it easier to identify when perched.
Tip: Watch for their characteristic fly-catching behavior from low, exposed perches such as fence posts, branches, or garden stakes. Early mornings and evenings are often the best times to observe them actively feeding.
Booted Eagle. A medium-sized, agile eagle with two distinct color morphs: a pale form, featuring a light cream-colored body with contrasting dark flight feathers, and a dark form, which appears mostly brown with slightly paler underparts. Both morphs share a characteristic underwing pattern, with a dark trailing edge and pale central area. Its call is a loud, whistling sound, most often heard during courtship and aerial displays. Prefers open forests, woodlands, and mountainous areas, where it hunts birds, small mammals, and reptiles, often ambushing prey from a perch or soaring high before diving. A migratory species, it breeds in southern Europe and parts of Asia in spring, then travels to Africa and South Asia for the winter.
Tip: Scan ridgelines and cliffs for soaring individuals, especially in the morning when they take advantage of rising thermals. Pay attention to their agile, buzzard-like flight and characteristic underwing markings for identification.
Northern Lapwing. A distinctive and elegant wader with striking iridescent green and purple plumage, a wispy, backward-curving crest, and broad, rounded wings that give it a unique, slow, tumbling flight. Its underparts are mainly white, contrasting with a dark chest and face pattern. The species is known for its plaintive "pee-wit" call, which is often heard over open fields and wetlands, particularly during the breeding season. Found in farmland, grasslands, and marshy areas, it nests on the ground in shallow scrapes. In winter, it forms large, loose flocks, frequently seen in agricultural fields and estuaries, often mixing with other waders. While some populations are resident, others migrate south in winter, moving from northern Europe to milder regions.
Tip: Scan plowed fields or marshy areas in winter for their slow, tumbling flight and distinctive black-and-white wing patterns. During the breeding season, watch for their spectacular aerial displays with acrobatic twists and dives.
Red Kite. A large and elegant raptor with a distinctive reddish-brown body, long, deeply forked tail, and slender wings with pale patches on the undersides. Its graceful, buoyant flight, often with slow, deliberate wingbeats, makes it easy to recognize. Unlike many other birds of prey, it is primarily a scavenger, feeding on carrion, small mammals, and even food scraps in urban areas. Its call is a thin, mewing sound, often heard as individuals communicate while soaring. Red Kites are found in open countryside, woodlands, and farmlands, where they take advantage of plowed fields and roadkill for easy meals. Some populations are migratory, with northern individuals moving south in winter, while others remain year-round in milder regions. Conservation efforts have helped their numbers recover in parts of Europe where they were once in decline.
Tip: Look for them circling over open countryside, especially after plowing, or near roads where they scavenge for carrion. Their distinctive forked tail and fluid flight make them easy to distinguish from other raptors.
Reed Bunting.A small, sparrow-like bird with a streaked brown body and a long, slightly notched tail. Males in breeding plumage have a striking black head, white collar, and a contrasting pale underside, while females and non-breeding males are more subtly marked, with a brownish head and streaked pattern for better camouflage. Its call is a short, buzzing note, and its song is a slow, repetitive series of simple phrases, often delivered from a prominent perch. Prefers wet habitats such as reed beds, marshes, and wet meadows, where it feeds on seeds and insects. In winter, it moves to drier farmland and scrub, often joining mixed flocks of finches and buntings. Found across Europe and parts of Asia, with northern populations migrating south for the winter.
Tip: Listen for their calls in dense vegetation near water, especially in spring when males sing from exposed reeds or bushes. In winter, check hedgerows and farmland edges where they forage in small groups.
