List of birds of Ireland

Last updated

Atlantic puffins nest in colonies around the coast. Atlantic Puffin Latrabjarg Iceland 05c.jpg
Atlantic puffins nest in colonies around the coast.
The northern lapwing Northern Lapwing.jpg
The northern lapwing

The avifauna of Ireland included a total of 522 species as of the end of 2019 according to the Irish Rare Birds Committee (IRBC). [1] Of them, 183 are rare, and 14 of the rarities have not been seen in Ireland since 1950. Three species were either introduced to Ireland or came to Ireland from another introduced population.

Contents

Ireland has a relatively low diversity of breeding birds due to its isolation. Several species such as the tawny owl, Eurasian nuthatch and willow tit which breed in Great Britain have not been recorded. However, there are large colonies of seabirds including important populations of European storm-petrels, northern gannets, and roseate terns. Other notable breeding birds include corn crakes and red-billed choughs. There are no endemic species but there are endemic subspecies of white-throated dipper, coal tit, and Eurasian jay.

Large numbers of wildfowl and waders winter in Ireland, attracted by its mild climate. About half the world population of the Greenland race of greater white-fronted geese spend the winter there. During autumn, many migrating seabirds can be seen off the coasts including several species of skuas, shearwaters, and petrels. Ireland's westerly position means that North American birds are regularly recorded in autumn.

This list's taxonomic treatment (designation and sequence of orders, families and species) and nomenclature (English and scientific names) are those of the International Ornithological Congress (IOC) as of July 2021. [2] Many of the Irish names are taken from the National Terminology Database for Irish. [3]

The following A, B, and C tags are used by the IRBC to define the status of species. "R" is used here for rare species. The list does not include species placed in "Category D" by the IRBC. These are species where there is doubt as to whether they have occurred in a wild state (Category D1), they have arrived by human assistance such as on board a ship (D2), they have only been recorded dead on the tideline (D3), or they are feral species whose populations may not be self-sustaining (D4). Some species have records of individuals in more than one category; the "highest" category is listed here in those cases.


Ducks, geese, swans

Mute swans on Lough Leane. SwansOnLoughLeane.jpg
Mute swans on Lough Leane.
Barnacle goose, a winter visitor from Greenland. Barnacle Goose - Branta leucopsis.jpg
Barnacle goose, a winter visitor from Greenland.
Mallard, a very common resident. Mallard male.jpg
Mallard, a very common resident.
Eiders, common on northern coasts. Somateria mollissima male female.jpg
Eiders, common on northern coasts.

Order: Anseriformes    Family: Anatidae

Anatidae includes the ducks and most duck-like waterfowl, such as geese and swans. These birds are adapted to an aquatic existence with webbed feet, flattened bills, and feathers that are excellent at shedding water due to an oily coating.

Common nameBinomialIrish nameStatus
Brant goose Branta berniclaCadhanA
Red-breasted goose Branta ruficollisGé broinnruaA R
Canada goose Branta canadensisGé cheanadachA R
Barnacle goose Branta leucopsisGé ghiúrainn / cadhanA
Cackling goose Branta hutchinsiiBrioscarnach-ghéA R
Snow goose Anser caerulescensGé shneachtaA
Greylag goose Anser anserCrann-ghé / gé mhór fhionn / gé ghlasA
Taiga bean-goose Anser fabalisSíolghé taigaíA
Pink-footed goose Anser brachyrhynchusGé ghobghearrA
Tundra bean-goose Anser serrirostrisSíolghé tundraíA R
Greater white-fronted goose Anser albifronsGé bhánéadanach mhórA
Lesser white-fronted goose Anser erythropusMionghé bhánéadanach / gé bheag fhionnA R
Mute swan Cygnus olorEala bhalbhA
Tundra swan Cygnus columbianusEala thundraA R
Whooper swan Cygnus cygnusEala ghlórachA
Common shelduck Tadorna tadornaSeil-lachaA
Ruddy shelduck Tadorna ferrugineaSeil-lacha rua / garg ruadhB
Mandarin duck Aix galericulataLacha mhandarinC
Baikal teal Sibirionetta formosaPraslacha bhaicalachA R
Garganey Spatula querquedulaPraslacha shamraidhA
Blue-winged teal Spatula discorsPraslacha ghormeiteachA
Northern shoveler Spatula clypeataSlapaire tuaisceartachA
Gadwall Mareca streperaGadualA
Eurasian wigeon Mareca penelopeRualachaA
American wigeon Mareca americanaRualacha mhericeánachA
Mallard Anas platyrhynchosMallard [4] A
American black duck Anas rubripesLacha chosruaA R
Northern pintail Anas acutaBiorearrach tuaisceartachA
Eurasian teal Anas creccaPraslacha ghlaseiteachA
Green-winged teal Anas carolinensisA
Red-crested pochard Netta rufinaPóiseard cíordheargA
Redhead Aythya americanaCeanndeargA R
Common pochard Aythya ferinaPóiseard cíordhearg / lacha mhásachA
Ferruginous duck Aythya nyrocaPóiseard ferruginousA R
Ring-necked duck Aythya collarisLacha mhuinceachA
Tufted duck Aythya fuligulaLacha bhadánachA
Greater scaup Aythya marilaLacha iascán mórA
Lesser scaup Aythya affinisMionlacha iascánA R
King eider Somateria spectabilisÉadar taibhseach / rígh éadarA
Common eider Somateria mollissimaÉadarA
Surf scoter Melanitta perspicillataScótar toinneA
Velvet scoter Melanitta fuscaSceadachA
White-winged scoter Melanitta deglandiScótarach bháneiteachA R
Common scoter Melanitta nigraScótar / lacha scótarachA
Black scoter Melanitta americanaScótar dubhA R
Long-tailed duck Clangula hyemalisLacha earrfhadaA
Bufflehead Bucephala albeolaÓrshúileach ceannsceadachA R
Common goldeneye Bucephala clangulaÓrshúileachA
Barrow's goldeneye Bucephala islandicaÓrshúileach bhearúA R
Smew Mergellus albellusSíolta ghealA
Hooded merganser Lophodytes cucullatusSíolta chochaillA R
Common merganser Mergus merganserSíolta / tumaireA
Red-breasted merganser Mergus serratorSíolta ruaA
Ruddy duck Oxyura jamaicensisLachra ruaC

Pheasants and allies

The grey partridge has seriously declined and is now very rare. Perdix perdix (Marek Szczepanek).jpg
The grey partridge has seriously declined and is now very rare.

Order: Galliformes    Family: Phasianidae

The Phasianidae are a family of terrestrial birds which consists of quails, partridges, snowcocks, francolins, spurfowls, tragopans, monals, pheasants, peafowls, and jungle fowls. In general, they are plump (although they vary in size) and have broad, relatively short wings.

Common nameBinomialIrish nameStatus
Western capercaillie Tetrao urogallusCapall coilleB
Willow ptarmigan Lagopus lagopusTarmachanA
Grey partridge Perdix perdixCearc coilleA
Common quail Coturnix coturnixGearg / gearraghuirtA
Common pheasant Phasianus colchicusFeasán mhuinceachC

Nightjars

Order: Caprimulgiformes    Family: Caprimulgidae

Nightjars are medium-sized nocturnal birds that usually nest on the ground. They have long wings, short legs, and very short bills. Most have small feet, of little use for walking, and long pointed wings. Their soft plumage is camouflaged to resemble bark or leaves.

Common nameBinomialIrish nameStatus
European nightjar Caprimulgus europaeusTuirne línA
Common nighthawk Chordeiles minorTuirne lín Meiriceánach [5] A R

Swifts

Common swift, a summer visitor. ApusApusKlausRoggel05.jpg
Common swift, a summer visitor.

Order: Apodiformes    Family: Apodidae

Swifts are small birds which spend the majority of their lives flying. These birds have very short legs and never settle voluntarily on the ground, perching instead only on vertical surfaces. Many swifts have long swept-back wings which resemble a crescent or boomerang.

Common nameBinomialIrish nameStatus
White-throated needletail Hirundapus caudacutusGabhlán earrspíonachA R
Chimney swift Chaetura pelagicaGabhlán simléirA R
Alpine swift Tachymarptis melbaGabhlán alpachA
Common swift Apus apusGabhlán gaoitheA
Pallid swift Apus pallidusGabhlán bánlíochA R
Little swift Apus affinisGabhlán beagA R

Bustards

Order: Otidiformes    Family: Otididae

Bustards are large terrestrial birds mainly associated with dry open country and steppes in the Old World. They are omnivorous and nest on the ground. They walk steadily on strong legs and big toes, pecking for food as they go. They have long broad wings with "fingered" wingtips and striking patterns in flight. Many have interesting mating displays.

Common nameBinomialIrish nameStatus
Great bustard Otis tardaBustard mór [6] B R
Little bustard Tetrax tetraxBustard beag [7] B R

Cuckoos

Common cuckoo, a declining summer visitor. Kuckuck (Cuculus canorus) by Tim Peukert.jpg
Common cuckoo, a declining summer visitor.

Order: Cuculiformes    Family: Cuculidae

The family Cuculidae includes cuckoos, roadrunners, and anis. These birds are of variable size with slender bodies, long tails, and strong legs. The Old World cuckoos are brood parasites.

Common nameBinomialIrish nameStatus
Great spotted cuckoo Clamator glandariusMórchuach bhreacA
Yellow-billed cuckoo Coccyzus americanusCuach ghob-bhuíA R
Black-billed cuckoo Coccyzus erythropthalmusCuach bhobdhubhB R
Common cuckoo Cuculus canorusCuachA

Sandgrouse

Order: Pterocliformes    Family: Pteroclidae

Sandgrouse have small, pigeon-like heads and necks, but sturdy compact bodies. They have long pointed wings and sometimes tails and a fast direct flight. Flocks fly to watering holes at dawn and dusk. Their legs are feathered down to the toes.

Common nameBinomialIrish nameStatus
Pallas's sandgrouse Syrrhaptes paradoxusGaineamhchearcA R

Pigeons and doves

Eurasian collared-dove, first recorded in 1959 and now common. Tuerkentaube1.jpg
Eurasian collared-dove, first recorded in 1959 and now common.
Rock dove, usually lives on cliffs near the Atlantic Ocean. Paloma bravia (Columba livia), Palacio de Nymphenburg, Munich, Alemania01.JPG
Rock dove, usually lives on cliffs near the Atlantic Ocean.

Order: Columbiformes    Family: Columbidae

Pigeons and doves are stout-bodied birds with short necks and short slender bills with a fleshy cere.

Common nameBinomialIrish nameStatus
Rock dove Columba liviaColm ailleA
Stock dove Columba oenasColm gormA
Common wood pigeon Columba palumbusColm coilleA
European turtle dove Streptopelia turturFearánA
Eurasian collared dove Streptopelia decaoctoFearán baicdhubhA
Mourning dove Zenaida macrouraFearán gubhachA R

Rails, crakes and coots

Corn crake, now a rare summer visitor but formerly very common. Corncrake2 cropped.jpg
Corn crake, now a rare summer visitor but formerly very common.

Order: Gruiformes    Family: Rallidae

Rallidae is a large family of small to medium-sized birds which includes the rails, crakes, coots, and gallinules. Typically they inhabit dense vegetation in damp environments near lakes, swamps, or rivers. In general they are shy and secretive birds, making them difficult to observe. Most species have strong legs and long toes which are well adapted to soft uneven surfaces. They tend to have short, rounded wings and to be weak fliers.

Common nameBinomialIrish nameStatus
Water rail Rallus aquaticusRálóg uisce / tradhna uisceA
Corn crake Crex crexTraonachA
Sora Porzana carolinaGearr soraA R
Spotted crake Porzana porzanaGearr breacA
Common moorhen Gallinula chloropusCearc uisce / truisc / coileach fraoichA
Eurasian coot Fulica atraCearc cheannannA
American coot Fulica americanaCearc mheiriceánachA R
Allen's gallinule Porphyrio alleniA R
Purple gallinule Porphyrio martinicaCearcógA R
Baillon's crake Zapornia pusillaGearr biorraA R
Little crake Zapornia parvaGearr beagB R

Cranes

Order: Gruiformes    Family: Gruidae

Cranes are large, long-legged, and long-necked birds. Unlike the similar-looking but unrelated herons, cranes fly with necks outstretched, not pulled back. Most have elaborate and noisy courting displays or "dances".

Common nameBinomialIrish nameStatus
Sandhill crane Antiogne canadensisCorr ceanadachB R
Common crane Grus grusCorr / grúsA

Grebes

Great crested grebes breed on inland lakes. Podiceps cristatus 1 (Lukasz Lukasik).jpg
Great crested grebes breed on inland lakes.

Order: Podicipediformes    Family: Podicipedidae

Grebes are small to medium-large freshwater diving birds. They have lobed toes and are excellent swimmers and divers. However, they have their feet placed far back on the body, making them quite ungainly on land.

Common nameBinomialIrish nameStatus
Little grebe Tachybaptus ruficollisSpágaire tonn / tomaire beagA
Pied-billed grebe Podilymbus podicepsFoithíoch gob-alabhreacA R
Red-necked grebe Podiceps grisegenaFoitheach píbruaA
Great crested grebe Podiceps cristatusFoitheach mór / Lúnadán mór an chorraicínA
Horned grebe Podiceps auritusBeann-foitheachA
Black-necked grebe Podiceps nigricollisFoithíoch cluasachA

Stone-curlews, thick-knees

Order: Charadriiformes    Family: Burhinidae

The thick-knees are a group of waders found worldwide within the tropical zone, with some species also breeding in temperate Europe and Australia. They are medium to large waders with strong black or yellow-black bills, large yellow eyes, and cryptic plumage. Despite being classed as waders, most species have a preference for arid or semi-arid habitats.

Common nameBinomialIrish nameStatus
Eurasian stone-curlew Burhinus oedicnemusGlúinramhrach caoirliunA R

Oystercatchers

Eurasian oystercatcher, common around the coast. Haematopus ostralegus He.jpg
Eurasian oystercatcher, common around the coast.

Order: Charadriiformes    Family: Haematopodidae

The oystercatchers are large and noisy plover-like birds, with strong bills used for smashing or prising open molluscs.

Common nameBinomialIrish nameStatus
Eurasian oystercatcher Haematopus ostralegusRoilleach / riabhán / scaladóirA

Stilts, avocets

Order: Charadriiformes    Family: Recurvirostridae

Recurvirostridae is a family of large wading birds which includes the avocets and stilts. The avocets have long legs and long up-curved bills. The stilts have extremely long legs and long, thin, straight bills.

Common nameBinomialIrish nameStatus
Black-winged stilt Himantopus himantopusScodlach dubheiteachA
Pied avocet Recurvirostra avosettaAbhóiséad breacA

Plovers

Northern lapwing, common in winter but less so in summer. Northern Lapwing.jpg
Northern lapwing, common in winter but less so in summer.
Black-bellied plovers breed in Arctic regions. Pluvialis squatarola.jpg
Black-bellied plovers breed in Arctic regions.
Common ringed plover, winters in coastal areas south to Africa. Common ringed plover (Charadrius hiaticula) Oppdal.jpg
Common ringed plover, winters in coastal areas south to Africa.

Order: Charadriiformes    Family: Charadriidae

The family Charadriidae includes the plovers, dotterels, and lapwings. They are small to medium-sized birds with compact bodies, short thick necks, and long, usually pointed, wings. They are found in open country worldwide, mostly in habitats near water.

Common nameBinomialIrish nameStatus
Northern lapwing Vanellus vanellusSaotharcán TuaisceartachA
Sociable lapwing Vanellus gregariusSaotharcóg / pilibínA R
European golden plover Pluvialis apricariaFeadóg bhuí / fideogA
American golden plover Pluvialis dominicaFeadó bhuí mhericeánachA
Pacific golden plover Pluvialis fulvaFeadóg bhuí ÁiseachA R
Grey plover Pluvialis squatarolaFeadóg bolgdubhA
Common ringed plover Charadrius hiaticulaFeadóg chladaigh / feadóg an fháinne / ladhránA
Semipalmated plover Charadrius semipalmatusGobadáinín mionbhosachA R
Little ringed plover Charadrius dubiusFeadóg an fháinne beagA
Killdeer Charadrius vociferusFeadóg ghlórachA
Kentish plover Charadrius alexandrinusFeadóigín chosdubhA R
Lesser sand plover Charadrius mongolusFeadóg mhara beagA R
Greater sand plover Charadrius leschenaultiiFeadóg mhara mhórA
Eurasian dotterel Charadrius morinellusAmadán móinteachA

Sandpipers, snipes

Eurasian curlew, widespread breeder with larger numbers in winter. Numenius arquata Reculver.jpg
Eurasian curlew, widespread breeder with larger numbers in winter.
Ruddy turnstone, common on rocky coasts. Arenaria interpres SK.jpg
Ruddy turnstone, common on rocky coasts.
Pectoral sandpiper, a frequent vagrant from North America. Pectoral Sandpiper3.jpg
Pectoral sandpiper, a frequent vagrant from North America.
Red-necked phalarope, a former breeding species. Phalaropus lobatus.jpg
Red-necked phalarope, a former breeding species.

Order: Charadriiformes    Family: Scolopacidae

Scolopacidae is a large diverse family of small to medium-sized shorebirds including the sandpipers, curlews, godwits, shanks, tattlers, woodcocks, snipes, dowitchers, and phalaropes. The majority of these species eat small invertebrates picked out of the mud or soil. Variation in length of legs and bills enables multiple species to feed in the same habitat, particularly on the coast, without direct competition for food.

Common nameBinomialIrish nameStatus
Upland sandpiper Bartramia longicaudaGobadán sléibheA R
Eurasian whimbrel Numenius phaeopusCrotach eanaighA
Eskimo curlew Numenius borealisCrotach ArtachB
Eurasian curlew Numenius arquataCrotach / cruiteachA
Bar-tailed godwit Limosa lapponicaGuibneach stríocearrachA
Black-tailed godwit Limosa limosaGuilbneach earrdubhA
Hudsonian godwit Limosa haemasticaGuilbneach brionn deargA R
Ruddy turnstone Arenaria interpresPiadálai trá ruadhA
Great knot Calidris tenuirostrisCnota mórA R
Red knot Calidris canutusCnota ruaA
Ruff Calidris pugnaxRufachánA
Broad-billed sandpiper Calidris falcinellusGobadán gobleathanA
Sharp-tailed sandpiper Calidris acuminataGobadán earr-rinneachA R
Stilt sandpiper Calidris himantopusGobadán scodlachA R
Curlew sandpiper Calidris ferrugineaGobadán crotaighA
Temminck's stint Calidris temminckiiGobadáinín tomaltaigA
Long-toed stint Calidris subminutaGobadáinín ladharfhadaA R
Red-necked stint Calidris ruficollisGobadán droimruaA R
Sanderling Calidris albaLuathránA
Dunlin Calidris alpinaBreacóA
Purple sandpiper Calidris maritimaGobadan cosbhuíA
Baird's sandpiper Calidris bairdiiGobadán bárdA
Little stint Calidris minutaGobadáinín beagA
Least sandpiper Calidris minutillaGobadáinín bídeachA R
White-rumped sandpiper Calidris fuscicollisGobadán bánphrompach / gobadán tónbháinA
Buff-breasted sandpiper Calidris subruficollisGobadán broinn-donnbhuíA
Pectoral sandpiper Calidris melanotosGobadán uchtachA
Semipalmated sandpiper Calidris pusillaGobadán mionbhosachA
Western sandpiper Calidris mauriGobadán iartharachA R
Long-billed dowitcher Limnodromus scolopaceusGuilbnín gobfhadaA
Short-billed dowitcher Limnodromus griseusGuilbnín gobghearrA R
Eurasian woodcock Scolopax rusticolaCreabharA
Jack snipe Lymnocryptes minimusNaoscach bhídeachA
Great snipe Gallinago mediaNaoscach mórA R
Common snipe Gallinago gallinagoNaoscachA
Wilson's snipe Gallinago delicataNaoscach macliamA R
Terek sandpiper Xenus cinereusBodairlín lusrachánA R
Wilson's phalarope Phalaropus tricolorFalaróp macliamA
Red-necked phalarope Phalaropus lobatusFalaróp gobchaolA
Red phalarope Phalaropus fulicariusFalaróp ruaA
Common sandpiper Actitis hypoleucosGobadán coiteannA
Spotted sandpiper Actitis maculariaGobadán breacA R
Green sandpiper Tringa ochropusGobadán glasA
Solitary sandpiper Tringa solitariaGobadán aonarachA R
Lesser yellowlegs Tringa flavipesMionladhrán buíA
Common redshank Tringa totanusCosdeargánA
Marsh sandpiper Tringa stagnatilisGobadán corraighA R
Wood sandpiper Tringa glareolaGobadán coilleA
Spotted redshank Tringa erythropusCosdeargán breacA
Common greenshank Tringa nebulariaLadhrán glasA
Greater yellowlegs Tringa melanoleucaLadhrán buíA R

Coursers, pratincoles

Order: Charadriiformes    Family: Glareolidae

Glareolidae is a family of wading birds comprising the pratincoles, which have short legs, long pointed wings, and long forked tails, and the coursers, which have long legs, short wings, and long, pointed bills which curve downwards.

Common nameBinomialIrish nameStatus
Cream-colored courser Cursorius cursorRásaí bánbhuíA R
Collared pratincole Glareola pratincolaPratancól muinceachA R
Black-winged pratincole Glareola nordmanniPratancól dubheiteachA R

Gulls, terns, skimmers

Herring gull, very common resident. Larus argentatus ad.jpg
Herring gull, very common resident.
Roseate tern, a scarce summer visitor. RoseateTern23.jpg
Roseate tern, a scarce summer visitor.

Order: Charadriiformes    Family: Laridae

Laridae is a family of medium to large seabirds, the gulls, terns, and skimmers. Gulls are typically grey or white, often with black markings on the head or wings. They have stout, longish bills and webbed feet. Terns are a group of generally medium to large seabirds typically with grey or white plumage, often with black markings on the head. Most terns hunt fish by diving but some pick insects off the surface of fresh water. Terns are generally long-lived birds, with several species known to live in excess of 30 years.

Common nameBinomialIrish nameStatus
Black-legged kittiwake Rissa tridactylaSaidhbhéarA
Ivory gull Pagophila eburneaFaoileán eabharthaA R
Sabine's gull Xema sabiniSléibhín SabineA
Bonaparte's gull Chroicocephalus philadelphiaSléibhín BonaparteA
Black-headed gull Chroicocephalus ridibundusSléibhínA
Little gull Hydrocoloeus minutusSléibhín beagA
Ross's gull Rhodostethia roseaFaoileán RossA
Laughing gull Leucophaeus atricillaSléibhín an gháireA
Franklin's gull Leucophaeus pipixcanSléibhín FranklinA R
Mediterranean gull Ichthyaetus melanocephalusSléibhín meánmhuiríA
Common gull Larus canusFaoileán bánA
Ring-billed gull Larus delawarensisFaoileán bandghobachA
Great black-backed gull Larus marinusDroimneach mórA
Glaucous-winged gull Larus glaucescensFaoileán glasA
Glaucous gull Larus hyperboreusFaoileán glasA
Iceland gull Larus glaucoidesFaoileán ÍoslannachA
European herring gull Larus argentatusFaoileán scadánA
American herring gull Larus smithsonianusA
Vega gull Larus vegaeA
Caspian gull Larus cachinnansFaoileán gáiriteachA R
Yellow-legged gull Larus michahellisFaoileán scadán cosbhuíA
Slaty-backed gull Larus schistisagusA R
Lesser black-backed gull Larus fuscusDroimneach beagA
Gull-billed tern Gelochelidon niloticaGeabhróg ghobdhubhA R
Caspian tern Hydroprogne caspiaGeabhróg ChaispeachA R
Royal tern Thalasseus maximusGeabhróg ríogaA R
Lesser crested tern Thalasseus bengalensisMiongheabhróg chíorachA R
West African crested tern Thalasseus albididorsalisA R[ citation needed ]
Sandwich tern Thalasseus sandvicensisGeabhróg scothdhubhA
Elegant tern Thalasseus elegansGeabhróg ghalántaA R
Little tern Sternula albifronsGeabhróg bheagA
Sooty tern Onychoprion fuscatusGeabhróg shúicheachA R
Roseate tern Sterna dougalliiGeabhróg rosachA
Common tern Sterna hirundoGeabhrógA
Arctic tern Sterna paradisaeaGeabhróg ArtachA
Forster's tern Sterna forsteriGeabhróg ForsterA
Whiskered tern Chlidonias hybridusGeabhróg bhroinndubhA
White-winged tern Chlidonias leucopterusGeabhróg bháneiteachA
Black tern Chlidonias nigerGeabhróg dhubhA

Skuas

Great skua, a passage migrant around the coast. GreatSkuaInWater.jpg
Great skua, a passage migrant around the coast.

Order: Charadriiformes    Family: Stercorariidae

The family Stercorariidae are, in general, medium to large birds, typically with grey or brown plumage, often with white markings on the wings. They nest on the ground in temperate and arctic regions and are long-distance migrants.

Common nameBinomialIrish nameStatus
Great skua Stercorarius skuaMeirleach mórA
Pomarine jaeger Stercorarius pomarinusMeirleach pomairíneachA
Parasitic jaeger Stercorarius parasiticusMeirleach ArtachA
Long-tailed jaeger Stercorarius longicaudusMeirleach earrfhadaA

Auks

Black guillemot, found along rocky coasts and around harbours and piers. Tystie1.jpg
Black guillemot, found along rocky coasts and around harbours and piers.

Order: Charadriiformes    Family: Alcidae

Alcids are superficially similar to penguins due to their black-and-white colours, their upright posture, and some of their habits. However, they are not related to the penguins and differ in being able to fly. Auks live on the open sea, only deliberately coming ashore to nest.

Common nameBinomialIrish nameStatus
Little auk Alle alleForacha bheagA
Thick-billed murre Uria lomviaForacha brünnichA R
Common murre Uria aalgeForachaA
Razorbill Alca tordaCrosánA
Great auk Pinguinus impennisForacha mhórB (extinct)
Black guillemot Cepphus grylleForacha dhubhA
Atlantic puffin Fratercula arcticaPuifínA

Loons

Common loon, a winter visitor to coastal waters. Common Loon (Gavia immer) in the Morro Bay.jpg
Common loon, a winter visitor to coastal waters.

Order: Gaviiformes    Family: Gaviidae

Loons, also known as divers, are a group of aquatic birds found in many parts of North America and northern Europe. They are the size of a large duck or small goose, which they somewhat resemble in shape when swimming, but to which they are completely unrelated.

Common nameBinomialIrish nameStatus
Red-throated loon Gavia stellataLóma ruaA
Black-throated loon Gavia arcticaLóma ArtachA
Pacific loon Gavia pacificaA R
Common loon Gavia immerLóma mórA
Yellow-billed loon Gavia adamsiiLóma gobghealA R

Austral storm petrels

Order: Procellariiformes    Family: Oceanitidae

The storm petrels are the smallest seabirds, relatives of the petrels, feeding on planktonic crustaceans and small fish picked from the surface, typically while hovering. The flight is fluttering and sometimes bat-like. Until 2018, this family's species were included with the other storm petrels in family Hydrobatidae.

Common nameBinomialIrish nameStatus
Wilson's storm petrel Oceanites oceanicusGuairdeall WilsonA

Albatrosses

Order: Procellariiformes    Family: Diomedeidae

The albatrosses are among the largest of flying birds, and the great albatrosses from the genus Diomedea have the largest wingspans of any extant birds.

Common nameBinomialIrish nameStatus
Black-browed albatross Thalassarche melanophrisAlbatras dú-mhalachA R

Northern storm petrels

European storm petrel; Ireland has the world's largest breeding population. European Storm-petrel.jpg
European storm petrel; Ireland has the world's largest breeding population.

Order: Procellariiformes    Family: Hydrobatidae

Though the members of this family are similar in many respects to the southern storm petrels, including their general appearance and habits, there are enough genetic differences to warrant their placement in a separate family.

Common nameBinomialIrish nameStatus
European storm petrel Hydrobates pelagicusGuairdeallA
Band-rumped storm petrel / Monteiro's storm petrel / Cape Verde storm petrel Hydrobates castro / Hydrobates monteiroi / Hydrobates jabejabeB R (see note) [notes 1]
Swinhoe's storm petrel Hydrobates monorhisA R
Leach's storm petrel Hydrobates leucorhousGuairdeall gabhlachA

Petrels, shearwaters, diving petrels

Northern fulmars first bred in 1911 but are now widespread. Eissturmvogel02.jpg
Northern fulmars first bred in 1911 but are now widespread.

Order: Procellariiformes    Family: Procellariidae

The procellariids are the main group of medium-sized "true petrels", characterised by united nostrils with medium septum and a long outer functional primary.

Common nameBinomialIrish nameStatus
Southern giant petrel Macronectes giganteusA
Northern fulmar Fulmarus glacialisFulmaireA
Zino's petrel Pterodroma madeiraA
Fea's petrel Pterodroma feaeA
Bermuda petrel Pterodroma cahowA
White-chinned petrel Procellaria aequinoctialisA
Scopoli's shearwater Calonectris diomedeaA
Cory's shearwater Calonectris borealisCánóg CoryA
Sooty shearwater Ardenna griseusCánóg dhorcha
Short-tailed shearwater Ardenna tenuirostrisA
Great shearwater Ardenna gravisCánóg mhór
Manx shearwater Puffinus puffinusCánóg dhubh
Yelkouan shearwater Puffinus yelkouanA
Balearic shearwater Puffinus mauretanicus
Barolo shearwater Puffinus baroliCánóg BaroloA R
Bulwer's petrel Bulweria bulweriiPeadairín BulwerA R

Storks

Order: Ciconiiformes    Family: Ciconiidae

Storks are large, long-legged, long-necked, wading birds with long, stout bills. Storks are mute, but bill-clattering is an important mode of communication at the nest. Their nests can be large and may be reused for many years. Many species are migratory.

Common nameBinomialIrish nameStatus
Black stork Ciconia nigraStorc dubhA R
White stork Ciconia ciconiaStorc bánA

Frigatebirds

Order: Suliformes    Family: Fregatidae

Frigatebirds are large seabirds usually found over tropical oceans. They are large, black-and-white, or completely black, with long wings and deeply forked tails. The males have coloured inflatable throat pouches. They do not swim or walk and cannot take off from a flat surface. Having the largest wingspan-to-body-weight ratio of any bird, they are essentially aerial, able to stay aloft for more than a week.

Common nameBinomialIrish nameStatus
Frigatebird speciesFregata sp.Speiceas frigéidA R

Gannets, boobies

Order: Suliformes    Family: Sulidae

The sulids comprise the gannets and boobies. Both groups are medium to large coastal seabirds that plunge-dive for fish.

Common nameBinomialIrish nameStatus
Northern gannet Morus bassanusGaineadA
Brown booby Sula leucogasterA

Cormorants, shags

European shags, common around the coast. Phalacrocorax aristotelis.jpg
European shags, common around the coast.

Order: Suliformes    Family: Phalacrocoracidae

Phalacrocoracidae is a family of medium to large coastal, fish-eating seabirds that includes cormorants and shags. Plumage colouration varies, with the majority having mainly dark plumage, some species being black-and-white and a few being colourful.

Common nameBinomialIrish nameStatus
Great cormorant Phalacrocorax carboBroigheallA
European shag Gulosus aristotelisSeagaA
Double-crested cormorant Nannopterum auritumBroigheall cluasachA R

Ibises and spoonbills

Eurasian spoonbill, a rare visitor. Loeffler.jpg
Eurasian spoonbill, a rare visitor.

Order: Pelecaniformes    Family: Threskiornithidae

Threskiornithidae is a family of large terrestrial and wading birds which includes the ibises and spoonbills. They have long, broad wings with 11 primary and about 20 secondary feathers. They are strong fliers and despite their size and weight, very capable soarers.

Common nameBinomialIrish nameStatus
Glossy ibis Plegadis falcinellusÍbis niamhrachA
Eurasian spoonbill Platalea leucorodiaCorr leitheadach EoráiseachA

Herons, bitterns

Little egret, first bred in 1997 and is increasingly common. Little Egret (Egretta garzetta)- In Breeding plumage-actively catching prey in Kolkata I IMG 7990.jpg
Little egret, first bred in 1997 and is increasingly common.
Cattle egret, a rare vagrant. Bubulcus ibis 0011.jpg
Cattle egret, a rare vagrant.

Order: Pelecaniformes    Family: Ardeidae

The family Ardeidae contains the bitterns, herons, and egrets. Herons and egrets are medium to large wading birds with long necks and legs. Bitterns tend to be shorter-necked and more wary. Members of Ardeidae fly with their necks retracted, unlike other long-necked birds such as storks, ibises, and spoonbills.

Common nameBinomialIrish nameStatus
Eurasian bittern Botaurus stellarisBonnánA
American bittern Botaurus lentiginosusBonnán MeiriceánachA R
Little bittern Ixobrychus minutusBonnán beagA
Black-crowned night heron Nycticorax nycticoraxCorr oícheA
Green heron Butorides virescensCorr ghormghlasA R
Squacco heron Ardeola ralloidesCorr scréachachA
Western cattle egret Bubulcus ibisÉigrit eallaighA
Grey heron Ardea cinereaCorr réiscA
Purple heron Ardea purpureaCorr chorcraA
Great egret Ardea albaÉigrit mhórA
Little blue heron Egretta caeruleaÉigrit ghormA R
Little egret Egretta garzettaÉigrit bheagA

Osprey

Order: Accipitriformes    Family: Pandionidae

The family Pandionidae contains o species, the osprey. Ospreys are medium-large raptors that are specialist fish-eaters.

Common nameBinomialIrish nameStatus
Osprey Pandion haliaetusCoirneachA

Kites, hawks, eagles

Hen harrier, a rare breeding bird. Hen Harrier.jpg
Hen harrier, a rare breeding bird.
Common buzzard, increasing and spreading. Buzzard.jpg
Common buzzard, increasing and spreading.

Order: Accipitriformes    Family: Accipitridae

Accipitridae is a family of birds of prey which includes hawks, eagles, kites, harriers, and Old World vultures. These birds have powerful hooked beaks for tearing flesh from their prey, strong legs, powerful talons, and keen eyesight.

Common nameBinomialIrish nameStatus
European honey buzzard Pernis apivorusClamhán mílA R
Griffon vulture Gyps fulvusBultúr gríofaB R
Greater spotted eagle Clanga clangaIolar breac mórB R
Golden eagle Aquila chrysaetosIolar firéanA R
Eurasian sparrowhawk Accipiter nisusSpiorógA
Eurasian goshawk Accipiter gentilisSpioróg mhórA R
Western marsh harrier Circus aeruginosusCromán mónaA
Hen harrier Circus cyaneusCromán na gcearcA
Northern harrier Circus hudsoniusA R
Pallid harrier Circus macrourusCromán bánlíochA R
Montagu's harrier Circus pygargusCromán liathA
Red kite Milvus milvusCúr ruaA
Black kite Milvus migransCúr dubhA R
White-tailed eagle Haliaeetus albicillaIolar maraA R
Bald eagle Haliaeetus leucocephalusIolar mhaolA R
Rough-legged buzzard Buteo lagopusClamhán lópachA R
Common buzzard Buteo buteoClamhánA

Barn owls

Order: Strigiformes    Family: Tytonidae

Barn owls are medium to large owls with large heads and characteristic heart-shaped faces. They have long strong legs with powerful talons.

Common nameBinomialIrish nameStatus
Western barn owl Tyto albaScréachóg reiligeA

Owls

Long-eared owl, a difficult-to-see resident. CRW 2987.jpg
Long-eared owl, a difficult-to-see resident.

Order: Strigiformes    Family: Strigidae

The typical owls are small to large solitary nocturnal birds of prey. They have large forward-facing eyes and ears, a hawk-like beak, and a conspicuous circle of feathers around each eye called a facial disk.

Common nameBinomialIrish nameStatus
Eurasian scops owl Otus scopsUlchabhán scopach EoráiseachA R
Snowy owl Bubo scandiacusUlchabhán sneachtúilA
Little owl Athene noctuaUlchabhán beagA R
Long-eared owl Asio otusCeann caitA
Short-eared owl Asio flammeusUlchabhán réiscA

Hoopoes

Order: Bucerotiformes    Family: Upupidae

Hoopoes have black, white, and orangey-pink colouring with a large erectile crest on their head.

Common nameBinomialIrish nameStatus
Eurasian hoopoe Upupa epopsHúpúA

Rollers

Order: Coraciiformes    Family: Coraciidae

Rollers resemble crows in size and build, but are more closely related to the kingfishers and bee-eaters. They share the colourful appearance of those groups with blues and browns predominating. The two inner front toes are connected, but the outer toe is not.

Common nameBinomialIrish nameStatus
European roller Coracias garrulusRollóir EorpachA R

Kingfishers

Common kingfisher, seen beside rivers and lakes. Alcedo atthis 1 (Lukasz Lukasik).jpg
Common kingfisher, seen beside rivers and lakes.

Order: Coraciiformes    Family: Alcedinidae

Kingfishers are medium-sized birds with large heads, long pointed bills, short legs, and stubby tails.

Common nameBinomialIrish nameStatus
Common kingfisher Alcedo atthisCruidínA
Belted kingfisher Megaceryle alcyonCruidín creasaA R

Bee-eaters

Order: Coraciiformes    Family: Meropidae

The bee-eaters are a family of near passerine birds found mostly in Africa, but others occur in southern Europe, Madagascar, Australia, and New Guinea. They are characterised by richly coloured plumage, slender bodies, and usually elongated central tail feathers. All are colourful and have long downturned bills and pointed wings, which give them a swallow-like appearance when seen from afar.

Common nameBinomialIrish nameStatus
European bee-eater Merops apiasterBeachadóir EorpachA

Woodpeckers

Great spotted woodpecker, an occasional visitor which has bred recently. Dendrocopos major 4-3c.jpg
Great spotted woodpecker, an occasional visitor which has bred recently.

Order: Piciformes    Family: Picidae

Woodpeckers are small to medium-sized birds with chisel-like beaks, short legs, stiff tails, and long tongues used for capturing insects. Some species have feet with two toes pointing forward and two backward, while several species have only three toes. Many woodpeckers have the habit of tapping noisily on tree trunks with their beaks. Great spotted woodpecker has started breeding in recent years. [8]

Common nameBinomialIrish nameStatus
Eurasian wryneck Jynx torquillaCam-mhuinA
Yellow-bellied sapsucker Sphyrapicus variusSúdhiúlaí tarrbhuíA R
Great spotted woodpecker Dendrocopos majorMórchnagaire breacA
Eurasian green woodpecker Picus viridisCnagaire glasB R

Caracaras, falcons

Eurasian kestrel, a common resident. Common-Kestrel-5.jpg
Eurasian kestrel, a common resident.

Order: Falconiformes    Family: Falconidae

Falconidae is a family of diurnal birds of prey. They differ from hawks, eagles, and kites in that they kill with their beaks instead of their talons.

Common nameBinomialIrish nameStatus
Lesser kestrel Falco naumanniMionphocaire gaoitheB R
Common kestrel Falco tinnunculusPocaire gaoitheA
Red-footed falcon Falco vespertinusFabhcún cosdeargA
Merlin Falco columbariusMeirliúnA
Eurasian hobby Falco subbuteoFabhcún coilleA
Gyrfalcon Falco rusticolusFabhcún mórA R
Peregrine falcon Falco peregrinusFabhcún gormA

Tyrant flycatchers, calyptura

Order: Passeriformes    Family: Tyrannidae

Tyrant flycatchers occur throughout North and South America. They superficially resemble the Old World flycatchers, but are more robust and have stronger bills. They do not have the sophisticated vocal capabilities of the songbirds. Most, but not all, are rather plain. As the name implies, most are insectivorous.

Common nameBinomialIrish nameStatus
Eastern kingbird Tyrannus tyrannusA R

Shrikes

Red-backed shrike, a rare passage migrant. Lanius collurio male am.jpg
Red-backed shrike, a rare passage migrant.

Order: Passeriformes    Family: Laniidae

Shrikes are passerine birds known for their habit of catching other birds and small animals and impaling the uneaten portions of their bodies on thorns. A shrike's beak is hooked, like that of a typical bird of prey.

Common nameBinomialIrish nameStatus
Brown shrike Lanius cristatusScréachán donnA R
Red-backed shrike Lanius collurioScréachán droimruaA
Isabelline shrike Lanius isabellinusScréachán isibéalachA R
Lesser grey shrike Lanius minorMionscréachán liathA R
Great grey shrike Lanius excubitorMórscréachán liathA R
Woodchat shrike Lanius senatorScréachán coilleA

Vireos, greenlets, shrike-babblers

Order: Passeriformes    Family: Vireonidae

The vireos are a group of small to medium-sized passerine birds restricted to the New World. They are typically greenish in colour and resemble New World warblers apart from their heavier bills.

Common nameBinomialIrish nameStatus
Philadelphia vireo Vireo philadelphicusGlaséan PhiladelphiaA R
Red-eyed vireo Vireo olivaceusGlaséan súildeargA R

Figbirds, orioles, turnagra

Order: Passeriformes    Family: Oriolidae

The Old World orioles are colourful passerine birds. They are not related to the New World orioles.

Common nameBinomialIrish nameStatus
Eurasian golden oriole Oriolus oriolusÓiréal órgaA

Crows, jays

Hooded crow, a common resident in many habitats. Corvus corone cornix 0379.jpg
Hooded crow, a common resident in many habitats.

Order: Passeriformes    Family: Corvidae

The family Corvidae includes crows, ravens, jackdaws, jays, choughs, magpies, treepies, nutcrackers, and ground jays. Corvids are above average in size among the Passeriformes, and some of the larger species show high levels of intelligence.

Common nameBinomialIrish nameStatus
Eurasian jay Garrulus glandariusScréachóg / scéachóg choilleA
Eurasian magpie Pica picaSnag breacA
Red-billed chough Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocoraxCág cosdeargA
Eurasian jackdaw Corvus monedulaCágA
Rook Corvus frugilegusRúcachA
Carrion crow Corvus coroneCaróg dhubhA
Hooded crow Corvus cornixCaróg liathA
Northern raven Corvus coraxFiach dubhA

Waxwings

Order: Passeriformes    Family: Bombycillidae

The waxwings are a group of birds with soft silky plumage and unique red tips to some of the wing feathers. In the Bohemian and cedar waxwings, these tips look like sealing wax and give the group its name. These are arboreal birds of northern forests. They live on insects in summer and berries in winter.

Common nameBinomialIrish nameStatus
Bohemian waxwing Bombycilla garrulusSíodeiteachA
Cedar waxwing Bombycilla cedrorumA R

Tits, chickadees

Coal tit, common in woods and gardens. Coal tit (Periparus ater) on line.jpeg
Coal tit, common in woods and gardens.

Order: Passeriformes    Family: Paridae

The Paridae are mainly small stocky woodland species with short stout bills. Some have crests. They are adaptable birds, with a mixed diet including seeds and insects.

Common nameBinomialIrish nameStatus
Coal tit Periparus aterMeantán dubhA
Marsh tit Poecile palustrisMeantán lathaíA R
Eurasian blue tit Cyanistes caeruleusMeantán gormA
Great tit Parus majorMeantán mórA

Penduline tits

Order: Passeriformes    Family: Remizidae

The penduline-tits are a group of small passerine birds related to the true tits. They are insectivores.

Common nameBinomialIrish nameStatus
Eurasian penduline tit Remiz pendulinusA

Bearded reedling

Order: Passeriformes    Family: Panuridae

This species, the only one in its family, is found in reed beds throughout temperate Europe and Asia.

Common nameBinomialIrish nameStatus
Bearded reedling Panurus biarmicusMeantán croiméalachA

Larks

Eurasian skylark, a common resident. Alauda arvensis 2.jpg
Eurasian skylark, a common resident.

Order: Passeriformes    Family: Alaudidae

Larks are small terrestrial birds with often extravagant songs and display flights. Most larks are fairly dull in appearance. Their food is insects and seeds.

Common nameBinomialIrish nameStatus
Wood lark Lullula arboreaFuiseog choilleA R
Eurasian skylark Alauda arvensisFuiseogA
Horned lark Eremophila alpestrisFuiseog adharcachA
Greater short-toed lark Calandrella brachydactylaFuiseog ladharghearrA

Swallows, martins

Barn swallow, a very common summer visitor. Landsvale.jpg
Barn swallow, a very common summer visitor.

Order: Passeriformes    Family: Hirundinidae

The family Hirundinidae is adapted to aerial feeding. They have a slender streamlined body, long pointed wings, and a short bill with a wide gape. The feet are adapted to perching rather than walking, and the front toes are partially joined at the base.

Common nameBinomialIrish nameStatus
Sand martin Riparia ripariaGabhlán gainimhA
Barn swallow Hirundo rusticaFáinleogA
Common house martin Delichon urbicumGabhlán binneA
Red-rumped swallow Cecropis dauricaFáinleog ruaphrompachA
American cliff swallow Petrochelidon pyrrhonotaFáinleog aille MheiriceánachA R

Streaked scrub warbler

Order: Passeriformes    Family: Scotocercidae

The members of this family are found throughout Africa, Asia, and Polynesia. This species is the only one found regularly in Europe.

Common nameBinomialIrish nameStatus
Cetti's warbler Cettia cettiCeolaire CettiA R

Bushtits

Long-tailed tit, a common resident. Aegithalos caudatus 1 (Marek Szczepanek).jpg
Long-tailed tit, a common resident.

Order: Passeriformes    Family: Aegithalidae

Long-tailed tits are a group of small passerine birds with medium to long tails. They make woven bag nests in trees. Most eat a mixed diet which includes insects.

Common nameBinomialIrish nameStatus
Long-tailed tit Aegithalos caudatusMeantán earrfhadaA

Leaf warblers and allies

Order: Passeriformes    Family: Phylloscopidae

Leaf warblers are a family of small insectivorous birds found mostly in Eurasia and ranging into Wallacea and Africa. The species are of various sizes, often green-plumaged above and yellow below, or more subdued with greyish-green to greyish-brown colors.

Common nameBinomialIrish nameStatus
Wood warbler Phylloscopus sibilatrixCeolaire coilleA
Western Bonelli's warbler Phylloscopus bonelliCeolaire BonelliA R
Hume's leaf warbler Phylloscopus humeiCeolaire HumeA R
Yellow-browed warbler Phylloscopus inornatusCeolaire buímhalachA
Pallas's leaf warbler Phylloscopus proregulusCeolaire PallasA
Radde's warbler Phylloscopus schwarziCeolaire RaddeA R
Dusky warbler Phylloscopus fuscatusCeolaire breacdhorchaA R
Willow warbler Phylloscopus trochilusCeolaire sailíA
Common chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybitaTiuf-teafA
Iberian chiffchaff Phylloscopus ibericusTiuf-teaf IbéarachA R
Greenish warbler Phylloscopus trochiloidesCeolaire scothghlasA
Arctic warbler Phylloscopus borealisCeolaire ArtachA R

Reed warblers and allies

Order: Passeriformes    Family: Acrocephalidae

The members of this family are usually rather large for "warblers". Most are rather plain olivaceous brown above with much yellow to beige below. They are usually found in open woodland, reedbeds, or tall grass. The family occurs mostly in southern to western Eurasia and surroundings, but it also ranges far into the Pacific, with some species in Africa.

Common nameBinomialIrish nameStatus
Great reed warbler Acrocephalus arundinaceusCeolaire giolcaí mórA R
Aquatic warbler Acrocephalus paludicolaCeolaire uisceA R
Sedge warbler Acrocephalus schoenobaenusCeolaire cíbeA
Paddyfield warbler Acrocephalus agricolaCeolaire gort ríseA R
Blyth's reed warbler Acrocephalus dumetorumCeolaire BlythA R
Eurasian reed warbler Acrocephalus scirpaceusCeolaire giolcaíA
Marsh warbler Acrocephalus palustrisCeolaire corraighA R
Booted warbler Iduna caligataCeolaire cuaráinA R
Sykes's warbler Iduna ramaCeolaire SykeA R
Eastern olivaceous warbler Iduna pallidaCeolaire bánlíochA R
Melodious warbler Hippolais polyglottaCeolaire binnA
Icterine warbler Hippolais icterinaCeolaire ictireachA

Grassbirds and allies

Order: Passeriformes    Family: Locustellidae

Locustellidae are a family of small insectivorous songbirds found mainly in Eurasia, Africa, and the Australian region. They are smallish birds with tails that are usually long and pointed, and tend to be drab brownish or buffy all over.

Common nameBinomialIrish nameStatus
Pallas's grasshopper warbler Helopsaltes certhiolaCeolaire casarnaí PallasA R
Savi's warbler Locustella luscinioidesCeolaire SaviA R
Common grasshopper warbler Locustella naeviaCeolaire casarnaíA

Cisticolas and allies

Order: Passeriformes    Family: Cisticolidae

The Cisticolidae are warblers found mainly in warmer southern regions of the Old World. They are generally very small birds of drab brown or grey appearance found in open country such as grassland or scrub.

Common nameBinomialIrish nameStatus
Zitting cisticola Cisticola juncidisCeolaire feanearrachA R

Sylviid babblers

Eurasian blackcap, most places in Ireland have residents. Sylvia atricapilla.jpg
Eurasian blackcap, most places in Ireland have residents.

Order: Passeriformes    Family: Sylviidae

The family Sylviidae is a group of small insectivorous passerine birds. They mainly occur as breeding species, as another common name (Old World warblers) implies, in Europe, Asia, and, to a lesser extent, Africa. Most are of generally undistinguished appearance, but many have distinctive songs.

Common nameBinomialIrish nameStatus
Eurasian blackcap Sylvia atricapillaCaipín dubhA
Garden warbler Sylvia borinCeolaire garraíA
Barred warbler Curruca nisoriaCeolaire barrachA
Lesser whitethroat Curruca currucaGilphíb bheagA
Sardinian warbler Curruca melanocephalaCeolaire SairdíneachA R
Western subalpine warbler Curruca iberiaeA[ citation needed ]
Eastern subalpine warbler Curruca cantillansCeolaire fo-AlpachA
Common whitethroat Curruca communisGilbhíb mórA
Dartford warbler Curruca undataCeolaire fraoighA R

Goldcrests, kinglets

Goldcrest, Ireland's smallest bird. Roitelet-huppe.jpg
Goldcrest, Ireland's smallest bird.

Order: Passeriformes    Family: Regulidae

The kinglets, also called crests, are a small group of birds which were sometimes included in the Old World warblers, family Sylviidae.

Common nameBinomialIrish nameStatus
Common firecrest Regulus ignicapillusLasairchíorA
Goldcrest Regulus regulusCíorbhuíA
Ruby-crowned kinglet Corthylio calendulaA R

Wrens

Eurasian wren, "hunting the wren" is an old tradition in Ireland. Zaunkoenig-photo.jpg
Eurasian wren, "hunting the wren" is an old tradition in Ireland.

Order: Passeriformes    Family: Troglodytidae

The wrens are mainly small and inconspicuous except for their loud songs. These birds have short wings and thin down-turned bills. Several species often hold their tails upright. All are insectivorous.

Common nameBinomialIrish nameStatus
Eurasian wren Troglodytes troglodytesDreolínA

Treecreepers

Eurasian treecreeper, an inconspicuous resident. Boomkruiper1reversed.jpg
Eurasian treecreeper, an inconspicuous resident.

Order: Passeriformes    Family: Certhiidae

Treecreepers are small woodland birds, brown above and white below. They have thin pointed down-curved bills, which they use to extricate insects from bark. They have stiff tail feathers, like woodpeckers, which they use to support themselves on vertical trees.

Common nameBinomialIrish nameStatus
Eurasian treecreeper Certhia familiarisSnag coiteannA

Mockingbirds, thrashers

Order: Passeriformes    Family: Mimidae

The mimids are a family of passerine birds that includes thrashers, mockingbirds, tremblers, and the New World catbirds. These birds are notable for their vocalizations, especially their ability to mimic a wide variety of birds and other sounds heard outdoors. Their colouring tends towards dull-greys and browns.

Common nameBinomialIrish nameStatus
Grey catbird Dumetella carolinensisCatéan liathA R

Starlings, rhabdornis

European starling, a common breeding bird with more arriving in winter. Taking a rest.jpg
European starling, a common breeding bird with more arriving in winter.

Order: Passeriformes    Family: Sturnidae

Starlings are small to medium-sized passerine birds. Their flight is strong and direct and they are very gregarious. Their preferred habitat is fairly open country. They eat insects and fruit. Plumage is typically dark with a metallic sheen.

Common nameBinomialIrish nameStatus
Rosy starling Pastor roseusDruid rósachA
European starling Sturnus vulgarisDruidA

Thrushes

Ring ouzel, a rare summer visitor to high mountains. Turdus torquatus2.jpg
Ring ouzel, a rare summer visitor to high mountains.

Order: Passeriformes    Family: Turdidae

The thrushes are a group of passerine birds that occur mainly in the Old World. They are plump, soft plumaged, small to medium-sized insectivores or sometimes omnivores, often feeding on the ground. Many have attractive songs.

Common nameBinomialIrish nameStatus
Siberian thrush Geokichla sibiricaSmólach SibéarachA R
White's thrush Zoothera aureaSmólach WhiteA R
Veery Catharus fuscescensA
Grey-cheeked thrush Catharus minimusSmólach glasleicneachA R
Swainson's thrush Catharus ustulatusSmólach SwainsonA R
Hermit thrush Catharus guttatusSmólach ceallaighA R
Ring ouzel Turdus torquatusLon creigeA
Eurasian blackbird Turdus merulaLon dubhA
Fieldfare Turdus pilarisSacánA
Redwing Turdus iliacusDeargán sneachtaA
Song thrush Turdus philomelosSmólach ceoilA
Mistle thrush Turdus viscivorusSmólach mórA
American robin Turdus migratoriusSpideogA R

Chats, Old World flycatchers

Spotted flycatcher, one of the last summer visitors to arrive. SpottedFlycatcheronfence.jpg
Spotted flycatcher, one of the last summer visitors to arrive.
European robin, a common and familiar resident. Robin Redbreast at Greenwich Park, London.jpg
European robin, a common and familiar resident.

Order: Passeriformes    Family: Muscicapidae

Old World flycatchers are a large family of mainly small arboreal insectivores. The appearance of these birds is highly varied, but they mostly have weak songs and harsh calls.

Common nameBinomialIrish nameStatus
Rufous-tailed scrub robin Cercotrichas galactotesTorspideog ruadhonnA R
Spotted flycatcher Muscicapa striataCuilire liathA
European robin Erithacus rubeculaSpideogA
Bluethroat Luscinia svecicaGormphíbA
Thrush nightingale Luscinia lusciniaFiliméala smólaighA R
Common nightingale Luscinia megarhynchosFiliméalaA
Red-flanked bluetail Tarsiger cyanurusAn t-earrghorm rua-chliathánachA R
Taiga flycatcher Ficedula albicillaA
Red-breasted flycatcher Ficedula parvaCuilire broinnruaA
European pied flycatcher Ficedula hypoleucaCuilire alabhreacA
Collared flycatcher Ficedula albicollisA R
Black redstart Phoenicurus ochrurosEarrdheargán dubhA
Common redstart Phoenicurus phoenicurusEarrdheargánA
Common rock thrush Monticola saxatilisSmólach ailleA R
Whinchat Saxicola rubetraCaislín aitinnA
European stonechat Saxicola rubicolaCaislín clochA
Siberian stonechat Saxicola maurusA R
Northern wheatear Oenanthe oenantheClochránA
Isabelline wheatear Oenanthe isabellinaClochrán gainimhA R
Desert wheatear Oenanthe desertiClochrán fásaighA R
Western black-eared wheatear Oenanthe hispanicaClochrán cluasdubhA R
Pied wheatear Oenanthe pleschankaClochrán alabhreacA
Black wheatear / White-crowned wheatear Oenanthe leucura / Oenanthe leucopygaClochrán dubh / -A R

Dippers

White-throated dipper, found along fast-flowing streams and rivers. Cinclus cinclus -Scotland-4-4c.jpg
White-throated dipper, found along fast-flowing streams and rivers.

Order: Passeriformes    Family: Cinclidae

Dippers are a group of perching birds whose habitat includes aquatic environments in the Americas, Europe, and Asia. They are named for their bobbing or dipping movements.

Common nameBinomialIrish nameStatus
White-throated dipper Cinclus cinclusGabha dubhA

Old World sparrows, snowfinches

House sparrow, common around human habitation. House sparrowII.jpg
House sparrow, common around human habitation.

Order: Passeriformes    Family: Passeridae

Sparrows are small passerine birds. In general, sparrows tend to be small, plump, brown or grey birds with short tails and short powerful beaks. Sparrows are seed eaters, but they also consume small insects.

Common nameBinomialIrish nameStatus
House sparrow Passer domesticusGealbhan binneA
Eurasian tree sparrow Passer montanusGealbhan crainnA

Accentors

Dunnock, a very common resident. Dunnock.jpg
Dunnock, a very common resident.

Order: Passeriformes    Family: Prunellidae

The accentors are the only bird family which is completely endemic to the Palearctic. They are small, fairly drab species superficially similar to Old World sparrows.

Common nameBinomialIrish nameStatus
Dunnock Prunella modularisDonnógA

Wagtails, pipits

Pied wagtail, a common and widespread resident. Pied Wagtail rear view 700.jpg
Pied wagtail, a common and widespread resident.
Grey wagtail is slightly larger than white wagtail. Grey Wagtail.jpg
Grey wagtail is slightly larger than white wagtail.

Order: Passeriformes    Family: Motacillidae

Motacillidae is a family of small passerine birds with medium to long tails. They include the wagtails, longclaws and pipits. They are slender, ground feeding insectivores of open country.

Two subspecies of white wagtail occur in Ireland: [9]

Common nameBinomialIrish nameStatus
Western yellow wagtail Motacilla flavaGlasóg bhuí iartharachA
Eastern yellow wagtail Motacilla tschutschensisGlasóg bhuí oirthearachA
Citrine wagtail Motacilla citreolaGlasóg chiotrónachA
Grey wagtail Motacilla cinereaGlasóg liathA
White wagtail Motacilla albaGlasóg shráide / glasóg bhánA
Richard's pipit Anthus richardiRiabhóg RichardA
Tawny pipit Anthus campestrisRiabhóg dhonnA
Meadow pipit Anthus pratensisRiabhóg mhónaA
Tree pipit Anthus trivialisRiabhóg choilleA
Olive-backed pipit Anthus hodgsoniRiabhóg dhroimghlasA R
Pechora pipit Anthus gustaviRiabhóg PechoraA R
Red-throated pipit Anthus cervinusRiabhóg phíbruaA
Buff-bellied pipit Anthus rubescensRiabhóg MheiriceánachA R
Water pipit Anthus spinolettaRiabhóg uisceA
European rock pipit Anthus petrosusRiabhóg chladaighA

Finches, euphonias

Eurasian chaffinch, a very common resident. Fringilla coelebs chaffinch male edit2.jpg
Eurasian chaffinch, a very common resident.

Order: Passeriformes    Family: Fringillidae

Finches are seed-eating passerine birds that are small to moderately large and have a strong beak, usually conical and in some species very large. All have twelve tail feathers and nine primaries. These birds have a bouncing flight with alternating bouts of flapping and gliding on closed wings, and most sing well.

Common nameBinomialIrish nameStatus
Eurasian chaffinch Fringilla coelebsRí ruaA
Brambling Fringilla montifringillaBreacánA
Hawfinch Coccothraustes coccothraustesGlasán gobmhórA
Eurasian bullfinch Pyrrhula pyrrhulaCorcrán coilleA
Common rosefinch Carpodacus erythrinusRósghlasán coiteannA
European greenfinch Chloris chlorisGlasán darachA
Twite Linaria flavirostrisGleoiseach sléibheA
Common linnet Linaria cannabinaGleoiseachA
Common redpoll Acanthis flammeaDeargéadanA
Lesser redpoll Acanthis cabaretDeargéadan beagA
Arctic redpoll Acanthis hornemanniDeargéadan ArtachA R
Red crossbill Loxia curvirostraCrosghob ruaA
Two-barred crossbill Loxia leucopteraCrosghob báneiteachA R
European goldfinch Carduelis carduelisLasair choilleA
European serin Serinus serinusSeirínA R
Eurasian siskin Spinus spinusSiscínA

Longspurs, snow buntings

Order: Passeriformes    Family: Calcariidae

The Calcariidae are a group of passerine birds that had been traditionally grouped with the New World sparrows, but differ in a number of respects and are usually found in open grassy areas.

Common nameBinomialIrish nameStatus
Lapland longspur Calcarius lapponicusGealóg LaplannachA
Snow bunting Plectrophenax nivalisGealóg shneachtaA

Buntings

Yellowhammer, a declining resident. Emberiza citrinella bl1.jpg
Yellowhammer, a declining resident.

Order: Passeriformes    Family: Emberizidae

Emberizidae is a family of passerine birds containing a single genus. Until 2017, the New World sparrows (Passerellidae) were also considered part of this family.

Common nameBinomialIrish nameStatus
Black-headed bunting Emberiza melanocephalaGealóg cheanndubhA R
Corn bunting Emberiza calandraGealóg bhuachairA
Yellowhammer Emberiza citrinellaBuíógA
Pine bunting Emberiza leucocephalosGealóg phéineA R
Ortolan bunting Emberiza hortulanaGealóg gharraíA
Cirl bunting Emberiza cirlusCirlghealógA R
Little bunting Emberiza pusillaGealóg bheagA
Rustic bunting Emberiza rusticaGealóg thuathúilA
Yellow-breasted bunting Emberiza aureolaGealóg bhroinnbhuíA R
Common reed bunting Emberiza schoeniclusGealóg ghiolcaíA

New World sparrows

Order: Passeriformes    Family: Passerellidae

Until 2017, these species were considered part of the family Emberizidae. Most of the species are known as sparrows, but these birds are not closely related to the Old World sparrows which are in the family Passeridae. Many of these have distinctive head patterns.

Common nameBinomialIrish nameStatus
Red fox sparrow Passerella iliacaGealbhan sionnaighA R
Dark-eyed junco Junco hyemalisLuachairín shúildubhA R
White-crowned sparrow Zonotrichia leucophrysGealbhan bánchorónachA R
White-throated sparrow Zonotrichia albicollisGealbhan píbghealA R

Oropendolas, orioles, blackbirds

Order: Passeriformes    Family: Icteridae

The icterids are a group of small to medium-sized, often colourful, passerine birds restricted to the New World and include the grackles, New World blackbirds, and New World orioles. Most species have black as the predominant plumage colour, often enlivened by yellow, orange, or red.

Common nameBinomialIrish nameStatus
Bobolink Dolichonyx oryzivorusBobóilincA R
Baltimore oriole Icterus galbulaÓiréal tuaisceartachA R

New World warblers

Blue-winged warbler, one on Cape Clear Island in 2000 was the first European record of this North American bird. Blue-winged Warbler.jpg
Blue-winged warbler, one on Cape Clear Island in 2000 was the first European record of this North American bird.

Order: Passeriformes    Family: Parulidae

The New World warblers are a group of small, often colourful, passerine birds restricted to the New World. Most are arboreal, but some are terrestrial. Most members of this family are insectivores.

Common nameBinomialIrish nameStatus
Ovenbird Seiurus aurocapillaÉan oighinnA R
Northern waterthrush Parkesia noveboracensisSmólach uisce tuaisceartachA R
Blue-winged warbler Vermivora cyanopteraCeolaire gormeiteachA R
Black-and-white warbler Mniotilta variaCeolaire dubh is bánA R
Common yellowthroat Geothlypis trichasBuíphíb choiteannA R
American redstart Setophaga ruticillaEarrdheargán MeiriceánachA R
Northern parula Setophaga americanaParúl tuaisceartachA R
American yellow warbler Setophaga aestivaCeolaire buí MeiriceánachA R
Blackpoll warbler Setophaga striataCeolaire dubhéadanachA R
Myrtle warbler Setophaga coronataCeolaire buíphrompachA R
Canada warbler Cardellina canadensisCeolaire CeanadachA R
Wilson's warbler Cardellina pusillaCeolaire WilsonA R

Cardinals and allies

Order: Passeriformes    Family: Cardinalidae

The cardinals are a family of robust, seed-eating birds with strong bills. They are typically associated with open woodland. The sexes usually have distinct plumages.

Common nameBinomialIrish nameStatus
Scarlet tanager Piranga olivaceaTanagair scarlóideachA R
Rose-breasted grosbeak Pheucticus ludovicianusGobach mór broinnrósachA R
Indigo bunting Passerina cyaneaGealóg phlúiríneachA R

Notes

  1. "Following the split of Madeiran Storm-petrel as three species, the Irish record at Blackrock Lighthouse, Mayo in October 1931, is currently under review by the IRBC."

References

  1. "Irish List covering the whole of Ireland on 31st Dec 2019" (PDF). Irish Rare Birds Committee. 31 December 2019. Retrieved 16 July 2020.
  2. Gill, F.; Donsker, D.; Rasmussen, P. (July 2021). "IOC World Bird List (v 11.2)" . Retrieved 14 July 2021.
  3. "The National Terminology Database for Irish". téarma.ie.
  4. "Mallard". téarma.ie. The National Terminology Database for Irish.
  5. "Common Nighthawk". téarma.ie. The National Terminology Database for Irish.
  6. "Otis tarda". téarma.ie. The National Terminology Database for Irish. Retrieved 2 April 2021.
  7. "Tetrax tetrax". téarma.ie. The National Terminology Database for Irish. Retrieved 2 April 2021.
  8. "Have you heard Ireland's drumming woodpeckers?". RTÉ. 3 April 2018. Retrieved 21 February 2020.
  9. "White Wagtail". Birds of the World. The Cornell Lab or Ornithology. doi:10.2173/bow.whiwag.01 . Retrieved 19 September 2020.

See also