List of birds of Ireland

File:Atlantic Puffin Latrabjarg Iceland 05c.jpg

Atlantic puffins nest in colonies around the coast.

File: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). 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.

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. Many of the Irish names are taken from the National Terminology Database for Irish.

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.

• A - "Species that have been recorded in an apparently natural state in Ireland at least once since 1st January 1950."
• B - "Species that have been recorded in an apparently natural state in Ireland at least once up to 31st December 1949, but have not been recorded subsequently." i.e. old vagrant records and/or extirpated species.
• C - "Species that, although originally introduced by man, have established feral breeding populations in Ireland which apparently maintain themselves without necessary recourse to further introduction [and species] that have occurred, but are considered to have originated from established naturalised populations outside Ireland."
• R - Species on IRBC Appendix 1, those "requiring substantiating details", i.e. rarities.

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Ducks, geese, swans

File:SwansOnLoughLeane.jpg

Mute swans on Lough Leane.

File:Barnacle Goose - Branta leucopsis.jpg

Barnacle goose, a winter visitor from Greenland.

File:Mallard male.jpg

Mallard, a very common resident.

File:Somateria mollissima male female.jpg

Eiders, common on northern coasts.

Order: AnseriformesFamily: 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 name	Binomial	Irish name	Status
Brant goose	Branta bernicla		A
Red-breasted goose	Branta ruficollis		A R
Canada goose	Branta canadensis		A R
Barnacle goose	Branta leucopsis	/	A
Cackling goose	Branta hutchinsii		A R
Snow goose	Anser caerulescens		A
Greylag goose	Anser anser	/ /	A
Taiga bean-goose	Anser fabalis		A
Pink-footed goose	Anser brachyrhynchus		A
Tundra bean-goose	Anser serrirostris		A R
Greater white-fronted goose	Anser albifrons		A
Lesser white-fronted goose	Anser erythropus	/	A R
Mute swan	Cygnus olor		A
Tundra swan	Cygnus columbianus		A R
Whooper swan	Cygnus cygnus		A
Common shelduck	Tadorna tadorna		A
Ruddy shelduck	Tadorna ferruginea	/	B
Mandarin duck	Aix galericulata		C
Baikal teal	Sibirionetta formosa		A R
Garganey	Spatula querquedula		A
Blue-winged teal	Spatula discors		A
Northern shoveler	Spatula clypeata		A
Gadwall	Mareca strepera		A
Eurasian wigeon	Mareca penelope		A
American wigeon	Mareca americana		A
Mallard	Anas platyrhynchos		A
American black duck	Anas rubripes		A R
Northern pintail	Anas acuta		A
Eurasian teal	Anas crecca		A
Green-winged teal	Anas carolinensis		A
Red-crested pochard	Netta rufina		A
Redhead	Aythya americana		A R
Common pochard	Aythya ferina	/	A
Ferruginous duck	Aythya nyroca		A R
Ring-necked duck	Aythya collaris		A
Tufted duck	Aythya fuligula		A
Greater scaup	Aythya marila		A
Lesser scaup	Aythya affinis		A R
King eider	Somateria spectabilis	/	A
Common eider	Somateria mollissima		A
Surf scoter	Melanitta perspicillata		A
Velvet scoter	Melanitta fusca		A
White-winged scoter	Melanitta deglandi		A R
Common scoter	Melanitta nigra	/	A
Black scoter	Melanitta americana		A R
Long-tailed duck	Clangula hyemalis		A
Bufflehead	Bucephala albeola		A R
Common goldeneye	Bucephala clangula		A
Barrow's goldeneye	Bucephala islandica		A R
Smew	Mergellus albellus		A
Hooded merganser	Lophodytes cucullatus		A R
Common merganser	Mergus merganser	/	A
Red-breasted merganser	Mergus serrator		A
Ruddy duck	Oxyura jamaicensis		C

Pheasants and allies

File:Perdix perdix (Marek Szczepanek).jpg

The grey partridge has seriously declined and is now very rare.

Order: GalliformesFamily: 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 name	Binomial	Irish name	Status
Western capercaillie	Tetrao urogallus		B
Willow ptarmigan	Lagopus lagopus		A
Grey partridge	Perdix perdix		A
Common quail	Coturnix coturnix	/	A
Common pheasant	Phasianus colchicus		C

Nightjars

Order: CaprimulgiformesFamily: 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 name	Binomial	Irish name	Status
European nightjar	Caprimulgus europaeus		A
Common nighthawk	Chordeiles minor		A R

Swifts

File:ApusApusKlausRoggel05.jpg

Common swift, a summer visitor.

Order: ApodiformesFamily: 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 name	Binomial	Irish name	Status
White-throated needletail	Hirundapus caudacutus		A R
Chimney swift	Chaetura pelagica		A R
Alpine swift	Tachymarptis melba		A
Common swift	Apus apus		A
Pallid swift	Apus pallidus		A R
Little swift	Apus affinis		A R

Bustards

Order: OtidiformesFamily: 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 name	Binomial	Irish name	Status
Great bustard	Otis tarda		B R
Little bustard	Tetrax tetrax		B R

Cuckoos

File:Kuckuck (Cuculus canorus) by Tim Peukert.jpg

Common cuckoo, a declining summer visitor.

Order: CuculiformesFamily: 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 name	Binomial	Irish name	Status
Great spotted cuckoo	Clamator glandarius		A
Yellow-billed cuckoo	Coccyzus americanus		A R
Black-billed cuckoo	Coccyzus erythropthalmus		B R
Common cuckoo	Cuculus canorus		A

Sandgrouse

Order: PterocliformesFamily: 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 name	Binomial	Irish name	Status
Pallas's sandgrouse	Syrrhaptes paradoxus		A R

Pigeons and doves

File:Tuerkentaube1.jpg

Eurasian collared-dove, first recorded in 1959 and now common.

File:Paloma bravía (Columba livia), Palacio de Nymphenburg, Múnich, Alemania01.JPG

Rock dove, usually lives on cliffs near the Atlantic Ocean.

Order: ColumbiformesFamily: Columbidae

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

Common name	Binomial	Irish name	Status
Rock dove	Columba livia		A
Stock dove	Columba oenas		A
Common wood pigeon	Columba palumbus		A
European turtle dove	Streptopelia turtur		A
Eurasian collared dove	Streptopelia decaocto		A
Mourning dove	Zenaida macroura		A R

Rails, crakes and coots

File:Corncrake2 cropped.jpg

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

Order: GruiformesFamily: 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 name	Binomial	Irish name	Status
Water rail	Rallus aquaticus	/	A
Corn crake	Crex crex		A
Sora	Porzana carolina		A R
Spotted crake	Porzana porzana		A
Common moorhen	Gallinula chloropus	/ /	A
Eurasian coot	Fulica atra		A
American coot	Fulica americana		A R
Allen's gallinule	Porphyrio alleni		A R
Purple gallinule	Porphyrio martinica		A R
Baillon's crake	Zapornia pusilla		A R
Little crake	Zapornia parva		B R

Cranes

Order: GruiformesFamily: 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 name	Binomial	Irish name	Status
Sandhill crane	Antiogne canadensis		B R
Common crane	Grus grus	/	A

Grebes

File:Podiceps cristatus 1 (Lukasz Lukasik).jpg

Great crested grebes breed on inland lakes.

Order: PodicipediformesFamily: 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 name	Binomial	Irish name	Status
Little grebe	Tachybaptus ruficollis	/	A
Pied-billed grebe	Podilymbus podiceps		A R
Red-necked grebe	Podiceps grisegena		A
Great crested grebe	Podiceps cristatus	/	A
Horned grebe	Podiceps auritus		A
Black-necked grebe	Podiceps nigricollis		A

Stone-curlews, thick-knees

Order: CharadriiformesFamily: 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 name	Binomial	Irish name	Status
Eurasian stone-curlew	Burhinus oedicnemus		A R

Oystercatchers

File:Haematopus ostralegus He.jpg

Eurasian oystercatcher, common around the coast.

Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Haematopodidae

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

Common name	Binomial	Irish name	Status
Eurasian oystercatcher	Haematopus ostralegus	/ /	A

Stilts, avocets

Order: CharadriiformesFamily: 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 name	Binomial	Irish name	Status
Black-winged stilt	Himantopus himantopus		A
Pied avocet	Recurvirostra avosetta		A

Plovers

File:Northern Lapwing.jpg

Northern lapwing, common in winter but less so in summer.

File:Pluvialis squatarola.jpg

Black-bellied plovers breed in Arctic regions.

File:Common ringed plover (Charadrius hiaticula) Oppdal.jpg

Common ringed plover, winters in coastal areas south to Africa.

Order: CharadriiformesFamily: 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 name	Binomial	Irish name	Status
Northern lapwing	Vanellus vanellus		A
Sociable lapwing	Vanellus gregarius	/	A R
European golden plover	Pluvialis apricaria	/	A
American golden plover	Pluvialis dominica		A
Pacific golden plover	Pluvialis fulva		A R
Grey plover	Pluvialis squatarola		A
Common ringed plover	Charadrius hiaticula	/ /	A
Semipalmated plover	Charadrius semipalmatus		A R
Little ringed plover	Charadrius dubius		A
Killdeer	Charadrius vociferus		A
Kentish plover	Charadrius alexandrinus		A R
Lesser sand plover	Charadrius mongolus		A R
Greater sand plover	Charadrius leschenaultii		A
Eurasian dotterel	Charadrius morinellus		A

Sandpipers, snipes

File:Numenius arquata Reculver.jpg

Eurasian curlew, widespread breeder with larger numbers in winter.

File:Arenaria interpres SK.jpg

Ruddy turnstone, common on rocky coasts.

File:Pectoral Sandpiper3.jpg

Pectoral sandpiper, a frequent vagrant from North America.

File:Phalaropus lobatus.jpg

Red-necked phalarope, a former breeding species.

Order: CharadriiformesFamily: 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 name	Binomial	Irish name	Status
Upland sandpiper	Bartramia longicauda		A R
Eurasian whimbrel	Numenius phaeopus		A
Eskimo curlew	Numenius borealis		B
Eurasian curlew	Numenius arquata	/	A
Bar-tailed godwit	Limosa lapponica		A
Black-tailed godwit	Limosa limosa		A
Hudsonian godwit	Limosa haemastica		A R
Ruddy turnstone	Arenaria interpres		A
Great knot	Calidris tenuirostris		A R
Red knot	Calidris canutus		A
Ruff	Calidris pugnax		A
Broad-billed sandpiper	Calidris falcinellus		A
Sharp-tailed sandpiper	Calidris acuminata		A R
Stilt sandpiper	Calidris himantopus		A R
Curlew sandpiper	Calidris ferruginea		A
Temminck's stint	Calidris temminckii		A
Long-toed stint	Calidris subminuta		A R
Red-necked stint	Calidris ruficollis		A R
Sanderling	Calidris alba		A
Dunlin	Calidris alpina		A
Purple sandpiper	Calidris maritima		A
Baird's sandpiper	Calidris bairdii		A
Little stint	Calidris minuta		A
Least sandpiper	Calidris minutilla		A R
White-rumped sandpiper	Calidris fuscicollis	/	A
Buff-breasted sandpiper	Calidris subruficollis		A
Pectoral sandpiper	Calidris melanotos		A
Semipalmated sandpiper	Calidris pusilla		A
Western sandpiper	Calidris mauri		A R
Long-billed dowitcher	Limnodromus scolopaceus		A
Short-billed dowitcher	Limnodromus griseus		A R
Eurasian woodcock	Scolopax rusticola		A
Jack snipe	Lymnocryptes minimus		A
Great snipe	Gallinago media		A R
Common snipe	Gallinago gallinago		A
Wilson's snipe	Gallinago delicata		A R
Terek sandpiper	Xenus cinereus		A R
Wilson's phalarope	Phalaropus tricolor		A
Red-necked phalarope	Phalaropus lobatus		A
Red phalarope	Phalaropus fulicarius		A
Common sandpiper	Actitis hypoleucos		A
Spotted sandpiper	Actitis macularia		A R
Green sandpiper	Tringa ochropus		A
Solitary sandpiper	Tringa solitaria		A R
Lesser yellowlegs	Tringa flavipes		A
Common redshank	Tringa totanus		A
Marsh sandpiper	Tringa stagnatilis		A R
Wood sandpiper	Tringa glareola		A
Spotted redshank	Tringa erythropus		A
Common greenshank	Tringa nebularia		A
Greater yellowlegs	Tringa melanoleuca		A R

Coursers, pratincoles

Order: CharadriiformesFamily: 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 name	Binomial	Irish name	Status
Cream-colored courser	Cursorius cursor		A R
Collared pratincole	Glareola pratincola		A R
Black-winged pratincole	Glareola nordmanni		A R

Gulls, terns, skimmers

File:Larus argentatus ad.jpg

Herring gull, very common resident.

File:RoseateTern23.jpg

Roseate tern, a scarce summer visitor.

Order: CharadriiformesFamily: 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 name	Binomial	Irish name	Status
Black-legged kittiwake	Rissa tridactyla		A
Ivory gull	Pagophila eburnea		A R
Sabine's gull	Xema sabini		A
Bonaparte's gull	Chroicocephalus philadelphia		A
Black-headed gull	Chroicocephalus ridibundus		A
Little gull	Hydrocoloeus minutus		A
Ross's gull	Rhodostethia rosea		A
Laughing gull	Leucophaeus atricilla		A
Franklin's gull	Leucophaeus pipixcan		A R
Mediterranean gull	Ichthyaetus melanocephalus		A
Common gull	Larus canus		A
Ring-billed gull	Larus delawarensis		A
Great black-backed gull	Larus marinus		A
Glaucous-winged gull	Larus glaucescens		A
Glaucous gull	Larus hyperboreus		A
Iceland gull	Larus glaucoides		A
European herring gull	Larus argentatus		A
American herring gull	Larus smithsonianus		A
Vega gull	Larus vegae		A
Caspian gull	Larus cachinnans		A R
Yellow-legged gull	Larus michahellis		A
Slaty-backed gull	Larus schistisagus		A R
Lesser black-backed gull	Larus fuscus	Droimneach beag	A
Gull-billed tern	Gelochelidon nilotica		A R
Caspian tern	Hydroprogne caspia		A R
Royal tern	Thalasseus maximus		A R
Lesser crested tern	Thalasseus bengalensis		A R
West African crested tern	Thalasseus albididorsalis		A R
Sandwich tern	Thalasseus sandvicensis		A
Elegant tern	Thalasseus elegans		A R
Little tern	Sternula albifrons		A
Sooty tern	Onychoprion fuscatus		A R
Roseate tern	Sterna dougallii		A
Common tern	Sterna hirundo		A
Arctic tern	Sterna paradisaea		A
Forster's tern	Sterna forsteri		A
Whiskered tern	Chlidonias hybridus		A
White-winged tern	Chlidonias leucopterus		A
Black tern	Chlidonias niger		A

Skuas

File:GreatSkuaInWater.jpg

Great skua, a passage migrant around the coast.

Order: CharadriiformesFamily: 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 name	Binomial	Irish name	Status
Great skua	Stercorarius skua		A
Pomarine jaeger	Stercorarius pomarinus		A
Parasitic jaeger	Stercorarius parasiticus		A
Long-tailed jaeger	Stercorarius longicaudus		A

Auks

File:Tystie1.jpg

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

Order: CharadriiformesFamily: 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 name	Binomial	Irish name	Status
Little auk	Alle alle		A
Thick-billed murre	Uria lomvia		A R
Common murre	Uria aalge		A
Razorbill	Alca torda		A
Great auk	Pinguinus impennis		B (extinct)
Black guillemot	Cepphus grylle		A
Atlantic puffin	Fratercula arctica		A

Loons

File:Common Loon (Gavia immer) in the Morro Bay.jpg

Common loon, a winter visitor to coastal waters.

Order: GaviiformesFamily: 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 name	Binomial	Irish name	Status
Red-throated loon	Gavia stellata		A
Black-throated loon	Gavia arctica		A
Pacific loon	Gavia pacifica		A R
Common loon	Gavia immer		A
Yellow-billed loon	Gavia adamsii		A R

Austral storm petrels

Order: ProcellariiformesFamily: 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 name	Binomial	Irish name	Status
Wilson's storm petrel	Oceanites oceanicus		A

Albatrosses

Order: ProcellariiformesFamily: 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 name	Binomial	Irish name	Status
Black-browed albatross	Thalassarche melanophris		A R

Northern storm petrels

File:European Storm-petrel.jpg

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

Order: ProcellariiformesFamily: 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 name	Binomial	Irish name	Status
European storm petrel	Hydrobates pelagicus		A
Band-rumped storm petrel / Monteiro's storm petrel / Cape Verde storm petrel	Hydrobates castro / Hydrobates monteiroi / Hydrobates jabejabe		B R (see note)
Swinhoe's storm petrel	Hydrobates monorhis		A R
Leach's storm petrel	Hydrobates leucorhous		A

Petrels, shearwaters, diving petrels

File:Eissturmvogel02.jpg

Northern fulmars first bred in 1911 but are now widespread.

Order: ProcellariiformesFamily: 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 name	Binomial	Irish name	Status
Southern giant petrel	Macronectes giganteus		A
Northern fulmar	Fulmarus glacialis		A
Zino's petrel	Pterodroma madeira		A
Fea's petrel	Pterodroma feae		A
Bermuda petrel	Pterodroma cahow		A
White-chinned petrel	Procellaria aequinoctialis		A
Scopoli's shearwater	Calonectris diomedea		A
Cory's shearwater	Calonectris borealis		A
Sooty shearwater	Ardenna griseus
Short-tailed shearwater	Ardenna tenuirostris		A
Great shearwater	Ardenna gravis
Manx shearwater	Puffinus puffinus
Yelkouan shearwater	Puffinus yelkouan		A
Balearic shearwater	Puffinus mauretanicus
Barolo shearwater	Puffinus baroli		A R
Bulwer's petrel	Bulweria bulwerii		A R

Storks

Order: CiconiiformesFamily: 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 name	Binomial	Irish name	Status
Black stork	Ciconia nigra		A R
White stork	Ciconia ciconia		A

Frigatebirds

Order: SuliformesFamily: 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 name	Binomial	Irish name	Status
Frigatebird species	Fregata sp.		A R

Gannets, boobies

Order: SuliformesFamily: Sulidae

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

Common name	Binomial	Irish name	Status
Northern gannet	Morus bassanus		A
Brown booby	Sula leucogaster		A

Cormorants, shags

File:Phalacrocorax aristotelis.jpg

European shags, common around the coast.

Order: SuliformesFamily: 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 name	Binomial	Irish name	Status
Great cormorant	Phalacrocorax carbo		A
European shag	Gulosus aristotelis		A
Double-crested cormorant	Nannopterum auritum		A R

Ibises and spoonbills

File:Loeffler.jpg

Eurasian spoonbill, a rare visitor.

Order: PelecaniformesFamily: 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 name	Binomial	Irish name	Status
Glossy ibis	Plegadis falcinellus		A
Eurasian spoonbill	Platalea leucorodia		A

Herons, bitterns

File: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.

File:Bubulcus ibis 0011.jpg

Cattle egret, a rare vagrant.

Order: PelecaniformesFamily: 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 name	Binomial	Irish name	Status
Eurasian bittern	Botaurus stellaris		A
American bittern	Botaurus lentiginosus		A R
Little bittern	Ixobrychus minutus		A
Black-crowned night heron	Nycticorax nycticorax		A
Green heron	Butorides virescens		A R
Squacco heron	Ardeola ralloides		A
Western cattle egret	Bubulcus ibis		A
Grey heron	Ardea cinerea		A
Purple heron	Ardea purpurea		A
Great egret	Ardea alba		A
Little blue heron	Egretta caerulea		A R
Little egret	Egretta garzetta		A

Osprey

Order: AccipitriformesFamily: Pandionidae

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

Common name	Binomial	Irish name	Status
Osprey	Pandion haliaetus		A

Kites, hawks, eagles

File:Hen Harrier.jpg

Hen harrier, a rare breeding bird.

File:Buzzard.jpg

Common buzzard, increasing and spreading.

Order: AccipitriformesFamily: 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 name	Binomial	Irish name	Status
European honey buzzard	Pernis apivorus		A R
Griffon vulture	Gyps fulvus		B R
Greater spotted eagle	Clanga clanga		B R
Golden eagle	Aquila chrysaetos		A R
Eurasian sparrowhawk	Accipiter nisus		A
Eurasian goshawk	Accipiter gentilis		A R
Western marsh harrier	Circus aeruginosus		A
Hen harrier	Circus cyaneus		A
Northern harrier	Circus hudsonius		A R
Pallid harrier	Circus macrourus		A R
Montagu's harrier	Circus pygargus		A
Red kite	Milvus milvus		A
Black kite	Milvus migrans		A R
White-tailed eagle	Haliaeetus albicilla		A R
Bald eagle	Haliaeetus leucocephalus		A R
Rough-legged buzzard	Buteo lagopus		A R
Common buzzard	Buteo buteo		A

Barn owls

Order: StrigiformesFamily: 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 name	Binomial	Irish name	Status
Western barn owl	Tyto alba		A

Owls

File:CRW 2987.jpg

Long-eared owl, a difficult-to-see resident.

Order: StrigiformesFamily: 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 name	Binomial	Irish name	Status
Eurasian scops owl	Otus scops		A R
Snowy owl	Bubo scandiacus		A
Little owl	Athene noctua		A R
Long-eared owl	Asio otus		A
Short-eared owl	Asio flammeus		A

Hoopoes

Order: BucerotiformesFamily: Upupidae

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

Common name	Binomial	Irish name	Status
Eurasian hoopoe	Upupa epops		A

Rollers

Order: CoraciiformesFamily: 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 name	Binomial	Irish name	Status
European roller	Coracias garrulus		A R

Kingfishers

File:Alcedo atthis 1 (Lukasz Lukasik).jpg

Common kingfisher, seen beside rivers and lakes.

Order: CoraciiformesFamily: Alcedinidae

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

Common name	Binomial	Irish name	Status
Common kingfisher	Alcedo atthis		A
Belted kingfisher	Megaceryle alcyon		A R

Bee-eaters

Order: CoraciiformesFamily: 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 name	Binomial	Irish name	Status
European bee-eater	Merops apiaster		A

Woodpeckers

File:Dendrocopos major 4-3c.jpg

Great spotted woodpecker, an occasional visitor which has bred recently.

Order: PiciformesFamily: 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.

Common name	Binomial	Irish name	Status
Eurasian wryneck	Jynx torquilla		A
Yellow-bellied sapsucker	Sphyrapicus varius		A R
Great spotted woodpecker	Dendrocopos major		A
Eurasian green woodpecker	Picus viridis		B R

Caracaras, falcons

File:Common-Kestrel-5.jpg

Eurasian kestrel, a common resident.

Order: FalconiformesFamily: 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 name	Binomial	Irish name	Status
Lesser kestrel	Falco naumanni		B R
Common kestrel	Falco tinnunculus		A
Red-footed falcon	Falco vespertinus		A
Merlin	Falco columbarius		A
Eurasian hobby	Falco subbuteo		A
Gyrfalcon	Falco rusticolus		A R
Peregrine falcon	Falco peregrinus		A

Tyrant flycatchers, calyptura

Order: PasseriformesFamily: 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 name	Binomial	Irish name	Status
Eastern kingbird	Tyrannus tyrannus		A R

Shrikes

File:Lanius collurio male am.jpg

Red-backed shrike, a rare passage migrant.

Order: PasseriformesFamily: 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 name	Binomial	Irish name	Status
Brown shrike	Lanius cristatus		A R
Red-backed shrike	Lanius collurio		A
Isabelline shrike	Lanius isabellinus		A R
Lesser grey shrike	Lanius minor		A R
Great grey shrike	Lanius excubitor		A R
Woodchat shrike	Lanius senator		A

Vireos, greenlets, shrike-babblers

Order: PasseriformesFamily: 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 name	Binomial	Irish name	Status
Philadelphia vireo	Vireo philadelphicus		A R
Red-eyed vireo	Vireo olivaceus		A R

Figbirds, orioles, turnagra

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Oriolidae

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

Common name	Binomial	Irish name	Status
Eurasian golden oriole	Oriolus oriolus		A

Crows, jays

File:Corvus corone cornix 0379.jpg

Hooded crow, a common resident in many habitats.

Order: PasseriformesFamily: 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 name	Binomial	Irish name	Status
Eurasian jay	Garrulus glandarius	/	A
Eurasian magpie	Pica pica		A
Red-billed chough	Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax		A
Eurasian jackdaw	Corvus monedula		A
Rook	Corvus frugilegus		A
Carrion crow	Corvus corone		A
Hooded crow	Corvus cornix		A
Northern raven	Corvus corax		A

Waxwings

Order: PasseriformesFamily: 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 name	Binomial	Irish name	Status
Bohemian waxwing	Bombycilla garrulus		A
Cedar waxwing	Bombycilla cedrorum		A R

Tits, chickadees

File:Coal tit (Periparus ater) on line.jpeg

Coal tit, common in woods and gardens.

Order: PasseriformesFamily: 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 name	Binomial	Irish name	Status
Coal tit	Periparus ater		A
Marsh tit	Poecile palustris		A R
Eurasian blue tit	Cyanistes caeruleus		A
Great tit	Parus major		A

Penduline tits

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Remizidae

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

Common name	Binomial	Irish name	Status
Eurasian penduline tit	Remiz pendulinus		A

Bearded reedling

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Panuridae

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

Common name	Binomial	Irish name	Status
Bearded reedling	Panurus biarmicus		A

Larks

File:Alauda arvensis 2.jpg

Eurasian skylark, a common resident.

Order: PasseriformesFamily: 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 name	Binomial	Irish name	Status
Wood lark	Lullula arborea		A R
Eurasian skylark	Alauda arvensis		A
Horned lark	Eremophila alpestris		A
Greater short-toed lark	Calandrella brachydactyla		A

Swallows, martins

File:Landsvale.jpg

Barn swallow, a very common summer visitor.

Order: PasseriformesFamily: 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 name	Binomial	Irish name	Status
Sand martin	Riparia riparia		A
Barn swallow	Hirundo rustica		A
Common house martin	Delichon urbicum		A
Red-rumped swallow	Cecropis daurica		A
American cliff swallow	Petrochelidon pyrrhonota		A R

Streaked scrub warbler

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Scotocercidae

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

Common name	Binomial	Irish name	Status
Cetti's warbler	Cettia cetti		A R

Bushtits

File:Aegithalos caudatus 1 (Marek Szczepanek).jpg

Long-tailed tit, a common resident.

Order: PasseriformesFamily: 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 name	Binomial	Irish name	Status
Long-tailed tit	Aegithalos caudatus		A

Leaf warblers and allies

Order: PasseriformesFamily: 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 name	Binomial	Irish name	Status
Wood warbler	Phylloscopus sibilatrix		A
Western Bonelli's warbler	Phylloscopus bonelli		A R
Hume's leaf warbler	Phylloscopus humei		A R
Yellow-browed warbler	Phylloscopus inornatus		A
Pallas's leaf warbler	Phylloscopus proregulus		A
Radde's warbler	Phylloscopus schwarzi		A R
Dusky warbler	Phylloscopus fuscatus		A R
Willow warbler	Phylloscopus trochilus		A
Common chiffchaff	Phylloscopus collybita		A
Iberian chiffchaff	Phylloscopus ibericus		A R
Greenish warbler	Phylloscopus trochiloides		A
Arctic warbler	Phylloscopus borealis		A R

Reed warblers and allies

Order: PasseriformesFamily: 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 name	Binomial	Irish name	Status
Great reed warbler	Acrocephalus arundinaceus		A R
Aquatic warbler	Acrocephalus paludicola		A R
Sedge warbler	Acrocephalus schoenobaenus		A
Paddyfield warbler	Acrocephalus agricola		A R
Blyth's reed warbler	Acrocephalus dumetorum		A R
Eurasian reed warbler	Acrocephalus scirpaceus		A
Marsh warbler	Acrocephalus palustris		A R
Booted warbler	Iduna caligata		A R
Sykes's warbler	Iduna rama		A R
Eastern olivaceous warbler	Iduna pallida		A R
Melodious warbler	Hippolais polyglotta		A
Icterine warbler	Hippolais icterina		A

Grassbirds and allies

Order: PasseriformesFamily: 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 name	Binomial	Irish name	Status
Pallas's grasshopper warbler	Helopsaltes certhiola		A R
Savi's warbler	Locustella luscinioides		A R
Common grasshopper warbler	Locustella naevia		A

Cisticolas and allies

Order: PasseriformesFamily: 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 name	Binomial	Irish name	Status
Zitting cisticola	Cisticola juncidis		A R

Sylviid babblers

File:Sylvia atricapilla.jpg

Eurasian blackcap, most places in Ireland have residents.

Order: PasseriformesFamily: 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 name	Binomial	Irish name	Status
Eurasian blackcap	Sylvia atricapilla		A
Garden warbler	Sylvia borin		A
Barred warbler	Curruca nisoria		A
Lesser whitethroat	Curruca curruca		A
Sardinian warbler	Curruca melanocephala		A R
Western subalpine warbler	Curruca iberiae		A
Eastern subalpine warbler	Curruca cantillans		A
Common whitethroat	Curruca communis		A
Dartford warbler	Curruca undata		A R

Goldcrests, kinglets

File:Roitelet-huppé.jpg

Goldcrest, Ireland's smallest bird.

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Regulidae

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

Common name	Binomial	Irish name	Status
Common firecrest	Regulus ignicapillus		A
Goldcrest	Regulus regulus		A
Ruby-crowned kinglet	Corthylio calendula		A R

Wrens

File:Zaunkoenig-photo.jpg

Eurasian wren, "hunting the wren" is an old tradition in Ireland.

Order: PasseriformesFamily: 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 name	Binomial	Irish name	Status
Eurasian wren	Troglodytes troglodytes		A

Treecreepers

File:Boomkruiper1reversed.jpg

Eurasian treecreeper, an inconspicuous resident.

Order: PasseriformesFamily: 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 name	Binomial	Irish name	Status
Eurasian treecreeper	Certhia familiaris		A

Mockingbirds, thrashers

Order: PasseriformesFamily: 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 name	Binomial	Irish name	Status
Grey catbird	Dumetella carolinensis		A R

Starlings, rhabdornis

File:Taking a rest.jpg

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

Order: PasseriformesFamily: 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 name	Binomial	Irish name	Status
Rosy starling	Pastor roseus		A
European starling	Sturnus vulgaris		A

Thrushes

File:Turdus torquatus2.jpg

Ring ouzel, a rare summer visitor to high mountains.

Order: PasseriformesFamily: 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 name	Binomial	Irish name	Status
Siberian thrush	Geokichla sibirica		A R
White's thrush	Zoothera aurea		A R
Veery	Catharus fuscescens		A
Grey-cheeked thrush	Catharus minimus		A R
Swainson's thrush	Catharus ustulatus		A R
Hermit thrush	Catharus guttatus		A R
Ring ouzel	Turdus torquatus		A
Eurasian blackbird	Turdus merula		A
Fieldfare	Turdus pilaris		A
Redwing	Turdus iliacus		A
Song thrush	Turdus philomelos		A
Mistle thrush	Turdus viscivorus		A
American robin	Turdus migratorius		A R

Chats, Old World flycatchers

File:SpottedFlycatcheronfence.jpg

Spotted flycatcher, one of the last summer visitors to arrive.

File:Robin Redbreast at Greenwich Park, London.jpg

European robin, a common and familiar resident.

Order: PasseriformesFamily: 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 name	Binomial	Irish name	Status
Rufous-tailed scrub robin	Cercotrichas galactotes		A R
Spotted flycatcher	Muscicapa striata		A
European robin	Erithacus rubecula		A
Bluethroat	Luscinia svecica		A
Thrush nightingale	Luscinia luscinia		A R
Common nightingale	Luscinia megarhynchos		A
Red-flanked bluetail	Tarsiger cyanurus		A R
Taiga flycatcher	Ficedula albicilla		A
Red-breasted flycatcher	Ficedula parva		A
European pied flycatcher	Ficedula hypoleuca		A
Collared flycatcher	Ficedula albicollis		A R
Black redstart	Phoenicurus ochruros		A
Common redstart	Phoenicurus phoenicurus		A
Common rock thrush	Monticola saxatilis		A R
Whinchat	Saxicola rubetra		A
European stonechat	Saxicola rubicola		A
Siberian stonechat	Saxicola maurus		A R
Northern wheatear	Oenanthe oenanthe		A
Isabelline wheatear	Oenanthe isabellina		A R
Desert wheatear	Oenanthe deserti		A R
Western black-eared wheatear	Oenanthe hispanica		A R
Pied wheatear	Oenanthe pleschanka		A
Black wheatear / White-crowned wheatear	Oenanthe leucura / Oenanthe leucopyga	/ -	A R

Dippers

File:Cinclus cinclus -Scotland-4-4c.jpg

White-throated dipper, found along fast-flowing streams and rivers.

Order: PasseriformesFamily: 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 name	Binomial	Irish name	Status
White-throated dipper	Cinclus cinclus		A

Old World sparrows, snowfinches

File:House sparrowII.jpg

House sparrow, common around human habitation.

Order: PasseriformesFamily: 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 name	Binomial	Irish name	Status
House sparrow	Passer domesticus		A
Eurasian tree sparrow	Passer montanus		A

Accentors

File:Dunnock.jpg

Dunnock, a very common resident.

Order: PasseriformesFamily: 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 name	Binomial	Irish name	Status
Dunnock	Prunella modularis	Donnóg	A

Wagtails, pipits

File:Pied Wagtail rear view 700.jpg

Pied wagtail, a common and widespread resident.

File:Grey Wagtail.jpg

Grey wagtail is slightly larger than white wagtail.

Order: PasseriformesFamily: 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:

• Motacilla alba yarrelli, "pied wagtail", a common breeding resident.
• M. a. alba, nominate subspecies occurring as a migrant.

Common name	Binomial	Irish name	Status
Western yellow wagtail	Motacilla flava		A
Eastern yellow wagtail	Motacilla tschutschensis		A
Citrine wagtail	Motacilla citreola		A
Grey wagtail	Motacilla cinerea		A
White wagtail	Motacilla alba	/	A
Richard's pipit	Anthus richardi		A
Tawny pipit	Anthus campestris		A
Meadow pipit	Anthus pratensis		A
Tree pipit	Anthus trivialis		A
Olive-backed pipit	Anthus hodgsoni		A R
Pechora pipit	Anthus gustavi		A R
Red-throated pipit	Anthus cervinus		A
Buff-bellied pipit	Anthus rubescens		A R
Water pipit	Anthus spinoletta		A
European rock pipit	Anthus petrosus		A

Finches, euphonias

File:Fringilla coelebs chaffinch male edit2.jpg

Eurasian chaffinch, a very common resident.

Order: PasseriformesFamily: 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 name	Binomial	Irish name	Status
Eurasian chaffinch	Fringilla coelebs		A
Brambling	Fringilla montifringilla		A
Hawfinch	Coccothraustes coccothraustes		A
Eurasian bullfinch	Pyrrhula pyrrhula		A
Common rosefinch	Carpodacus erythrinus		A
European greenfinch	Chloris chloris		A
Twite	Linaria flavirostris		A
Common linnet	Linaria cannabina		A
Common redpoll	Acanthis flammea		A
Lesser redpoll	Acanthis cabaret		A
Arctic redpoll	Acanthis hornemanni		A R
Red crossbill	Loxia curvirostra		A
Two-barred crossbill	Loxia leucoptera		A R
European goldfinch	Carduelis carduelis		A
European serin	Serinus serinus		A R
Eurasian siskin	Spinus spinus		A

Longspurs, snow buntings

Order: PasseriformesFamily: 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 name	Binomial	Irish name	Status
Lapland longspur	Calcarius lapponicus		A
Snow bunting	Plectrophenax nivalis		A

Buntings

File:Emberiza citrinella bl1.jpg

Yellowhammer, a declining resident.

Order: PasseriformesFamily: 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 name	Binomial	Irish name	Status
Black-headed bunting	Emberiza melanocephala		A R
Corn bunting	Emberiza calandra		A
Yellowhammer	Emberiza citrinella		A
Pine bunting	Emberiza leucocephalos		A R
Ortolan bunting	Emberiza hortulana		A
Cirl bunting	Emberiza cirlus		A R
Little bunting	Emberiza pusilla		A
Rustic bunting	Emberiza rustica		A
Yellow-breasted bunting	Emberiza aureola		A R
Common reed bunting	Emberiza schoeniclus		A

New World sparrows

Order: PasseriformesFamily: 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 name	Binomial	Irish name	Status
Red fox sparrow	Passerella iliaca		A R
Dark-eyed junco	Junco hyemalis		A R
White-crowned sparrow	Zonotrichia leucophrys		A R
White-throated sparrow	Zonotrichia albicollis		A R

Oropendolas, orioles, blackbirds

Order: PasseriformesFamily: 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 name	Binomial	Irish name	Status
Bobolink	Dolichonyx oryzivorus		A R
Baltimore oriole	Icterus galbula		A R

New World warblers

File: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: PasseriformesFamily: 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 name	Binomial	Irish name	Status
Ovenbird	Seiurus aurocapilla		A R
Northern waterthrush	Parkesia noveboracensis		A R
Blue-winged warbler	Vermivora cyanoptera		A R
Black-and-white warbler	Mniotilta varia		A R
Common yellowthroat	Geothlypis trichas		A R
American redstart	Setophaga ruticilla		A R
Northern parula	Setophaga americana		A R
American yellow warbler	Setophaga aestiva		A R
Blackpoll warbler	Setophaga striata		A R
Myrtle warbler	Setophaga coronata		A R
Canada warbler	Cardellina canadensis		A R
Wilson's warbler	Cardellina pusilla		A R

Cardinals and allies

Order: PasseriformesFamily: 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 name	Binomial	Irish name	Status
Scarlet tanager	Piranga olivacea		A R
Rose-breasted grosbeak	Pheucticus ludovicianus		A R
Indigo bunting	Passerina cyanea		A R

References

• Dempsey, Eric & O'Clery, Michael (1995). Pocket Guide to the Common Birds of Ireland. Gill & Macmillan Ltd, Dublin.
• Dempsey, Eric & O'Clery, Michael (2007). Finding Birds in Ireland: The Complete Guide. Gill & Macmillan Ltd, Dublin.

See also

• List of birds
• Lists of birds by region

External links

• National Biodiversity Network [1] Distribution Maps (Ongoing)
• Oiseaux Ireland page. Many photos. Not all species.
• Irish Birding Latest sightings.
• Irish Rare Birds Committee
• NIBWA Northern Ireland Bird watchers Association.
• NIOC Northern Ireland Ornithologists Club. Excellent photographs
• Bird Guides Irish list, county lists, latest sightings and photos.
• RSPB Royal Society for the Protection of Birds A-Z