List of birds of Ireland facts for kids

Ireland is home to many different kinds of birds! As of 2019, experts from the Irish Rare Birds Committee (IRBC) have counted 522 different bird species here. Some of these birds are quite rare, and 14 of the rarest haven't been seen in Ireland since 1950. A few species were brought to Ireland by people or came from other places where they were introduced.

Ireland doesn't have as many types of breeding birds as some other places because it's an island. For example, birds like the tawny owl or Eurasian nuthatch that live in Great Britain don't usually breed here. However, Ireland has huge groups of seabirds, including important numbers of European storm-petrels, northern gannets, and roseate terns. Other special birds that breed here are corn crakes and red-billed choughs. While Ireland doesn't have any bird species found nowhere else in the world, it does have unique types (subspecies) of white-throated dippers, coal tits, and Eurasian jays.

Many wildfowl (like ducks and geese) and wading birds come to Ireland for the winter because of its mild weather. About half of the world's Greenland greater white-fronted geese spend their winter here! In autumn, you can spot many migrating seabirds off the coast, such as different kinds of skuas, shearwaters, and petrels. Because Ireland is so far west, birds from North America often visit in the autumn.

The names and groups of birds in this list follow the rules set by the International Ornithological Congress (IOC) from July 2021. Many of the Irish names come from the National Terminology Database for Irish.

The Irish Rare Birds Committee (IRBC) uses special tags (A, B, C, and R) to describe how often a bird species is seen in Ireland.

• A - These birds have been seen in a natural, wild state in Ireland at least once since January 1, 1950.
• B - These birds were seen in a natural, wild state in Ireland before December 31, 1949, but haven't been seen since. This includes very old rare sightings or species that no longer live here.
• C - These birds were originally brought to Ireland by people but have now created their own wild groups that can survive without more birds being brought in. It also includes birds that came from wild groups outside Ireland.
• R - This means the bird is rare and needs special details to confirm its sighting.

Ducks, Geese, and Swans

Order: Anseriformes   Family: Anatidae

This family includes ducks, geese, and swans. These birds are great at living in water! They have webbed feet, flat bills, and feathers that shed water easily because of a special oily coating.

Common name	Scientific name	Irish name	Status
Brant goose	Branta bernicla	Cadhan	A
Barnacle goose	Branta leucopsis	Gé ghiúrainn / cadhan	A
Greylag goose	Anser anser	Crann-ghé / gé mhór fhionn / gé ghlas	A
Greater white-fronted goose	Anser albifrons	Gé bhánéadanach mhór	A
Mute swan	Cygnus olor	Eala bhalbh	A
Whooper swan	Cygnus cygnus	Eala ghlórach	A
Common shelduck	Tadorna tadorna	Seil-lacha	A
Mandarin duck	Aix galericulata	Lacha mhandarin	C
Northern shoveler	Spatula clypeata	Slapaire tuaisceartach	A
Gadwall	Mareca strepera	Gadual	A
Eurasian wigeon	Mareca penelope	Rualacha	A
Mallard	Anas platyrhynchos	Mallard	A
Northern pintail	Anas acuta	Biorearrach tuaisceartach	A
Eurasian teal	Anas crecca	Praslacha ghlaseiteach	A
Common pochard	Aythya ferina	Póiseard cíordhearg / lacha mhásach	A
Tufted duck	Aythya fuligula	Lacha bhadánach	A
Greater scaup	Aythya marila	Lacha iascán mór	A
Common eider	Somateria mollissima	Éadar	A
Common scoter	Melanitta nigra	Scótar / lacha scótarach	A
Long-tailed duck	Clangula hyemalis	Lacha earrfhada	A
Common goldeneye	Bucephala clangula	Órshúileach	A
Common merganser	Mergus merganser	Síolta / tumaire	A
Red-breasted merganser	Mergus serrator	Síolta rua	A
Ruddy duck	Oxyura jamaicensis	Lachra rua	C

Pheasants and Their Relatives

Order: Galliformes   Family: Phasianidae

This family includes birds like quails, partridges, and pheasants. They are usually plump birds that live on the ground and have broad, short wings.

Common name	Scientific name	Irish name	Status
Grey partridge	Perdix perdix	Cearc coille	A
Common quail	Coturnix coturnix	Gearg / gearraghuirt	A
Common pheasant	Phasianus colchicus	Feasán mhuinceach	C

Nightjars

Order: Caprimulgiformes   Family: Caprimulgidae

Nightjars are medium-sized birds that are active at night. They usually build their nests on the ground. They have long wings, short legs, and very short bills. Their soft feathers help them blend in with tree bark or leaves.

Common name	Scientific name	Irish name	Status
European nightjar	Caprimulgus europaeus	Tuirne lín	A

Swifts

Order: Apodiformes   Family: Apodidae

Swifts are small birds that spend most of their lives flying! They have very short legs and almost never land on the ground. Instead, they perch on vertical surfaces. Many swifts have long, swept-back wings that look like a boomerang.

Common name	Scientific name	Irish name	Status
Alpine swift	Tachymarptis melba	Gabhlán alpach	A
Common swift	Apus apus	Gabhlán gaoithe	A

Cuckoos

Order: Cuculiformes   Family: Cuculidae

The cuckoo family includes birds with slender bodies, long tails, and strong legs. Many Old World cuckoos are "brood parasites," meaning they lay their eggs in other birds' nests!

Common name	Scientific name	Irish name	Status
Common cuckoo	Cuculus canorus	Cuach	A

Pigeons and Doves

Order: Columbiformes   Family: Columbidae

Pigeons and doves are birds with sturdy bodies, short necks, and thin bills.

Common name	Scientific name	Irish name	Status
Rock dove	Columba livia	Colm aille	A
Stock dove	Columba oenas	Colm gorm	A
Common wood pigeon	Columba palumbus	Colm coille	A
European turtle dove	Streptopelia turtur	Fearán	A
Eurasian collared dove	Streptopelia decaocto	Fearán baicdhubh	A

Rails, Crakes, and Coots

Order: Gruiformes   Family: Rallidae

This large family includes rails, crakes, and coots. They usually live in thick plants near lakes, swamps, or rivers. They are often shy and hard to spot. Most have strong legs and long toes, which help them walk on soft ground. They tend to have short, rounded wings and aren't very strong fliers.

Common name	Scientific name	Irish name	Status
Water rail	Rallus aquaticus	Rálóg uisce / tradhna uisce	A
Corn crake	Crex crex	Traonach	A
Spotted crake	Porzana porzana	Gearr breac	A
Common moorhen	Gallinula chloropus	Cearc uisce / truisc / coileach fraoich	A
Eurasian coot	Fulica atra	Cearc cheannann	A

Cranes

Order: Gruiformes   Family: Gruidae

Cranes are large birds with long legs and long necks. Unlike herons (which look similar), cranes fly with their necks stretched out, not pulled back. Many cranes have special, noisy dances they do to attract a mate.

Common name	Scientific name	Irish name	Status
Common crane	Grus grus	Corr / grús	A

Grebes

Order: Podicipediformes   Family: Podicipedidae

Grebes are small to medium-sized diving birds that live in freshwater. They have lobed toes and are excellent swimmers and divers. However, their feet are set far back on their bodies, making them clumsy on land.

Common name	Scientific name	Irish name	Status
Little grebe	Tachybaptus ruficollis	Spágaire tonn / tomaire beag	A
Great crested grebe	Podiceps cristatus	Foitheach mór / Lúnadán mór an chorraicín	A
Horned grebe	Podiceps auritus	Beann-foitheach	A
Black-necked grebe	Podiceps nigricollis	Foithíoch cluasach	A

Oystercatchers

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Haematopodidae

Oystercatchers are large, noisy birds that look a bit like plovers. They have strong bills that they use to smash open or pry apart shellfish.

Common name	Scientific name	Irish name	Status
Eurasian oystercatcher	Haematopus ostralegus	Roilleach / riabhán / scaladóir	A

Plovers

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Charadriidae

This family includes plovers, dotterels, and lapwings. They are small to medium-sized birds with compact bodies, short necks, and long, pointed wings. You can find them in open areas all over the world, especially near water.

Common name	Scientific name	Irish name	Status
Northern lapwing	Vanellus vanellus	Saotharcán Tuaisceartach	A
European golden plover	Pluvialis apricaria	Feadóg bhuí / fideog	A
Grey plover	Pluvialis squatarola	Feadóg bolgdubh	A
Common ringed plover	Charadrius hiaticula	Feadóg chladaigh / feadóg an fháinne / ladhrán	A

Sandpipers and Snipes

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Scolopacidae

This is a large and varied family of small to medium-sized shorebirds, including sandpipers, curlews, godwits, and snipes. Most of these birds eat small insects and other tiny creatures they find in mud or soil. Their different leg and bill lengths allow many species to feed in the same places, especially along the coast, without competing for food.

Common name	Scientific name	Irish name	Status
Eurasian whimbrel	Numenius phaeopus	Crotach eanaigh	A
Eurasian curlew	Numenius arquata	Crotach / cruiteach	A
Bar-tailed godwit	Limosa lapponica	Guibneach stríocearrach	A
Black-tailed godwit	Limosa limosa	Guilbneach earrdubh	A
Ruddy turnstone	Arenaria interpres	Piadálai trá ruadh	A
Red knot	Calidris canutus	Cnota rua	A
Ruff	Calidris pugnax	Rufachán	A
Curlew sandpiper	Calidris ferruginea	Gobadán crotaigh	A
Sanderling	Calidris alba	Luathrán	A
Dunlin	Calidris alpina	Breacó	A
Purple sandpiper	Calidris maritima	Gobadan cosbhuí	A
Little stint	Calidris minuta	Gobadáinín beag	A
Pectoral sandpiper	Calidris melanotos	Gobadán uchtach	A
Eurasian woodcock	Scolopax rusticola	Creabhar	A
Jack snipe	Lymnocryptes minimus	Naoscach bhídeach	A
Common snipe	Gallinago gallinago	Naoscach	A
Red-necked phalarope	Phalaropus lobatus	Falaróp gobchaol	A
Red phalarope	Phalaropus fulicarius	Falaróp rua	A
Common sandpiper	Actitis hypoleucos	Gobadán coiteann	A
Green sandpiper	Tringa ochropus	Gobadán glas	A
Common redshank	Tringa totanus	Cosdeargán	A
Wood sandpiper	Tringa glareola	Gobadán coille	A
Spotted redshank	Tringa erythropus	Cosdeargán breac	A
Common greenshank	Tringa nebularia	Ladhrán glas	A

Gulls, Terns, and Skimmers

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Laridae

This family includes gulls, terns, and skimmers. Gulls are usually grey or white, often with black markings. They have strong bills and webbed feet. Terns are generally medium to large seabirds, often with grey or white feathers and black markings on their heads. Most terns catch fish by diving, but some pick insects off the water's surface. Terns can live for a long time, with some species living over 30 years.

Common name	Scientific name	Irish name	Status
Black-legged kittiwake	Rissa tridactyla	Saidhbhéar	A
Sabine's gull	Xema sabini	Sléibhín Sabine	A
Bonaparte's gull	Chroicocephalus philadelphia	Sléibhín Bonaparte	A
Black-headed gull	Chroicocephalus ridibundus	Sléibhín	A
Little gull	Hydrocoloeus minutus	Sléibhín beag	A
Mediterranean gull	Ichthyaetus melanocephalus	Sléibhín meánmhuirí	A
Common gull	Larus canus	Faoileán bán	A
Ring-billed gull	Larus delawarensis	Faoileán bandghobach	A
Great black-backed gull	Larus marinus	Droimneach mór	A
Glaucous gull	Larus hyperboreus	Faoileán glas	A
Iceland gull	Larus glaucoides	Faoileán Íoslannach	A
European herring gull	Larus argentatus	Faoileán scadán	A
Lesser black-backed gull	Larus fuscus	Droimneach beag	A
Sandwich tern	Thalasseus sandvicensis	Geabhróg scothdhubh	A
Little tern	Sternula albifrons	Geabhróg bheag	A
Roseate tern	Sterna dougallii	Geabhróg rosach	A
Common tern	Sterna hirundo	Geabhróg	A
Arctic tern	Sterna paradisaea	Geabhróg Artach	A
Black tern	Chlidonias niger	Geabhróg dhubh	A

Skuas

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Stercorariidae

Skuas are medium to large birds, usually grey or brown, often with white marks on their wings. They nest on the ground in cooler regions and travel long distances.

Common name	Scientific name	Irish name	Status
Great skua	Stercorarius skua	Meirleach mór	A
Pomarine jaeger	Stercorarius pomarinus	Meirleach pomairíneach	A
Parasitic jaeger	Stercorarius parasiticus	Meirleach Artach	A
Long-tailed jaeger	Stercorarius longicaudus	Meirleach earrfhada	A

Auks

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Alcidae

Alcids look a bit like penguins because of their black and white colours and upright way of standing. However, they are not related to penguins and can fly! Auks live on the open sea and only come ashore to nest.

Common name	Scientific name	Irish name	Status
Little auk	Alle alle	Foracha bheag	A
Common murre	Uria aalge	Foracha	A
Razorbill	Alca torda	Crosán	A
Great auk	Pinguinus impennis	Foracha mhór	B (extinct)
Black guillemot	Cepphus grylle	Foracha dhubh	A
Atlantic puffin	Fratercula arctica	Puifín	A

Loons (Divers)

Order: Gaviiformes   Family: Gaviidae

Loons, also called divers, are water birds found in North America and northern Europe. They are about the size of a large duck or small goose, and look similar when swimming, but they are not related.

Common name	Scientific name	Irish name	Status
Red-throated loon	Gavia stellata	Lóma rua	A
Black-throated loon	Gavia arctica	Lóma Artach	A
Common loon	Gavia immer	Lóma mór	A

Northern Storm Petrels

Order: Procellariiformes   Family: Hydrobatidae

These storm petrels are small seabirds that are related to other petrels. They eat tiny sea creatures and small fish from the water's surface, often while hovering. Their flight can be fluttery, almost like a bat.

Common name	Scientific name	Irish name	Status
European storm petrel	Hydrobates pelagicus	Guairdeall	A
Leach's storm petrel	Hydrobates leucorhous	Guairdeall gabhlach	A

Petrels and Shearwaters

Order: Procellariiformes   Family: Procellariidae

This group includes medium-sized "true petrels." They are known for their united nostrils and a long outer primary feather.

Common name	Scientific name	Irish name	Status
Northern fulmar	Fulmarus glacialis	Fulmaire	A
Cory's shearwater	Calonectris borealis	Cánóg Cory	A
Sooty shearwater	Ardenna griseus	Cánóg dhorcha	A
Great shearwater	Ardenna gravis	Cánóg mhór	A
Manx shearwater	Puffinus puffinus	Cánóg dhubh	A
Balearic shearwater	Puffinus mauretanicus		A

Gannets and Boobies

Order: Suliformes   Family: Sulidae

This family includes gannets and boobies. Both are medium to large seabirds that live near coasts and dive headfirst into the water to catch fish.

Common name	Scientific name	Irish name	Status
Northern gannet	Morus bassanus	Gainead	A

Cormorants and Shags

Order: Suliformes   Family: Phalacrocoracidae

This family includes cormorants and shags, which are medium to large seabirds that eat fish. Most of them have dark feathers, but some are black and white, and a few are very colourful.

Common name	Scientific name	Irish name	Status
Great cormorant	Phalacrocorax carbo	Broigheall	A
European shag	Gulosus aristotelis	Seaga	A

Ibises and Spoonbills

Order: Pelecaniformes   Family: Threskiornithidae

This family includes ibises and spoonbills, which are large birds that live on land and in water. They have long, broad wings and are strong fliers, even though they are big and heavy.

Common name	Scientific name	Irish name	Status
Glossy ibis	Plegadis falcinellus	Íbis niamhrach	A
Eurasian spoonbill	Platalea leucorodia	Corr leitheadach Eoráiseach	A

Herons and Bitterns

Order: Pelecaniformes   Family: Ardeidae

This family includes bitterns, herons, and egrets. Herons and egrets are medium to large wading birds with long necks and legs. Bitterns are usually shorter-necked and more cautious. Unlike other long-necked birds like storks, herons and egrets fly with their necks pulled back.

Common name	Scientific name	Irish name	Status
Eurasian bittern	Botaurus stellaris	Bonnán	A
Black-crowned night heron	Nycticorax nycticorax	Corr oíche	A
Western cattle egret	Bubulcus ibis	Éigrit eallaigh	A
Grey heron	Ardea cinerea	Corr réisc	A
Little egret	Egretta garzetta	Éigrit bheag	A

Osprey

Order: Accipitriformes   Family: Pandionidae

This family has only one species, the osprey. Ospreys are medium-large birds of prey that specialize in eating fish.

Common name	Scientific name	Irish name	Status
Osprey	Pandion haliaetus	Coirneach	A

Kites, Hawks, and Eagles

Order: Accipitriformes   Family: Accipitridae

This family includes birds of prey like hawks, eagles, kites, and harriers. These birds have strong, hooked beaks for tearing meat, powerful legs, sharp talons, and excellent eyesight.

Common name	Scientific name	Irish name	Status
Golden eagle	Aquila chrysaetos	Iolar firéan	A R
Eurasian sparrowhawk	Accipiter nisus	Spioróg	A
Hen harrier	Circus cyaneus	Cromán na gcearc	A
Red kite	Milvus milvus	Cúr rua	A
White-tailed eagle	Haliaeetus albicilla	Iolar mara	A R
Common buzzard	Buteo buteo	Clamhán	A

Barn Owls

Order: Strigiformes   Family: Tytonidae

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

Common name	Scientific name	Irish name	Status
Western barn owl	Tyto alba	Scréachóg reilige	A

Owls

Order: Strigiformes   Family: Strigidae

These are typical owls, usually solitary birds of prey that are active at night. They have large eyes that face forward, good hearing, a hawk-like beak, and a circle of feathers around each eye called a facial disk.

Common name	Scientific name	Irish name	Status
Snowy owl	Bubo scandiacus	Ulchabhán sneachtúil	A
Long-eared owl	Asio otus	Ceann cait	A
Short-eared owl	Asio flammeus	Ulchabhán réisc	A

Hoopoes

Order: Bucerotiformes   Family: Upupidae

Hoopoes are striking birds with black, white, and orangey-pink feathers, and a large crest on their heads that they can raise.

Common name	Scientific name	Irish name	Status
Eurasian hoopoe	Upupa epops	Húpú	A

Kingfishers

Order: Coraciiformes   Family: Alcedinidae

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

Common name	Scientific name	Irish name	Status
Common kingfisher	Alcedo atthis	Cruidín	A

Woodpeckers

Order: Piciformes   Family: Picidae

Woodpeckers are small to medium-sized birds with chisel-like beaks, short legs, stiff tails, and long tongues used to catch insects. Many woodpeckers tap loudly on tree trunks with their beaks. The Great spotted woodpecker has started breeding in Ireland in recent years.

Common name	Scientific name	Irish name	Status
Great spotted woodpecker	Dendrocopos major	Mórchnagaire breac	A

Falcons

Order: Falconiformes   Family: Falconidae

Falcons are birds of prey that hunt during the day. They are different from hawks and eagles because they kill their prey with their beaks, not their talons.

Common name	Scientific name	Irish name	Status
Common kestrel	Falco tinnunculus	Pocaire gaoithe	A
Merlin	Falco columbarius	Meirliún	A
Eurasian hobby	Falco subbuteo	Fabhcún coille	A
Peregrine falcon	Falco peregrinus	Fabhcún gorm	A

Shrikes

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Laniidae

Shrikes are known for catching other birds and small animals and sticking the uneaten parts onto thorns. A shrike's beak is hooked, similar to a bird of prey.

Common name	Scientific name	Irish name	Status
Red-backed shrike	Lanius collurio	Scréachán droimrua	A

Crows and Jays

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Corvidae

This family includes crows, ravens, jackdaws, jays, and magpies. Corvids are larger than average perching birds, and some of the bigger species are very intelligent.

Common name	Scientific name	Irish name	Status
Eurasian jay	Garrulus glandarius	Scréachóg / scéachóg choille	A
Eurasian magpie	Pica pica	Snag breac	A
Red-billed chough	Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax	Cág cosdearg	A
Eurasian jackdaw	Corvus monedula	Cág	A
Rook	Corvus frugilegus	Rúcach	A
Carrion crow	Corvus corone	Caróg dhubh	A
Hooded crow	Corvus cornix	Caróg liath	A
Northern raven	Corvus corax	Fiach dubh	A

Waxwings

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Bombycillidae

Waxwings have soft, silky feathers and unique red tips on some of their wing feathers, which look like sealing wax. These birds live in northern forests and eat insects in summer and berries in winter.

Common name	Scientific name	Irish name	Status
Bohemian waxwing	Bombycilla garrulus	Síodeiteach	A

Tits and Chickadees

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Paridae

The tit family includes small, stocky woodland birds with short, strong bills. They are adaptable and eat a mix of seeds and insects.

Common name	Scientific name	Irish name	Status
Coal tit	Periparus ater	Meantán dubh	A
Eurasian blue tit	Cyanistes caeruleus	Meantán gorm	A
Great tit	Parus major	Meantán mór	A

Bushtits

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Aegithalidae

Long-tailed tits are small perching birds with medium to long tails. They build woven, bag-like nests in trees and mostly eat insects.

Common name	Scientific name	Irish name	Status
Long-tailed tit	Aegithalos caudatus	Meantán earrfhada	A

Larks

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Alaudidae

Larks are small ground birds known for their often fancy songs and display flights. Most larks look quite plain. They eat insects and seeds.

Common name	Scientific name	Irish name	Status
Eurasian skylark	Alauda arvensis	Fuiseog	A

Swallows and Martins

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Hirundinidae

This family of birds is built for catching food in the air. They have slender bodies, long pointed wings, and short bills with wide mouths. Their feet are better for perching than walking.

Common name	Scientific name	Irish name	Status
Sand martin	Riparia riparia	Gabhlán gainimh	A
Barn swallow	Hirundo rustica	Fáinleog	A
Common house martin	Delichon urbicum	Gabhlán binne	A

Goldcrests and Kinglets

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Regulidae

Kinglets, also called crests, are a small group of birds. They are very tiny and often have bright "crests" of feathers on their heads.

Common name	Scientific name	Irish name	Status
Common firecrest	Regulus ignicapillus	Lasairchíor	A
Goldcrest	Regulus regulus	Cíorbhuí	A

Wrens

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Troglodytidae

Wrens are mostly small and hard to spot, except for their loud songs! These birds have short wings and thin, downward-curved bills. Many species often hold their tails straight up. All wrens eat insects.

Common name	Scientific name	Irish name	Status
Eurasian wren	Troglodytes troglodytes	Dreolín	A

Treecreepers

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Certhiidae

Treecreepers are small woodland birds, brown on top and white underneath. They have thin, pointed, curved bills that they use to pull insects out of tree bark. Like woodpeckers, they have stiff tail feathers that help them support themselves on vertical tree trunks.

Common name	Scientific name	Irish name	Status
Eurasian treecreeper	Certhia familiaris	Snag coiteann	A

Starlings

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Sturnidae

Starlings are small to medium-sized perching birds. They fly strongly and directly and often gather in large groups. They prefer open areas and eat insects and fruit. Their feathers are usually dark with a shiny, metallic look.

Common name	Scientific name	Irish name	Status
European starling	Sturnus vulgaris	Druid	A

Thrushes

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Turdidae

Thrushes are a group of perching birds, mostly found in the Old World. They are plump, soft-feathered, and small to medium-sized. They eat insects or a mix of foods, often finding food on the ground. Many thrushes have beautiful songs.

Common name	Scientific name	Irish name	Status
Ring ouzel	Turdus torquatus	Lon creige	A
Eurasian blackbird	Turdus merula	Lon dubh	A
Fieldfare	Turdus pilaris	Sacán	A
Redwing	Turdus iliacus	Deargán sneachta	A
Song thrush	Turdus philomelos	Smólach ceoil	A
Mistle thrush	Turdus viscivorus	Smólach mór	A

Chats and Old World Flycatchers

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Muscicapidae

Old World flycatchers are a large family of mostly small birds that live in trees and eat insects. These birds look very different from each other, but most have quiet songs and harsh calls.

Common name	Scientific name	Irish name	Status
Spotted flycatcher	Muscicapa striata	Cuilire liath	A
European robin	Erithacus rubecula	Spideog	A
Bluethroat	Luscinia svecica	Gormphíb	A
Black redstart	Phoenicurus ochruros	Earrdheargán dubh	A
Common redstart	Phoenicurus phoenicurus	Earrdheargán	A
Whinchat	Saxicola rubetra	Caislín aitinn	A
European stonechat	Saxicola rubicola	Caislín cloch	A
Northern wheatear	Oenanthe oenanthe	Clochrán	A

Dippers

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Cinclidae

Dippers are perching birds that live near water in places like the Americas, Europe, and Asia. They are named for their bobbing or "dipping" movements.

Common name	Scientific name	Irish name	Status
White-throated dipper	Cinclus cinclus	Gabha dubh	A

Old World Sparrows

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Passeridae

Sparrows are small perching birds. They are generally small, plump, brown or grey birds with short tails and strong, short beaks. Sparrows eat seeds, but they also eat small insects.

Common name	Scientific name	Irish name	Status
House sparrow	Passer domesticus	Gealbhan binne	A
Eurasian tree sparrow	Passer montanus	Gealbhan crainn	A

Accentors

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Prunellidae

Accentors are the only bird family found only in the Palearctic region (Europe, Asia, and North Africa). They are small, rather plain birds that look a bit like Old World sparrows.

Common name	Scientific name	Irish name	Status
Dunnock	Prunella modularis	Donnóg	A

Wagtails and Pipits

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Motacillidae

This family includes wagtails and pipits. They are slender, insect-eating birds that feed on the ground in open areas. They have medium to long tails.

Two types of white wagtail are found in Ireland:

• Motacilla alba yarrelli, known as the "pied wagtail," which breeds here.
• M. a. alba, which is a migrant visitor.

Common name	Scientific name	Irish name	Status
Western yellow wagtail	Motacilla flava	Glasóg bhuí iartharach	A
Grey wagtail	Motacilla cinerea	Glasóg liath	A
White wagtail	Motacilla alba	Glasóg shráide / glasóg bhán	A
Meadow pipit	Anthus pratensis	Riabhóg mhóna	A
Tree pipit	Anthus trivialis	Riabhóg choille	A
European rock pipit	Anthus petrosus	Riabhóg chladaigh	A

Finches

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Fringillidae

Finches are seed-eating perching birds that are small to medium-sized. They have strong, often cone-shaped beaks. All finches have twelve tail feathers and nine primary feathers. These birds have a bouncy flight, flapping their wings then gliding with them closed. Most finches sing well.

Common name	Scientific name	Irish name	Status
Eurasian chaffinch	Fringilla coelebs	Rí rua	A
Brambling	Fringilla montifringilla	Breacán	A
Hawfinch	Coccothraustes coccothraustes	Glasán gobmhór	A
Eurasian bullfinch	Pyrrhula pyrrhula	Corcrán coille	A
European greenfinch	Chloris chloris	Glasán darach	A
Twite	Linaria flavirostris	Gleoiseach sléibhe	A
Common linnet	Linaria cannabina	Gleoiseach	A
Common redpoll	Acanthis flammea	Deargéadan	A
Lesser redpoll	Acanthis cabaret	Deargéadan beag	A
Red crossbill	Loxia curvirostra	Crosghob rua	A
European goldfinch	Carduelis carduelis	Lasair choille	A
Eurasian siskin	Spinus spinus	Siscín	A

Snow Buntings

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Calcariidae

This group of perching birds used to be grouped with New World sparrows. They are usually found in open grassy areas.

Common name	Scientific name	Irish name	Status
Snow bunting	Plectrophenax nivalis	Gealóg shneachta	A

Buntings

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Emberizidae

This family of perching birds contains a single genus.

Common name	Scientific name	Irish name	Status
Corn bunting	Emberiza calandra	Gealóg bhuachair	A
Yellowhammer	Emberiza citrinella	Buíóg	A
Common reed bunting	Emberiza schoeniclus	Gealóg ghiolcaí	A

New World Warblers

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Parulidae

New World warblers are a group of small, often colourful, perching birds found only in the Americas. Most live in trees, but some live on the ground. Most members of this family eat insects.

Common name	Scientific name	Irish name	Status
Blue-winged warbler	Vermivora cyanoptera	Ceolaire gormeiteach	A R

See also

• List of birds
• Lists of birds by region