Welcome to Matera! This beautiful city is home to various birds, from ordinary garden species to rare and exotic species. From the majestic Golden Eagle to the colorful Kingfishers, there is something for everyone to observe and appreciate.
Matera is an excellent place for birdwatching, especially during the spring and autumn migration, when the skies are filled with various birds coming and going.
Whether you’re a keen birdwatcher or just curious about our feathered friends, Matera has plenty of opportunities to watch and learn.
12 Birds to Watch in Matera
Matera is a city in southern Italy that is famous for its ancient cave dwellings and stunning landscapes. But did you know that Matera is also a paradise for birdwatchers? The city and its surroundings are home to a rich variety of birds, some of which are rare or endangered.
Here are 12 birds that you can watch in Matera
1. Rock Dove
The rock dove, rock pigeon, or common pigeon is a bird species belonging to the Columbidae family. It is commonly known as the “pigeon.” This species is the ancestor of the domestic pigeon, which has become popular in many parts of the world.
In some places, escaped domestic pigeons have multiplied, increasing the wild population of rock doves. This has happened worldwide, leading to the spread of the rock dove species.
The rock dove is typical in urban areas, often foraging for food on the ground or perched on rooftops and window ledges. It is a bold and adaptable bird, capable of surviving in a wide range of climates and habitats.
It feeds on seeds, grains, and other plant matter and is also known to scavenge for food in human-populated areas. The rock dove is a widespread species found in many countries worldwide.
It is an integral part of the global avifauna and is vital in many ecosystems. The continued success of this species depends on humans taking steps to protect it and its habitats.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Columbiformes |
| Family | Columbidae |
| Genus | Columba |
| Species | C. livia |
2. Wood Pigeon
The standard wood pigeon is a significant and widespread bird species within the family of doves and pigeons. It can be found throughout the western Palearctic region, stretching from Western Europe to the Middle East and North Africa.
The wood pigeon belongs to the genus Columba, a group of closely related species that includes the rock dove, a species that is found in many parts of the world. However, the wood pigeon is a distinct species with its specific characteristics.
It is a bulky bird with greyish-brown plumage, a white patch on its neck, and a white band across its wings. It is also noted for its loud and repetitive cooing sound.
It is a widespread bird-watching species, as it can often be seen in open woodlands, parks, and gardens, where it feeds mainly on seeds, fruits, and buds.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Columbiformes |
| Family | Columbidae |
| Genus | Columba |
| Species | C. palumbus |
3. Great Crested Grebe
The great crested grebe is a species of water bird belonging to the grebe family. It is a distinctive-looking bird with a long head, short neck, and a pointed bill. Its plumage is black and white, with a reddish-brown chest and back.
It lives in various aquatic habitats, including rivers, lakes, and ponds. The great crested grebe is especially well-known for its elaborate mating display.
This courtship ritual involves the male and female birds swimming together in a circle while the male shakes his head and tail feathers and dives underwater.
The male will also display a bright red eye patch, while the female responds with an upright posture and a loud trilling call.
This display is meant to attract potential mates and can be seen throughout the breeding season. The great crested grebe is also an accomplished swimmer, able to dive deep underwater in search of food.
It feeds mainly on fish and aquatic invertebrates and can even dive to depths up to 30 meters for its prey.
In addition to its unique courtship display, the great crested grebe has a distinctive call: a loud “we-weh” sound. The great crested grebe is a fascinating water bird, with its elaborate mating display and unique diving abilities.
It is a species highly valued in the birdwatching community and can be spotted in many parts of the world.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Podicipediformes |
| Family | Podicipedidae |
| Genus | Podiceps |
| Species | P. cristatus |
4. Little Egret
The little egret is a small heron species belonging to the Ardeidae family. It is a white bird with a black beak, long legs, and yellow feet in the western race. As an aquatic bird, it feeds on both land and shallow water, consuming a variety of tiny creatures.
The little egret is a species that is both graceful and elegant. Its white plumage helps it to blend in with its aquatic habitat, allowing it to move around undetected while hunting for its prey.
Its long, slender black beak allows it to pluck small creatures quickly from the shallow water. Its long black legs also help it to move swiftly and efficiently through its aquatic environment.
In the western race of the little egret, the feet are also yellow, which helps it stand out from other birds in its environment. The little egret is an active and opportunistic hunter, feeding on small creatures in shallow water and land.
It can consume a variety of small creatures, such as insects, crustaceans, and small fish. This heron species is very adaptable and can find food in various environments.
The little egret is a beautiful species of small heron that is found in aquatic habitats all around the world. Its white plumage, distinctive black beak, long legs, and yellow feet make it easy to identify.
As an aquatic bird, it feeds on both land and shallow water, consuming a variety of tiny creatures. This heron species is an integral part of its marine environment, helping to control the abundance of small creatures in its habitat.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Pelecaniformes |
| Family | Ardeidae |
| Genus | Egretta |
| Species | E. garzetta |
5. Common Moorhen
The common moorhen, also known as the waterhen or swamp chicken, belongs to the rail family. It is a widespread species in many parts of the Old World, from Europe to Asia, Africa, and Australia.
This species of bird prefers to inhabit wetland habitats such as marshes, ponds, canals, and other watery areas with plentiful vegetation. They use these areas for shelter and food, mainly feeding on aquatic plants, small animals, and insects.
The common moorhen is a relatively large bird with a long, slender neck and a sturdy, rounded body. It has a distinctive dark gray, black, and white plumage pattern, with a white stripe down its neck and white spots on its wings.
The bird has bright red legs and a yellow bill, which is short and pointed. It also has a short, stubby tail. The common moorhen is an excellent swimmer and can often be seen paddling around in the water, looking for food.
It is also an agile flier and can take off quickly when threatened. It is a highly sociable bird that often travels in pairs or small flocks.
They are also very vocal and can be heard making various loud calls. The common moorhen is a fascinating and adaptable bird species in many parts of the Old World.
Its distinctive plumage and vocalizations make it easy to identify, and its preference for wetland habitats makes it a welcome addition to many gardens and parks.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Gruiformes |
| Family | Rallidae |
| Genus | Gallinula |
| Species | G. chloropus |
6. Black-Headed Gull
The black-headed gull is a species of small gull found in many parts of the Palearctic region, including Europe and Canada.
Most of these birds are migratory, which means they travel to more southerly regions during winter. Still, some remain in the westernmost parts of Europe, generally milder.
This gull species typically breeds in these areas, establishing their nests and actively raising their young. The black-headed gull is an essential species in these areas, as it helps to maintain healthy ecosystems.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Charadriiformes |
| Family | Laridae |
| Genus | Chroicocephalus |
| Species | C. ridibundus |
7. Yellow-Legged Gull
The yellow-legged gull is a large species in Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa. It is a relatively new species, only recently gaining recognition. In the past, the yellow-legged gull was considered a subspecies of the Caspian gull L.
cachinnans, or more broadly, as a subspecies of the herring gull L. argentatus. This means that the yellow-legged gull was not seen as an entirely separate species but rather a variation of an existing species.
The yellow-legged gull is easily distinguished from its relatives by its yellow legs and feet. It also has a darker back than the Caspian gull and a lighter grey back than the herring gull. The yellow-legged gull also has a different bill structure than its relatives.
Its bill is straighter and more pointed than the Caspian gull and less curved and more pointed than the herring gull. Although the yellow-legged gull was once grouped with its two relatives, it has since been reclassified as its species.
This means that scientists now recognize the yellow-legged gull as an entirely different species with unique features and characteristics. This change in classification has allowed the yellow-legged gull to gain the recognition it deserves as an independent species.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Charadriiformes |
| Family | Laridae |
| Genus | Larus |
| Species | L. michahellis |
8. Tundra Swan
The tundra swan is a small species in the Palaearctic and the Nearctic regions. It is classified as two distinct taxa, Bewick’s swan and the whistling swan.
While these two taxa are usually considered the same species, some researchers have suggested they should be treated separately. Bewick’s swan is found in the Palaearctic region, which covers parts of Europe, Asia, and North Africa.
It is named after the British naturalist Thomas Bewick and is the smallest of the swans. Bewick’s swans are known for their distinctive yellow bill, mainly feeding on aquatic plants.
The whistling swan is the largest of the two taxa and is native to the Nearctic region, which covers North America and Greenland. This species gets its name from its distinctive high-pitched call.
Its long neck and black bill quickly identify the whistling swan, which mainly feeds on aquatic invertebrates. Overall, the tundra swan is an interesting species found in two distinct regions and classified into two separate taxa.
While it is usually considered one species, some researchers have argued that these two taxa should be treated separately.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Anseriformes |
| Family | Anatidae |
| Genus | Cygnus |
| Species | C. columbianus |
9. Lesser Kestrel
The lesser kestrel is an aerial predator, classified as a small falcon. It is known to inhabit many regions, including the Mediterranean, Afghanistan, Central Asia, China, and Mongolia.
During the summer, it migrates to Africa, Pakistan, India, and Iraq for the winter. This species is not typically found far north of its breeding range, and its population in Europe is declining.
The lesser kestrel inhabits various habitats, including open grasslands, farmland, semi-desert regions, and some urban areas. It is a solitary bird that typically nests in cavities, such as cliffs, buildings, or trees.
It typically feeds on small insects, such as grasshoppers and small rodents. The lesser kestrel is a species of conservation concern due to its declining population in Europe and the threats posed by habitat loss and degradation.
It is listed as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Conservation efforts, such as habitat protection and restoration, are necessary to help protect this species.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Falconiformes |
| Family | Falconidae |
| Genus | Falco |
| Species | F. naumanni |
10. Glossy Ibis
The glossy ibis is a member of the order Pelecaniformes, which includes pelicans and their relatives. It belongs to the ibis and spoonbill family, Threskiornithidae. Its scientific name is derived from two Ancient Greek words, ‘pleads’ and ‘facts,’ which both mean ‘sickle.’
This refers to the distinctive, curved shape of the bird’s bill. The glossy ibis is found in wetlands and shallow lakes, where it feeds on aquatic invertebrates, such as worms, mollusks, and crustaceans.
It is a medium-sized bird, measuring about 25-30 inches (63-76 cm), with a wingspan of about 39-45 inches (99-114 cm). It has a glossy black body, reddish-brown head, neck, and chest.
The glossy ibis is an essential species for conservation, as it is considered a species of most minor concern by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Pelecaniformes |
| Family | Threskiornithidae |
| Genus | Plegadis |
| Species | P. falcinellus |
11. Peregrine Falcon
The peregrine falcon is a bird of prey belonging to the Falconidae family. It is a large falcon, similar to a crow, with a blue-grey back, white underparts marked with bars, and a black head.
This falcon is known by a few names, such as the peregrine, duck hawk, and, historically, the duck hawk in North America.
The peregrine falcon is especially renowned for its remarkable speed, being one of the fastest members of its family and one of the fastest animals in the world. It can reach over 200 mph when diving, making it an imposing creature.
The peregrine is also highly adaptable in many habitats worldwide, from deserts to woodlands and even cities. This makes the peregrine a remarkably resilient species and one of the world’s most widespread and successful birds of prey.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Falconiformes |
| Family | Falconidae |
| Genus | Falco |
| Species | F. peregrinus |
12. Short-Toed Snake Eagle
The Short-toed Snake Eagle, also known as the Short-Toed Eagle, is a medium-sized bird of prey belonging to the family Accipitridae. This family also includes several other diurnal raptors, such as kites, buzzards, and harriers.
The scientific name of the species Circaetus is derived from the Ancient Greek words Kirkus, which refers to a type of hawk, and autos, which translates to “eagle.” The term describes the species due to its combination of features from both hawks and eagles.
The bird has a long tail and broad wings, which are common traits of an eagle, but it also has a shorter bill and legs than other raptors of the same family. Its coloring is also quite distinct, with its chestnut body and white underparts making it easy to identify.
The Short-Toed Eagle is found mainly in the open grasslands and savannas of Africa and southern Europe, where it hunts for small mammals, reptiles, and birds.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Accipitriformes |
| Family | Accipitridae |
| Genus | Circaetus |
| Species | C. gallicus |
Conclusion
Birds in Matera provide a unique experience to anyone who visits the city and its surrounding area. With its diverse landscape and wide range of habitats, Matera boasts a wide range of bird species.
Matera is a bird-lovers paradise, from the majestic eagles that soar over the rocky hills to the delicate songbirds that brighten the city streets. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced birder, Matera will surely provide an unforgettable and rewarding experience.