Birds in Northern Ireland are of great importance as they form an essential part of its rich biodiversity. It is a well-known fact that the diverse habitats and ecosystems of the region provide a suitable environment for a large number of bird species.
From the rugged coastline to the lush green valleys, Northern Ireland offers a unique landscape that supports a diverse range of birdlife. The bird species found in the region include both native and migrant birds, and their presence is strongly recognized by the local community.
In this article, we will provide a comprehensive overview of the bird species found in Northern Ireland, their habitat, behaviors, threats, and conservation efforts.
1. Sandgrouse
Sandgrouse are birds of the order Pterocliformes, found mainly in Africa and Asia. There are sixteen species belonging to two genera – Syrrhaptes from central Asia and Pterocles from Africa and other Asian countries.
They inhabit treeless areas such as deserts, steppes, scrublands, or savannas and tend to be ground-dwelling birds that feed on seeds.
Sandgrouse have adapted special features for survival in their harsh environment.
They possess well-developed feet with four toes used for walking over hot sand while keeping their body temperature cool at all times by regulating heat loss through their legs.
Their feathers also act like a sponge helping them absorb water before flying long distances back home where they then expel it using specialized glandular secretions located near the wings so that chicks can drink directly from an adult’s breast plumage.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Clade | Columbimorphae |
| Order | Pterocliformes Huxley, 1868 |
| Family | Pteroclidae Bonaparte, 1831 |
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2. Glareolidae
Glareolidae is a family of wading birds, consisting of four genera and 17 species. They are distinguished from other charadrii by their long bills which have a slight downward curve.
Glareolidae live around open grasslands and deserts, where they hunt for insects using the bill to probe into soil or vegetation.
Most species are found in Africa but two pratincoles inhabit parts of Europe and Asia as well.
Coursers tend to be larger than pratincoles with longer legs allowing them to run quickly across sandy dunes while feeding on small animals like lizards or spiders.
Pratincoles feed mainly on flying insects, snatching them out of midair with great agility during flight.
All glareolids share unique features such as large eyes that help them spot prey at night easily making this group one interesting bird family.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Charadriiformes |
| Suborder | Lari |
| Family | Glareolidae CL Brehm, 1831 |
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3. Stone-Curlew
Stone-curlews, also known as dikkops or thick-knees, are a family of birds that have adapted to live in tropical and temperate regions throughout the world.
They can be found in Africa, Asia, and Australia with two or more species per region. Despite being classified as waders, most prefer dry arid habitats over moist wetlands.
Stone-curlews typically have long legs which help them navigate through their preferred terrain efficiently; some species even stand at an impressive height when standing on those long legs.
Additionally, they feature cryptic plumage which helps them blend into their surroundings while hunting for prey such as insects and small mammals like rodents.
These unique birds’ calls are easily recognizable; it has been said that hearing one is similar to listening to someone whistling ‘Keee Weee’.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Charadriiformes |
| Suborder | Chionidi |
| Family | Burhinidae Mathews, 1912 |
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4. Cuckoos
Cuckoos are fascinating birds belonging to the Cuculidae family, which is the only taxon in the order Cuculiformes.
There are many different species within this family such as common or European cuckoo, roadrunners, koels, malkohas, couas, and anis.
Some of these species may even be identified as separate families – Centropodidae and Crotophagidae respectively.
These birds have been known for their unique features such as loud calls heard consistently during certain times of day and night.
They also exhibit behavior like brood parasitism where they lay eggs in other nests so that their chicks can get more food from host parents than their own.
All these traits make them one-of-a-kind creatures worth admiring.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Clade | Otidimorphae |
| Order | Cuculiformes Wagler, 1830 |
| Family | Cuculidae Leach, 1820 |
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5. Eurasian Reed Warbler
The Eurasian reed warbler (Acrocephalus scirpaceus) is a species of Old World Warbler native to the temperate parts of Europe and Asia.
It breeds in wetlands such as marshes, ponds, and rivers with dense vegetation like reeds or tall grasses.
During its wintering season, it migrates southward to sub-Saharan Africa where there are milder conditions.
This small bird has streaked brown plumage on the upperparts and white underparts which makes it difficult for predators to spot among the foliage.
Its diet consists mainly of insects including aphids, caterpillars larvae, and moths caught while flying over water or by gleaning from plants growing near water bodies.
The male sings an attractive song consisting of several phrases repeated one after another as part of their courtship display during the breeding season to attract females for mating purposes.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Acrocephalidae |
| Genus | Acrocephalus |
| Species | A. scirpaceus |
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6. Threskiornithidae
Threskiornithidae is a family of large wading birds which includes 36 species. These birds are traditionally divided into two subfamilies – the ibises and the spoonbills.
However, recent genetic analysis has shown that spoonbills belong to the Old World ibis group, while New World ibises form an early offshoot from this lineage.
Threskiornithidse members have long curved beaks with serrated edges used for catching fish in shallow water or mudflats, as well as other aquatic invertebrates like crustaceans and mollusks.
They also feed on plant matter such as grains and seeds found close to wetlands areas where they live.
This diverse diet makes them important scavengers in their ecosystems, helping maintain healthy populations of native wildlife by controlling insect numbers and dispersing energy-rich seeds throughout wetland habitats.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Pelecaniformes |
| Suborder | Ardei |
| Family | Threskiornithidae Richmond, 1917 |
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7. Corn Crake
The Corn Crake is a species of rail that inhabits Europe and Asia, migrating to Africa for the winter.
It’s medium-sized with buff or grey streaked brownish black upperparts and blue-grey underparts that are decorated with rust-colored bars along its flanks and undertail.
They prefer moist meadows, grasslands, marshes, bogs, and moorlands where they can find their food sources such as seeds, leaves shoots insects worms spiders, etc.
In the summer it may be heard singing from tall vegetation at night when looking for mates but during the daytime, it will hide in thick cover making them difficult to spot.
The corn crake has been listed by IUCN as near threatened due to Conservation efforts that have helped increase numbers but ongoing threats such as habitat loss remain an issue so continued effort must be made if this unique bird is to survive into future generations.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Gruiformes |
| Family | Rallidae |
| Genus | Crex Bechstein, 1803 |
| Species | C. crex |
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8. Sylviid Warblers
The Sylviid warblers are a family of passerine birds found in Eurasia and Africa. They include the typical warblers as well as babblers that were formerly part of the Old World babbler family.
These birds have slender bodies, pointed wings, long tails, and strong legs adapted for ground-dwelling habits like running or hopping along branches.
The male often has bright colors while females are usually duller in coloration with more muted plumage patterns than males.
Some species also show sexual dimorphism where one sex may be larger or smaller than its counterpart; for instance, some species may have longer tail feathers on the female side compared to their male counterparts.
Many members of this group feed on insects but some specialize in seeds, fruits, nectar, or even frogs.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Superfamily | Sylvioidea |
| Family | Sylviidae Leach, 1820 |
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9. Treecreepers
Treecreepers are small passerine birds found in wooded areas of the Northern Hemisphere and sub-Saharan Africa.
They have dull-colored plumage, long curved bills, stiff tails, and strong feet that help them to climb up tree trunks while searching for food such as insects and spiders.
The two genera Certhia and Salpornis include eleven species which can be identified by their distinct call – a high-pitched ‘tsee-tsit’.
Treecreepers build cup-shaped nests on trees usually near the base or middle trunk using mosses, lichens, and grasses with leaves inside them to provide insulation from cold temperatures.
These birds also use bark crevices during winter months when they shelter in groups together against extreme weather conditions.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Superfamily | Certhioidea |
| Family | Certhiidae Leach, 1820 |
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10. Motacillidae
Motacillidae is a family of small passerine birds consisting of around 70 species. They are found across Europe, Africa, Asia, and even Alaska with two migratory breeding species.
The three genera they belong to include wagtails which typically have medium to long tails; long claws that can only be spotted in the Afrotropics; and pipits which possess the most cosmopolitan distribution worldwide.
These birds feed on insects as well as seeds for their diets and are usually seen in open habitats such as grasslands or wetlands where food sources like invertebrates can easily be accessed.
Most Motacillidae species also use mud nests during breeding season making them easy targets for predators so we must protect these beautiful creatures.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Superfamily | Passeroidea |
| Family | Motacillidae Horsfield, 1821 |
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11. Waxwing Birds
Waxwing birds are medium-sized birds known for their unique and unusual plumage. They have soft, silky feathers that are a combination of browns, grays, yellows, and reds.
Waxwings are social birds and are often seen moving in large flocks. They feed on insects, fruits, and berries and have a sweet tooth for crabapple berries. In winter, they migrate to southern areas in search of food.
These birds have a unique digestive system that allows them to digest fruit and berries that are poisonous to other birds. Waxwings are monogamous and mate for life. They build their nests with twigs, grass, and moss and can lay up to six eggs at a time.
Waxwings have a distinctive call and are known for their acrobatic flying skills. These beautiful birds are a delight to watch and add color to any garden.
To Recap
Northern Ireland is home to a diverse range of bird species, making it a haven for birdwatching enthusiasts and nature lovers.
From the iconic Eurasian robin to the majestic peregrine falcon, these 11 commonly found birds showcase the region’s rich avian biodiversity.
Whether you’re exploring the rugged coastlines, lush forests, or tranquil lakeshores, you’re likely to encounter these feathered residents.
Conservation efforts and protected habitats have contributed to the preservation of these species in Northern Ireland, emphasizing the importance of responsible stewardship and appreciation of the natural world.
As we continue to appreciate and protect these avian wonders, Northern Ireland’s unique birdlife will continue to thrive for generations to come.