This page contains a list of the more common birds that can be seen in Ireland. For more information see:

Birds of Ireland: Facts, Folklore & History, by Glynn Anderson.

Published by The Collins Press, Cork, Ireland, September 2008.

ISBN 1905172729

These are the birds you are most likely to encounter in Ireland. Of the 450, or so, birds on the official Irish list, 245 of the more common ones are listed here.  Most vagrants and extremely rare birds are omitted. Red: summer visitor. Blue: winter visitor. Green: all-year resident. Black: extinct. Italic: recent arrival. Underlined: reintroduced. Abundance is rated from 1 (*) to 4 (****). This rating represents the likelihood of an average person encountering the species of bird. As such, it takes into account, the estimated number of birds in Ireland, their habitats and local distribution and tendancy or otherwise to shy from human contact.

English Scientific Irish Status Abundance (1 to 4)
DIVERS   Lómaí    
Red-throated Diver Gavia stellata Lóma rua declining **
Black-throated Diver Gavia arctica Lóma mór declining *
Great Northern Diver Gavia immer Lóma Artach   **
GREBES   Foithigh    
Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis Spágaire tonn declining ***
Great Crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus Foitheach mór declining **
Red-necked Grebe Podiceps grisegena Foitheach píbrua   *
Slavonian Grebe / Horned Grebe Podiceps auritus Foitheach cluasach declining **
Black-necked Grebe Podiceps nigricollis Foitheach píbdhubh declining *
SHEARWATERS & FULMARS Cánóga 's Fulmairí  
(Northern) Fulmar Fulmarus glacialis Fulmaire   **
Cory’s Shearwater Calonectris diomedea Cánóg Cory declining *
Great Shearwater Puffinus gravis Cánóg mhór   *
Sooty Shearwater Puffinus griseus Cánóg dhorcha declining *
Manx Shearwater Puffinus puffinus Cánóg dhubh declining **
Balearic Shearwater Puffinus mauretanicus Cánóg Bhailéarach  declining *
Little Shearwater Puffinus baroli Cánóg bheag    *
STORM PETRELS   Guairdill    
(European) Storm Petrel Hydrobates pelagicus Guairdeall declining **
Leach’s Petrel Oceanodroma leucorhoa Guairdeall gabhlach  declining *
Wilson's Petrel Oceanites oceanicus Guairdeall Wilson    *
GANNETS, CORMORANTS, SHAGS Gainéid, Broighill, Seagaí  
(Northern) Gannet Morus bassanus Gainéad, Ogastún declining **
(Great) Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo Broigheall declining ***
(European) Shag Phalacrocorax aristotelis Seaga declining **
HERONS & EGRETS   Corra ’s Éigrita    
Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis Éigrit eallaigh recent *
Little Egret Egretta garzetta Éigrit bheag recent **
Grey Heron Ardea cinerea Corr ghlas   ****
Purple Heron Ardea purpurea Corr chorcra   *
DUCKS, GEESE & SWANS Lachain, Géanna ’s Ealaí  
Mute Swan Cygnus olor Eala bhalbh introduced/declining ***
Bewick's Swan Cygnus columbianus Eala Bewick declining **
Whooper Swan Cygnus cygnus Eala ghlórach declining **
Pink-footed Goose Anser brachyrhynchus Gé ghobghearr   *
(Greater) White-fronted Goose Anser albifrons Gé bhánéadanach declining **
Greylag Goose Anser anser Gé ghlas declining **
Snow Goose Chen caerulescens Mórghé shneachta   *
Canada Goose Branta canadensis Gé Cheanadach mostly invasive *
Barnacle Goose Branta leucopsis Gé ghiúrainn  declining **
Brent Goose Branta bernicla Cadhan declining **
Ruddy Duck Oxyura jamaicensis Lacha rua invasive **
(Common) Shelduck Tadorna tadorna Seil-lacha declining **
(Eurasian) Wigeon Anas penelope Lacha rua declining ***
Gadwall Anas strepera Gadual declining **
(Eurasian) Teal Anas crecca Praslacha declining ***
Mallard Anas platyrhynchos Mallard   ****
(Northern) Pintail Anas acuta Biorearrach declining **
Garganey Anas querquedula Praslacha shamhraidh declining **
(Northern) Shoveler Anas clypeata Spadalach declining **
(Common) Pochard Aythya ferina Póiseard declining **
Tufted Duck Aythya fuligula Lacha bhadánach declining ***
(Greater) Scaup Aythya marila Lacha iascán declining **
(Common) Eider Somateria mollissima Éadar  declining **
Long-tailed Duck Clangula hyemalis Lacha earrfhada   **
Common Scoter / Black Scoter Melanitta nigra Scótar declining **
Surf Scoter Melanitta perspicillata Scótar toinne   *
Velvet Scoter Melanitta fusca Sceadach   *
(Common) Goldeneye Bucephala clangula Órshúileach declining ***
Smew Mergellus albellus Síolta gheal   *
Red-breasted Merganser Mergus serrator Síolta rua   ***
Goosander Mergus merganser Síolta mhór declining *
Hawks, Kites, Eagles, Harriers, Ospreys Éin chreiche    
Red Kite Milvus milvus Cúr rua reintroduced *
White-tailed Eagle Haliaeetus albicilla Iolar mara reintroduced *
(Western) Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginosus Cromán móna   *
Hen Harrier Circus cyaneus Cromán na gcearc declining **
Montagu's Harrier Circus pygargus Cromán liath   *
(Eurasian) Sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus Spioróg   ***
(Common) Buzzard Buteo buteo Clamhán returning **
Golden Eagle Aquila chrysaetos Iolar fíréan  reintroduced *
Osprey Pandion haliaetus Coirneach returning *
Falcons   Fabhcúin    
(Common) Kestrel Falco tinnunculus Pocaire gaoithe declining ***
Merlin Falco columbarius Meirliún declining **
Peregrine Falco peregrinus Fabhcún gorm    **
Hobby Falco subbuteo Fabhcún coille   *
Grouse, Pheasant, Partridge, Quail Éanlaith ghéim    
Red Grouse Lagopus lagopus hibernicus Cearc fhraoigh declining **
Grey Partridge Perdix perdix  Patraisc endangered *
(Common) Quail Coturnix coturnix  Gearg endangered *
(Common) Pheasant Phasianus colchicus  Piasún introduced ***
Rails, Crakes, Moorhen & Coot Ralóga    
Water Rail Rallus aquaticus Ralóg uisce  declining **
Corncrake Crex crex  Traonach endangered *
(Common) Moorhen Gallinula chloropus Cearc uisce    ***
(Eurasian) Coot Fulica atra Cearc cheannann  declining ***
Waders / Shore Birds   Lapairí    
(Eurasian) Oystercatcher Haematopus ostralegus  Roilleach declining ***
Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus Scodalach dubheiteach   *
(Pied) Avocet Recurvirostra avosetta Abhóiséad   *
(Common) Ringed Plover Charadrius hiaticula Feadóg chladaigh declining **
(Eurasian) Dotterel Charadrius morinellus Amadán móinteach   *
(European) Golden Plover Pluvialis apricaria Feadóg bhuí declining ***
Grey Plover Pluvialis squatatrola Feadóg ghlas  declining **
(Northern) Lapwing Vanellus vanellus Pilibín declining **
(Red) Knot Calidris canutus Cnota declining **
Sanderling Calidris alba Luathrán   **
Little Stint Calidris minuta Gobadáinín beag   *
Dunlin Calidris alpina Breacóg declining **
Pectoral Sandpiper Calidris melanotos Gobadán uchtach   *
Curlew Sandpiper Calidris ferruginea Gobadáinín crotaigh   *
Purple Sandpiper Calidris maritima Gobadáinín cosbhuí   **
Ruff Philomachus pugnax Rufachán declining *
Jack Snipe Lymnocryptes minimus Naoscach bhídeach    **
(Common) Snipe Gallinago gallinago Naoscach declining ***
(Eurasian) Woodcock Scolopax rusticola Creabhar declining ***
Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa Guilbneach earrdhubh declining **
Bar-tailed Godwit Limosa lapponica Guilbneach stríocearrach declining **
Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus Crotach eanaigh   **
(Eurasian) Curlew Numenius arquata Crotach, Cuirliún declining ***
Spotted Redshank Tringa erythropus Cosdeargán breac   *
(Common) Redshank Tringa totanus Cosdeargán declining ***
(Common) Greenshank Tringa nebularia Laidhrín glas declining **
Green Sandpiper Tringa ochropus Gobadán glas   **
Wood Sandpiper Tringa glareola Gobadán coille declining *
Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos Gobadán (coiteann) declining **
(Ruddy) Turnstone Arenaria interpres Piardálaí trá   **
Grey Phalarope Phalaropus fulicarius Falaróp gobmhór   *
Wilson's Phalarope Phalaropus tricolor Falaróp Wilson   *
Red-necked Phalarope Phalaropus lobatus Falaróp gobchaol endangered *
Skuas   Meirligh    
Pomarine Skua Stercorarius pomarinus Meirleach pomairíneach    *
Arctic Skua Stercorarius parasiticus  Meirleach artach   *
Long-tailed Skua Stercorarius longicaudas Meirleach earrfhada   *
Great Skua Stercorarius skua Meirleach Mór declining *
Gulls & Terns   Faoileáin ’s Geabhróga  
Mediterranean Gull Larus melanocephalus Sléibhín meánmhuirí recent/declining **
Little Gull Larus minutus  Sléibhín beag   **
(Common) Black-headed Gull Larus ridibundus  Sléibhín declining ***
Common Gull Larus canus  Faoileán bán declining ***
Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus Droimneach beag  declining **
(European) Herring Gull Larus argentatus  Faoileán scadán declining ***
Yellow-legged Gull Larus michahellis Faoileán scadán cosbhuí   *
Iceland Gull Larus glaucoides  Faoileán Íoslannach   **
Glaucous Gull Larus hyperboreus  Faoileán glas   **
Great Black-backed Gull Larus marinus Droimneach mór declining ***
Ring-billed Gull Larus delawarensis  Faoileán bandghobach recent **
Sabine's Gull Xema sabini Sléibhín Sabine   *
(Black-legged) Kittiwake Rissa tridactyla  Saidhbhéar declining ***
Black Tern Chlidonias niger Geabhróg dhubh    *
White-winged Black Tern Chlidonias leucopterus  Geabhróg bháneiteach   *
Sandwich Tern Sterna sandvicensis Geabhróg scothdhubh  declining **
(Atlantic) Roseate Tern Sterna dougallii Geabhróg rósach  declining *
Common Tern Sterna hirundo Geabhróg declining **
Arctic Tern Sterna paradisaea  Geabhróg Artach declining **
Little Tern Sterna albifrons Geabhróg bheag  declining **
Auks   Falcóga    
(Common) Guillemot Uria aalge Foracha declining **
Razorbill Alca torda Crosán declining **
Black Guillemot Cepphus grylle Foracha dhubh declining **
Little Auk Alle alle Falcóg bheag   *
(Atlantic) Puffin Fratercula arctica Puifín declining **
Pigeons & Doves   Colúir ’s Fearáin    
Rock Dove / Feral Pigeon Columba livia Colm aille   ** / ***
Stock Dove Columba oenas Colm gorm declining ***
(Common) Woodpigeon Columba palumbus Colm coille   ****
(Eurasian) Collared Dove Streptopelia decaocto  Fearán baicdhubh since 1950s ***
(European) Turtle Dove Streptopelia turtur Fearán declining *
Cuckoos   Cuacha    
(Common) Cuckoo Cuculus canorus Cuach   ***
Owls   Ulchabháin    
Barn Owl Tyto alba Scréachóg reilige declining ***
Long-eared Owl Asio otus Ceann cait   ***
Short-eared Owl Asio flammeus Ulchabhán réisc  declining **
Nightjars, Swifts, Kingfishers & Hoopoes      
(European) Nightjar Caprimulgus europaeus Tuirne lín  declining *
(Common) Swift Apus apus Gabhlán gaoithe declining ****
(Common) Kingfisher Alcedo atthis Cruidín declining ***
Hoopoe Upupa epops Húpú   *
Woodpeckers & Wrynecks      
(Eurasian) Wryneck Jynx torquilla Cam-mhuin   *
Great Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopos major Mórchnagaire breac returning *
Larks   Fuiseoga    
(Eurasian) Skylark Alauda arvensis Fuiseog declining ****
(Greater) Short-toed Lark Calandrella brachydactyla Fuiseog ladharghearr   *
Swallows & Martins   Fáinleoga ’s Gabhláin  
Sand Martin Riparia riparia Gabhlán gainimh declining ***
(Barn) Swallow Hirundo rustica Fáinleog declining ****
(Common) House Martin Delichon urbica Gabhlán binne declining ***
Wagtails & Pipits   Glasóga 's Riabhóga  
Meadow Pipit Anthus pratensis Riabhóg mhóna   ***
(Eurasian) Rock Pipit Anthus petrosus Riabhóg chladaigh    **
Tree Pipit Anthus trivialis Riabhóg choille   *
Red-throated Pipit Anthus cervinus Riabhóg phíbrua   *
Water Pipit Anthus spinoletta Riabhóg uisce   *
Richard's Pipit Anthus novaeseelandiae Riabhóg Richard   *
Tawny Pipit Anthus campestris Riabhóg dhonn   *
Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea Glasóg liath   ***
Pied Wagtail Motacilla alba yarrellii Glasóg shráide    ****
White Wagtail Motacilla alba alba  Glasóg bhán   *
Yellow Wagtail Motacilla flava flavissima Glasóg bhuí  declining *
Waxwings, Dippers, Wrens, Dunnocks      
(Bohemian) Waxwing Bombycilla garrulus Síodeiteach   *
(White-throated) Dipper Cinclus cinclus hibernicus Gabha dubh   ***
(Winter) Wren Troglodytes troglodytes Dreoilín   ****
Dunnock Prunella modularis Donnóg   ****
Robins, Bluethroats, Chats, Redstarts, Wheatears    
(European) Robin Erithacus rubecula Spideog   ****
Bluethroat Cyanosylvia svecica Gormphíb   *
Black Redstart Phoenicurus ochruros Earrdheargán dubh   *
(Common) Redstart Phoenicurus phoenicurus Earrdheargán declining *
Whinchat Saxicola rubetra Caislín aitinn declining **
(European) Stonechat Saxicola torquata Caislín cloch   ***
(Northern) Wheatear Oenanthe oenanthe Clochrán declining ***
Thrushes   Smólaigh    
Ring Ouzel Turdus torquatus Lon creige endangered *
(Common) Blackbird Turdus merula Lon dubh (m), Ceirseach (f)   ****
Fieldfare Turdus pilaris Sacán   ***
Song Thrush Turdus philomelos Smólach (ceoil)    ****
Redwing Turdus iliacus Deargán sneachta    ***
Mistle Thrush Turdus viscivorus Liatráisc   ****
Warblers   Ceolairí    
(Common) Grasshopper Warbler Locustella naevia Ceolaire casarnaí  declining ***
Sedge Warbler Acrocephalus schoenobaenus Ceolaire cíbe    ***
(Eurasian) Reed Warbler Acrocephalus scirpaceus Ceolaire giolcaí declining **
Lesser Whitethroat Sylvia curruca Gilphíb bheag declining *
(Common) Whitethroat Sylvia communis Gilphíb   ***
Garden Warbler Sylvia borin Ceolaire garraí   *
Barred Warbler Sylvia nisoria Ceolaire barrach   *
Subalpine Warbler Sylvia cantillans Ceolaire fo-alpach   *
(Eurasian) Blackcap Sylvia atricapilla Caipín dubh   ***
Wood Warbler Phylloscopus sibilatrix Ceolaire coille declining *
(Common) Chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybita Tiuf-teaf   ***
Willow Warbler Pyhlloscopus trochilus Ceolaire sailí    ***
Icterine Warbler Hippolais icterina Ceolaire ictireach   *
Melodious Warbler Hippolais polyglotta Ceolaire binn   *
Yellow-browed Warbler Phylloscopus inornatus Ceolaire buímhalach   *
Goldcrest Regulus regulus Cíorbhuí   ***
Firecrest Regulus ignicapillus Lasairchíor   *
Flycatchers   Cuilirí    
Spotted Flycatcher Muscicapa striata Cuilire liath  declining ***
Red-breasted Flycatcher Ficedula parva Cuilire broinnrua   *
Pied Flycatcher Ficedula hypoleuca Cuilire alabhreac  declining *
Tits   Meantáin    
Long-tailed Tit Aegithalos caudatus Meantán earrfhada   ***
Coal Tit Periparus ater hibernicus Meantán dubh   ****
(European) Blue Tit Cyanistes caeruleus Meantán gorm    ****
Great Tit Parus major Meantán mór    ****
Bearded Tit Panurus biarmicus Meantán croiméalach    *
Treecreepers   Snaganna    
(Eurasian) Treecreeper Certhia familiaris Snag, Beangán   ***
Shrikes   Scréacháin    
Red-backed Shrike Lanius collurio Scréachán droimrua   *
Woodchat Shrike Lanius senator Scréachán coille   *
Crows, Magpies & Jays   Préacháin, Snaganna bric, Scréachóga
(Eurasian) Jay Garrulus glandarius hibernicus Scréachóg   ***
(Eurasian) Magpie Pica pica Snag breac   ****
(Red-billed) Chough Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax Cág cosdearg declining **
(Western) Jackdaw Corvus monedula Cág   ****
Rook Corvus frugilegus Rúcach   ****
Hooded Crow Corvus corone cornix Feannóg   ****
(Northern) Raven Corvus corax Fiach dubh   ***
Starlings   Druideanna    
(Common) Starling Sturnus vulgaris Druid declining ****
Orioles   Óiréil    
Golden Oriole Oriolus oriolus Óiréal órga   *
Sparrows   Gealbhain    
House Sparrow Passer domesticus Gealbhan binne declining ****
(Eurasian) Tree Sparrow Passer montanus Gealbhan crainn  declining **
Finches   Glasáin    
(Common) Chaffinch Fringilla coelebs Rí rua   ****
Brambling Fringilla montifringilla Breacán   *
(European) Greenfinch Carduelis chloris Glasán darach    ****
(European) Goldfinch Carduelis carduelis Lasair choille   ***
(Eurasian) Siskin Carduelis spinus Siscín, Píobaire   ***
(Common) Linnet Carduelis cannabina Gleoiseach declining ***
Twite Carduelis flavirostris Gleoiseach sléibhe declining **
(Lesser) Redpoll Carduelis cabaret Deargéadan coiteann   ***
(Red) Crossbill Loxia curvirostra Crosghob   **
(Eurasian) Bullfinch Pyrrhula pyrrhula Corcrán coille    ***
Scarlet Rosefinch Carpodacus erythrinus Rósghlasán Scarlóideach   *
Buntings   Gealóga    
Snow Bunting Plectrophenax nivalis Gealóg shneachta   *
(Western) Yellowhammer Emberiza citrinella Buíóg declining **
(Common) Reed Bunting Emberiza schoeniclus Gealóg ghiolcaí   ***
Little Bunting Emberiza pusilla Gealóg bheag   *
Rustic Bunting Emberiza rustica Gealóg thuathúil   *
Lapland Bunting Calcarius lapponicus Gealóg Laplannach   *
Ortolan (Bunting) Emberiza hortulana Gealóg gharraí   *
Corn Bunting Emberiza calandra Gealóg bhuachair extinct in Ireland  
v.1.7  12 July 2009 (245)        


 

 

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