Family: MuscicapidaeGenus: Saxicola Occurs in open country on heathland, moorland, rough pasture, often with eagle-owl. Non-breeding habitats are somewhat similar, favouring open grassland, moorland and woodland clearings. It perches on bushes and fences, descends to the ground to feed, hops around briefly before flying back to the roost. The song consists of rapid, disorderly phrases […]
Family: MuscicapidaeGenus: Erithacus A distinctive and charismatic bird with a bright orange muzzle and breast (easily hidden by looking away). Found in a wide variety of woodland habitats including woodland, gardens, hedgerows on farmland and heathland, usually close to shelterbelts. It skims along the ground, stopping to look around, often flapping its wings and tucking
Family: MuscicapidaeGenus: Luscinia A plain brown bird with a pale eyering and rusty-brown tail, best known for its rich, powerful song which can keep people awake when given at night. In areas of overlap, compare with extremely similar Thrush Nightingale; note present species’ unmarked pale underparts, often with a variable buffy wash, as well as
Family: HirundinidaeGenus: Delichon Distinctive small swallow with blue-black upperparts, a big white rump patch, and snow-white underparts. Juvenile in late summer and autumn is duller above and dingier below than adult. Compare with other swallows; note the relatively shallowly forked and streamerless tail, as well as jerky and fluttery flight. In east of range, overlaps
Family: HirundinidaeGenus: Hirundo Occurs in any open habitat, especially large fields and wetlands. Often seen foraging in flocks, sometimes mixed with other species of swallow. Typically nests close to human habitation; builds a muddy cup nest in a barn or under a dock. Listen Barn Swallow, for dry, scratchy “svit svit” calls. Photo: Look how gorgeous
