European Robin ()
Mute Swans
Swans are amazing water birds. They have big bodies and long necks. The most common species in Europe is the Mute Swan. It has white feathers, a bright orange beak, and a small black ‘mask’ around its eyes. It is not actually mute, which means something is silent. It is simply quieter than other swan species which are really loud. Swans stay with the same partner for their whole lives. Baby swans are called cygnets and are gray, like “The Ugly Duckling.”
Mute Swans ()
Common Buzzard
If you are on a road trip and see a bird of prey soaring beside the road, it is probably a Common Buzzard. In America, the word “hawk” is used instead of “buzzard” like in Europe. It has multi-colored feathers that look orangish brown. The underside of its wings and belly are mostly white feathers. They hunt for small creatures like mice. Hunting birds are called raptors, just like their dinosaur ancestors!
Common Buzzard ()
Crows
In western Europe, in places like Germany and England, the Carrion Crow is most common. It has all-black feathers, black eyes and a black beak. In eastern Europe, in places like Italy or Poland, the Hooded Crow is most common. It has gray feathers on its body, with a black head and wings. Ravens are also a type of crow, but much larger. Ravens roost in pairs while crows like to be alone.
A carrion crow, a hooded crow and a pair of ravens ()
European Robin
If you put bird food in your backyard, you will likely see a European Robin! These cute little birds have brown feathers on their back, a lighter color on their belly and reddish faces. They eat insects, berries and seeds. Robins are especially fun to see in the winter. They do not migrate. Robins like to claim areas, so if you put seeds out for them they may become loyal to visiting your yard all year.
European Robin ()
Great Spotted Woodpecker
Woodpeckers live in forests. They use their bill to break apart tree bark. Inside they find insects and larvae to eat. The Great Spotted Woodpecker is common all over Europe. Its feathers mostly look like white and black patches, but they also have a red patch on their head and belly. When you hear a woodpecker drumming loudly, it may be sending messages to other woodpeckers.
Great Spotted Woodpecker ()
Wood Pigeons
These common birds can be seen swooping everywhere. They have gray feathers and a pinkish belly. Wood pigeons only migrate south from the coldest parts of Europe. They don’t go very far, either. That means that in places like Germany, you may get new birds from Scandinavia in the winter. In places like Italy, though, you can get to know your local Wood Pigeons because they don’t go anywhere.
Wood Pigeons ()
Storks are also common in Europe. Read all about Storks here!
SCIENTIFIC NAMES
Scientists use special names to help sort all the living creatures on Earth. The system is called “binomial nomenclature.” It uses the creature’s genus name, which is like a name for its closest relatives. That is followed by the species name, which is special to that kind of creature. Below you can see that crows and ravens are all in the same genus, “Corvus,” but are different species.
Mute Swan – Cygnus olor
Common Buzzard – Buteo buteo
Carrion Crow – Corvus corone
Hooded Crow – Corvus cornix
Raven – Corvus corax
European Robin – Erithacus rubecula
Great Spotted Woodpecker – Dendrocopos major
Wood Pigeons – Columba palumbus
