Peacock Blenny (Salaria pavo)

OTHER NAMES: N/A
Latin Etymology: Salaria ("salt") pavo ("peacock")

Adult Peacock Blenny (Salaria pavo) at Syracuse, Sciily, Italy - May 2018

Featured Subspecies: N/A
Weight: ?  /  Length: 13cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

A small blenny of the Mediterranean which since the construction of the Suez Canal has also expanded into the Red Sea. They have a reproductive system where there are two forms of male; "Bourgeois males" build and guard nests while "sneaker males" mimic females to be able to approach these nests and fertilise females without being driven off by the Bourgeois.
 
Related Species: 
Order: Blenniiformes
Family: Blenniidae
Genus: Salaria
SUBSPECIES: none - monotypic 
 
- Sighting Locations -

ITALY 

A common resident

 - SICILY 2018 TRIP - Seen from Capo Murro di Porco  

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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Italian Sparrow (Passer italiae)

OTHER NAMES: Cisalpine Sparrow
Latin Etymology: Passer ("sparrow") italiae ("Italian")

Adult Male Italian Sparrow (Passer italiae) at Catania, Sicily, Italy - May 2018

Local Name (Italian): Passera d'Italia ("Italian Sparrow")
Weight: 30g  /  Length: 14-16cm  /  Wingspan: 19-25-cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Vulnerable

The Italian Sparrow is a prime example of where taxonomy gets messy and it's only recently any sort of consensus seems to have settled down.  The general opinion now is that it is a species formed of a stable hybrid between House and Spanish sparrows that has become it's own species.  As such they are intermediate between those two species.  To further confuse matters, the birds on Sicily are highly variable, with many looking far more like Spanish Sparrows than the typical mainland birds.

Related Species:
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Passeridae
Genus: Passer
SUBSPECIES: none - monotypic 

 - Sighting Locations -

ITALY - An abundant resident

 - SICILY 2018 TRIP -  Very common throughout.

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto .

Audouin's Gull (Ichthyaetus audouinii)

OTHER NAMES: N/A
Alternate Latin Name: Larus audouinii
Latin Etymology: Ichthyaetus ("fish eagle") audouinii (named for naturalist Jean Victoire Audouin)

Adult Audouin's Gull (Ichthyaetus audouinii) at Capo Murro di Porco, Sicily, Italy - May 2018

Featured Subspecies - N/A
Weight: 770g  /  Length: 44-52cm  /  Wingspan: 117-128cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

A large graceful gull found mainly in the Mediterranean. It is unique among large European gull species for having a red bill and also has an unusual soft edges to the grey sections.  It is also notably a notable success story in terms of recovering from 1000 pairs in 1975 to over 21000 currently, along with colonising new places.  However, it still remains vulnerable in that 67% of the World's population breeds at only a single site - the Ebro Delta in Spain, which makes in vulnerable should something happen there.

Related Species:
Order: Charadriiformes
Family: Laridae
Genus: Ichthyaetus or Larus
SUBSPECIES: none - monotypic 

 - Sighting Locations -

ITALY - Italian -  Gabbiano Corso ("Tide Gull")

A rare breeder

 - SICILY 2018 TRIP - Seen from Capo Murro di Porco 

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto .

Eurasian Golden Oriole (Oriolus oriolus)

OTHER NAMES: Golden Oriole, European Golden Oriole, Western Golden Oriole
Latin Etymology: Oriolus ("golden") oriolus ("golden")

Adult male Eurasian Golden Oriole (Oriolus oriolus) at Fiume Ciane, Sicily, Italy - May 2018

Local Name (Italian): Rigogolo ("Oriole")
Weight: 68-84g  /  Length: 24cm  /  Wingspan: 43cm
UK RED LIST / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

The Golden Oriole is one of the most colourful birds in Europe, but despite both that and a fairly loud and distinctive call, it's surprisingly difficult to see.  Despite being able to hear the birds are there, and them being so brightly coloured, I was able to spend 20 minutes looking for them and not see a sign.  It was only later when we returned back down the track that we noticed one drinking from the river in short burst flights.  The Oriole family is actually fairly large, but the Eurasian is the only member of the entire family found in temperate countries, including a very tiny population in the UK.

Related Species:
ORDER: Passeriformes
FAMILY: Oriolidae
GENUS: Oriolus
SUBSPECIES: none - monotypic 

 - Sighting Locations -

ITALY - A locally reasonably common Summer migrant.
 - SICILY 2018 TRIP - Several heard and one seen at Fiume Ciane 

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto .

Scopoli's Shearwater (Calonectris diomedea)

OTHER NAMES: N/A
Latin Etymology: Calonectris ("Good swimmer") diomedea (named after mythical King Diomedes)

Two Adult Scopoli's Shearwater (Calonectris diomedea) at Capo Murro di Porco, Sicily, Italy - May 2018

Local Name (Italian): Berta Maggiore ("Greater Shearwater")
Weight: 560-730g  /  Length: 45cm  /  Wingspan: 112-122cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

Another species which has experienced a bit of wrangling taxonomically in recent years - traditionally it was considered the Mediterranean subspecies of the larger Cory's Shearwater - a bird that is found across the Atlantic.  However, deeper within the Mediteranean, it is the smaller and paler Scopoli's which is now treated as it's own species by most authorities.  They are named after Giovanni Antonio Scopoli - an Italian naturalist who lived in the 1700s who corresponded with Linnaeus.

Related Species:
Order: Procellariiformes
Family: Procellariidae
Genus: Calonectris
SUBSPECIES: none - monotypic 

 - Sighting Locations -

ITALY - Fairly commonly seen from headlands
 - SICILY 2018 TRIP - Seen from Capo Murro di Porco in several small flocks

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto .

Common Crossbill (Loxia curvirostra)

OTHER NAMES: Red Crossbill, Crossbill
Latin Etymology: Loxia ("crosswise") curvirostra ("curved bill")

Adult male Common Crossbill (subspecies L. c. curvirostra) at Cockley Cley, Norfolk - February 2021

Featured Subspecies: Loxia curvirostra curvirostra
Weight: 23-53g  /  Length: 14-20cm  /  Wingspan: 29cm
UK GREEN LIST / IUCN Red List: Least Concern 

Perhaps the center of one of the most muddy bits of avian taxonomy in Europe, the Common Crossbill as it stands is a wide ranging conifer seed specialist with a range that covers a not insubstantial chunk of the Northern Hemisphere. However, as many populations are isolated and have begun to specialise in the seeds of particular trees, the debate for dividing them into subspecies or even species is a complex issue.  They have also long been one of my most infamous "bogey-birds" - they are highly irruptive so in theory can be found anywhere, but I have missed out on them time and time again in the UK, until finally seeing the birds resident on Mount Etna.

Related Species: 
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Fringillidae
Genus: Loxia
SUBSPECIES: L. c. curvirostra, L. c. corsicana, L. c. poliogyna, L. c. guillemardi, L. c. mariae, L. c. altaiensis, L. c. tianschanica, L. c. himalayensis, L. c. meridionalis, L. c. japonica, L c. luzoniensis, L. c. minor, L. c. sitkensis, L. c. bendirei, L. c. benti, L. c. grinelli, L. c. stricklandi, L. c. mesamericana, L. c. pusilla

 - Sighting Locations -

UNITED KINGDOM - A widespread but localised and highly mobile resident, plus irruptive Winter visitor

 - Seen at Cockley Cley, Norfolk in February 2021 .

ITALY - Italian - Crociere Comune 
A localised resident in coniferous areas

 - SICILY 2018 TRIP: Fairly common in the conifer zone of Mount Etna - subspecies  L. c. poliogyna*

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

* The Crossbills of Etna are currently considered to be members of the North African subspecies, however, there is speculation that they might represent their own taxon due to physical differences.

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Yelkouan Shearwater (Puffinus yelkouan)

OTHER NAMES: Levantine Shearwater, Mediterranean Shearwater
Latin Etymology: Puffinus (Shearwater) yelkouan ("Wind Chaser")

Six Adult Yelkouan Shearwater at Capo Murro di Porco, Sicily, Italy - May 2018

Featured Subspecies: N/A
Weight: 395g  /  Length: 30-38cm  /  Wingspan: 76-89cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Vulnerable

There probably hasn't been such a dramatic reappraisal of species in recent decades as that undertaken by the shearwaters.  Bird books from the 90s just list Manx Shearwater and perhaps describe regional differences.  However, more recent analysis has in Europe alone has split the species from 1 to three, with more around the world.  The Yelkouan Shearwater is the species of this complex found more in the Eastern Mediterranean where it largely breeds on smaller islands where it is less disturbed by humans.

Related Species:
Order: Procellariiformes
Family: Procellariidae
Genus: Puffinus
SUBSPECIES: none - monotypic 

 - Sighting Locations -

ITALY - Italian: Berta Minora Mediterranea ("Lower Mediterranean Shearwater")
Fairly commonly seen from headlands
 - SICILY 2018 TRIP - Seen from Capo Murro di Porco in several small flocks

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto .

European Bee-eater (Merops apiaster)

OTHER NAMES: Bee-eater

Latin Etymology: Merops ("bee-eater" from Greek) apiaster ("bee eater" from Latin)

                                         Adult European Bee-eater (subspecies Merops apiaster) at El Pardo, Spain - April 2016

Featured Subspecies: N/A

Weight: 55g  /  Length: 25-29cm  /  Wingspan: 36-40cm

NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

The European Bee-eater is probably the most colourful species on the entire continent - a brilliant bird of yellow, turquoise, green and orange.  They are primarily found in Mediterranean in sandy banks on cliffs or river sides, often in large colonies.  As colourful as they are, they are equally noisy a species, with their distinctive liquid sounding call often alerting you to their presence long before you actually see them.  A feeder of large insects like wasps and bees which make up the majority of their diet, they apparently can eat around 250 a day.

Related Species:
Order: Coraciiformes
Family: Meropidae
Genus: Merops
Subspecies: none (monotypic)

 - Sighting Locations -
ITALY - Italian - Il gruccione comune ("Common Bee-eater")
A locally reasonably common Summer migrant.
 - SICILY 2018 TRIP - One at Fiume Ciane 

SPAIN - Spanish - Abejaruco común ("Common Bee-eater")

Fairly common Summer migrant, usually seen in flight passing through.

 - MADRID 2015 TRIP: Single individuals seen distantly in flight at Patones and the farmland surrounding Madrid
 - MADRID 2016 TRIP: A small flock perched around El Pardo and various other sightings including at Arrocampo and Monfrague.

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto .

European Red-rumped Swallow (Cecropis rufula)

OTHER NAMES: N/A

Latin Etymology: Cecropis ("Athenian woman") rufula ("rufous")

                                            Adult Red-rumped Swallow (subspecies C. r. rufula) at Patones, Spain - June 2015

Featured Subspecies: Cecropis daurica rufula

Weight: 24g  /  Length: 16-18cm  /  Wingspan: 33cm

NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern  

The Red-rumped swallow is largest hirundines found in Europe, being longer than Barn Swallows.  They are however a bit more limited in habitat and smaller in range - it is less colonial than Barn Swallows and seems to prefer rock faces to buildings, and has a differing nest construction.  Although known as the Red-rumped swallow, this name is a bit misleading - it's colouring is more orange than red and the face is more noticeably coloured than the rump.

Related Species:
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Hirunidinidae
Genus: Cecropis
Subspecies: C. d. daurica, C. d. japonica, C. d. nipalensis, C. d. erythropygia, C. d. rufula, C. d. domicella, C. d. domicella, C. d. kumboensis, C. d. emini, C. d. melanocrissus

 - Sighting Locations -

SPAIN - Spanish - Golondrina dáurica ("Daurian Swallow")

Locally common Summer migrant.

 - MADRID 2015 TRIP: Several seen at Patones and Toledo
 - MADRID 2016 TRIP: Several seen at El Pardo  and near the entrance to Monfrague

ITALY - Italian - Rondine rossiccia ("Reddish swallow")

A Summer visitor

 - SICILY 2018 TRIP - A few seen at Capo Murro di Porco 

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto .

Eurasian Crag Martin (Ptyonoprogne rupestris)

OTHER NAMES: Crag Martin

Latin Etymology: Ptyonoprogne ("fan swallow") rupestris ("rock dwelling/montane")

Adult Eurasian Crag Martin (Ptyonoprogne rupetris) on the nest at Patones, Spain - June 2015

Featured Subspecies: N/A
Weight: 23g  /  Length: 14-15cm  /  Wingspan: 32-34cm
ABSENT FROM UK / IUCN Red List: Least Concern  

The Crag Martin is the most limited distribution of all the Martins found in Europe and the most specialized in habitat - only found on rock faces in Mediterranean countries.  Compared to the other two species it it browner  and without the clean white paneling that Sand and House Martins have.  Like the House Martin, they construct mud and spit nests on sheltered vertical faces,  Unlike the other two though, the European population is resident, staying in it's Southern European range throughout the year.

Related Species:
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Hirundinidae
Genus: Ptyonoprogne
Subspecies: None - monotypic

- Sighting Locations -

ITALY - Italian - Rondine montana ("mountain swallow")

A scarce resident

 - SICILY 2018 TRIP -  A few at Aci Castello.

SPAIN - Spanish - Avión roquero ("Rock Martin")
Locally common resident.

 - MADRID 2015 TRIP: Common at Patones - a number of individuals seen, including some visibly nesting.

 - MADRID 2016 TRIP: Common at Monfrague National Park - individuals seen throughout.

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto .

Hooded Crow (Corvus cornix)

OTHER NAMES: Hoodie, Scotch Crow, Danish Crow

Latin Etymology: Corvus ("raven") cornix ("crow")

Hooded Crow (subspecies Corvus cornix) at  Side, Antalya, Turkey - March 2025

Featured Subspecies:  Corvus cornix pallescens
Weight: 510g  /  Length: 48-52cm  /  Wingspan: 98cm
UK GREEN LIST / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

The Hooded Crow is a close relation of the Carrion Crow, and they they tend to be dispersed throughout Europe in such a way as that usually one species replaces the other in any one place with a bit of overlap.  In the British Isles, Hooded Crows are found in North West Scotland, the Isle of Man and Ireland, but the bulk of their range is throughout Eastern Europe.  I have made attempts to see vagrant Hooded Crows before, but this individual was seen at Vienna airport while waiting for a plane.

Related Species:
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Corvidae
Genus: Corvus
Subspecies: C. c. cornix, C. c. pallescens, C. c. sharpii, C. c. capellanus

 - Sighting Locations -

AUSTRIA - Austrian: Nebelkrähe - "Fog Crow"

Common breeding resident

 - TOKYO/HOKKAIDO 2014 TRIP - STOPOVER: Two birds seen at Vienna Airport 

 - VIENNA 2024: Common throughout.

ITALY - Italian: Cornacchia Grigia ("Grey Crow")
An fairly common resident

 - SICILY 2018 TRIP -  Fairly common - seen at Capo Murro di Porco and Mount Etna.

TURKEY  -   Turkish:Başlıklı karga ("Noble Crow")
 - ANTALYA 2025 TRIP - Very common.

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto .

White-winged Snowfinch (Montifringilla nivalis)

OTHER NAMES: Snowfinch

Latin Etymology: Montifringilla ("mountain finch") icterina ("snowy")

Two White-winged Snowfinch (subspecies M. n. nivalis) in non-breeding plumage in the Dolomites, Italy - July 2004

Featured Subspecies: Montifringilla nivalis nivalis
Weight: 31-57g  /  Length: 17cm  /  Wingspan: ?
NO UK STATUS  / IUCN Red List Least Concern

White-winged Snowfinches are a high mountain species who nest upon the barren mountaintops at over 1500m. Despite the name they are actually Sparrows rather than Finches, and spends times in flocks.  Another seed and insect eater, this is another species which has begun to to associate with human habitations like Ski-resorts and other mountaintop places of human habitation.

Related Species:
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Passeridae
Genus: Montifringilla
Subspecies: M. n. nivalis, M. n. leucura, M. n. alpicola, M. n. gaddi, M. n. tianshanica, M. n. groumgrzimaili, M. n. kwenlunensis

 - Sighting Locations -

ITALY - Italian - Fringuello alpino ("Alpine Finch")

A resident of the high mountains.

 - DOLOMITES 2001 TRIP: A small flock on the mountains of the Dolomites

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto .

Red-backed Shrike (Lanius collurio)

OTHER NAMES: Butcher bird

Latin Etymology: Lanius ("butcher") collurio (a bird mentioned by Aristotle)

Adult Red-backed Shrike (Lanius collurio) at Capo Murro di Porco, Sicily, Italy - May 2018

Featured Subspecies: N/A
Weight: 25-35kg  /  Length: 16-18cm  /  Wingspan: 24-27cm
UK RED LIST / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

Red-backed Shrikes are the smaller of the two shrikes which regularly turn up in the UK - they used to be a breeding species in the UK but became extinct as a breeding bird in 1989.  It is however making a small comeback and breeding pairs have been recorded again in recent years.  My first sighting, like the majority of its species seen in this country, was presumably a passage migrant. A second bird I saw later was in Sicily, which is more within their usual range. Although they are passerines, shrikes are predatory and notable for the way they store their prey in "larders" which consist of thorny bushes on which they impale their small animal food.

Related Species:
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Laniidae
Genus: Lanius
Subspecies: None - monotypic

UNITED KINGDOM - A rare passage migrant and occassional breeder

 - A single passage migrant bird at Hayes in July 2012

ITALY - Italian - Avèrla Piccola ("little shrike")

 A passage migrant
 - SICILY 2018 TRIP - A single bird at Capo Murro di Porco

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-Canto  
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