Top 20 Most Common Bird in Umbria
Umbria is a region rich in hills, mountains, and water bodies, creating a diverse habitat for various bird species. Discover the 20 most common birds here, noted for their unique features, behaviors, and adaptabilities. Each species illustrates the vitality and distinctive biological richness of Umbria's diverse ecosystem.
Most Common Bird
1. Eurasian Collared-dove
This plump, pretty dove with a square-tipped tail is known for bobbing its head and flicking its tail while walking. Though nice to look at, many people are not pleased at the sight of a eurasian Collared-dove walking along. In North America they are considered an invasive species, and one that carries a disease-creating parasite that can spread to native dove populations through birdbaths, feeders, or even through hawks preying on them.
2. Eurasian Blue Tit
The eurasian Blue Tit is a small songbird, very common in urban areas such as parks. This songbird has a wide range of calls and songs, but it's also known for its agility and acrobatic skills - it can hang upside down, reaching food that's not accessible to less-skilled birds. When the bird has young, it spends around 17 hours per day in the search of food for the offspring. It's a frequent visitor of bird feeders.
3. Eurasian Magpie
The eurasian Magpie is a striking and intelligent bird known for its black and white plumage and long tail. It is highly adaptable, found in a variety of habitats, and known for its intelligence, similar to that of great apes. It is omnivorous, eating both insects and fruits, and it has a reputation for being mischievous and thieving. 
4. Hooded Crow
The hooded Crow is often mistaken for the carrion crow (Corvus corone) and has even been regarded as the same species; indeed, these two species may breed to create a hybrid. The hooded Crow is commonly found in woodlands, farmlands, and suburban areas. They can usually be seen in pairs or small groups, looking to find decaying meat, grain, and other protein.
5. European Starling
The european Starling, a large, hardy songbird, is one of the most commonly seen bird species in North America. Originally from Europe, this species was brought to the U.S. in the 1890s by enthusiasts of William Shakespeare, who had the unique goal of bringing over every single species of bird that was mentioned in Shakespeare's collective works. Unfortunately, the european Starling, being an adaptable, generalist species, spread invasively across the continent, hurting many native species' populations in the process.
6. Eurasian Blackbird
Unafraid of humans, the dark-winged eurasian Blackbird has gained a great deal of cultural significance, mentioned in popular nursery rhymes and songs across the world. Elegant and with an appealing song, they can be aggressive when they are in their breeding period.
7. Eurasian Coot
The eurasian Coot is a medium-sized, black-plumaged waterbird with a white bill and a distinctive red shield above its bill. It has webbed feet with a white patch on the toes and is often seen in large flocks, diving for food and fiercely defending its territory. Its aggressive nature and distinct features make it a memorable sight for birdwatchers.
8. Italian Sparrow
The italian Sparrow is extremely common in urban areas and can be considered one of the best-adapted birds to human presence. Like all sparrows, this songbird is very sociable and able to produce a number of distinctive chirping calls. This seed-eating bird feeds mostly on the ground and moves around by hopping.
9. European Goldfinch
Prized for its brilliantly colored plumage and pleasant, musical song, the european Goldfinch has been often held in captivity, until this activity became illegal in the 1970s. Native to Europe, the species has been introduced to Australia and New Zealand. It's a very sociable bird that likes to feed on seeds and often visits feeders.
10. Rock Pigeon
The rock Pigeon is a wild ancestor of all domestic and feral pigeons, inhabiting coasts, cliffs, and caves. Pairs nest in rock crevices, often mating for life. They are known for their ability to fly very long distances to return to their homes, navigating using the sun's position and the earth's magnetic fields. Thanks to this ability, pigeons were used as messengers, particularly during World Wars I and II.
11. Common Wood Pigeon
Although primarily found in woods, the common Wood Pigeon is a large and bulky pigeon that is often seen in towns and cities. Those who inhabit urban areas are quite tame, approachable, and comfortable around humans. This pigeon is a popular game bird, particularly during its migration journeys. Its distinctive call can be heard year-round, particularly at dawn. This ground-dwelling bird gathers in large flocks that feed together.
12. Eurasian Blackcap
Eurasian Blackcap is a small bird known for its melodic song and distinctive black cap, and is found in gardens, woodlands, and hedgerows. Its diet consists mainly of insects, fruits, and berries. It is a pleasure to watch and listen to in the wild, and often sings from the top of bushes and trees during the breeding season.
13. Great Crested Grebe
Look for great Crested Grebe in areas with plenty of reeds. This water bird uses the reeds to build floating nests on rivers, lakes, and reservoirs. While the bird joins flocks in the winter, it is territorial. Breeding pairs will defend the area around their nest. The bird forages for insects, small fish, and other aquatic life along the shore.
14. Common Chaffinch
The common Chaffinch has a varied diet, mainly feeding on seeds and berries, but also eating insects, allowing it to thrive in different habitats. The Common Chaffinch is also known for its melodic song, with the males being particularly vocal during the breeding season. Their songs can often be heard in the spring and early summer.
15. Great Tit
Great Tit is a small and plump bird, with a thick black line running through its bright yellow face. It is a common sight in gardens, woodlands, and parks. It is often seen foraging for food in an acrobatic way. Well known for its intelligence, it has been observed using tools, solving problems, and even counting up to five.
16. Barn Swallow
A familiar sight in rural and semi-open areas, the small barn Swallow can often be spotted by its distinctly graceful flight as it travels low over fields. Seemingly unbothered by having human neighbors, they nest unafraid in barns, garages, beneath bridges or wharves. Interestingly enough, they have come to prefer these locations so much that you are unlikely to spot a nest in a place that is not a human-made structure.
17. European Robin
The european Robin is an aggressive bird that is commonly found throughout farmlands, woodlands, and suburban communities. These birds are mainly helpful insectivores for gardeners, but will also eat various seeds and fruits. The european Robin is used on British Christmas cards to represent postmen from the Victorian era who used to wear red waistcoats while delivering holiday cards.
18. Great Cormorant
The great Cormorant is a charismatic bird known for its diving abilities and fishing prowess. It has a glossy black plumage, a long neck, and a hooked beak. It is strong swimmers and divers, capable of reaching depths up to 30 feet to catch fish. It has a unique habit of spreading their wings in the sun to dry them after fishing, helping to maintain their waterproof feathers.
19. Western Marsh Harrier
The western Marsh Harrier’s long tail and wings give the raptor a gangly appearance. It is commonly seen flying low over wetlands and marshes in search of prey. The preferred food sources are small birds and mammals that it catches in its beak or talons. While in flight, the raptor holds its wings in a ‘V’ shape.
20. Yellow-legged Gull
Yellow-legged Gull is a large seagull that can be found along coastal regions of the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. It has a distinctive yellow coloration on its legs and beak, giving it its name. It is an opportunistic feeder, and known to be very territorial. Some populations of Yellow-legged Gulls are migratory, traveling long distances to breed during the summer months.
