


Top 20 Most Common Bird in Dagestan
Dagestan, nestled within the East European, North Caucasus mountains, boasts an array of diverse and captivating avian life. The 20 most prevalent birds exhibit various distinctive traits from vibrant hues, intriguing behaviors to specific adaptations for survival. Drawing from authoritative ornithological resources, the unique characteristics of these birds offer a fascinating glimpse into their lives.

Most Common Bird

1. White Wagtail
The white Wagtail is the national bird of Latvia and is featured in traditional folk songs and placed on some postage stamps. These birds can be found in most habitat types besides deserts. As their name suggests, they exhibit a characteristic tail-wagging behavior as they search along the ground and nearby waterways for insects to eat.

2. 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.

3. Common House-martin
A small, multicolored swallow, the common House-martin has benefited greatly from human habitation and forest clearing, which has created the open habitats and safe man-made nests it prefers. These birds almost always make their homes near water and often perch on utility wires.

4. 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.

5. Common Swift
Unlike most birds, the common Swift cannot sit stably on a branch but will rather be seen hanging from one. Its scientific name, Apus apus, comes from the Greek word, apous, which means "without feet." These birds are almost always seen only in flight and rarely on the ground.

6. Griffon Vulture
The griffon vulture is 93–122 cm (37–48 in) long with a 2.3–2.8 m (7.5–9.2 ft) wingspan. In the nominate race the males weigh 6.2 to 10.5 kg (14 to 23 lb) and females typically weigh 6.5 to 10.5 kg (14 to 23 lb), while in the Indian subspecies (G. f. fulvescens), the vultures average 7.1 kg (16 lb). Extreme adult weights have been reported from 4.5 to 15 kg (9.9 to 33.1 lb), the latter likely a weight attained in captivity. Hatched naked, it is a typical Old World vulture in appearance, with a very white head, very broad wings and short tail feathers. It has a white neck ruff and yellow bill. The buff body and wing coverts contrast with the dark flight feathers.


7. House Sparrow
Just as its name implies, the little house Sparrow socializes with humans more than any other bird species. Able to adapt and thrive in almost any habitat, excluding the extremes such as deserts and mountain peaks, this species was once restricted only to North Africa and Eurasia but now is found across the globe. Unfortunately, this opportunistic eater is not completely harmless—it can cause considerable damage to crops.

8. Corn Bunting
This is an unusual bunting because the plumages of the sexes are similar in appearance, though the male is approximately 20% larger than the female. This large bulky bunting is 16–19 cm long, with a conspicuously dark eye and yellowish mandibles. Males lack any showy colours, especially on the head, which is otherwise typical of genus Emberiza. Both sexes look something like larks, being streaked grey-brown above with whitish underparts. The underparts are streaked over the flanks and breast, and the streaking forms gorget around the throat. The lesser wing coverts are distinctively dark and white-tipped. The tail is plain brown. The song of the male is a repetitive metallic sound, usually likened to jangling keys, which is given from a low bush, fence post or telephone wires.


9. 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.

10. Eurasian Tree Sparrow
The eurasian Tree Sparrow (Passer montanus) is a widespread sparrow of the European mainland that has been introduced to some parts of North America. Eurasian Tree Sparrow is very similar to the House sparrow (Passer domesticus) but it's smaller and neater. It prefers more natural habitats, at the edges of human activity, and inhabits farmlands, parklands, and open woods.

11. 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.


12. Mallard
The mallard is the most abundant duck species in the world, and the ancestor of all domestic ducks. Only the female can produce the distinctive "quack" sound. When the female lays eggs, the male abandons its mate, while the protective mother stays with the ducklings for a long time. This migratory species inhabits shallow waters and it's one of the most popular game birds.

13. Common Raven
The common Raven is one of the most ubiquitous species of birds and is revered for its high intelligence. These birds prefer open habitats, but can be found in nearly all environmental conditions besides rainforests. As a social species, some subspecies of common Raven have been known to have 15 to 33 different categories of calls!

14. Blue Rock Thrush
The blue Rock Thrush emits a sound similar to a blackbird. It has a wide range, including urban areas, sea cliffs, and mountainsides. The thrush has a unique claim to fame. It is the official bird of Malta and is present on some of the country’s former currencies.

15. Caspian Gull
The caspian Gull is a majestic bird. This gull is a common sight in the coastal areas around the Black and Caspian Seas, where it feeds on a variety of food including fish, insects, and rodents. It is known for its agility and can be seen soaring high in search of food.


16. Northern Shoveler
The northern Shoveler is primarily seen in freshwater habitats, where it forages for feed with its large bill. The spoon-shaped bill is often clearly visible on the duck, even when it is in flight. It’s not uncommon to see the duck in groups swimming in circles as it searches for food.

17. European Greenfinch
The european Greenfinch is a sociable bird and often forms flocks, particularly in the winter. The population of this species has been in decline due to loss of habitat and changes in land use. Identify this bird by its bright yellow head and breast on males, and green-brown head on females, and its sociable behavior in open woodlands, gardens, parks, and hedgerows.


18. Common Redstart
The common Redstart is a species of migratory bird that is regularly seen in mixed and deciduous woodland habitats as well as along coastal environments during migration. These birds have an interesting behavior that involves shaking their bright orange tail feathers, an action that also earns them their name. There are some environmental concerns for this species as their natural habitats are increasingly getting destroyed.

19. Black-winged Stilt
The black-winged Stilt is a shorebird that is seen in a variety of habitats, but it prefers shallow water. It is not uncommon to see this bird in flooded agricultural fields. It utilizes its long bill to search for small crustaceans and invertebrates in the mud, but don’t be surprised to see the bird dip its head in the water in search of food.

20. Rook
The rook is a species of large black crow with glossy feathers. While it resembles a crow, its high-pitch call sets it apart. The best place to see the bird is in semi-open areas with plenty of trees or hedges. It is where the bird prefers to build its nest.