Top 20 Most Common Bird in Basque Country
Basque Country in Spain is notable for its diverse landscapes, from mountains to coastal areas, making it a haven for different bird species. The 20 most common birds exhibit stunning features and intriguing behaviors, adapted to thrive in this unique environment. From migratory patterns to the variety in plumage, they offer fascinating insights into the rich biodiversity of Basque Country.
Most Common Bird
1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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. 
5. 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.
6. Carrion Crow
The loud cry from the carrion Crow lets everyone know the bird is in the area. It is often seen in semi and open habitats that include rural and suburban areas. The black-colored bird only gathers in large flocks when it is time to roost. Otherwise, it flies in pairs or small groups scavenging for insects, seeds, and even small animals.
7. 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.
8. 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.
9. 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.
10. 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.
11. 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.
12. Song Thrush
The song Thrush is a medium-sized bird known for its beautiful, melodic song. It has speckled brown plumage and a distinctive black spot on its breast. The bird feeds on a variety of insects, snails, and fruit, and is commonly found in wooded areas and gardens.
13. Eurasian Wren
Tiny and usually well-camouflaged with its brown plumage, the eurasian Wren is a fairly populous bird that may sometimes be seen hopping quickly and quietly along a forest floor, rustling sticks and flipping over leaves as it searches for insects. The species, though, is more often heard than seen; though quite small, the eurasian Wren has a loud, melodious song.
14. 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.
15. 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.
16. 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.
17. Black Redstart
The black Redstart is a small flycatcher that was once present only in natural habitats such as cliffs and rocky, mountainous areas, but now it also inhabits industrial sites, buildings, and rooftops. Although this bird is a remarkable singer, it is quite quiet. The species is very variable in appearance, and dines on insects.
18. Common Buzzard
The common Buzzard is a medium-sized bird of prey found in many parts of the world. It inhabits a variety of habitats such as forests, grasslands, and mountains. It is an opportunistic hunter, preying on mammals, birds, reptiles, and insects. They also scavenge on carrion. They are often seen soaring on thermal currents, perching on high vantage points, and performing acrobatic maneuvers during courtship.
19. 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.
20. 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.
