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The Great Egret (Ardea alba) is a tall, white waterside bird with a long neck and sharp yellow bill. It stands around 1m tall and hunts for fish and amphibians in shallow waters. These birds inhabit wetlands, marshes, and river edges and were once hunted nearly to extinction for their feathers, the Great Egret is now a conservation success story. Birds Great Egret (Ardea alba) Link Bird months The Great Egret (Ardea alba) is a tall, white waterside bird with a long neck and sharp yellow bill. It stands around 1m tall and hunts for fish and amphibians in shallow waters. These birds inhabit wetlands, marshes, and river edges and were once hunted nearly to extinction for their feathers, the Great Egret is now a conservation success story.

The Purple Heron (Ardea purpurea) is a tall, slender wading waterside bird found in wetlands across Europe. It has dark reddish-purple plumage with streaked neck and chestnut-brown accents. Preferring reed beds and marshes, it hunts fish, amphibians, and insects. More secretive than the Grey Heron, it moves slowly and quietly, blending into dense vegetation while stalking prey. Contributor: Katho Menden Birds Purple Heron (Ardea purpurea) Link Bird months The Purple Heron (Ardea purpurea) is a tall, slender wading waterside bird found in wetlands across Europe. It has dark reddish-purple plumage with streaked neck and chestnut-brown accents. Preferring reed beds and marshes, it hunts fish, amphibians, and insects. More secretive than the Grey Heron, it moves slowly and quietly, blending into dense vegetation while stalking prey. Contributor: Katho Menden

The Whitethroat (Curruca communis) is in the family Warblers/Flycatchers and is a small, lively warbler found across Europe in summer. Males have a grey head, white throat, and warm brown back, while females are duller. It breeds in scrub and hedgerows, feeding on insects and berries. Known for its scratchy, energetic song, it migrates to sub-Saharan Africa for the winter. Contributor: Kostas Mazonakis Birds Common Whitethroat (Curruca communis) Link Bird months The Whitethroat (Curruca communis) is in the family Warblers/Flycatchers and is a small, lively warbler found across Europe in summer. Males have a grey head, white throat, and warm brown back, while females are duller. It breeds in scrub and hedgerows, feeding on insects and berries. Known for its scratchy, energetic song, it migrates to sub-Saharan Africa for the winter. Contributor: Kostas Mazonakis

The Woodlark (Lullula arborea) is in the family Pipits/Wagtails/Thrushes/Larks and is the only extant species in the lark genus Lullula and is a relatively small bird of between 13.5cm and 15cm long. It is found across most of Europe and is a migratory bird, appearing in the winter in Corfu. Their diet is mostly composed of seeds but also includes insects during the breeding period. Birds Woodlark (Lullula arborea) Link Bird months The Woodlark (Lullula arborea) is in the family Pipits/Wagtails/Thrushes/Larks and is the only extant species in the lark genus Lullula and is a relatively small bird of between 13.5cm and 15cm long. It is found across most of Europe and is a migratory bird, appearing in the winter in Corfu. Their diet is mostly composed of seeds but also includes insects during the breeding period.

The Golden Plover is a medium-sized bird known for its distinctive golden and black speckled plumage. It breeds in the Arctic tundra and migrates to warmer climates during winter. These birds are recognized by their high-pitched calls and rapid flight. They feed on insects, crustaceans, and berries. Often found in flocks, Golden Plovers are known for their remarkable migratory endurance, traveling long distances between their breeding and wintering grounds. Birds European Golden Plover (Pluvialis apricaria) Link Bird months The Golden Plover is a medium-sized bird known for its distinctive golden and black speckled plumage. It breeds in the Arctic tundra and migrates to warmer climates during winter. These birds are recognized by their high-pitched calls and rapid flight. They feed on insects, crustaceans, and berries. Often found in flocks, Golden Plovers are known for their remarkable migratory endurance, traveling long distances between their breeding and wintering grounds.

The Great Tit (Parus major) is in the family Tits/Finches/Sparrows and is is a widespread and common species throughout Europe where it is generally resident in any sort of woodland. Most great tits do not migrate except in extremely harsh winters. The great tit remains the most widespread species in the genus Parus. Birds Great Tit (Parus major) Link Bird months The Great Tit (Parus major) is in the family Tits/Finches/Sparrows and is is a widespread and common species throughout Europe where it is generally resident in any sort of woodland. Most great tits do not migrate except in extremely harsh winters. The great tit remains the most widespread species in the genus Parus.

The Common Chiffchaff (Phylloscopus collybita) is in the family Warblers/Flycatchers and is a small, olive-brown warbler with a distinctive, repetitive song resembling its name: "chiff-chaff." They have a slender bill and pale underparts and are found across Europe and Asia. They like woodlands and shrubby areas where they primarily feed on insects and are often seen flitting about tree canopies. During migration, they travel to southern Europe, Africa, and Asia for the winter. Birds Common Chiffchaff (Phylloscopus collybita) Link Bird months The Common Chiffchaff (Phylloscopus collybita) is in the family Warblers/Flycatchers and is a small, olive-brown warbler with a distinctive, repetitive song resembling its name: "chiff-chaff." They have a slender bill and pale underparts and are found across Europe and Asia. They like woodlands and shrubby areas where they primarily feed on insects and are often seen flitting about tree canopies. During migration, they travel to southern Europe, Africa, and Asia for the winter.

The Cettis Warbler (Cettia cetti) is in the family Warblers/Flycatchers and is a small and elusive bird with a rich brown plumage and loud, distinctive song. It is found in dense undergrowth near wetlands across Europe and is known for its skulking behavior, often remaining hidden from sight. It primarily feeds on insects and spiders. Contributor: Kostas Mazonakis Birds Cettis Warbler (Cettia cetti) Link Bird months The Cettis Warbler (Cettia cetti) is in the family Warblers/Flycatchers and is a small and elusive bird with a rich brown plumage and loud, distinctive song. It is found in dense undergrowth near wetlands across Europe and is known for its skulking behavior, often remaining hidden from sight. It primarily feeds on insects and spiders. Contributor: Kostas Mazonakis

The Eurasian Teal (Anas crecca) is a small dabbling waterside bird with a distinctive green patch on its wing and a chestnut head. Males have a green eye-stripe and females are mottled brown with a green wing patch. They inhabit wetlands, marshes, and shallow lakes a cross Europe. Their diet includes seeds, aquatic plants, and invertebrates. Known for their fast, agile flight, Eurasian Teals are often seen in flocks during migration. Birds Eurasian Teal (Anas crecca) Link Bird months The Eurasian Teal (Anas crecca) is a small dabbling waterside bird with a distinctive green patch on its wing and a chestnut head. Males have a green eye-stripe and females are mottled brown with a green wing patch. They inhabit wetlands, marshes, and shallow lakes a cross Europe. Their diet includes seeds, aquatic plants, and invertebrates. Known for their fast, agile flight, Eurasian Teals are often seen in flocks during migration.

The Eurasian Scops Owl (Otus scops) is strictly nocturnal, hunting vigorously at night and roosting during the day. When a potential predator approaches, the owl mimicks a broken tree branch rather than taking flight, it completely vanishes into its surroundings. During spring breeding, males broadcast their presence with a highly repetitive, melancholy whistling hoot "tiu". These single notes are monotonously repeated every few seconds for hours on end to establish territories and attract mates. Contributor: Giannis Gasteratos Birds Eurasian Scops Owl (Otus scops) Link Bird months The Eurasian Scops Owl (Otus scops) is strictly nocturnal, hunting vigorously at night and roosting during the day. When a potential predator approaches, the owl mimicks a broken tree branch rather than taking flight, it completely vanishes into its surroundings. During spring breeding, males broadcast their presence with a highly repetitive, melancholy whistling hoot "tiu". These single notes are monotonously repeated every few seconds for hours on end to establish territories and attract mates. Contributor: Giannis Gasteratos

The Collared Flycatcher (Ficedula albicollis) is in the family Warblers/Flycatchers and is a small, eye-catching bird with black and white plumage. Males have a white collar and forehead patch, while females are more subdued. Found in European forests, they are agile insectivores with a melodious song and nest in tree cavities. Birds Collared Flycatcher (Ficedula albicollis) Link Bird months The Collared Flycatcher (Ficedula albicollis) is in the family Warblers/Flycatchers and is a small, eye-catching bird with black and white plumage. Males have a white collar and forehead patch, while females are more subdued. Found in European forests, they are agile insectivores with a melodious song and nest in tree cavities.

The Common Tern (Sterna hirundo) is a highly migratory, medium-sized seabird famous for its graceful, athletic flight patterns and dramatic diving techniques. Nicknamed the "sea swallow" due to its deeply forked tail, this bird spans a massive circumpolar breeding range. Contributor: Geula Hartmann Birds Common Tern (Sterna hirundo) Link Bird months The Common Tern (Sterna hirundo) is a highly migratory, medium-sized seabird famous for its graceful, athletic flight patterns and dramatic diving techniques. Nicknamed the "sea swallow" due to its deeply forked tail, this bird spans a massive circumpolar breeding range. Contributor: Geula Hartmann