Identification of Wild Birds in Italy

Italy is home to more than 500 bird species.

The combination of bird species in Italy cannot be found anywhere else in the world, and Italy has a great level of biodiversity throughout the country. Italy welcomes both Mediterranean migrants and trans-Saharan migrants, increasing the diversity of bird species in the region even further. More than 500 different species call Italy their home throughout the year.

Size and Shape

Take note of the relative size and shape of the bird to help determine what family of birds it belongs to. Estimate the size of the bird in relation to well-known species such as the sparrow, pigeon, crow or turkey, for example. You can usually determine the family of birds a species belongs to based on its size and shape because most species within a family are relatively similar in terms of shape and size. The Moltoni's warbler (Sylvia moltonii), for example, is a very distinctive warbler but shares the same relative size and shape as other warblers.

Beak and Legs

Both the beak and leg characteristics can help in identifying a bird species in Italy. The shape, length and style of beak or bill will give you clues regarding what the bird eats and how it hunts. The legs and feet will tell you if the bird is a land bird or a waterbird and whether it primarily perches or dwells on the ground. These details will help you narrow the possibilities when browsing a field guide.

Plumage and Coloring

Use a bird's primary colors to help identify the species or subspecies if there are predominant colors. The great black-headed gull, for example, is a large, white gull with a black mask and black-tipped wings. Note these primary colors when birdwatching, then use them to narrow the possibilities.

Distinct Markings

Watch for distinctive markings and colors that can indicate small differences between various bird species and subspecies. Look for hoods, crown stripes, nape colors, eye arcs, spectacles, crests, wing bars, patches of color and other distinct markings that can indicate small differences between birds. The black mask and throat on the Italian sparrow is what makes it distinct from other sparrows, for example.

Other Characteristics

A number of other characteristics can help you identify wild birds in Italy, including calls and songs, habitat, feeding habits and the region where the bird was sighted. A bird's vocalizations and songs can give clues as to the proper species identification. Note how the bird eats, where it nests, when it was sighted and its general habitat to give additional clues to its species identification. For example, the pine bunting is an annual visitor to the Tuscan coast of Italy, visiting only in the winter months.

References

• "Birds of Europe"; Dan Zetterstrom; 2010
• Birdguide: A Birdwatcher's Guide to Italy