Holidaying in France this summer?
A guide to common birds you may see
The summer holidays are upon us and while many people may be flocking to the beaches of some far away Mediterranean country, lots of people go to France for a holiday. This guide will cover some common French birds you have may be lucky to encounter on holiday in France.
Horned Grebe
Also known as the Slavonian Grebe, this small water bird can be found in reedbeds, lakes and ponds. They are relatively small as duck and divers go, adults measuring 30-38cm from beak to tail. It eats small fish and amphibious creatures, their large feet adding to their manoeuvrability. They are fairly rare in France and have a very small population in Britain, mainly in Scotland. They have a rusty red belly, which sits below a sleek black back. The head is mainly black, with red eyes and a large powdery yellow streak through it, contributing to its name. They call a high nasally ‘eek’, with a loud trill.
Eurasian Wryneck
A member of the woodpecker family, this bird is migratory and winters in Southern Asia and Africa. It feeds on ants, beetles and spiders that it forages from both trees and the ground. It can also turn its head 180o in each direction! It’s widely spread throughout Europe, but there’s a high concentration of them in Southern France and North Spain. As appearances go, it’s quite a dull looking bird, with a light brown/white body and brown wings.
Alpine Swift
Another migratory bird, this one a very far flier. It feeds on insects whilst flying, and can travel up to 1000km in a day. It nests in cliff holes and caves, usually in a colony. It spends its winter in Central Africa, and nests in Southern Europe and Asia, or South Africa. It can also be found all year round in Madagascar. It’s a black/brown bird with a white belly and fairly small.
White Stork
White storks generally rely on wetlands and farmlands to breed, preferring to settle in open spaces. They eat small mammals such as frogs and toads, and enjoy fish as well. They breed in early spring and the young are looked after by their parents for the rest of the year. They migrate throughout Europe and Africa and recently a conservation program has successfully provided Britain with its first breeding pair after they were wiped from the country a couple hundred years ago when intensive farming started. They are mainly white, with black wings and an orange beak.
By Alfie Lovett, Year 8
Horned Grebe
Also known as the Slavonian Grebe, this small water bird can be found in reedbeds, lakes and ponds. They are relatively small as duck and divers go, adults measuring 30-38cm from beak to tail. It eats small fish and amphibious creatures, their large feet adding to their manoeuvrability. They are fairly rare in France and have a very small population in Britain, mainly in Scotland. They have a rusty red belly, which sits below a sleek black back. The head is mainly black, with red eyes and a large powdery yellow streak through it, contributing to its name. They call a high nasally ‘eek’, with a loud trill.
Eurasian Wryneck
A member of the woodpecker family, this bird is migratory and winters in Southern Asia and Africa. It feeds on ants, beetles and spiders that it forages from both trees and the ground. It can also turn its head 180o in each direction! It’s widely spread throughout Europe, but there’s a high concentration of them in Southern France and North Spain. As appearances go, it’s quite a dull looking bird, with a light brown/white body and brown wings.
Alpine Swift
Another migratory bird, this one a very far flier. It feeds on insects whilst flying, and can travel up to 1000km in a day. It nests in cliff holes and caves, usually in a colony. It spends its winter in Central Africa, and nests in Southern Europe and Asia, or South Africa. It can also be found all year round in Madagascar. It’s a black/brown bird with a white belly and fairly small.
White Stork
White storks generally rely on wetlands and farmlands to breed, preferring to settle in open spaces. They eat small mammals such as frogs and toads, and enjoy fish as well. They breed in early spring and the young are looked after by their parents for the rest of the year. They migrate throughout Europe and Africa and recently a conservation program has successfully provided Britain with its first breeding pair after they were wiped from the country a couple hundred years ago when intensive farming started. They are mainly white, with black wings and an orange beak.
By Alfie Lovett, Year 8