Robin

While notoriously territorial and merciless towards intruders, the European robins (Erithacus rubecula) are nonetheless 20 grams of irresistibly colored feathery charm.

Robin

A robin singing in the rain.

Robin

Willow warbler

Great tit

Great tits can be found all over Europe and large parts of Asia. In European cities they are a common sight in parks and gardens. Great tits are also fantastic singers. By varying their song within their territory they create the impression of a large population to discourage possible newcomers.

Great tit

A great tit indulging in the seeds of spring

Blue tit

Blue tits (Cyanistes caeruleus) are now some of the most common songbirds in European woodlands, parks and gardens. Their characteristic blue caps are important in blue tit social life. They can distinguish ultraviolet light and the more reflected by the blue caps the more attractive the males are for breeding. Which doesn't stop the females from a fair share of extramarital breeding.

Blue tit

11 grams of noisy, colourful feathery delight, the main diet of these tiny acrobats consists of insects, although in winter they won't refuse seeds and peanuts either.

Blue tit

According to a recent study female blue tits mate with more than one male to secure a better protection of the nest. Males cooperate to defend the nest with their offspring against predators.

European stonechat

Although spotted in November, this stonechat in Richmond Park, UK still has its summer plumage with black head and rust red breast. By its Dutch name "roodborsttapuit" the similarties between this tiny passerine bird (12-13 cm, up to 17 g) and the robin are evident.

Buzzard

This beautiful Buzzard (Buteo buteo) in the Dutch Biesbosch National Park didn't seem to mind my presence at all. He was found sitting near a road before taking a break on a fence, calmly observing.

Great crested grebe

The elegant great crested grebe has just like the coot and the grey heron gradually made its entrance in the European cities and can now be spotted in parks and rivers, as well as in its natural wetlands.

Barn swallow

For most people these graceful aerial acrobats are the harbinger of spring, and according to some they even bring good luck. Fact is though that in the last decades the populations of barn swallows have been in decline in Western and Central Europe.

Black-tailed godwit

The Netherlands still boast the largest breeding population of black-tailed godwits in Europe, in spite of the continuous agricultural encroachment on nature. Enough for the Dutch to elect it their national bird in 2016. Long-legged, long-billed, the godwits were once considered a delicatesse in the incomparable English cuisine.

Common kingfisher

One of the most astonishing birds in Europe and, for obvious reasons, a darling of photographers worldwide, is the common kingfisher. The English and French names (Martin-pêcheur) are much better suited than the Dutch "ijsvogel", as they refer to one of this bird's most remarkable skills: fishing. Its diets consists mainly of fish, which it captures by diving underwater from a perch.

Feeding time for the kingfishers

Kingfisher dad bringing food to his hungry youngster.

Northern lapwing

To be sure, northern lapwings are strange birds. They lay their eggs on the ground, in the middle of a path, if need be, and after the chicks hatch their main strategy of defense is to abandon them and fly away screaming, hoping to divert the intruder. In the Netherlands collecting lapwings eggs had developed into a macabre springtime tradition, thankfully prohibited by law nowadays (except in the province of Friesland). The impact of human encroachment is nonetheless responsible for the dramatic decline of this bird in the last years.

Coot family

While originally marsh birds coots can now be found anywhere there is water in Western Europe. Tough and highly adaptive they found a way into the cities and thrive there. They are aggressive and territorial, especially in the breeding season. Yet coots also have a dark side when it comes to their chicks. They sometimes let them starve or peck them to death when they beg too much for food. This family, however, seems to be doing fine.

Sparrow

Once the most comon bird in European cities, now disappeared in many of them, the chunky and noisy house sparrow is a sympathetic little opportunist whose longtime association with humans has become legendary.

Long-tailed tit

Irresistibly cute, these hyper-active tiny little balls have a long black-and-white tail that is bigger than their body.

Mallard

A male mallard in all its colourful glory.

Blackbird

Blackbirds have been under serious threat in Europe since the appearance of the fatal usutu virus in 2016, transmitted by mosquitoes. Their numbers have been in dramatic decline. It's good to see these healthy looking birds in Belgium.

Wood pigeons

Wood pigeons are seen more and more in towns and cities. Very shy, they can often be found in groups "grazing" in gardens and lawns.