Marc Haegeman Photography

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

Chiffchaff

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.

Treecreeper

Tiny (some 12 cms long and weighing a mere 12 grams), yet all claws and and a handy tail, treecreepers are perfectly adapted for climbing trunks and branches, searching for insects and spiders. And yes, even the camouflage works well.

House sparrow (male)

Once the most common songbird 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.

House sparrow (male)

Although not as immediately striking as tits or robins, house sparrows are really beautiful birds. Especially their patterned wings combining buffs and browns are a treat. Males are more brilliantly coloured and sport a distinctive black mask and bib.

Chaffinch

Blackcap (male)

The Blackcap is a fantastic singer, rightfully earning its nickname of "nightingale of the north".

Blackcap (male)

Blackcap (female)

Whitethroat

Long-tailed Tit

Long-tailed Tit

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

Long-tailed Tit

Just 9 grams and 14 cms long, long-tailed tits usually appear in groups, roaming woodlands and parks. They feed on insects and spiders.

Wren

One of the tiniest birds in Europe, weighing a mere 9 grams, but also one of the loudest songbirds.

Wren

Wren

Wren

Grey Wagtail

Dunnock

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.

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.

Blackbird (male)

Nuthatch

Great spotted woodpecker

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.

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.

Great Crested Grebes

Great Crested Grebes

Common snipe

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.

Black-tailed godwit

In summer, Black-tailed godwits acquire their characteristic orange-brown chests and bellies.

Feeding time for the kingfishers

Kingfisher dad bringing food to his hungry youngster.

Kingfisher (female)

One of the most eye-catching birds in Europe, the darling of birders and bird photographers, the Kingfisher is widespread but under threat.

Kingfisher (male)

Feeding time

Kingfishers feed their young for some four days before they expel them from their territory. After that they will have to take the plunge themselves, or starve. The mortality rate among young kingfishers is about 50 %.

Kingfisher female with two youngsters

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.

Northern lapwing

A male Northern lapwing displaying his long crest and black crown. Of the more than 20 species of lapwings only three have a crest.

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.