2. Crown
top part of a
bird's head Eye
Beak
Auricular region
Back part of a bird's head
back part of a Neck
related to the ear
bird's thorax
Breast
Wing front part of
appendage of aerial the thorax
locomotion
Belly
front of the
Foot abdomen
Tail feathers
feathers forming the Leg
tail of a bird
Bird
a warm-blood animal with two wings, two feet, a horny
beak and a body covered with feathers.

3. The following table is a summary of the general
population trends for birds common recognized in
Italy by the project MITO2000 from 2000 to 2010.

4. How many birds we saw? A LOT
SOME
FEW
Blackbird Magpie
Jackdaw
Pigeon
Sparrow Collared dove
Gull

5. English name: Yellow-legged Gull
The Yellow-legged
Italian name: Gabbiano reale
Gull is a large gull the beak is very long
the eyes are very small
and has a color
of Europe, which and brownish: there is a
between red and
has only recently red ring around them
orange
achieved wide
recognition as a
distinct species.
They range in
length from 52 to
68 cm (20 to 27
in) in total length,
from 120 to 155 cm the legs are short enough
(47 to 61 in) in and orange, while the feet
are webbed suitable for
wingspan and from the tail is very short swimming and claws are very
550 to 1,600 g (1.2 and is black and sharp and a very dark
to 3.5 lb) in weight. white spots

6. Habitat: The breeding range is centred around the Mediterranean
Sea. Many birds remain in the same area all year round but
others migrate to spend the winter in mild areas of western
Europe or head south as far as Senegal, the Gambia and the
Red Sea.
Food: They are omnivores like most gulls, and they scavange on
rubbish tips and elsewhere, as well as they seek suitable prey in
fields or on the coast, or they rob smaller gulls and other
seabirds.
Behavoir: The yellow-legged gulls usually
breed in colonies. Eggs, usually three, are
laid from mid March to early May and
are defended vigorously by this large gull.
The nest is a sparse mound of
vegetation built on the ground or on cliff
ledges.

7. English name: Blackbird
Italian name: Merlo
Description :
The blackbird has medium size, strong beak and long legs.
The male has a uniformly black plumage and bright yellow
beak. The female is brown, with blackish chin and throat,
grayish brown beak. In both
sexes the legs are dark brown.
Length 25-27 cm, weight 75-115g.

8. Food:
It is omnivorous: it likes fruit, particularly apples,
pears, strawberries, cherries and figs and
it can be harmful to the orchards.
To complete its diet, it also eats berries, seeds,
earthworms, insects, beetles, flies, spiders,…..
Behaviour:
Suspicious, it immediately scares and gets away with a quick
flight. It comes to rest on the ground where it moves jumping
and holding the tail upright and drooping wings.
Habitat:
It lives in forests with undergrowth, parks, gardens, hedges, fruit
orchards and vineyards, as well as in the cultivated areas in
general; couples lead isolated lives because the bird is really
gregarious only in migration, and only in such situations you can
observe it in large groups.

9. Eyes are English name: Pigeon
orange and can
be surrounded Neck is Italian name: Piccione
by grey-white dull Wings are grey
rings green dark blue with
and pulm shades of
grey.
The bird is 30-35 cm
emerald in
adults
long with a wingspan of
62-68 cm.
tail is dove It is durable and fast in
grey and flight.
edged with
white
The life of a common
pigeon varies from 3 to
5 years in the wild, but
Legs are can reach up to 15 years
reddish for the domesticated
breeds.

10. Habitat: The Pigeon is a kind of
Columbide fairly widespread,
popular both in Italy and abroad,
especially in the streets of big cities.
Behavoir: It is a kind of a non-migratory species, capable of
directing nicely to regain its dovecote and covers a large
radius of action: this allowed to be domesticated (this quality
is enhanced by a strong selection by breeders).
Longevity: The life of a common pigeon ranges from 3 to 5
years in the wild.
Food: the food they eat, often provided by the citizen (bread,
pasta, crumbs, etc..), is not the correct source of food for his
diet which should instead be made from plants, such as
cereals, legumes, sprouts, seeds as well as insects, snails,
mollusks.

11. The head Eyes are red
The wings
English name:
and black
is small
and grey
are light
grey and
Collared Dove
light dark grey Its tail is short Italian name:
and dark grey
with pens Tortora dal
that at the
The chest time of collare
is light landing open
grey The legs are to brake the
short, dark speed
grey with two
sharp claws
Description: It is a medium sized dove, 30–33 cm long from tip of beak to
tip of tail, with a wingspan of 47–55 cm, and a weight of 125–240 g.
It is grey-buff to pinkish-grey overall, a little darker above than below, with
a blue-grey under wing patch.
The tail feathers are grey-buff above, and dark grey tipped white below;
the outer tail feathers also tipped whitish above. It has a black half-collar.

12. Longevity : Collared Doves can live up to 15 years.
Food: The seeds are its basic diet, but they also feed on fruits, herbs,
insects and other small invertebrates.
Behaviour: They typically breed close to human habitation wherever
food resources are abundant and there are trees for nesting. The female
lays two white eggs in a stick nest, which she incubates during the night
and which the male incubates during the day. The Collared Dove is not
wary and often feeds very close to human habitation. It is a gregarious
species and sizable winter flocks will form where there are food supplies.
They are almost always seen in pairs and, like many
birds, remain loyal to their mates.
Habitat: Native to South Asia, the Collared Dove can
be encountered in most of Eurasia and North Africa,
and some specimens have been seen in North
America. Generally living in a city.
Is it in danger? It Is not in danger, but in recent years their number has
greatly diminished due to pollution.

13. English name: Sparrow Italian name: Passero
Eyes are black Head is brown
or brown and orange Wings are
light brown
and black
The beak is black The tail is grey
and its shape is and black
conical, pointed
The chest is
black, white and
grey Legs are
light
brown

14. The house sparrow is probably the
most common bird in Europe, both in
the cities and in the countryside.
It is a very social species, it may be in
groups of about ten specimens and
often approaches humans looking for
food.
The European sparrows to get rid of
parasites have a "bath" of earth.
This bird does not migrate, and in
residential areas, it can be approached
by a lot of people. It lives in flocks,
also great and friendly, even during the
period of hatching.

15. English name: Magpie
Description : Italian name: Gazza
The plumage is black and white. The black feathers of the magpie
are polished and have blue and green reflections. With legs unable
to keep still when eating food. The magpie is not a flier resistant.
The length of the queue can also indicate social rank. The large
and powerful beak allows the magpie eating big pieces of food.
The magpie is a highly developed and intelligent bird.
Food:
The Magpie is omnivorous like all corvids. It feeds on insects, small
mammals, mice, small birds and their eggs, cereals, fruit, berries
and carrion and does not mind the street cleaners. Its massive
presence also impacts on species such as, partridges, pheasants,
skylarks and others of which they prey eggs and newborns.

16. Behavior:
The Magpies are very hyperactive birds, always
on the move and with an innate ability to annoy the other birds
with which they share the habitat. The young magpies live in their
early years in group, flying all together. The more mature couples,
however, live alone, building their nest and controlling the territory.
In Italian folklore, magpies' penchant for picking up shiny items is
thought to be particularly directed towards precious ones.
Habitat:
Very adaptable species, the magpie nests in
cultivated fields, woods, parks, degraded area
even without vegetation, are sufficient even
patches of vegetation or isolated trees, where it
builts domed nests. The magpie is the only
Corvide in Europe to build the nest with a real
roof builds.

17. English name: Jackdaw
Italian name: Taccola
DESCRIPTION: the body of the Jackdaw is entirely covered by a
black plumage, except for the area of the cheeks and the neck
that are greyish-silver.
HABITAT: It is spread throughout Europe, Iran, India, Siberia and
north-western Africa; the jackdaw inhabits grasslands, steppes and
forests, but also the cliffs and urban centers.
FOOD: Its diet contains insects, small invertebrates, as well as
seeds, fish and eggs of other birds.
LONGEVITY: it lives on average 40 years and in some cases to
almost 80.
BEHAVIOUR: It is a very territorial animal so it’s willing to cohabit
with other species with which, however, it is not to be confused.

18. Robin
Starling
White Wagtail
Chaffinch
Black Redstart Black-Headed Gull

19. English name: Black-Headed gull
Italian name: Gabbiano comune
DESCRIPTION: The Black Headed Gull adults are roughly 13-17 inches (33-
44cm) in length with a 35-41 inch (89-105 cm) wingspan. The summer
adult has a chocolate-brown head (not black, despite the name), the body
and wings are pale grey, with black tips on the primary wing feathers. The
beak is red with a black tip, and the legs are also red. The “black” hood is
lost in winter, leaving just a dark vertical streak or spot behind the eye.
HABITAT: It is a small gull which breeds in much of Europe.
Most of the population is migratory, preferring to
winter further south, but some birds in the milder
westernmost areas of Europe do not migrate.
FOOD: They prefer to eat insects, small fish, small
berries and earthworms. They have been known
to follow fishing boats, plunge-diving for smaller
fish.

20. English name: Robin
Italian name: Pettirosso
DESCRIPTION: It is small in appearance, plump and without neck. It has
the chest and forehead colored orange. The rest of the plumage is olive
brown color.
An old folk tale seeks to explain the Robin's distinctive breast. The legend
says that when Jesus was dying on the cross, the Robin, then simply
brown in colour, flew to his side and sang into his ear in order to comfort
him in his pain. The blood from his wounds stained the Robin's breast, and
thereafter all Robins got the mark of Christ's blood upon them.
LONGEVITY: 3-4 years
FOOD: insects, beetles, snails, worms and spiders
HABITAT: Coniferous forests but it is often present in gardens, hedges,
woods with undergrowth.
MIGRATORY BIRD? Robin is a migratory bird. Here it is present only in
winter.

21. English name: Starling
Italian name: Storno
DESCRIPTION:
Starling is medium-sized and compact in forms, it has
iridescent black feathers and little speckled pale undertail
abdomen and back.
The winter dress is rather heavily spotted with white, the
beak is sharp and its yellowish and reddish legs robust, the
tail short and square, pointed wings of triangular form.
Sexes are similar.
BEHAVIOUR: Well adapted Starlings live in a large amount
of different habitats, with a preference for deciduous
forests and inhabited areas, especially in the period of the
nests.

22. FOOD: They feed on soil insects and their larvae, worms, snails,
snails, kitchen waste, always exploring the ground with their
beak. Even fruits, seeds and berries within their daily diet. They
feed on trees, often chasing insects in rapid flight.
BREEDING: They nest in pairs or colonies. The nest of twigs,
leaves and various plant is placed in the hollow of a tree or a
house or a rock. The couple incubates for 12-13 days to 4-9
eggs (usually 5-7). Then feeds the young for 3 weeks, but also
left the nest, the young follow their parents and demand food.
LONGEVITY : 16-17 years.

23. English name: White Wagtail
Italian name: Ballerina Bianca
Description: The adult male has black and white head. The forehead,
cheeks, ear-coverts and head sides are white. Chin and throat are black,
as the rear crown, the nape and the hind neck.
Habitat: It is resident in the mildest parts of its range, but otherwise
migrates to Africa. They often live near habitation and water. It prefers
bare areas for feeding, where it can see and pursue its prey. In urban
areas it has adapted to foraging on paved areas such as car parks. It
nests in crevices in stone walls and similar natural and man-made
structures.
Food: It feeds on wide range of aquatic and terrestrial invertebrates, small
snails, crustaceans and worms. It also takes household scraps.
It forages by walking on the ground, or jumping into the air to hawk
flying insects, or by wading in shallow water and mud. Depending on the
availability of food may behave both resident and migratory.

24. English name: Black Redstart
Italian name: Codirosso spazzacamino
DESCRIPTION:
The Black Redstart is 13–14.5 cm in length and 12–20 g in
weight. The adult is dark grey to black on the upperparts
and with a black breast; the lower rump and tail are
orange-red, with the two central tail feathers dark red-
brown.
FOOD: The black redstart feeds in the fields and villages. Its
diet consists mainly of invertebrates. During fall and winter
also consumes berries and small fruits. In coastal
areas, where he attended the beaches, it also
feeds on small crustaceans.

25. HABITAT: In spring and summer, the black redstart attends prevalently
mountainous areas. In Italy, touches altitudes up to 2600 meters in the
Alps, but Asian population that inhabits the Himalayan area goes even up
to 5000 meters. In the past, the species have inhabited only
mountainous areas, while now, during the winter season, he prefers to
go down to the plains and in the towns, the environment in which it is
now perfectly adapted, however, preferring the less urbanized as small
towns, suburban centers and industrial areas.
But it is also present in large cities where, in most
cases, settles its nest on the tallest buildings in town
centers.
BEHAVIOUR: The black redstart is much time on the
ground or perched on rocks or buildings. At night it
rests in holes of the rocks or buildings. Although if it is
distrustful of man, it can accept the food that you
offer it.

26. English name: Chaffinch
Italian name: Fringuello
Description: The common chaffinch has large double white bars on its
wings, white edged tail and greenish rump easily.
The male is unmistakable, with his reddish underparts and a blue-grey
head. The female is drabber and greener.
Habitat: This bird is widespread and very familiar throughout Europe.
It uses a range of habitats, but open woodland is favoured, although it is
common in gardens and on farmland. The finch
builds a nest cupped, weaving moss, feathers,
grass, and then covering it with lichens, the bird
places its nest on the forks of branches at medium
heights.
Food: The chaffinch feeds predominantly of seeds
or other foods of plant origin, especially during the
cold season; in reproductive period, instead, a good
percentage of the diet consists of invertebrates.

27. Goose
Mallard
Peacock
Swan

28. English name: Mallard
Italian name: Germano reale
Beak: robust and flat,
yellow with black tip
mm 51-61 in the male,
Head rather dark metallic orange-yellow with
green in males, in females green spot mm 47-56
is light brown and speckled in females.
among young people is a
Tail: mm 80-91 little darker.
grey with white
hemming in the Iris
male presenting as brown
special two helm
stations curled (in
complete wedding Wing: gray brown with
dress). In the purplish blue wing mirror
female is brown. bordered by a black and a
white. In the female and
young of the wing is the
Legs: bright same color as the body.
orange in the
male, the female
yellow grey

29. Habitat
The mallard duck is certainly the most widespread and common duck.
Swamps, even the smallest, coastlines, ponds, quiet banks of
watercourses can accommodate this species, which easily adapts to any
environment.
In Italy it is to be found in every region and in some areas (mainly in the
north) is stable for years and resident throughout the year.
Food
The mallard is omnivorous and very flexible in its foods choice. Its diet
varies greatly depending on the environment in which it resides.
Its easy adaptation allows him to feed in different ways. 90% of the diet
is, however, in plant materials for the remaining 10% of insects, molluscs,
crustaceans, anellidi, amphibians and, although rarely, small fish. In general,
during the spring come in the diet of mallard increasingly higher portions
of insects, thus a source of animal protein for the remainder of the year
where the seeds are prevalent.

30. English name: Mute Swan
Italian name: Cigno Reale
Description: Males are larger (from 140 to 160 cm long) than females
and have a larger knob on their bill. The Mute Swan is one of the
heaviest flying birds. Young birds, called cygnets, are not the bright white
of mature adults, and their bill is dull greyish-black, not orange, for the first
year. The down may range from pure white to grey to buff, with
grey/buff the most common.
Food: The swans are primarily herbivorous birds: they feed mostly on
aquatic plants and wetland ripping from the bottom with its beak. While
most of the water birds dive underwater in search of food, the swan can
safely explore the underlying vegetation up to a meter deep, with its long
neck. Sometimes "graze" on land and along the banks feeding on grasses,
roots and seeds. Though their diet is strictly vegetarian, along with the
herbs they swallow a good number of small aquatic animals associated
with them (crustaceans, insect larvae and snails).

31. Behaviour: Mute Swans are usually strongly territorial with just a
single pair on smaller lakes; they nest on large mounds that they
build with waterside vegetation in shallow water on islands in the
middle or at the very edge of a lake. They are monogamous and
often use the same nest each year, restoring or rebuilding it as
needed. Male and female swans share the care of the nest, and
once the cygnets are fledged it is not uncommon to see a whole
families looking for food.
Although this bird can be tame, especially to those who feed it
daily, it is aggressive in defence of its nest, and its impressive size
make it a formidable adversary.
Habitat: Native to northern and central Eurasia, the Mute Swan
was introduced into North America to grace the ponds of parks
and estates. Escaped individuals have established breeding
populations in several areas, where their aggressive behavior
threatens native waterfowl.

32. English name: Peacock
Italian name: Pavone
Description:
Its feathers are quite mixed, in fact the prevailing colors are
green, blue, white and red. The peacock tail ("train") is not
the tail quill feathers but the highly elongated upper
tail covert feathers. The "eyes" are best seen when the
peacock fans its tail. Their head is characterized by a crown
of pens. Unlike the male, the female lacks
the long tail coverts and its tail is composed
of eighteen feathers. In the young male the
train is well developed after three years. In
addition, females have brown spots on the
back, on the scapulars and coverts.

33. Longevity: A peacock lives from eight to ten years
Food: It feeds especially of fruits, seeds, insects and small
vertebrates.
Behaviour: During the mating season, males tend to show off
its tail vertically to show the females their beauty and virility.
The peacock becomes attached to the place in which the nest
is built so that it never leaves it and tends to protect it violently,
posing a major threat to people who approach it. The female
lays about ten eggs that are incubated for about
twenty-seven days.
Habitat: It lives mostly in India and
Indo-China but has spread all over
the world.

34. English name: Goose
Italian name: Oca domestica
Description: The domestic geese are descendants of the wild
geese: they were kept as poultry for their meat, eggs, and down
feathers since ancient times.
Changes to the plumage are variable; many have been selected to
lose dark brown tones of the wild bird. The result is an animal
marked, or completely covered in white feathers.
the goose has white plumage and orange beak.
They have a long neck and webbed feet orange bench.
Food: the goose is omnivorous, eats seeds and worms that are on
the ground but also fish.
Habitat: The goose lives in damp places and also where there is
the earth and the grass but some can be found in the fields

35. Special thanks to
for allowing us to use their beautiful photos
and other useful information.