List of birds of the Isle of Man
As of 2021, some 350 species of bird have been recorded in the wild on the Isle of Man, a self-governing island in the Irish Sea between Great Britain and Ireland.
Over 100 species breed there, including significant populations of red-billed chough, peregrine falcon and hen harrier.
[1] A variety of seabirds breed on the coastal cliffs such as Atlantic puffin, black guillemot, black-legged kittiwake, European shag and northern fulmar.
There is little native woodland on the island and several species found in Great Britain, such as tawny owl, European green woodpecker and Eurasian jay, do not breed on the isle of Man.
Many birds visit the island during the winter and migration seasons including waders such as purple sandpiper, ruddy turnstone, and European golden plover.
[4] Species marked as A are those for which the Manx Ornithological Society (MOS) requires a written description in order to accept a record.
[5] Failed introductions such as black grouse or escapee species which were briefly established in the wild such as red-winged laughingthrush are not included on the list.
These birds are adapted to an aquatic existence with webbed feet, flattened bills, and feathers that are excellent at shedding water due to an oily coating Order: Galliformes Family: Phasianidae These are terrestrial species of gamebirds, feeding and nesting on the ground.
Order: Pterocliformes Family: Pteroclidae Sandgrouse have small, pigeon like heads and necks, but sturdy compact bodies.
Order: Charadriiformes Family: Haematopodidae The oystercatchers are large and noisy plover-like birds, with strong bills used for smashing or prising open molluscs.
They are small to medium-sized birds with compact bodies, short, thick necks and long, usually pointed, wings.
Variation in length of legs and bills enables multiple species to feed in the same habitat, particularly on the coast, without direct competition for food.
Terns are a group of generally medium to large seabirds typically with grey or white plumage, often with black markings on the head.
Order: Procellariiformes Family: Procellaridae The procellariids are the main group of medium-sized "true petrels", characterised by united nostrils with medium septum and a long outer functional primary.
Order: Ciconiiformes Family: Ciconiidae Storks are large, long-legged, long-necked, wading birds with long, stout bills.
Members of Ardeidae fly with their necks retracted, unlike other long-necked birds such as storks, ibises and spoonbills.
Order: Strigiformes Family: Strigidae The typical owls are small to large solitary nocturnal birds of prey.
Order: Bucerotiformes Family: Upupidae Hoopoes have black, white and orangey-pink colouring with a large erectile crest on their head.
Order: Coraciiformes Family: Coraciidae Rollers resemble crows in size and build, but are more closely related to the kingfishers and bee-eaters.
Order: Coraciiformes Family: Alcedinidae Kingfishers are medium-sized birds with large heads, long, pointed bills, short legs and stubby tails.
Order: Piciformes Family: Picidae Woodpeckers are small to medium-sized birds with chisel-like beaks, short legs, stiff tails and long tongues used for capturing insects.
Old World parrots are found from Africa east across south and southeast Asia and Oceania to Australia and New Zealand.
Order: Passeriformes Family: Bombycillidae The waxwings are a group of birds with soft silky plumage and unique red tips to some of the wing feathers.
Order: Passeriformes Family: Alaudidae Larks are small terrestrial birds with often extravagant songs and display flights.
Order: Passeriformes Family: Aegithalidae Long-tailed tits are a group of small passerine birds with medium to long tails.
They mainly occur as breeding species, as the common name implies, in Europe, Asia and, to a lesser extent, Africa.
Order: Passeriformes Family: Sturnidae Starlings are small to medium-sized Old World passerine birds with strong feet.
Order: Passeriformes Family: Turdidae The thrushes are a group of passerine birds that occur mainly in the Old World.
Order: Passeriformes Family: Cinclidae Dippers are a group of perching birds whose habitat includes aquatic environments in the Americas, Europe and Asia.
Order: Passeriformes Family: Parulidae The wood-warblers are a group of small often colorful passerine birds restricted to the New World.
