108 Beautiful French Bird Species, From Owls To Ostriches

France is home to 108 unique bird species, each with its own role in the country’s rich ecosystem. From the secretive owls hidden in the forests to the large, flightless ostriches in reserves, these birds show the variety of France’s wildlife habitats. Each species has adapted to its own environmental niche. By learning about these birds, we gain insight into the ecological balance and conservation challenges in these areas. Let’s learn the names of these beautiful French bird species.

Common and Exotic French Birds

Very Common Birds

Very common birds

When you explore the birds of France, you’ll find a mix of common and unique ones. The pigeon is everywhere, easily spotted in city squares and parks. They fit right into city life. Then there’s the owl, known locally as ‘chouette’. Owls are fascinating because they’re active at night and have eerie calls. These birds, along with sparrows (‘moineau’) and chaffinches (‘pinson des arbres’), are key to the country’s natural diversity. They make France a great spot for birdwatching.

French Name English Translation
Merle noir Blackbird
Rouge-gorge Robin
Moineau domestique House Sparrow
Hirondelle Swallow
Pigeon ramier Wood Pigeon
Canard colvert Mallard Duck
Pie bavarde Magpie
Tourterelle turque Eurasian Collared Dove
Corbeau Crow
Grive musicienne Song Thrush
Étourneau sansonnet Starling
Chouette hulotte Tawny Owl
Alouette des champs Skylark
Faucon crécerelle Kestrel
Pic vert Green Woodpecker
Geai des chênes Eurasian Jay
Chardonneret élégant Goldfinch
Fauvette à tête noire Blackcap
Bergeronnette grise Grey Wagtail
Pinson des arbres Chaffinch
Bouvreuil pivoine Bullfinch
Grèbe huppé Great Crested Grebe
Héron cendré Grey Heron
Pouillot véloce Willow Warbler
Mésange charbonnière Great Tit
Mésange bleue Blue Tit
Cygne tuberculé Mute Swan
Héron garde-bœufs Cattle Egret
Huppe fasciée Hoopoe
Aigrette garzette Little Egret
Bécasse des bois Woodcock

Also Read: Months Of The Year In French

Migratory Birds

Migratory birds

Migratory birds like the Arctic Tern, Swallow, and Blackcap are amazing navigators, flying from one end of the world to the other every year. These birds stop in France during their long trips, traveling between Europe and Africa, needing places to rest and eat. France’s wetlands are crucial for their survival and breeding. People in France work hard to protect these areas and the birds’ migration routes. Understanding bird migration shows us the wonders of nature and reminds us why we need to work together to protect our environment.

French Name English Translation
Hirondelle rustique Barn Swallow
Cygne chanteur Whooper Swan
Barge à queue noire Black-tailed Godwit
Cigogne blanche White Stork
Fauvette grisette Whitethroat
Sterne pierregarin Common Tern
Pipit farlouse Meadow Pipit
Tarin des aulnes Siskin
Courlis cendré Eurasian Curlew
Sterne arctique Arctic Tern
Cochevis huppé Crested Lark
Bécasseau variable Dunlin
Pluvier argenté Grey Plover
Grand cormoran Great Cormorant
Milan noir Black Kite
Bondrée apivore Honey Buzzard
Grue cendrée Common Crane
Loriot d’Europe Golden Oriole
Tournepierre à collier Ruddy Turnstone
Pigeon colombin Stock Dove
Bruant des roseaux Reed Bunting
Gobemouche noir Pied Flycatcher
Bouscarle de Cetti Cetti’s Warbler
Hypolaïs polyglotte Melodious Warbler
Fauvette passerinette Subalpine Warbler
Traquet motteux Northern Wheatear
Rousserolle effarvatte Eurasian Reed Warbler
Chevalier aboyeur Greenshank
Échasse blanche Black-winged Stilt
Ganga cata Pin-tailed Sandgrouse
Tarier pâtre European Stonechat

Wild/Exotic Birds

Wildexotic birds

Among the exotic birds, the colorful Bee-eaters stand out. Their bright feathers light up the French countryside in the summer. Then there’s the Golden Orioles, mysterious with their yellow and black feathers, hiding in the treetops. Also, in southern France’s Camargue region, you’ll find the Greater Flamingo. These birds gather in large groups, creating a beautiful scene against the salty waters. Each type of bird makes France a great spot for those who love watching birds and enjoying nature.

French Name English Translation
Flamant rose Greater Flamingo
Ibis sacré Sacred Ibis
Aigle royal Golden Eagle
Spatule blanche Eurasian Spoonbill
Perruche à collier Rose-ringed Parakeet
Avocette élégante Pied Avocet
Circaète Jean-le-Blanc Short-toed Snake Eagle
Faucon pèlerin Peregrine Falcon
Outarde canepetière Little Bustard
Grande aigrette Great Egret
Milan royal Red Kite
Faucon crécerellette Lesser Kestrel
Bihoreau gris Black-crowned Night Heron
Oedicnème criard Stone-curlew
Moineau espagnol Spanish Sparrow
Merle bleu Blue Rock Thrush
Pic épeiche Great Spotted Woodpecker
Tadorne de Belon Common Shelduck
Rollier d’Europe European Roller
Panure à moustaches Bearded Reedling
Traquet deuil Mourning Wheatear
Bécasseau minute Little Stint
Gypaète barbu Bearded Vulture
Aigle de Bonelli Bonelli’s Eagle
Sterne caspienne Caspian Tern
Pic noir Black Woodpecker
Faucon kobez Red-footed Falcon
Butor étoilé Eurasian Bittern
Circaète de Madagascar Madagascar Serpent Eagle
Chouette effraie Barn Owl
Milan des marais Marsh Harrier
Perroquet de mer Puffin

Also Read: Months Of The Year In French

Flightless Birds

Flightless birds

France is home to some fascinating flightless birds, including the ostrich and emu. Though neither species is native to France, they’ve become a common sight in specialized farms and zoos. Originally from Africa, ostriches have adapted well to the French environment. This adaptation offers birdwatchers a unique opportunity to see these giant birds up close. Similarly, emus, native to Australia, thrive in French captivity. These birds aren’t just interesting to look at; they also play a significant role in local conservation efforts.

French Name English Translation
Manchot empereur Emperor Penguin
Manchot royal King Penguin
Manchot papou Gentoo Penguin
Manchot Adélie Adélie Penguin
Casoar à casque Southern Cassowary
Autruche d’Afrique Common Ostrich
Kiwi austral Southern Brown Kiwi
Émeu d’Australie Emu
Manchot de Magellan Magellanic Penguin
Manchot de Humboldt Humboldt Penguin
Manchot de Snares Snares Penguin
Manchot antipode Fiordland Penguin
Manchot à jugulaire Chinstrap Penguin
Manchot sauteur Rockhopper Penguin
Manchot à œil jaune Yellow-eyed Penguin
Manchot pygmée Little Penguin
Manchot à nageoires blanches White-flippered Penguin
Casoar unicorne Dwarf Cassowary
Manchot royal de Macquarie Royal Penguin
Manchot pygmée de Nouvelle-Zélande New Zealand Little Penguin
Manchot à dos blanc White-backed Penguin
Manchot de Galápagos Galápagos Penguin
Manchot des îles Malouines Falkland Islands Penguin
Manchot de l’Antarctique Antarctic Penguin
Manchot aux yeux bleus Blue-eyed Penguin
Manchot à pieds noirs Black-footed Penguin
Manchot de l’Île de la Déception Deception Island Penguin
Manchot de l’Île Bouvet Bouvet Island Penguin
Manchot à front d’or Gold-fronted Penguin
Manchot d’Amsterdam Amsterdam Penguin
Manchot à plumes courtes Short-feathered Penguin
Manchot de Gough Gough Island Penguin

Conclusion

In short, France is home to a rich variety of birds, with 108 different species recorded. This includes everything from mysterious owls to the unusual, flightless ostriches. This variety shows just how rich France’s natural environment is. We must keep up our conservation efforts. Why? Because they help keep these habitats vibrant and alive, ensuring that future generations will have the chance to see and learn from these amazing birds just like we do. Keep visiting the Translation Blog to learn more in French.

About the author
Ines YAICI
Ines Yaïci, born and raised in France, brings her native fluency in French to the Translation Blog as a part-time content writer. With a master's degree from the prestigious University of Paris I: Panthéon-Sorbonne, Ines combines her academic expertise with a keen interest in the stock markets. Her diverse background and passion for languages make her contributions to the blog both insightful and engaging.

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