Mark Carmody

4 days ago | irishexaminer.com | Jim Wilson |Mark Carmody

Kingfishers are around 16-18cm long with a wingspan of 24-26cm. They are a common breeding species found here all year round in wetland areas. A kingfisher is smaller than a starling and both sexes look similar. They have a metallic-looking pale blue back and an orange breast and belly with a white neck patch. Kingfishers have short, rounded sky-blue wings with white spots on the inner half. And they have a dagger-shaped beak and very short pink-red legs.

3 weeks ago | irishexaminer.com | Jim Wilson |Mark Carmody

Swifts are around 16-17cm long with a wingspan of 42-48cm They are a common breeding species typically seen here in spring, summer and autumn in farmland and urban and suburban areas. A swift is smaller/slimmer than a starling. Both sexes look similar with a tiny, dark beak; short,and dark legs. They are rarely seen on ground — and occasionally cling to walls. Swifts nest inside cavities, usually under eaves of buildings.

1 month ago | irishexaminer.com | Jim Wilson |Mark Carmody

Magpies are around 42-50cm in length with a wingspan of 56cm. They are a common breeding species found here all year around on farmland, in gardens and in urban and suburban areas. They are around the size of a rook and both sexes appear similar with black legs and beak. Adult magpies have glossy black-and-white bodies and wings with a long wedge-shaped tail. They have a blue-green sheen on their back and tail feathers. They will walk or hop along the ground, sometimes with their tail raised.

1 month ago | irishexaminer.com | Jim Wilson |Mark Carmody

Oystercatchers are around 40-50cm long with a wingspan of 80-86cm. They are found on estuaries, coasts and farmland here all year around and are a common breeding species. Oystercatchers are a bit bigger than a rook and both sexes look similar. Adult oystercatchers are black and white with a long, straight orange-red beak and fairly long pink legs. Their non breeding plumage features a white half colar.