Thread: Some Irish names for birds....

The Irish for the Goldfinch, one of Ireland's most colourful birds, is 'Lasair Choille' which roughly translates as 'bright flame of the forest'

Photo: Sue Cro (CC BY-NC 2.0)

The Irish name for the Greenfinch is 'Glasán Darach', or in English 'little green one of the oak tree'.

Photo: Steve Herring (CC BY-ND 2.0)

The Old Irish name for the Wren is 'Drùi donn' or 'the brown druid' and it has been suggested that the bird was associated with divination http://dil.ie/search?q=Drui&search_in=headword

Photo: Ron Knight (CC by 2.0)

The Irish name for the Chaffinch is 'Rí Rua' or the 'Red King'

Photo: quillshadow (CC BY-NC 2.0)

One of the Irish names for the Swift is 'Gabhlàn Gaoith' or 'Forked one of the Wind'.

Photo: Francesco Veronesi (CC BY-SA 2.0)

The Irish name for the Bullfinch is 'Corcrán Coille', or 'Little Scarlet one of the Woods'

Photo: Stan Ashbourne (Public Domain)

The pied wagtail if often seen close to human habitation and this is reflected in some of its Irish names, 'Glasóg na Sraide' or 'Little Grey one of the Streets' and 'Siobháinín an Chairn Aoiligh' or 'Little Siobhán of the Dung Heap'

Photo: Natural England (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

The Irish name for a barn owl is 'Scréachóg Reilige' which roughly translates as the Graveyard Screamer/Screeche.

Photo: dingopup (CC BY-SA 2.0)

The Redwing is a common winter visitor to Ireland and its Irish name, 'Deargán Sneachta', is suitably seasonal. It means 'little red one of the snow'

Photo: Phil McIver (CC BY-NC 2.0)

The heron has numerous names in Irish including 'Máire Fhada' or 'Long Mary' and 'Síle na bportach' or 'Sheila of the Bog'

Photo: JohnBWilson (CC BY-SA 2.0)

In Irish the Meadow Pipit is known as 'Riabhóg Mhóna', or the 'little streaked one of the bog/moor'

Photo: Frans Vandewalle (CC BY-NC 2.0)

Another Irish name for the Meadow Pipit, is 'Banaltra na Cuaiche' or the 'Cuckoo's Nursemaid'. The Meadow Pipit's nest being one of the favourite locations for Cuckoos to lay their eggs

Photo: Kentish Plumber (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

An old Irish name for a wood pigeon is 'Ferán Eidhinn', or 'little man of the ivy' http://dil.ie/search?q=fer%C3%A1n+eidhinn

Photo via https://www.rspb.org.uk/fun-and-learning/for-kids/facts-about-nature/facts-about-habitats/urban-and-suburban/

The Irish name for a Jay is 'Scréachóg Choille' or 'Screecher of the Woods', after its harsh and noisy call

Photo: Richard Towell (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

The Irish name for the Kestrel is 'Pocaire Gaoithe' which roughly translates as 'Wind Frolicker'.

Photo: bramblejungle (CC BY-NC 2.0)