This article is a quick introduction to the different species of birds found in Finland. From Tengmalm’s owl to Whooper swans, you’ll learn about what you can see in these northern reaches.
Read on to discover some of the other species that inhabit Finland’s forests. If you’re looking for a birding adventure, this is the place to go. It’s guaranteed to provide you with some amazing views.
The Tengmalm’s owl is a small, dark owl similar to the Fieldfare. The owl is brown in color with large flat heads and white-edged black face masks. Its bright yellow eyes are visible through black raised eyebrows.
Its dark brown back and underparts contrast with its yellow beak and black claws. Despite its small size, the Tengmalm’s is a strikingly attractive bird.
Recent population trends indicate that the Tengmalm’s owl population has declined over the last decade. The decline was greater among females than in males, and it may have had an effect on the breeding success of this species.
In fact, the body condition of parent owls is a critical factor in reproductive success. However, these declines are not accompanied by an obvious decrease in the number of fledglings per breeding attempt.
The male Tengmalm’s owl begins singing during the coldest part of winter and gradually increases his efforts until early spring. It may take weeks before he detects the presence of a female.
When the female comes into view, the male will first begin to call an aggressive tsyuck. The tsyuck has several variants. When the female arrives, the male immediately changes tactics. He begins a call that is quieter than his territorial tsyuck but is more rough and strident.
The Kingfisher of Finland is a rare bird that is found mainly in the southern parts of the country. It is more common in Central Europe, Asia and Africa.
It breeds along river banks and builds nests on ridges. As the river freezes over, the Kingfisher starts its migration south. It cannot survive the cold winters in its native Finland, so it migrates to the warmer climes of Central and Western Europe.
The breeding population of Kingfishers in Europe is estimated to be around 100,000 birds. These birds are easily recognizable by their bright, multicoloured plumage, incredibly large head and huge dagger-like beak.
Their plumage is highly variable and reflects light, with yellowish white markings on the throat and lower mandible. Its beak often has a red colouration, which makes it stand out among the other birds in the area.
Hoopoes
The striking black and white hoopoe is a medium-sized bird with a crest like fan that is erect and a long, slightly decurved bill. The hoopoe has a wing span of between 44 and 48 cm and a long, erect, closed crest.
The black and white plumage of the hoopoe is a distinctive characteristic, and the wings are black with a distinctive decurved bill. This bird has a short, square-ended tail. It is often called a “flying butterfly” because of its wing-like appearance, and its wingspan is larger than any other bird in the world.
Hoopoes are migratory throughout their range, and most species migrate to Africa and southern Asia after breeding. The Siberian population winters in southern Asia.
Local populations in southern Asia and Africa are both migratory or nomadic, depending on the region. The hoopoe’s diet consists of insects, grasshoppers, beetles, frogs, and larvae.
The hoopoe belongs to the family Upupidae. They are not gregarious, feeding alone or in pairs. They are diurnal and roost in trees. Their diet consists of animal food, berries, leaves, and insects such as locusts and grasshoppers. However, they have a restricted power of flight, so they are not very common in the country.
The whooper swan is the national bird of Finland. This large swan is closely related to the North American Trumpeter Swan.
This species has a male called the cob and a female called the pen. Its chicks are called cygnets. Whooper swans nest in northern parts of Eurasian continent and migrate south in winter. They breed in Iceland, northern Europe, and coastal China.
Populations of Whooper swans in Finland have increased slowly over time due to bans on hunting and egg collection. While there is no single cause for their decline, there are several factors that may be affecting their populations.
In some areas, they are being decimated due to development, such as dam construction or agricultural expansion programs. In addition, illegal hunting continues to occur in some areas. Collisions with power lines are the leading cause of death for Whooper swans in northwest Europe.
The Whooper swan is one of the largest species of swans. Adults have a white plumage with a black and yellow patch at the base of their bill. It has a long, straight neck and a short tail.
It winters in the Netherlands, Germany, England, and central Europe, and is the national bird of Finland. A good time to spot a Whooper swan is when it is nesting.
Woodpeckers
Finland has seven species of Woodpeckers, all of which specialize in finding food under tree bark. This is because they rely heavily on rotting wood for distribution.
They can be found in forests and wooded areas throughout the country. The smallest species, the white-backed woodpecker, is endemic to two areas in Finland. Both areas are managed under a project funded by the EU and the Natura 2000 network.
Kuusamo, Finland is home to some of the most beautiful and unique birds in Europe. Its dense boreal forests are home to rare species of woodpeckers and other birds.
Highlights of this area include the colossal capercaillie, Ortolan Bunting, and Temminck’s Stint. Other standouts include the Wood Sandpiper and Eurasian Three-toed Woodpecker.
The red-headed woodpecker is a common sight in Finnish forests. They nest in trees of all types and feed on seeds from cones. They also eat other birds’ eggs.
During the winter, they visit bird tables and maintain their high-pitched begging calls throughout the winter. They are often found on feeders in bird houses. These birds are a wonderful addition to any garden or birding trip!
Ospreys
Ospreys are medium-sized raptors that migrate to saharan regions. They have long, protruding feathers that resemble four fingers.
Their diet includes a variety of fish, including abramis and Rutilus. This research aims to understand the factors that influence ospreys’ migration patterns, and to measure their fishing ranges. However, this research has several limitations.
One of the major challenges the ospreys face is the lack of nesting sites, especially in old forests. Modern forestry is destroying the last old forests, and ospreys are increasingly facing a shortage of nesting sites.
WWF is working to preserve and improve old forests, as well as protect biodiversity in productive wooded areas. The organization’s Wildlive camera at Lake Saimaa in southeastern Finland helps document the life of these birds and their young.
Ospreys of Finland have been tracked since 2001. A Portuguese project aimed to restore the extinct Osprey population requested Osprey fledglings from Finland, and the Osprey Foundation sought to track them.
Vattenfall Oy, a Finnish energy company, backed the project by funding the acquisition of ten satellite transmitters. The project has resulted in the development of a new way to study the migration patterns of Finnish ospreys.
The loons of Finland are a fascinating species. Their breeding habitat is in lakes surrounded by forests. In the summer they have black heads and pointed black bills.
They have black and white barred necks and backs, as well as a gray body. They are 28 to 32 inches long and weigh between nine and twelve pounds. In winter, they migrate to coastal ocean waters. You can observe them in the wild in Nuuksio National Park, near Helsinki.
The loons are aquatic birds with long wings. They are similar in appearance to ducks and small geese, but their legs are positioned so far back that they cannot walk on land.
They have several genetic differences from their close relatives, the southern storm-petrels. Their long, thin wings, united nostrils, and medium septum distinguish them from other true petrels. In addition, they have long, trailing legs that prevent them from landing on land.
Common loons form pairs and maintain territories throughout their lives. They perform mutual bill-dipping and diving and breed in May and June.
Nesting begins with the male choosing a suitable location for the nest and constructing it. The nest itself is a mound on the lake and is a minimum of 56 centimeters in diameter. Both parents are responsible for raising the young. Loons can live for twenty to thirty years and are capable of breeding.
John is passionate about discovering the beautiful birds of the globe. He is researching & sharing the best birds of all countries that he can find to share his passion & hobby with the world.
