Birds of the Carpathians

Birds of the Carpathians — capercaillie, golden eagle, Ural owl, eagle owl, dipper, nutcracker, wallcreeper: where they live and when to see them.

Red Data Book of UkraineIn season nowGolden eagleAquila chrysaetosThe largest eagle of the Carpathians. In the Ukrainian Carpathians, only 10–15 pairs nest — a vulnerable species in the Red Book of Ukraine.

Red Data Book of UkraineWestern capercaillieTetrao urogallusThe largest forest bird of the Carpathians, whose spring display is one of the wonders of the mountain forest. A disappearing species listed in the Red Book of Ukraine.

In season nowBlack woodpeckerDryocopus martiusThe largest woodpecker in Europe, black with a red cap. Its large cavities are later inhabited by owls, pigeons, and bats.

In season nowSpotted nutcrackerNucifraga caryocatactesA brown bird with white spots of the spruce forests that hides thousands of nuts and seeds of the cedar pine — and thus plants the forest.

Red Data Book of UkraineBlack storkCiconia nigraA secretive forest relative of the white stork, feeding in the mountain streams of the Carpathians. A rare species in the Red Book of Ukraine.

In season nowEurasian jayGarrulus glandariusA colorful forest bird with a blue 'mirror' on its wing. Its creaky call is the first to warn the forest about a human.

In season nowEurasian bullfinchPyrrhula pyrrhulaA sturdy bird with a red breast and a black cap. It nests in the Carpathian forests and decorates gardens in winter.

Red Data Book of UkraineBlack grouseLyrurus tetrixA black bird with a lyre-shaped tail that displays at dawn. It has survived only in some areas of the Ukrainian Carpathians.

In season nowWhite-throated dipperCinclus cinclusA bird of mountain streams with a white 'bib' that dives and runs along the bottom against the current. It can be seen all year round.

Red Data Book of UkraineEurasian eagle-owlBubo buboThe largest owl in Europe with orange eyes and feathered 'ears'. A rare species in the Red Data Book of Ukraine.

Red Data Book of UkraineIn season nowUral owlStrix uralensisA large gray owl with a round head and long tail, the Ural owl is a resident of the old beech forests of the Carpathians.

In season nowWallcreeperTichodroma murariaA gray wallcreeper with bright red wings, like a butterfly on a rock. In the Ukrainian Carpathians, it is a great rarity.

Red Data Book of UkraineLesser spotted eagleClanga pomarinaA small eagle of the Carpathian foothills that hunts in meadows and pastures, migrating to Africa for the winter. A rare species in the Red Data Book.

Common ravenCorvus coraxThe largest passerine bird, whose deep 'caw-caw' echoes over the polonynas and peaks of the Carpathians.

European robinErithacus rubeculaA small bird with an orange breast that sings at dusk. It nests on the ground in forests and shrubs.

Black redstartPhoenicurus ochrurosA dark bird with a reddish tail that lives near cliffs and buildings. It nests in both Carpathian villages and on rocky slopes.

Eurasian chaffinchFringilla coelebsThe loudest singer of the spring forest: a ringing trill with a 'stroke' at the end. A very numerous bird of forests and gardens.

Common blackbirdTurdus merulaA black bird with a yellow beak and a flute-like song. One of the most common thrushes in Ukraine — from villages in the valleys to mountain forests.

Common buzzardButeo buteoThe most numerous bird of prey in Ukraine. It circles over the polonynas and meadows with a mournful 'ki-ya' and hunts for voles.

In season nowGreat spotted woodpeckerDendrocopos majorA black-and-white woodpecker with a red undertail. In spring, its drumming is the loudest sound in the forest.

In season nowEurasian nuthatchSitta europaeaThe only bird in our forests that descends the trunk headfirst. It whistles loudly in old forests and muds the entrance to its hole.

Coal titPeriparus aterThe smallest tit of our forests: a black cap with a white spot on the nape. A resident of spruce and fir forests.

Red Data Book of UkraineHazel grouseTetrastes bonasiaThe smallest forest grouse in the Carpathians: quiet, mottled, reveals itself with a thin whistle. A vulnerable species in the Red Book of Ukraine.

Red crossbillLoxia curvirostraA bird with a crossed bill that extracts seeds from cones. A resident of spruce forests, capable of nesting even in winter.

Grey wagtailMotacilla cinereaThe grey-yellow wagtail with the longest tail, running over the stones of mountain streams and constantly swaying it.

Ring ouzelTurdus torquatusA black thrush with a white 'crescent' on its chest. In Ukraine, it nests only in the Carpathians — in the upper forests and krivolissia.

Water pipitAnthus spinolettaA modest bird of the alpine meadows and polonynas that sings during its display flight. In Ukraine, it nests only in the Carpathians.

Red Data Book of UkraineAlpine accentorPrunella collarisA bird of the highest peaks of the Carpathians, living among rocks and scree at an altitude of 1,600–2,060 m. A vulnerable species in the Red Book of Ukraine.