The swallow (also known as barn swallow), or scientific name Hirundo rustica in Latin, is one of the 20 most common garden birds found in Europe. They are migratory birds that inhabit rural areas as well as urban ones. They can be found living in abandoned and open-fronted buildings, on fences, under bridges, and on …
The jay (scientific name Garrulus glandarius) is the most colourful member of the Corvidae family, which has been around for 10 million years and includes more than 120 endemic species. Unlike others in the crow family that have black plumage (like crows and jackdaws), jays have a very small amount of black feathers. Jays are also …
The elephant hawk moth (Deilephila elpenor) is a species in the family Sphingidae. Although it gets its common name from its size (and because the caterpillar looks like an elephant’s trunk), this moth is not the largest in terms of wingspan. A lepidopteran that is often called a sphinx moth due to its very unique …
The cinnabar moth (scientific name Tyria jacobaeae) is a moth in the family Eribidae and the genus Tyria. The moth is named for the red mineral cinnabar, whose pigment it bears on its wings that is similar to the ore of the metal Mercury. This pigment gives its name to this species of moth – …
The crane fly (tipula paludosa) is a large insect belonging to the Tipulidae family (which contains many families of parasitic insects) and order Diptera. They go by many different names, such as the shovel fly, mosquito hawks, and more commonly in the UK daddy longlegs. These flies are generally harmless to humans, although they can …
The jackdaw (scientific name Corvus monedula) is a passerine bird in the crow family, native to Europe, Asia, Australasia and the Middle East. It is known by many different names, such as the western jackdaw, the Eurasian jackdaw or the European jackdaw. It is possibly the most abundant species of crow in Europe, with an …
Hailing from Argentina and Bolivia, the peacock butterfly (inachis io) is an iridescent jewel of nature. It is the only member of the genus known as Marpesia in the family Nymphalidae, and it’s easy to see why when you take a closer look. Often mistaken for a moth, the peacock butterfly has an opalescent green-blue colour …
A dunnock (scientific name prunella modularis) is a Eurasian songbird in the family Mimidae. It is also known as the hedge sparrow or hedge warbler, and is often mistaken for the female house sparrow. The word dunnock comes from the medieval Dutch term for this bird, “dunnik”. Dunnock is also a surname, particularly associated with …
The chaffinch (scientific name fringilla coelebs) is a wild bird species that is a member of the Fringillidae family, which also includes the common sparrow, crossbill, and common linnet. The chaffinch can be found in large flocks all around northern Europe and Asia, and Northern Africa. You may often hear chaffinches singing, as it’s the …
The polecat (scientific name Mustela putorius) is a medium-sized carnivorous member of the mammal society and mustelid family. It was proposed as the ancestor of both domestic cats and ferret, but later studies cast doubt on this hypothesis. The polecat has been called by many names over the years by various cultures, including the ‘stinker’ …
