Do you know the names of these 10 common birds in Irish?

Jot down your answers and then check them by watching the video above.

1. Robin

2. Blackbird

3. Wren

4. Magpie

5. Swallow

6. Crow

7. Seagull

8. Goldfinch

9. Thrush

10. Starling

Read on for more information about each of these birds.

Is fearr éan sa lámh ná péire ar an gcraobh.

A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.

1. Robin | Spideog

If a spideog enters your home it is believed to bring good luck and protection, so keep an eye out for the spideog!

And of course, seeing a spideog at your window is considered a sign that a loved one is watching over you.

2. Blackbird | Lon Dubh

The lon dubh in Irish is specifically the male blackbird; whereas the Irish word for the plainer brown female is céirseach.

3. Wren | Dreoilín

Despite it's tiny size the dreoilín is known as Rí na nÉan / the Kind of the Birds in Irish folklore. Here's why:

According to the old Irish story, all the birds gathered and decided that whoever could fly the highest would be crowned king. The mighty iolar / eagle soared higher and higher, leaving all the other birds behind. But just as the eagle began to tire, a tiny dreoilín, who had secretly hidden in the eagle’s feathers, emerged and flew a few inches higher, and was thus crowned Rí na nÉan!

It's not always might that wins!

4. Magpie | Snag Breac

Ná déan dearmad...

seeing  a solo snag breac / a lone magpie is a sign of mí-ádh / bad luck. If you come across one remember to salute it to ward off the bad luck!

5. Swallow | Fáinleog

Pádraic Pearse's well-known short story Eoghainín na nÉan tells the story of a very ill child, Eoghainín, who is confined to bed throughout the winter months. As he lies in bed he dreams of the return of the birds, which have all migrated over the winter. It's the fáinleog that he most dreams of, however, and their return in the spring brings him hope. This is a beautiful short story, but be prepared for a sad ending.

6. Crow | Préachán

The préachán is a clever and watchful bird, often seen by the roadside, eyeing everything with sharp eyes. In Irish folklore, it's sometimes seen as a comhartha / sign, a symbol of mystery or even forewarning, especially when flying alone across a grey sky.

7. Seagull | Faoileán

There is no shortage of faoileáin / seagulls along Irish shorelines! You will hear faoileán pronounced in different ways, depending on the dialect. In parts of Connemara (a subdialect of Connacht Irish) it is pronounced more like 'f-eye-lawn'. Maybe because it's eyeing up that ceapaire / sandwich in your hand ;-)

8. Goldfinch | Lasair Choille

The name lasair choille is very evocative and brings the beautiful goldfinch to mind right away! The word 'lasair' literally means 'blaze' or 'flash' so the goldfinch in Irish is literally a 'forest flash!'.

9. Thrush | Smólach

The smólach is a familiar bird in Irish gardens, its ceol / music filling the air during the early mornings of spring. In Irish folklore, its sweet, melodious call is often associated with the arrival of na féileacáin / butterflies, symbolizing hope and the return of life after the cold months.

10. Starling | Druid

The druid is a very sociable bird, and fly in synchrony in large groups, known as murmurations before roosting for the night. Starlings were once thought to possess a mystical wisdom and a sudden movement or gathering of druideanna / starlings might have been seen as a change in weather or a message from nature, especially in a culture where birds were closely watched for meaning.

While we're talking about birds...

Here's another bird-related post you might like:

Ní féidir leis an ngobadán an dá thrá a fhreastal

 This seanfhocal mentions the gobadán / sandpiper.

How to learn Irish

Learning the Irish words for things you are interested in is a great way to build up your vocabulary and start to learn how to pronounce the different sounds of Irish. If you want to learn Irish in a systematic way, however, it's best to start with a strong foundation. The All About Irish Beginner Irish course is the best place to start in order to build a solid foundation for all future learning. All About Irish also offers courses for upper beginner and intermediate level learners, and preparatory courses for the Teastas Eorpach sa Ghaeilge (TEG) exams at A2 and B1 level. Read more about all of the courses on offer here.