Most Common Birds in Italy

Five widespread Italian birds:

1. House Sparrow (Passer domesticus) – ubiquitous in towns and country; brown-gray with black bib.
2. Common Blackbird (Turdus merula) – parks, gardens, woods; male all-black with yellow bill; melodious dawn song.
3. European Greenfinch (Chloris chloris) – green-yellow with yellow rump; cheerful twittering; loves sunflower seeds.
4. European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris) – iridescent black; huge noisy flocks; mimics other birds.
5. Great Tit (Parus major) – black head, white cheeks, yellow belly; acrobatic feeder; fond of peanuts.

Italy's varied habitats support many more species for birdwatchers.