A large number of different bird species live in Germany, including numerous birds with red beaks. In this article, we present 10 birds with a red beak that you can also meet in this country.

In a nutshell

  • many birds with red beaks also have red legs
  • the characteristic occurs very frequently in ducks, rails and snipes
  • The birds can be assigned based on the red color
  • some can dive very well

Types from A - E

Oystercatcher (Haematopus ostralegus)

  • Synonyms: Hallig stork, Strandskade
  • Family: Haematopodidae
  • Distribution: Wadden Sea and coastal inland of the North Sea
  • Body length: around 40 to 50 cm
  • almost as big as a crow
  • Plumage: white
  • Beak is flattened and red
  • Special features: red eyes, legs and feet
  • Diet: Mussels, crabs, worms, insects and molluscs

Notice: The oystercatcher retreats to warm Africa in winter.

Shelduck (Tadorna tadorna)

  • Synonym: shelduck
  • Family: Anatidae (Anatidae)
  • Distribution: Asia and Europe (North Sea islands and western Baltic Sea)
  • Body length: 58 to 67 cm
  • Females are about 1/3 smaller than males
  • looks like a cross between a goose and a duck
  • Long legs and posture of a goose and plumage coloration of a duck

Dusky Sandpiper (Tringa erythropus)

  • Synonym: dark sandpiper
  • Family: Snipebirds (Scolopacidae)
  • encountered as a migrant in Germany
  • in the North Sea in the Wadden Sea and in shallow inland waters
  • Distinctive features: dark red legs and downward-curved beak
  • The beak is only red on the underside
  • Diet: small fish, insects, worms and crustaceans

Types of G - Q

Goose Warbler (Mergus merganser)

  • Family: Anatidae (Anatidae)
  • Distribution: northern Eurasia and North America
  • Body length: 58 to 68 cm
  • is significantly larger than a mallard
  • Nutrition: mainly from fish about 300 grams daily
  • can easily dive 10 meters deep

Ring-necked Parakeet (Psittacula krameri)

  • Synonym: Lesser Alexander's Parakeet
  • Family: True parrots (Psittacidae)
  • Distribution: worldwide, in Africa as well as in Asia, Europe and North America
  • most widespread parrot species
  • used to be kept in zoos and cages
  • has been living outdoors in Germany since around 1967
  • prefers to build nests in trees and house facades
  • Diet: berries, fruit and flowers
  • Special features: bright green plumage and dark red to coral red beak

Notice: The Great Alexander Parakeet is a cross between the Ring-necked Parakeet and the Alexander Parakeet.
However, this bird with a red beak is very rare.

Black-headed gull (Chroicocephalus ridibundus)

  • Family: gull relatives (Laridae)
  • probably the most common breeding bird in the Wadden Sea
  • Plumage: light gray to white
  • Distinctive features: Beak and legs are colored red
  • Diet: Earthworms, crustaceans, insects, small fish and plant seeds
  • also eats small vertebrates - both alive and as carrion

Puffin (Fratercula arctica)

  • Synonym: puffin, puffin
  • Family: Auks (Alcidae)
  • Special features: triangular beak with red markings
  • there are small barbs in the beak
  • the puffin stores excess food on the barbs
  • Diet: Fish, about 100 grams per day

Notice: The puffin is a good flyer and an even better diver! The bird manages its spectacular diving maneuvers to a depth of 70 meters.

Types of R - Z

Redshank (Tringa totanus)

  • Family: Snipebirds (Scolopacidae)
  • Distribution: Mediterranean to boreal zone
  • Habitat: Coasts, shallow waters (bogs, ponds and wet meadows)
  • about 30 cm tall and weighs 170 grams
  • medium-length beak is colored orange-red at the base and black at the tip
  • Diet: Insects, worms, snails, crustaceans and small molluscs

Notice: The redshank can live up to 17 years.

Moorhen (Gallinula chloropus)

  • Synonym: Moorhen
  • Family: Rails (Rallidae)
  • Distribution: both temperate and subtropical and tropical climate zones
  • little demanding in terms of habitat and very adaptable
  • Height: about 33 cm
  • Upper body colored olive brown
  • Neck and underside of body colored a dark grey-black
  • Distinctive features: beak and eyes are colored red

Notice: In Germany, the stock has unfortunately declined considerably, which is why the moorhen is now listed on the Red List of Endangered Species.

Water rail (Rallus aquaticus)

  • Scientific species name:
  • Family: Rails (Rallidae)
  • Distribution: all of Europe (except northern Scandinavia)
  • preferably very humid areas with a lot of reeds
  • e.g.: river meadows and swamp areas
  • grows to about 25 to 30 cm tall and weighs 100 to 190 grams
  • Special features: red beak and reddish eyes
  • Face, abdomen and chest light blue plumage
  • Diet: Fish, crustaceans and molluscs, insects and larvae

Notice: The water rail is considered a loner and is one of the endangered bird species.

frequently asked Questions

Why are some bird species endangered?

The endangerment of many bird species can be traced back to various factors: On the one hand, their habitat is becoming increasingly restricted and, on the other hand, enclosures and nesting boxes are very often destroyed. Some birds are also often shot, such as the goosander.

How do birds catch fish?

Some birds are not only very good fliers, but also exceptionally good swimmers and divers. This makes it possible for them to take in their food with a search, shaking or diving flight.

What is the Red List of Threatened Species?

These are lists published around the world listing the animals that are threatened with extinction. The first Red List in Germany was published in 1971 by the International Council for the Protection of Birds.

Category:

Animals in the garden