List of birds of Corsica
This list of birds of Corsica includes the 323 bird species that have been recorded on the island. Of these 102 breed regularly.
Corsica is a French island in the Mediterranean Sea located west of the Italian Peninsula, southeast of the French mainland, and north of the Italian island of Sardinia. Mountains make up two-thirds of the island, forming a single chain. The island has an area of 8,722 km2 (3,368 sq mi) and measures 183 km (114 mi) in length (north to south) and 83 km (52 mi) east to west.
The status of each species is based on the annotated list by Jean-Claude Thibault and Gilles Bonaccorsi published in 1999. There are 69 species in the "accidental visitor" category for those species that have been recorded on less than ten occasions.
Divers are a group of aquatic birds found in many parts of North America (where they are known as loons) and Northern Europe. They are the size of a large duck or small goose, which they somewhat resemble in shape when swimming, but to which they are completely unrelated. In particular, divers' legs are set very far back which assists swimming underwater but makes walking on land extremely difficult. There are five species worldwide of which two species have been recorded in Corsica.
Grebes are small to medium-large freshwater diving birds. They have lobed toes and are excellent swimmers and divers. However, they have their feet placed far back on the body, making them quite ungainly on land. There are 23 species worldwide of which five have been recorded in Corsica.
The procellariids are the main group of medium-sized "true petrels", characterised by united nostrils with medium septum and a long outer functional primary. There are two species that have been recorded in Corsica.
The family Hydrobatidae is the storm-petrels, small pelagic petrels with a fluttering flight which often follow ships. There are 16 species worldwide; of which one has been recorded in Corsica.
The sulids comprise the gannets and boobies. Both groups are medium to large coastal seabirds that plunge-dive for fish. There are ten species worldwide only one of which is seen off the coast of Corsica.
Phalacrocoracidae is a family of medium-to-large fish-eating seabirds that includes cormorants and shags. Plumage colouration varies, with the majority having mainly dark plumage. There are 41 species worldwide: two species have been recorded in Corsica.
The Pelecanidae are a family of large water birds. They have a long beak and a large throat pouch used for catching prey. There are eight species worldwide of which one has been recorded in Corsica.
The family Ardeidae contains bitterns, herons and egrets. Herons and egrets are medium to large wading birds with long necks and legs. Bitterns tend to be shorter necked and more wary. Members of Ardeidae fly with their necks retracted, unlike other long-necked birds such as storks, ibises and spoonbills. There are 72 species worldwide, of which 9 species have been recorded in Corsica.
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