The Goldencrest is definitely a different species, which I had the pleasure
of seeing and hearing in Scotland last year. Very similar in appearance,
though. The Wood Pigeon is likewise a different bird. Most of the birds
that are the same are gulls, terns, other seabirds, shorebirds, geese,
swans, and ducks (mostly birds with wide-ranging migration routes). Almost
the only landbirds that we share are those that were deliberately introduced
due to being mentioned in Shakespeare and which we now think of as pests -
e.g., House Sparrow, European Starling, Rock Dove.

They do have a Northern Harrier (which is called something else). I think
there are a few grouse you can see in Scotland that are subspecies of North
American species and also crossbills that are the same (and some that are
different). There are a lot of landbirds that are VERY similar but are
actually different species. When in Europe, I first try to ID the family
that the bird is in, then look up the species, because it's good practice
for bird ID to look at the shape, habitat, and behavior and there are enough
similarities in most birds in Europe that you can do it.

Also there are a few birds that are greatly expanding their range, like
Cattle Egret, that you can find in both places. And of course, the random
strays, like Eurasian Wigeon. There are some New World ducks, such as
Mallards, that are expanding in Europe and which they consider invasives,
and the Ruddy Duck and Mute Swan here, which were originally from Europe.
All of which probably originated from captive birds kept by collectors.

These are just a few details I've picked up over the years - everyone else
please add/correct to round out the picture - Teresa Michelsen

----- Original Message -----
From: Lydia <lgaebe at email.msn.com>
To: Tweeters <tweeters at u.washington.edu>
Sent: Monday, March 27, 2000 5:38 AM
Subject: Irish Birds


> Hi Tweeties,
>
> I receive considerable correspondence from the Republic Of Ireland, and
the
> stamps used by my correspondent are of birds!
>
> Some of these Irish birds look very much like the birds we see here. One
> may very well be our GOLD CROWNED KINGLET going by the name "Goldencrest".
> Is the "Greenland White Fronted Goose" the same as our WHITE FRONTED
GOOSE?
> And the pretty little "Colm Collie" - wood pigeon - is it the same as
ours?
> The illustrations are small, but tantalizing. Only English and Gaelic
names
> are used on the stamps.
>
> How many species are common on both Europe and North America?
>
> Lydia Gaebe In Kent, WA USA
> lgaebe at msn.com
> Until I get a new website up, be sure to visit my artist friend's site:
> http://joy.songbird.com/zisa/
>
>
>
>
>