Omnibus - Birds' names in Irish

FEW THINGS reflect the beauty of the Irish language better than our native names for birds. We may no longer have the Bittern or Bonnán Buí and, sadly, many more birds such as the Corncrake or Traonach as it is known in Irish and the Cuckoo (Cuach) are declining to dangerously low numbers, but others are plentiful or can be seen occasionally at least. Colour, size, its songs, places of habitation, mythology, superstition and physical features are only some of the factors that were used in the naming of birds and indeed other creatures long ago. So far, happily, the names are remaining intact but for how much longer before some bureaucrat starts interfering with these lovely titles as they have done with the names of many of our towns. Some good examples of those names include the Rí Rua for instance, which sounds like red king which aptly describes the noble Chaffinch with the impressive reddish pink chest of the male, and what could be more appropriate for the Sedge Warbler than Ceolaire Cíbe to reflect the musical talents of this fine little singer who comes here every Spring from Africa and heads for the nearest reed bed. The Irish translation for the Chiffchaff is the almost amusing Tiuf-teaf. This is another visitor from south of the vast Sahara desert. It is said that it gets its name from its song which is very close to 'chiff-chiff-chaff-chiff-chaff.' Perhaps it does not spend long enough here get a local accent which might be 'tiuf-tiuf-teaf-tiuf-teaf'. The Treecreeper which is not often seen gets its English name from its habit of combing trees for insects. It is known in Irish as a Meanglán. The colourful goldfinch, one of our most beautiful birds has a suitably nice name, Lasair Choille which sounds like light or flame of the wood is an apt title for this delightful creature. Put out a well-stocked bird feeder and you will soon see plenty of them on a regular basis. The Wren with its little tail cocked up is well known because of its association with Christmas and St Stephen's Day in particular when it features strongly as 'The wran, the wran, the king of all birds.' It is called a Dreoilín in Gaelic and it must have some connection with the Dreoilín Easpaig which sounds like the bishop's wren but is, curiously, the Goldcrest. Europe's smallest bird must get its name from the yellow or gold crest on its head as its other name Cíorbhuí confirms. The blue/grey Wood Pigeon is not the most glamorous of our winged creatures but its Irish name Colm Coille has gone down in history because of its association with St Columba who is also well known as Colmcille although some people would claim that the Colm in question is from the translation of the word dove which looks very much like a pigeon. Swallows are not quite as common a sight as they used to be but they are certainly one of the most popular as they herald the arrival of summer every year when they make the exhausting trek from Africa. Known in our native tongue as Fáinleoga, there is always a tinge of sadness when they depart in the late autumn as people realise that winter is just around the corner and it is common to reflect on what changes might take place before they make their way back again. Préachán describes the Crow which is not one of the more attractive birds around and its name in both languages is used to disparagingly refer to bad singers. Crows though are quite intelligent and I have often marvelled at their ingenuity when it comes to getting food from feeders designed for much smaller members of the kingdom. What they lack in singing they make up for in cleverness. The Meadow Pipit, now unfortunately very rare in this part of the world at least, is appropriately called the Riabhóg Móna by Gaeilgeoirí, móna meaning 'of the turf'. It must be a cousin of the Riabhóg Chladaigh or Rock Pipit which as the Irish version would suggest is usually found on the seashore where it feeds mostly on insects. Coal, Blue and Great are just three members of the Tit family and they translate as Meantán Dubh, Gorm agus Mór while the Long-tailed individual of the family is known as Meantán Earrfhada and the Bearded one is Meantán Croiméalach. Other good examples include the Yellowhammer (Buióg), Greenfinch (Glasán Darach) and Hawfinch which gives us Glasán Gobmhór which might be a suitable insult for someone greedy. I was taught as a child by my father that the big bird with the impressive wing span officially called Grey Heron was better known even in English as Ceaití Fhada and that it had several regional variations. It is many years since I learned at school that Smólach was Thrush, Lon Dubh was Blackbird, Spideóg was Robin, Fuiseóg was lark and that Snag Breac was Magpie. I wonder if they still teach such things? It would be a shame not to. â€â€ Noel Carney