Estonian Air planes got names after Estonian birds

As a result of public voting the Embraer planes in Estonian Air’s colours will be named Tuuletallaja (Kestrel), Sinirind (Bluethroat), Suitsupääsuke (Barn Swallow) and Jäälind (Kingfisher).
The name competition took place in two parts and in cooperation with the Estonian Ornithological Society. Until 1 May people could suggest names of birds belonging to Estonian avifauna on Estonian Air home page. After that the jury consisting of representatives of the Estonian Ornithological Society and Estonian Air selected the 20 most suitable candidates for voting until 3 May.

Kestrel (Tuuletallaja) got by far the most votes in the first and second round. Kestrels can be found in areas alternating with grove and open landscape. Settling in old nests of crows, they spend most of the time on open areas, like flying and spotting for a catch above fields, meadows or grasslands.
The second place was given to Bluethroat (Sinirind), the scarce bird in Estonia with beautiful looks and voice. Most often migrants from Northern areas can be seen in Estonia. It is believed that Bluethroat is the most beautiful bird among Nightingale family having beautiful looks and varied but quiet voice.
The third place was given to Barn Swallow (Suitsupääsuke), the Estonian national bird who is also the symbol on Estonian Air’s logo and graphic elements and the bird coat of arms of Estonian Ornithological Society. It is the most frequently seen bird at Estonian farm yards. With its jaunty chatter voice the Barn Swallow is considered as a great friend of family farms, ambassador of hot summer days and peasant luck bird. As a symbol of returning home after a long journey, the Barn Swallow fits very well as an escort of air travellers.
The Kingfisher (Jäälind), taking the fourth place, is surprisingly colourful bird, whose high-speed flight lets to sparkle green-blue and red tones on its feathers. Kingfishers nest in coasts of clean water streams or cavities, usually tunnels dug into the natural or artificial banks in the ground. They consume a wide range of prey as well as fish, usually caught by swooping down from a perch.
More information on Estonian birds can be found on Estonian Ornithological Society website at https://www.eoy.ee/node/61.
The video in which zoologist Aleksei Turovski tells about Estonian birds can be viewed here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=losWxrhac_Y. Take a look also at the video „A beautiful bird makes the flight even more beautiful“ on: https://vimeo.com/41474847
According to Rauno Parras, the CCO of Estonian Air, all Estonian Air planes will be named after local bird species. „This is one possibility to introduce Estonia as a destination country to foreign tourists. The aircraft which will be delivered to Estonia in the beginning of next year will get bird names according to the recent ranking,” added Parras.
“Active participation in the name competition showed that the interest in aircraft, birds and flying is great. It was good to see widely well known and less known newcomers among suggested names. Estonia is gaining prominence as a new bright star in nature tourism among European countries with its rich and various natural heritage. It is very positive to see that our national airline is helping to raise awareness and promote our natural heritage and birds through finding names for its aircraft,” explained Mati Kose from the Estonian Ornithological Society.
In the evening four winners were drawn among the people who participated in the competition. Estonian Air will contact directly those people who won return tickets to selected Estonian Air destinations.