Common Birds in United Kingdom
115 species matching this filter.
The United Kingdom is home to 115 commonly observed bird species, thriving across a rich tapestry of habitats from coastal estuaries and rolling farmland to ancient woodlands and bustling urban gardens. Familiar favourites such as the Great Tit, Magpie, and Common Starling can be spotted year-round, while seasonal visitors like the Fieldfare and House Martin add variety throughout the year. For a closer look at the species you're most likely to encounter in your back garden, explore our guide to 23 Common Garden Birds in the UK (Full Guide with Pictures).
Showing 1–23 of 115 species
Avocet
Recurvirostra avosettaLC
A striking wader and RSPB emblem, now commonly found on coastal lagoons and estuaries. A major conservation success story, having recolonised after extinction.
Year-round
Barn Swallow
Hirundo rusticaLC
A beloved summer visitor breeding in barns and outbuildings across the countryside. Arrives from March and gathers on wires before autumn departure.
Mar–Nov
Barnacle Goose
Branta leucopsisLC
Large winter flocks gather on Scottish islands and the Solway Firth from Arctic breeding grounds. A growing feral population also breeds across the UK.
Year-round
Black-headed Gull
Larus ridibundusLC
An abundant and widespread resident found at coasts, farmland, parks, and urban areas. Winter flocks can number in the thousands at roost sites.
Year-round
Black-tailed Godwit
Limosa limosaNT
Present year-round on estuaries and wet grasslands. The Icelandic subspecies winters in large numbers, while the breeding population remains very small.
Year-round
Blackbird
Turdus merulaLC
One of the most familiar garden birds, resident year-round in hedgerows, parks, and woodland. Its rich, melodious song is a hallmark of British dusk.
Year-round
Blackcap
Sylvia atricapillaLC
A common resident and passage migrant found in woodlands, hedgerows, and gardens year-round. Increasingly overwinters thanks to continental migrants supplementing the breeding population.
Year-round
Blue Tit
Cyanistes caeruleusLC
One of the most familiar garden birds, present year-round at feeders, in hedgerows and woodland. Easily recognised by its bright blue cap.
Year-round
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Brent Goose
Branta berniclaLC
Winters commonly on estuaries and coastal marshes, with large flocks on sites like the Thames Estuary and Norfolk coast. Dark-bellied birds predominate in the south.
Year-round
Bullfinch
Pyrrhula pyrrhulaLC
A common but shy resident of hedgerows, woodland edges, and gardens. The male's rosy-pink breast makes it one of Britain's most striking finches.
Year-round
Buzzard
Buteo buteoLC
A widespread resident raptor, commonly seen soaring over farmland, woodland edges and motorway verges. Has recovered strongly across England.
Year-round
Canada Goose
Branta canadensisLC
An abundant naturalised resident found on lakes, rivers, and park ponds year-round, often forming large and conspicuous flocks.
Year-round
Carrion Crow
Corvus coroneLC
An abundant and highly adaptable resident found in virtually every habitat across England and Wales. Replaced by the Hooded Crow in Scotland and Ireland.
Year-round
Cetti's Warbler
Cettia cettiLC
A resident of dense wetland scrub and reedbeds, rapidly spreading northwards across England. More often heard than seen, with its explosive burst of song.
Year-round
Chaffinch
Fringilla coelebsLC
One of the UK's most abundant birds, found in gardens, woodlands and hedgerows year-round. Its cheerful descending song is a hallmark of spring.
Year-round
Chiffchaff
Phylloscopus collybitaLC
A common warbler whose repetitive two-note song is heard in woodlands and scrub. Increasingly overwinters in southern Britain.
Year-round
Coal Tit
Periparus aterLC
A common resident of coniferous and mixed woodland, readily visiting garden feeders. Often stores food in bark crevices for later retrieval.
Year-round
Common Gull
Larus canusLC
A common resident and winter visitor found on coasts, playing fields and farmland. Breeds mainly in Scotland and northern England.
Year-round
Common Merganser
Mergus merganserLC
A common resident of upland rivers and lakes, often called Goosander in the UK. In winter, gathers in flocks on lowland reservoirs and estuaries.
Year-round
Common Pheasant
Phasianus colchicusLC
An introduced resident abundant across farmland, woodland edges and hedgerows. Millions are released annually for shooting, making it one of the UK's commonest birds.
Year-round
Common Raven
Corvus coraxLC
A widespread resident that has expanded significantly from western uplands into lowland and urban areas. Its deep, resonant croaking call is increasingly heard across England.
Year-round
Common Reed-warbler
Acrocephalus scirpaceusLC
A common summer breeder arriving in April, singing its chattering song from reedbeds across England and Wales.
Apr–Oct
Common Sandpiper
Actitis hypoleucosLC
Found along upland rivers and lake shores, bobbing its tail constantly. Breeds in the north and west, wintering more widely across lowland waters.
Year-round