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 24–46 of 115 species
Common Shelduck
Tadorna tadornaLC
A striking resident of estuaries and coastal mudflats, often seen in large flocks. Nests in rabbit burrows and other cavities near the shore.
Year-round
Common Snipe
Gallinago gallinagoLC
A common resident of wet grasslands and marshes, often detected by its distinctive 'drumming' display flight over moorland in spring.
Year-round
Common Starling
Sturnus vulgarisLC
A familiar garden resident forming spectacular murmurations at winter roosts. Numbers have declined significantly in recent decades.
Year-round
Common Swift
Apus apusLC
A familiar summer visitor screaming over towns and cities from May to August. Spends almost its entire life on the wing, even sleeping in flight.
Apr–Sep
Common Tern
Sterna hirundoLC
A common summer breeder found at coastal colonies, gravel pits, and reservoirs from spring to autumn. Plunge-dives for small fish in open water.
Mar–Oct
Coot
Fulica atraLC
A common resident of lakes, reservoirs, and gravel pits across lowland Britain. Often forms large winter flocks on open water.
Year-round
Curlew
Numenius arquataNT
A common but declining resident of upland moors and farmland. Winters on estuaries and coasts, where its evocative call is iconic.
Year-round
Dunlin
Calidris alpinaLC
A common wader found year-round on estuaries and mudflats. Winter flocks swell with migrants from Scandinavia and Iceland.
Year-round
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Dunnock
Prunella modularisLC
A common and widespread garden resident, often shuffling quietly beneath hedgerows and shrubs across the UK year-round.
Year-round
Egyptian Goose
Alopochen aegyptiacaLC
An established non-native resident, originally from Africa, now breeding widely in England, especially in parks and lakes. Numbers continue to increase steadily.
Year-round
Eider
Somateria mollissimaNT
A common resident of northern and Scottish coasts, often seen rafting in sheltered bays. Numbers have declined in recent years due to avian flu.
Year-round
Eurasian Collared Dove
Streptopelia decaoctoLC
A common year-round resident of suburban gardens, farmyards, and villages. Its monotonous three-note cooing call is a familiar sound across the UK.
Year-round
Eurasian Jay
Garrulus glandariusLC
A colourful but wary resident of broadleaved and mixed woodland. Buries thousands of acorns each autumn, aiding oak regeneration.
Year-round
Eurasian Nuthatch
Sitta europaeaLC
A year-round resident of mature deciduous woodland, parks and gardens in England and Wales. Absent from Scotland and Ireland.
Year-round
Eurasian Oystercatcher
Haematopus ostralegusNT
A common resident of coastlines, estuaries, and increasingly inland fields, recognised by its bold black-and-white plumage and piping call.
Year-round
Eurasian Siskin
Spinus spinusLC
A common resident breeding in conifer woods, visiting garden feeders in large numbers during autumn and winter.
Year-round
Eurasian Skylark
Alauda arvensisLC
A familiar farmland resident whose soaring song flight is iconic across open countryside. Numbers have declined significantly due to agricultural intensification.
Year-round
Eurasian Tree Sparrow
Passer montanusLC
A common but localised resident, mainly found in farmland and rural edges of eastern England. Has declined significantly since the 1970s.
Year-round
Eurasian Wigeon
Mareca penelopeLC
Commonly seen in large flocks on estuaries and flooded grasslands, especially in winter. A small number breed on upland lochs in Scotland.
Year-round
Eurasian Wren
Troglodytes troglodytesLC
One of the UK's most abundant birds, found in almost every habitat with dense cover. Its loud, explosive song belies its tiny size.
Year-round
European Goldfinch
Carduelis carduelisLC
A common and colourful resident found in gardens, parks, and farmland year-round. Often seen in lively flocks feeding on seed heads of thistles and teasels.
Year-round
European Green Woodpecker
Picus viridisLC
A common resident of parkland, orchards, and woodland edges across England and Wales. Its loud, laughing call is a familiar sound, and it feeds mainly on ants.
Year-round
European Herring Gull
Larus argentatusLC
A noisy year-round presence at coasts, harbours and increasingly inland towns. Numbers have declined significantly, earning it red-list status.
Year-round