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 70–92 of 115 species
Kestrel
Falco tinnunculusLC
A familiar hovering raptor seen along motorway verges, farmland, and open country year-round. Numbers have declined in parts of England but it remains widespread.
Year-round
Kittiwake
Rissa tridactylaVU
Breeds in noisy colonies on sea cliffs but is sadly declining. Spends winter months far out at sea.
Year-round
Lesser Black-backed Gull
Larus fuscusLC
A common year-round gull found at coasts, landfill sites, and urban areas. Numbers bolstered by continental migrants in winter.
Year-round
Linnet
Linaria cannabinaLC
A year-round resident of farmland, heathland and coastal scrub. Often seen in flocks outside the breeding season but declining due to habitat loss.
Year-round
Little Egret
Egretta garzettaLC
A now-common resident that colonised naturally in the 1990s, frequenting estuaries, marshes, and coastal lagoons. Numbers continue to increase across England and Wales.
Year-round
Little Grebe
Tachybaptus ruficollisLC
A common resident of sheltered ponds, lakes, and slow rivers. Often heard before seen, giving a distinctive whinnying trill from dense bankside vegetation.
Year-round
Little Ringed Plover
Charadrius dubiusLC
A summer breeding visitor favouring gravel pits, reservoirs and river shingle. Arrives from March and departs by early autumn.
Mar–Sep
Long-tailed Tit
Aegithalos caudatusLC
A common and charming resident of woodland, hedgerows, and gardens. Roving family parties are a familiar sight year-round.
Year-round
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Magpie
Pica picaLC
A bold and familiar garden resident across England and Wales, less common in Scotland. Easily recognised by its chattering alarm call.
Year-round
Mallard
Anas platyrhynchosLC
Abundant and widespread on lakes, rivers, canals, and urban park ponds year-round. One of the most familiar and recognisable British ducks.
Year-round
Meadow Pipit
Anthus pratensisLC
A common resident of upland moors, rough grassland and coastal areas. In winter, many move to lowland fields and coasts, often forming loose flocks.
Year-round
Mistle Thrush
Turdus viscivorusLC
A bold, year-round resident of parkland, orchards and open woodland. One of the earliest songsters, singing from treetops even in midwinter.
Year-round
Moorhen
Gallinula chloropusLC
A common year-round resident found on ponds, lakes, and canals across the UK. Often seen flicking its white-edged tail as it forages along waterway margins.
Year-round
Mute Swan
Cygnus olorLC
An elegant and familiar resident of lakes, rivers and urban parks across the UK. Pairs defend territories vigorously and are a much-loved sight year-round.
Year-round
Northern Gannet
Morus bassanusLC
Breeds in spectacular colonies on sea cliffs such as Bass Rock and Bempton. Plunge-dives dramatically for fish and is seen offshore year-round.
Year-round
Northern Lapwing
Vanellus vanellusNT
A common resident of farmland and wetland margins, with numbers boosted by continental arrivals in winter. Breeding populations have declined sharply.
Year-round
Northern Pintail
Anas acutaLC
A common and elegant dabbling duck found on estuaries and wetlands. Winter numbers are boosted by large influxes from the continent.
Year-round
Northern Shoveler
Spatula clypeataLC
Present year-round on lakes, reservoirs, and marshes, with numbers boosted in winter by Continental migrants. Easily identified by its large spatulate bill used for filter-feeding.
Year-round
Osprey
Pandion haliaetusLC
A summer breeding visitor from March to October, nesting near Scottish lochs and increasingly at reintroduction sites in England and Wales.
Mar–Oct
Pink-footed Goose
Anser brachyrhynchusLC
Huge wintering flocks arrive from Iceland and Greenland, gathering on farmland and estuaries mainly in Scotland and eastern England from autumn to spring.
Year-round
Pochard
Aythya ferinaVU
Found year-round on lakes and reservoirs, though the breeding population is small and declining. Winter numbers are boosted by Continental arrivals.
Year-round
Red Kite
Milvus milvusLC
A conservation success story, now widespread after near-extinction in the UK. Soars gracefully over Welsh valleys, the Chilterns and increasingly across England.
Year-round
Redshank
Tringa totanusLC
A common year-round wader of estuaries, saltmarshes and wet grasslands. The breeding population is declining, placing it on the amber list.
Year-round