Ducks, Geese & Swans in United Kingdom
38 species matching this filter.
The United Kingdom is home to 38 species of ducks, geese and swans, found across a rich variety of wetland habitats including estuaries, reservoirs, highland lochs and urban park lakes. From the elegant Mute Swan gracing rivers and canals to the striking Mandarin Duck tucked away in woodland ponds, these waterfowl are among the most visible and beloved of British birds. Notable species also include the Greylag Goose, the ancestor of most domestic geese, and the increasingly established Egyptian Goose, which has spread rapidly across England in recent decades.
Showing 1–23 of 38 species
Bar-headed Goose
Anser indicusLC
A rare visitor, most sightings likely involve escapes from wildfowl collections. Occasionally recorded on lakes and reservoirs.
Jan–Aug
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 Swan
Cygnus atratusLC
A rare feral resident originating from ornamental collections, occasionally seen on lakes and rivers, mainly in southern England.
Year-round
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
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
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 Scoter
Melanitta nigraLC
An uncommon year-round resident, breeding at a few freshwater lochs in Scotland and Ireland. Larger numbers winter offshore, forming rafts along exposed coasts.
Year-round
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
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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 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
Gadwall
Mareca streperaLC
A year-round resident of lakes, reservoirs and gravel pits. Once scarce, it has spread considerably across England and Wales in recent decades.
Year-round
Garganey
Spatula querquedulaLC
A scarce summer visitor arriving from Africa in spring, favouring shallow wetlands and flooded meadows mainly in southern and eastern England.
Mar–Oct
Goldeneye
Bucephala clangulaLC
Commonly seen on lakes, reservoirs, and sheltered coasts in winter. A small breeding population exists in the Scottish Highlands.
Year-round
Greater Scaup
Aythya marilaLC
Mainly a winter visitor to sheltered coastal bays and estuaries, with notable flocks in Scotland and Northern Ireland. Scarce in summer.
Jul–May
Greater White-fronted Goose
Anser albifronsLC
An uncommon winter visitor to wet grasslands and marshes, with key flocks in Gloucestershire and on the Swale in Kent. Numbers vary between winters.
Year-round
Greylag Goose
Anser anserLC
A common resident boosted by large winter arrivals from Iceland. Found on farmland, lakes, and estuaries nationwide.
Year-round
Hooded Merganser
Lophodytes cucullatusLC
A rare North American vagrant, though many UK records are suspected escapes from wildfowl collections.
Dec–May
Long-tailed Duck
Clangula hyemalisVU
A scarce sea duck wintering mainly off Scottish coasts. Small numbers breed in the Highlands; most arrive from Scandinavia in autumn.
Sep–May
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
Mandarin Duck
Aix galericulataLC
An uncommon introduced resident of wooded lakes and rivers. The ornate male is unmistakable on park ponds, especially in southern England.
Year-round
Muscovy Duck
Cairina moschataLC
A rare feral resident found on park lakes and farmyards, originating from escaped or released captive birds. Not established as a wild species.
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