Common Birds in Bedfordshire

45 species matching this filter.

All birds in Bedfordshire

Bedfordshire is home to 45 commonly spotted bird species, reflecting the county's rich mix of farmland, woodland, wetlands and urban gardens. From the melodious Blackcap and familiar Blackbird to soaring Buzzards over the Chiltern Hills and Barn Swallows swooping across the Ouse Valley, there is plenty to delight birdwatchers year-round. Many of these species are also featured in our guide to 23 Common Garden Birds in the UK (Full Guide with Pictures), making Bedfordshire a wonderful place to start exploring British birdlife.

Eurasian Wren
Eurasian WrenSmallest · 9cm
to
Mute Swan
Mute SwanLargest · 160cm
Ranges from the Eurasian Wren (9cm) to the Mute Swan (160cm)27 families represented41 year-round residents

Showing 1–23 of 45 species

Barn Swallow

Barn Swallow

Hirundo rusticaLC

A common summer visitor from April to October, nesting in farm buildings and foraging over fields and waterways.

Apr–Oct

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M
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J
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Blackbird

Blackbird

Turdus merulaLC

One of the county's most abundant residents, thriving in gardens, parks and hedgerows throughout the year.

Year-round

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F
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M
J
J
A
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D
Blackcap

Blackcap

Sylvia atricapillaLC

A common resident found in woodland and gardens year-round; winter numbers are boosted by Continental migrants.

Year-round

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M
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J
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N
D
Blue Tit

Blue Tit

Cyanistes caeruleusLC

A common and familiar garden resident year-round, readily using nest boxes. One of the most frequently seen birds in the county.

Year-round

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M
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J
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Buzzard

Buzzard

Buteo buteoLC

A common resident often seen circling over farmland and woodland. Has increased markedly across Bedfordshire in recent decades.

Year-round

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M
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J
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D
Canada Goose

Canada Goose

Branta canadensisLC

A common and conspicuous resident breeding on lakes, rivers and gravel pits throughout the county. Large moulting flocks gather in late summer.

Year-round

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F
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M
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J
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D
Carrion Crow

Carrion Crow

Corvus coroneLC

A common and adaptable resident found across farmland, parks and urban areas throughout the county year-round.

Year-round

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F
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M
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J
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D
Chaffinch

Chaffinch

Fringilla coelebsLC

An abundant resident found year-round in woodlands, hedgerows and gardens across Bedfordshire. Males sing prominently from treetops in spring.

Year-round

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F
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M
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J
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Chiffchaff

Chiffchaff

Phylloscopus collybitaLC

A common resident heard singing its distinctive two-note call in woodlands and scrub. Some overwinter, boosted by continental arrivals.

Year-round

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F
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M
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J
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O
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D
Common Pheasant

Common Pheasant

Phasianus colchicusLC

A common resident of farmland, woodland edges and hedgerows throughout the county, bolstered by regular releases for shooting.

Year-round

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M
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Common Starling

Common Starling

Sturnus vulgarisLC

A common resident found in gardens, farmland and towns throughout the year. Winter roosts can attract large, swirling flocks at dusk, though numbers are declining.

Year-round

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F
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M
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J
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Common Swift

Common Swift

Apus apusLC

A common summer breeder screaming over towns and villages from late April to September, nesting under eaves and in roof spaces.

Apr–Sep

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A
M
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J
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Coot

Coot

Fulica atraLC

A common resident of lakes, gravel pits and reservoirs, often gathering in large flocks at sites like Priory Country Park.

Year-round

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M
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J
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Dunnock

Dunnock

Prunella modularisLC

A common and unobtrusive resident of hedgerows and garden shrubberies, often shuffling quietly along the ground.

Year-round

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Eurasian Collared Dove

Eurasian Collared Dove

Streptopelia decaoctoLC

A common resident of gardens, farms and suburban areas, its monotonous cooing heard year-round across the county.

Year-round

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M
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J
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Eurasian Skylark

Eurasian Skylark

Alauda arvensisLC

A common resident of open arable fields and grasslands, singing high in flight. Numbers have declined with agricultural intensification.

Year-round

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J
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D
Eurasian Wren

Eurasian Wren

Troglodytes troglodytesLC

A common and widespread resident, delivering its powerful song from hedgerows, gardens and woodland undergrowth year-round.

Year-round

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J
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European Goldfinch

European Goldfinch

Carduelis carduelisLC

A common and colourful resident, readily visiting garden feeders. Flocks gather on teasel and thistle heads in autumn.

Year-round

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F
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M
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J
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O
N
D
European Green Woodpecker

European Green Woodpecker

Picus viridisLC

A common resident of parkland, orchards and woodland edges, often heard giving its loud laughing call in flight.

Year-round

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F
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A
M
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J
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D
European Robin

European Robin

Erithacus rubeculaLC

A common and familiar resident of gardens, hedgerows and woodland throughout the county. Sings year-round and is one of Bedfordshire's most recognisable birds.

Year-round

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M
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J
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Great Cormorant

Great Cormorant

Phalacrocorax carboLC

Common year-round at gravel pits, reservoirs and rivers. Numbers increase in winter at roost sites across the county.

Year-round

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Great Crested Grebe

Great Crested Grebe

Podiceps cristatusLC

A common resident breeding on larger lakes and gravel pits, with elegant courtship displays visible from early spring.

Year-round

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Great Spotted Woodpecker

Great Spotted Woodpecker

Dendrocopos majorLC

A common resident of woodland, parks and mature gardens, with loud drumming heard from late winter onwards.

Year-round

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