Common Birds in England
113 species matching this filter.
England is home to 113 commonly occurring bird species, found across a rich variety of habitats from coastal estuaries and wetlands to ancient woodlands and urban gardens. Familiar favourites such as the Great Tit, Magpie, and Common Starling thrive alongside waterbirds like the Common Shelduck and Common Merganser. Whether you're exploring the countryside or watching from your kitchen window, our guide to 23 Common Garden Birds in the UK (Full Guide with Pictures) is a great place to start identifying the species you're most likely to encounter.
Showing 93–113 of 113 species
Ringed Plover
Charadrius hiaticulaLC
A common resident of sandy and shingle beaches, also found at inland gravel pits. Numbers increase in autumn with passage birds.
Year-round
Rock Dove
Columba liviaLC
Ubiquitous in towns and cities as the feral pigeon, with truly wild birds restricted to coastal cliffs. Present year-round in huge numbers.
Year-round
Rock Pipit
Anthus petrosusLC
A common resident of rocky coastlines and sea cliffs across England. Forages along the tideline and is less often seen inland than Meadow Pipit.
Year-round
Rook
Corvus frugilegusLC
A common resident of farmland and parkland, nesting in noisy rookeries in tall trees. Large flocks forage across arable fields throughout the year.
Year-round
Rose-ringed Parakeet
Alexandrinus krameriLC
An established resident, especially abundant in London and the Home Counties. Noisy flocks roost communally in parks and suburban areas.
Year-round
Sand Martin
Riparia ripariaLC
A common summer breeder, nesting colonially in sandy riverbanks and quarry faces. One of the earliest migrants to arrive, often appearing in March.
Mar–Oct
Sandwich Tern
Thalasseus sandvicensisLC
A common coastal tern found year-round, breeding in noisy colonies on shingle beaches and islands. Often the first tern to arrive in spring.
Year-round
Sedge Warbler
Acrocephalus schoenobaenusLC
A common summer breeder in reedbeds, marshes, and waterside vegetation across England. Its rapid, chattering song includes mimicry of other species.
Mar–Oct
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Smew
Mergellus albellusLC
A smart winter visitor to reservoirs and gravel pits, mainly in south-east England. The striking black-and-white males are a highlight of cold-weather birding.
Oct–Apr
Song Thrush
Turdus philomelosLC
A familiar garden and woodland bird with a rich, repeating song delivered from prominent perches. Resident year-round, though numbers are bolstered by continental migrants in winter.
Year-round
Sparrowhawk
Accipiter nisusLC
A widespread resident raptor found in woodlands, parks, and gardens throughout England. Often seen dashing low along hedgerows in pursuit of small birds.
Year-round
Stock Dove
Columba oenasLC
A common year-round resident of farmland, parkland and woodland edges. Nests in tree holes and is often overlooked alongside Wood Pigeons.
Year-round
Stonechat
Saxicola torquatusLC
A common resident of heathland, gorse-covered hillsides, and coastal scrub. Males are striking with dark heads and bright orange breasts year-round.
Year-round
Treecreeper
Certhia familiarisLC
A common resident of mature woodland, spiralling up tree trunks in search of insects. Present year-round but easily overlooked.
Year-round
Tufted Duck
Aythya fuligulaLC
A common diving duck found year-round on lakes, reservoirs and park ponds across England. Males sport a distinctive drooping head crest in breeding plumage.
Year-round
Western Marsh-harrier
Circus aeruginosusLC
A year-round resident of reedbeds and marshes, now thriving after a dramatic recovery. East Anglian wetlands remain a stronghold.
Year-round
Whitethroat
Curruca communisLC
A common summer visitor breeding in hedgerows, scrub and bramble patches from April to October. Its scratchy song is a characteristic sound of the English countryside.
Apr–Oct
Willow Warbler
Phylloscopus trochilusLC
A common summer breeder arriving from March, favouring woodland edges, scrub and heathland. Its distinctive descending song is a hallmark of the English spring.
Mar–Nov
Woodpigeon
Columba palumbusLC
One of England's most abundant and familiar birds, found year-round in gardens, parks, farmland, and woodland. Its cooing song is a ubiquitous countryside sound.
Year-round
Yellow Wagtail
Motacilla flavaLC
Breeds in lowland wet meadows and arable fields from spring to autumn. A declining species in England, favouring damp grasslands and pastures.
Mar–Oct
Yellowhammer
Emberiza citrinellaLC
A common resident of hedgerows and farmland, though declining in many areas. Its bright song is a familiar sound of the English countryside.
Year-round