Common Birds in Cornwall

39 species matching this filter.

All birds in Cornwall

Cornwall's diverse landscapes — from rugged coastal cliffs and sheltered estuaries to rolling farmland and wooded valleys — support a rich variety of common bird species. With 39 commonly sighted species, birdwatchers can expect to encounter familiar favourites such as Blackbirds, Chaffinches, and Buzzards, alongside coastal specialists like the European Shag. Many of these species also feature in our guide to 23 Common Garden Birds in the UK (Full Guide with Pictures), making Cornwall an excellent destination for both beginner and experienced birders alike.

Eurasian Wren
Eurasian WrenSmallest · 9cm
to
Great Cormorant
Great CormorantLargest · 100cm
Ranges from the Eurasian Wren (9cm) to the Great Cormorant (100cm)23 families represented37 year-round residents

Showing 1–23 of 39 species

Barn Swallow

Barn Swallow

Hirundo rusticaLC

A common summer visitor breeding in barns and outbuildings from March to November. Gathers in large pre-migration flocks along Cornish reedbeds in autumn.

Mar–Nov

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Blackbird

Blackbird

Turdus merulaLC

One of Cornwall's most abundant residents, thriving in gardens, hedgerows, and woodland. Numbers increase in autumn with continental migrants.

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Blackcap

Blackcap

Sylvia atricapillaLC

Common year-round in woodland and gardens. Summer breeders are joined by continental wintering birds that readily take fruit from feeders.

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Blue Tit

Blue Tit

Cyanistes caeruleusLC

A common and familiar resident of gardens, hedgerows, and woodland throughout Cornwall. Readily visits feeders year-round.

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Buzzard

Buzzard

Buteo buteoLC

A common year-round resident, frequently seen soaring over farmland, moorland and coastal cliffs. One of Cornwall's most visible raptors.

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Carrion Crow

Carrion Crow

Corvus coroneLC

A common year-round resident found across all habitats from farmland to coastline. One of Cornwall's most familiar and adaptable birds.

Year-round

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F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Chaffinch

Chaffinch

Fringilla coelebsLC

A common resident of woodland, hedgerows, and gardens. Autumn flocks are boosted by continental migrants arriving along the coast.

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Chiffchaff

Chiffchaff

Phylloscopus collybitaLC

A common resident found year-round in gardens, woodland, and scrub. Cornwall's mild climate supports overwintering birds, including continental migrants.

Year-round

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F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

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Common Starling

Common Starling

Sturnus vulgarisLC

A familiar resident in towns and farmland, though declining nationally. Winter flocks swell with continental arrivals along the Cornish coast.

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Curlew

Curlew

Numenius arquataNT

A year-round resident of Cornish estuaries and farmland, its evocative bubbling call is a familiar sound on moorland and coastal marshes.

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Dunnock

Dunnock

Prunella modularisLC

A common and widespread resident, found year-round in hedgerows, gardens, and scrubby undergrowth across the county.

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Eurasian Collared Dove

Eurasian Collared Dove

Streptopelia decaoctoLC

A familiar garden and farmyard bird throughout Cornwall, its monotonous three-note call heard in every season.

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Eurasian Oystercatcher

Eurasian Oystercatcher

Haematopus ostralegusNT

A familiar sight on rocky shores and estuaries year-round, its striking black-and-white plumage and piping call unmistakable.

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Eurasian Wren

Eurasian Wren

Troglodytes troglodytesLC

A common resident found year-round in hedgerows, coastal scrub, and gardens. Its remarkably loud song echoes along Cornwall's sheltered valleys.

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
European Goldfinch

European Goldfinch

Carduelis carduelisLC

A familiar year-round resident, commonly seen in gardens, hedgerows, and on seed heads along coastal paths throughout Cornwall.

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
European Herring Gull

European Herring Gull

Larus argentatusLC

An iconic and abundant resident of Cornish towns, harbours, and cliffs. Nests on rooftops and sea cliffs throughout the county.

Year-round

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F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
European Robin

European Robin

Erithacus rubeculaLC

A beloved year-round resident, abundant in gardens, hedgerows, and woodland. Sings throughout winter in Cornwall's mild climate.

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
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O
N
D
European Shag

European Shag

Phalacrocorax aristotelisLC

A common resident of rocky coasts and harbours, nesting on sea cliffs. Distinguished from Cormorant by its smaller size and green sheen.

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
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O
N
D
Great Black-backed Gull

Great Black-backed Gull

Larus marinusLC

A common and imposing resident along rocky coasts and harbours. The largest gull in Cornwall, often seen dominating other species.

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Great Cormorant

Great Cormorant

Phalacrocorax carboLC

A common year-round resident, frequently seen drying its wings on harbour walls and rocky outcrops.

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Great Tit

Great Tit

Parus majorLC

A common year-round garden and woodland resident. Its bold two-note song is one of the earliest heard in Cornish hedgerows each spring.

Year-round

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F
M
A
M
J
J
A
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O
N
D
Greenfinch

Greenfinch

Chloris chlorisLC

A common resident of gardens, hedgerows, and farmland throughout the year, though numbers have declined due to disease.

Year-round

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F
M
A
M
J
J
A
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O
N
D
Grey Heron

Grey Heron

Ardea cinereaLC

A common year-round resident, often seen stalking fish along Cornwall's estuaries, rivers, and rocky shorelines.

Year-round

J
F
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A
M
J
J
A
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O
N
D
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