Birds in Cornwall
Explore 223 species found in this region.
Cornwall's dramatic coastline, sheltered estuaries, and windswept moorlands provide habitat for an impressive diversity of birdlife, with 213 species recorded across the county. From elegant waders such as the Northern Lapwing and Dotterel to colourful residents like the Great Tit and Magpie, the region offers outstanding birding opportunities year-round. Cornwall's position as Britain's south-westernmost county also makes it a renowned hotspot for rare migrants and overwintering wildfowl, including species such as the Common Shelduck, Northern Pintail, and Mandarin Duck.
Visiting in April? Look out for Common Redstart and Common Reed-warbler arriving this month, and Common Kingfisher and Common Merganser depart for the season.
Showing 139–161 of 223 species
Long-tailed Tit
Aegithalos caudatusLC
Resident year-round, often seen in noisy family flocks moving through hedgerows and woodland. Distinctive long tail makes it easy to identify.
Year-round
Magpie
Pica picaLC
A common and conspicuous resident found in gardens, farmland and hedgerows throughout the county. Easily recognised by its bold black-and-white plumage.
Year-round
Mallard
Anas platyrhynchosLC
The commonest duck in Cornwall, found year-round on rivers, estuaries, lakes and farm ponds across the county.
Year-round
Mandarin Duck
Aix galericulataLC
A rare passage visitor, with occasional December records likely involving wandering feral birds from elsewhere in southern England.
Dec
Manx Shearwater
Puffinus puffinusLC
An uncommon year-round resident of offshore waters, often seen streaming past headlands. Breeds on nearby islands and rocky coasts.
Year-round
Marsh Tit
Poecile palustrisLC
A rare resident at the western edge of its British range. Found in scattered mature deciduous woodland with limited suitable habitat in Cornwall.
Nov–Aug
Meadow Pipit
Anthus pratensisLC
A common resident of moorland, rough grassland, and clifftops. Numbers increase in autumn and winter with passage birds moving through.
Year-round
Merlin
Falco columbariusLC
A rare winter visitor to open moorland and coastal marshes from autumn through to early spring. Often hunts low over rough ground for small birds.
Sep–Apr
Spotted something?
Upload a photo to identify it
Identify
Mistle Thrush
Turdus viscivorusLC
A scarce resident found in parkland, churchyards and farmland with tall trees. Its loud, rattling song carries across open ground even in winter.
Sep–Jul
Moorhen
Gallinula chloropusLC
A rare winter visitor to Cornish estuaries, with its elegant upswept bill. Most records come from the Fal and Hayle.
Year-round
Muscovy Duck
Cairina moschataLC
A rare non-breeding visitor of feral origin, occasionally seen on ponds and waterways during the winter months.
Nov–Mar
Mute Swan
Cygnus olorLC
An uncommon resident gracing sheltered estuaries, lakes and rivers throughout the year. Breeds on a few Cornish waterways.
Year-round
Nightjar
Caprimulgus europaeusLC
A rare passage visitor in early summer, favouring heathland. Cornwall lies at the edge of its limited British breeding range.
Jun–Jul
Northern Gannet
Morus bassanusLC
A common and spectacular sight year-round, plunge-diving offshore. Easily seen from headlands such as Pendeen and Porthgwarra.
Year-round
Northern Lapwing
Vanellus vanellusNT
Found on farmland and wetland margins, numbers boosted in winter by continental arrivals though the species is declining nationally.
Jul–Apr
Northern Pintail
Anas acutaLC
A rare non-breeding visitor to Cornish estuaries and pools from October to March. Elegant and long-necked, it favours shallow muddy waters.
Oct–Mar
Northern Shoveler
Spatula clypeataLC
A scarce resident, most visible on freshwater pools and flooded fields from autumn to spring. Numbers drop in midsummer.
Aug–May
Osprey
Pandion haliaetusLC
A rare autumn passage migrant, seen fishing at reservoirs and estuaries in September and October.
Sep–Oct
Pacific Loon
Gavia pacificaLC
A rare non-breeding visitor to Cornish waters in winter, sometimes lingering in sheltered bays.
Dec–Feb
Pectoral Sandpiper
Calidris melanotosLC
A scarce but almost annual autumn vagrant from North America, typically found on freshwater margins in September and October.
Sep–Oct
Peregrine Falcon
Falco peregrinusLC
An uncommon but thrilling resident, nesting on dramatic sea cliffs. Cornwall's rugged coastline provides ideal breeding habitat year-round.
Year-round
Pink-footed Goose
Anser brachyrhynchusLC
A rare autumn passage visitor, occasionally turning up on estuaries and wet fields in October and November, far south of its usual wintering range.
Oct–Nov
Pochard
Aythya ferinaVU
A rare diving duck found on freshwater pools and reservoirs. Numbers have declined nationally, making sightings increasingly notable.
Oct–May