Common Birds in Devon
41 species matching this filter.
Devon's diverse landscapes — from the rugged coastlines of Exmoor and the South Devon cliffs to the rolling farmland and sheltered estuaries of the Exe and Taw — support a rich variety of commonly seen bird species. With 41 common species recorded, birdwatchers can expect to encounter familiar favourites such as Blackbirds, Chaffinches, Buzzards soaring over open countryside, and Barn Swallows darting across summer meadows. Many of these species also feature in our guide to 23 Common Garden Birds in the UK (Full Guide with Pictures), making Devon a wonderful county for both garden and countryside birding.
Showing 24–41 of 41 species
Great Spotted Woodpecker
Dendrocopos majorLC
Common in Devon's woodlands, parks, and gardens year-round. Its loud drumming is a familiar sound in spring.
Year-round
Great Tit
Parus majorLC
A common resident found in virtually every Devon habitat with trees. A dominant visitor to garden feeders with a bold, assertive character.
Year-round
Greenfinch
Chloris chlorisLC
A common year-round resident, though numbers have declined due to trichomonosis. Frequents gardens, hedgerows, and farmland across the county.
Year-round
Grey Heron
Ardea cinereaLC
A familiar year-round resident on Devon's rivers, estuaries, and farmland ponds. Nests colonially in tall trees.
Year-round
House Martin
Delichon urbicumLC
A common breeding visitor, building mud nests under the eaves of houses across Devon's towns and villages from April to October.
Apr–Oct
House Sparrow
Passer domesticusLC
A common resident closely tied to Devon's towns and villages, nesting in roof spaces. Numbers have declined but colonies persist.
Year-round
Jackdaw
Corvus monedulaLC
A common and sociable resident, nesting in Devon's church towers, old buildings, and cliff faces. Often seen in noisy flocks with Rooks.
Year-round
Little Egret
Egretta garzettaLC
Now a common resident along Devon's estuaries and coasts, having colonised since the 1990s. Readily seen on the Exe Estuary year-round.
Year-round
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Long-tailed Tit
Aegithalos caudatusLC
A common and charming resident of hedgerows and woodland. Often seen in noisy family flocks moving acrobatically through Devon's trees.
Year-round
Magpie
Pica picaLC
A common and conspicuous resident throughout Devon's towns, villages, and farmland. Bold and adaptable, frequently seen in gardens.
Year-round
Mallard
Anas platyrhynchosLC
A common year-round resident found on virtually any freshwater across Devon, from farm ponds to estuaries and town parks.
Year-round
Moorhen
Gallinula chloropusLC
A common resident of Devon's ponds, streams, and waterways year-round. Often seen picking along muddy banks with a flicking tail.
Year-round
Mute Swan
Cygnus olorLC
A familiar year-round resident gracing Devon's rivers, estuaries and town lakes. Pairs nest along waterways across the county.
Year-round
Redshank
Tringa totanusLC
Common on Devon's estuaries year-round, with its loud piping calls a familiar sound on the Exe and Taw mudflats. Numbers bolstered by winter visitors.
Year-round
Rook
Corvus frugilegusLC
A common resident of Devon's agricultural lowlands, nesting colonially in tall trees. Rookeries are a familiar sight across the county's farmland.
Year-round
Song Thrush
Turdus philomelosLC
A common resident of gardens, hedgerows and woodland. Its rich, repetitive song is one of the earliest heard in Devon's spring chorus.
Year-round
Stonechat
Saxicola torquatusLC
A common resident of Devon's coastal gorse, heathland and Dartmoor margins. Often perches prominently, flicking its tail.
Year-round
Woodpigeon
Columba palumbusLC
An abundant year-round resident found in woodlands, parks, gardens, and farmland across the county. Numbers swell in autumn with continental immigrants.
Year-round