Common Birds in Gloucestershire
51 species matching this filter.
Gloucestershire is home to 51 commonly recorded bird species, reflecting the county's rich variety of habitats — from the rolling Cotswold hills and the Severn Estuary mudflats to the ancient woodlands of the Forest of Dean. Familiar garden visitors such as the Blackbird and Dunnock thrive alongside wetland species like the Black-tailed Godwit and Coot, while open farmland supports Eurasian Skylarks and Curlews. For a broader look at everyday species you might encounter, see our guide to 23 Common Garden Birds in the UK (Full Guide with Pictures) or explore Common Brown Birds of British Gardens.
Showing 1–23 of 51 species
Barn Swallow
Hirundo rusticaLC
A common summer visitor from March to October, nesting in farm buildings and barns across the county's pastoral lowlands.
Mar–Oct
Black-tailed Godwit
Limosa limosaNT
Common year-round on the Severn Estuary and wet grasslands, with Slimbridge hosting nationally important flocks.
Year-round
Blackbird
Turdus merulaLC
An abundant resident found in virtually every garden, hedgerow and woodland across the county, singing from dawn throughout the year.
Year-round
Blackcap
Sylvia atricapillaLC
A common resident of woodlands and gardens. Summer breeders are joined by continental wintering birds, making it present year-round.
Year-round
Blue Tit
Cyanistes caeruleusLC
A common and familiar garden resident year-round, readily using nest boxes in gardens, hedgerows, and woodland across the county.
Year-round
Buzzard
Buteo buteoLC
The county's most commonly seen raptor, soaring over farmland, woodland edges and motorway verges throughout the year.
Year-round
Canada Goose
Branta canadensisLC
A common resident of lakes, gravel pits and river meadows, with large moulting flocks gathering at Slimbridge in summer.
Year-round
Carrion Crow
Corvus coroneLC
A common and conspicuous resident found across farmland, towns, and gardens throughout the county all year round.
Year-round
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Chaffinch
Fringilla coelebsLC
A common resident found year-round in woodlands, hedgerows and gardens. Winter flocks are often boosted by Continental migrants.
Year-round
Chiffchaff
Phylloscopus collybitaLC
A common resident heard year-round, its repetitive two-note song echoing through woodlands, parks, and gardens across the county.
Year-round
Common Shelduck
Tadorna tadornaLC
A common resident found year-round on the Severn Estuary mudflats and nearby wetlands. Breeds locally and gathers in moulting flocks.
Year-round
Common Starling
Sturnus vulgarisLC
A common resident forming spectacular winter murmurations, notably over reedbeds at Slimbridge and urban roost sites.
Year-round
Coot
Fulica atraLC
A common resident on lakes, reservoirs and gravel pits across the county. Forms large winter flocks on open water.
Year-round
Curlew
Numenius arquataNT
Common along the Severn Estuary and on wet grasslands year-round. Breeding numbers in the county have declined significantly.
Year-round
Dunlin
Calidris alpinaLC
Common along the Severn Estuary mudflats year-round, with numbers peaking in winter when migrants join resident birds.
Year-round
Dunnock
Prunella modularisLC
A common and widespread resident of hedgerows, gardens and scrubby woodland. Its shuffling song is one of the earliest heard each spring.
Year-round
Eurasian Collared Dove
Streptopelia decaoctoLC
A common resident in towns, villages and farmyards, its monotonous three-note call heard throughout the year.
Year-round
Eurasian Oystercatcher
Haematopus ostralegusNT
Common year-round along the Severn Estuary. Breeds on shingle and grassland, with noisy piping calls a familiar sound.
Year-round
Eurasian Skylark
Alauda arvensisLC
A common resident of open farmland and grassland across the Cotswolds and Severn Vale, though declining nationally due to agricultural changes.
Year-round
Eurasian Wigeon
Mareca penelopeLC
Common on the Severn Estuary and wetlands, with large winter flocks at Slimbridge. Small numbers linger through summer.
Year-round
Eurasian Wren
Troglodytes troglodytesLC
A common and vocal resident found in virtually every hedgerow, garden, and woodland. Remarkably loud song for its tiny size.
Year-round
European Goldfinch
Carduelis carduelisLC
A common and colourful resident, frequently seen in flocks on teasel heads and garden feeders throughout the county all year round.
Year-round
European Herring Gull
Larus argentatusLC
A common year-round resident, regularly seen at landfill sites, reservoirs and urban rooftops across the county.
Year-round