Common Birds in Hertfordshire
56 species matching this filter.
Hertfordshire is home to 56 commonly spotted bird species, reflecting the county's rich mix of parkland, farmland, woodland and urban gardens. From familiar favourites like the Blackbird and European Goldfinch to impressive raptors such as the Buzzard, there is plenty to discover across the county's diverse habitats. If you're keen to learn more about everyday species, our guide to 23 Common Garden Birds in the UK (Full Guide with Pictures) is a great place to start.
Showing 1–23 of 56 species
Barn Swallow
Hirundo rusticaLC
A welcome summer visitor arriving from March, nesting in barns and outbuildings across the county. Gathers in large flocks over reservoirs before autumn departure.
Mar–Oct
Blackbird
Turdus merulaLC
An abundant year-round resident of gardens, hedgerows, and woodland, with numbers boosted by continental birds in winter.
Year-round
Blackcap
Sylvia atricapillaLC
A common warbler found in woods and gardens year-round, boosted in winter by Continental migrants. Males sing richly from dense cover in spring and summer.
Year-round
Blue Tit
Cyanistes caeruleusLC
One of the county's most familiar garden birds, readily using nest boxes. Present year-round in gardens, hedgerows, and woodland.
Year-round
Buzzard
Buteo buteoLC
Now a common resident after a dramatic recovery, frequently seen soaring over farmland and woodland edges throughout the county.
Year-round
Canada Goose
Branta canadensisLC
Abundant on lakes, rivers and parkland throughout Hertfordshire all year. Large flocks gather on the Lea Valley reservoirs and gravel pits.
Year-round
Carrion Crow
Corvus coroneLC
Abundant year-round across Hertfordshire's farmland, towns, and parks. Often seen in small groups foraging on playing fields and arable land.
Year-round
Chaffinch
Fringilla coelebsLC
A common and widespread resident of woodland, hedgerows, and gardens. Its cheerful song is one of the first heard in late winter.
Year-round
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Chiffchaff
Phylloscopus collybitaLC
Common in woodland, scrub, and parks, with increasing numbers now overwintering. Its repetitive descending song is one of the earliest heard in spring.
Year-round
Common Gull
Larus canusLC
Common across the county, frequenting playing fields, reservoirs and farmland. Numbers peak in winter with an influx of northern birds.
Jul–May
Common Pheasant
Phasianus colchicusLC
Widespread and common across farmland, woodland edges and hedgerows year-round. Populations are largely sustained by regular releases for shooting.
Year-round
Common Starling
Sturnus vulgarisLC
A common but declining resident of gardens, parks, and farmland. Winter numbers swell with continental arrivals forming impressive murmurations.
Year-round
Common Swift
Apus apusLC
A common summer breeder screaming over towns and villages from late April to August. Nests under eaves of older buildings across the county.
Apr–Sep
Common Tern
Sterna hirundoLC
A common breeding summer visitor, nesting on rafts and islands at reservoirs and gravel pits from April to September.
Apr–Sep
Coot
Fulica atraLC
A common and conspicuous resident on lakes, reservoirs and gravel pits throughout the county. Large winter flocks gather at key waterbodies.
Year-round
Dunnock
Prunella modularisLC
A common but unassuming resident of hedgerows and garden shrubbery. Its shuffling gait and thin song are familiar across the county.
Year-round
Eurasian Collared Dove
Streptopelia decaoctoLC
A familiar garden and suburban resident throughout the county. Its persistent cooing call is a year-round feature of Hertfordshire towns and villages.
Year-round
Eurasian Jay
Garrulus glandariusLC
A colourful resident of woodlands and parks, often detected by its harsh screeching call. Frequently seen burying acorns in autumn across the county.
Year-round
Eurasian Wren
Troglodytes troglodytesLC
A tiny but remarkably loud resident found in virtually every hedgerow, garden, and woodland. One of the county's most widespread breeding birds.
Year-round
European Goldfinch
Carduelis carduelisLC
A colourful and common resident, increasingly visiting garden feeders. Flocks gather on seed-rich wasteland and field margins year-round.
Year-round
European Green Woodpecker
Picus viridisLC
A common resident of parkland, woodland edges, and large gardens. Its loud laughing call, or 'yaffle', is a familiar sound across the county year-round.
Year-round
European Herring Gull
Larus argentatusLC
Common year-round, frequenting reservoirs, playing fields and landfill sites. Numbers peak in winter when joined by birds from further north.
Year-round
European Robin
Erithacus rubeculaLC
One of the county's most beloved residents, singing year-round in gardens, parks, and woodland. Boldly territorial and often confiding around people.
Year-round