Common Birds in Leicestershire
45 species matching this filter.
Leicestershire supports 45 commonly seen bird species across its varied landscape of rolling farmland, ancient woodlands, reservoirs, and urban parks. From the melodious Blackcap and colourful European Goldfinch to the soaring Buzzard over open countryside, the county offers rewarding birdwatching throughout the year. Many of these species are also familiar garden visitors — for a broader look at what you might spot from your window, see our guide to 23 Common Garden Birds in the UK (Full Guide with Pictures).
Showing 1–23 of 45 species
Barn Swallow
Hirundo rusticaLC
A common summer visitor from March to October, nesting in farm buildings and barns across the county's rural landscape.
Mar–Oct
Blackbird
Turdus merulaLC
One of the county's most familiar garden birds, common year-round. Feeds on lawns and in hedgerows, with a rich, fluting song heard from early spring.
Year-round
Blackcap
Sylvia atricapillaLC
A common resident present all year, breeding in woodland and hedgerows. Winter numbers are boosted by continental birds visiting garden feeders.
Year-round
Blue Tit
Cyanistes caeruleusLC
A common and familiar garden resident year-round. One of the most frequent visitors to bird feeders across the county's towns and villages.
Year-round
Buzzard
Buteo buteoLC
A common resident, now one of the county's most visible raptors following a dramatic recovery. Soars over farmland and woodland edges year-round.
Year-round
Canada Goose
Branta canadensisLC
A common and conspicuous resident on lakes, reservoirs, rivers, and park ponds throughout the county. Breeds readily and gathers in large flocks.
Year-round
Carrion Crow
Corvus coroneLC
A common and adaptable resident found across all habitats from city centres to open countryside. Often seen in noisy family groups during summer.
Year-round
Chaffinch
Fringilla coelebsLC
An abundant resident of woodlands, hedgerows and gardens throughout the county, with winter numbers boosted by continental arrivals.
Year-round
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Chiffchaff
Phylloscopus collybitaLC
A common resident found year-round in woodland, parks and gardens. Its distinctive two-note song is one of the earliest signs of spring.
Year-round
Coal Tit
Periparus aterLC
A common resident of woodlands, parks and mature gardens. Readily visits feeders and often caches seeds and nuts for later retrieval.
Year-round
Common Pheasant
Phasianus colchicusLC
A common year-round resident of farmland, hedgerows and woodland edges. Populations sustained by regular releases.
Year-round
Common Starling
Sturnus vulgarisLC
A common and familiar resident, though nationally declining. Winter roosts at sites across Leicestershire can number in the thousands.
Year-round
Common Swift
Apus apusLC
A common summer breeder, screaming over towns and villages from late April to August. Numbers have declined, raising conservation concern.
Apr–Sep
Coot
Fulica atraLC
A common resident on lakes, reservoirs and gravel pits throughout the county. Forms large winter flocks.
Year-round
Dunnock
Prunella modularisLC
A common and widespread resident of hedgerows, gardens, and scrubby undergrowth. Its shuffling song is a familiar sound year-round.
Year-round
Eurasian Collared Dove
Streptopelia decaoctoLC
A common resident in towns, villages, and farmyards across the county. Its monotonous three-note cooing is a familiar suburban sound.
Year-round
Eurasian Wren
Troglodytes troglodytesLC
A common and vocal resident found in virtually every hedgerow, garden and woodland, its powerful song belying its tiny size.
Year-round
European Goldfinch
Carduelis carduelisLC
A common and colourful resident, frequently visiting garden feeders. Flocks gather on teasel and thistle heads in autumn across the county.
Year-round
European Green Woodpecker
Picus viridisLC
A common resident of parkland, orchards, and woodland edges. Its loud, laughing 'yaffle' call carries far across the Leicestershire countryside.
Year-round
European Robin
Erithacus rubeculaLC
A much-loved common resident of gardens, woodland, and hedgerows year-round. One of the first birds to sing at dawn across the county.
Year-round
Goldcrest
Regulus regulusLC
A common resident of coniferous and mixed woodland, parks, and mature gardens. Numbers swell in autumn with continental migrants.
Year-round
Great Cormorant
Phalacrocorax carboLC
A common year-round resident at reservoirs, gravel pits and rivers. Often seen perched with wings outstretched to dry after diving for fish.
Year-round
Great Crested Grebe
Podiceps cristatusLC
A common resident on larger lakes and reservoirs, performing its elaborate head-shaking courtship display from late winter. Breeds across the county.
Year-round