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 24–45 of 45 species
Great Spotted Woodpecker
Dendrocopos majorLC
A common resident of mature woodland and parks, often heard drumming in spring; increasingly visits garden peanut feeders.
Year-round
Great Tit
Parus majorLC
An abundant resident of gardens, parks and woodlands throughout the county, easily recognised by its bold black head stripe and two-syllable song.
Year-round
Greenfinch
Chloris chlorisLC
A common garden and farmland resident, though numbers have declined sharply due to trichomonosis disease in recent years.
Year-round
Grey Heron
Ardea cinereaLC
A familiar sight year-round, nesting in heronries at established sites and feeding along rivers, lakes, and garden ponds.
Year-round
Greylag Goose
Anser anserLC
A common year-round resident found on reservoirs, gravel pits and farmland. Feral populations thrive across Leicestershire's waterways.
Year-round
House Martin
Delichon urbicumLC
A common summer visitor, building distinctive mud nests under the eaves of houses and farm buildings. Present from April to October across the county.
Apr–Oct
House Sparrow
Passer domesticusLC
A familiar year-round resident of towns, villages and farms, though numbers have declined significantly in recent decades.
Year-round
Jackdaw
Corvus monedulaLC
A common and sociable resident, nesting in church towers, old trees, and buildings. Often seen in noisy flocks with Rooks across farmland.
Year-round
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Lesser Black-backed Gull
Larus fuscusLC
A common year-round resident, often seen at reservoirs, landfill sites, and playing fields across the county.
Year-round
Little Egret
Egretta garzettaLC
Now a common resident after rapid colonisation, found year-round at reservoirs, gravel pits, and river margins.
Year-round
Long-tailed Tit
Aegithalos caudatusLC
A charming resident often seen in noisy family flocks moving through hedgerows and woodland, present year-round across the county.
Year-round
Magpie
Pica picaLC
A common and conspicuous resident in gardens, parks, hedgerows and farmland. Its bold black-and-white plumage and chattering call are unmistakable.
Year-round
Mallard
Anas platyrhynchosLC
A common and widespread resident found on virtually any waterbody, from park lakes to farm ponds and rivers.
Year-round
Moorhen
Gallinula chloropusLC
A common resident of ponds, canals, and waterways throughout the county. Often seen picking its way along muddy margins, flicking its tail.
Year-round
Mute Swan
Cygnus olorLC
A familiar year-round resident gracing the county's rivers, canals and park lakes. Breeds readily across Leicestershire.
Year-round
Redwing
Turdus iliacusNT
A common winter visitor from Scandinavia, often seen in hedgerow-feeding flocks alongside Fieldfares from October to April.
Oct–Apr
Rock Dove
Columba liviaLC
Abundant year-round as feral pigeons in towns and cities, a ubiquitous presence across urban Leicestershire.
Year-round
Rook
Corvus frugilegusLC
A common and sociable resident, nesting colonially in tall trees across the county's farmland and village margins.
Year-round
Song Thrush
Turdus philomelosLC
A common resident of gardens, hedgerows, and woodland. Often seen smashing snails on a favourite stone anvil.
Year-round
Stock Dove
Columba oenasLC
A common resident of farmland, parkland, and woodland edges. Nests in tree holes and old buildings, often seen in small flocks over fields.
Year-round
Tufted Duck
Aythya fuligulaLC
A common diving duck present year-round on reservoirs and gravel pits, often nesting near waterside vegetation.
Year-round
Woodpigeon
Columba palumbusLC
An abundant resident found everywhere from city centres to farmland. Large flocks gather on arable fields in autumn and winter.
Year-round