Common Birds in London
48 species matching this filter.
London is home to 48 commonly spotted bird species, thriving across the capital's diverse habitats — from the expansive wetlands of the Lee Valley to the ancient woodlands of Richmond Park and the bustling garden feeders of suburban neighbourhoods. Familiar favourites such as Blackbirds, Common Starlings, and European Goldfinches share the city with less expected residents like Egyptian Geese and European Green Woodpeckers. For a closer look at the capital's most frequently encountered species, explore our guide to the 20 Most Common Birds in London: Gardens, Parks & Urban Hotspots.
Showing 1–23 of 48 species
Blackbird
Turdus merulaLC
One of London's most familiar birds, abundant in gardens, parks, and hedgerows year-round. Its melodious song fills the city at dusk.
Year-round
Blackcap
Sylvia atricapillaLC
A common resident boosted in winter by continental migrants. Its rich song is heard in parks and gardens year-round.
Year-round
Blue Tit
Cyanistes caeruleusLC
A common and much-loved garden resident, readily visiting feeders year-round. One of London's most familiar and colourful small birds.
Year-round
Canada Goose
Branta canadensisLC
Abundant and resident year-round, found on almost every lake, reservoir, and park in the capital. Often forms large, noisy flocks.
Year-round
Carrion Crow
Corvus coroneLC
A common and intelligent resident, found throughout London from inner-city rooftops to suburban gardens. Often seen in large gatherings at dusk.
Year-round
Cetti's Warbler
Cettia cettiLC
A common year-round resident at London's wetland reserves, more often heard than seen. Its explosive song bursts from dense waterside cover.
Year-round
Chaffinch
Fringilla coelebsLC
A common year-round resident in parks, gardens, and woodland. Its cheerful descending song is a hallmark of spring across the capital.
Year-round
Chiffchaff
Phylloscopus collybitaLC
A common resident heard singing its repetitive two-note call in parks and scrubby areas year-round. Increasingly overwinters in London's milder climate.
Year-round
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Common Gull
Larus canusLC
Common year-round, frequenting playing fields, reservoirs, and the Thames. Numbers peak in winter with continental arrivals.
Year-round
Common Starling
Sturnus vulgarisLC
A common but declining resident, forming spectacular winter murmurations over central London rooftop roosts.
Year-round
Common Swift
Apus apusLC
Screaming parties are a quintessential London summer sound from April to August, nesting in roof spaces across the city.
Apr–Sep
Coot
Fulica atraLC
Abundant on virtually every London lake and reservoir year-round. Aggressive and conspicuous, often seen squabbling in large flocks.
Year-round
Dunnock
Prunella modularisLC
A common resident throughout London's gardens, parks, and hedgerows. Its thin, warbling song is heard year-round from dense undergrowth.
Year-round
Egyptian Goose
Alopochen aegyptiacaLC
A common and increasing resident, thriving in London's parks and along waterways. Now one of the capital's most conspicuous wildfowl.
Year-round
Eurasian Jay
Garrulus glandariusLC
A common resident of London's parks and wooded areas, often betrayed by its harsh screeching call. Frequently buries acorns in autumn.
Year-round
Eurasian Wren
Troglodytes troglodytesLC
A common resident with a remarkably powerful song for its tiny size. Thrives in London's gardens, parks, and any patch of dense undergrowth.
Year-round
European Goldfinch
Carduelis carduelisLC
A common and colourful resident, frequently visiting garden feeders. Flocks gather on teasel and thistle heads across London's parks and allotments.
Year-round
European Green Woodpecker
Picus viridisLC
Resident in parks and commons, its loud laughing call is a familiar sound. Feeds mainly on ants in short grassland.
Year-round
European Herring Gull
Larus argentatusLC
A common resident increasingly nesting on rooftops. Readily seen along the Thames and at landfill sites year-round.
Year-round
European Robin
Erithacus rubeculaLC
A beloved common resident of gardens and parks across London. Sings throughout the year and is famously confiding around people.
Year-round
Gadwall
Mareca streperaLC
A common resident on London's reservoirs, gravel pits, and wetland reserves throughout the year. Often seen alongside shovelers and teal.
Year-round
Great Cormorant
Phalacrocorax carboLC
A common year-round resident, frequently seen perched along the Thames and on London's park lakes, often drying outstretched wings.
Year-round
Great Crested Grebe
Podiceps cristatusLC
Breeds on London's larger reservoirs and lakes, performing its elaborate courtship dance from late winter onwards.
Year-round