Common Birds in London

48 species matching this filter.

All birds in London

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.

Eurasian Wren
Eurasian WrenSmallest · 9cm
to
Mute Swan
Mute SwanLargest · 160cm
Ranges from the Eurasian Wren (9cm) to the Mute Swan (160cm)24 families represented45 year-round residents

Showing 24–46 of 48 species

Great Spotted Woodpecker

Great Spotted Woodpecker

Dendrocopos majorLC

A common resident in London's parks, gardens, and woodlands year-round. Its loud drumming is a familiar sound from late winter onwards.

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Great Tit

Great Tit

Parus majorLC

One of London's most familiar garden birds, visiting feeders year-round and nesting readily in nest boxes.

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Greenfinch

Greenfinch

Chloris chlorisLC

A common garden resident year-round, though numbers have fallen steeply due to disease. Its wheezy song is a familiar suburban sound.

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Grey Heron

Grey Heron

Ardea cinereaLC

A familiar sight along canals, park lakes, and the Thames year-round. Regent's Park hosts one of Britain's oldest heronries.

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Greylag Goose

Greylag Goose

Anser anserLC

Common and resident year-round, grazing in parks and on reservoir margins. Most London birds descend from feral populations.

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
House Sparrow

House Sparrow

Passer domesticusLC

A common year-round resident, closely tied to human habitation. Colonies thrive in suburban hedgerows, though London populations have declined sharply.

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Jackdaw

Jackdaw

Corvus monedulaLC

A common resident found around older buildings, church towers, and parkland trees throughout the capital all year.

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Kestrel

Kestrel

Falco tinnunculusLC

A common resident, frequently seen hovering beside motorways and over urban green spaces. One of London's most visible birds of prey year-round.

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

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Lesser Black-backed Gull

Lesser Black-backed Gull

Larus fuscusLC

A common year-round resident, often seen soaring over rooftops or scavenging along the Thames and in urban parks.

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Little Grebe

Little Grebe

Tachybaptus ruficollisLC

A common resident of ponds, canals, and park lakes, often betrayed by its distinctive whinnying trill.

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Long-tailed Tit

Long-tailed Tit

Aegithalos caudatusLC

A common and charming resident, often seen in busy family flocks moving through hedgerows and garden shrubs. Present year-round across London.

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Magpie

Magpie

Pica picaLC

An abundant and bold resident found in virtually every London garden and park. Easily recognised by its striking black-and-white plumage and long tail.

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Mallard

Mallard

Anas platyrhynchosLC

London's most familiar duck, abundant year-round on virtually every pond, canal, lake, and stretch of the Thames.

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Moorhen

Moorhen

Gallinula chloropusLC

A common year-round resident of ponds, canals, and park lakes. Often seen skulking along vegetated margins across the capital.

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Mute Swan

Mute Swan

Cygnus olorLC

An iconic year-round resident of the Thames and London's park lakes. Breeds readily and is a familiar sight across the capital.

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Northern Shoveler

Northern Shoveler

Spatula clypeataLC

Common and present year-round on London's wetland reserves and reservoirs. Numbers peak in winter when continental birds arrive.

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Pochard

Pochard

Aythya ferinaVU

Found year-round on London's lakes and reservoirs, though declining nationally. Winter flocks bolster numbers on larger waterbodies.

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Redwing

Redwing

Turdus iliacusNT

A common winter visitor from Scandinavia, arriving from October and lingering into April. Feeds on berries in parks, gardens, and playing fields.

Sep–Apr

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Rock Dove

Rock Dove

Columba liviaLC

Ubiquitous year-round across the capital in feral form. Nests on buildings and ledges throughout central and suburban London.

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Rose-ringed Parakeet

Rose-ringed Parakeet

Alexandrinus krameriLC

A common and conspicuous resident, thriving in London's parks and gardens. Noisy flocks are a familiar sight, especially around south-west London.

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Song Thrush

Song Thrush

Turdus philomelosLC

A familiar year-round resident, often heard repeating phrases from garden trees and park shrubbery. Smashes snail shells on favourite stones.

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Stock Dove

Stock Dove

Columba oenasLC

A common but often overlooked resident of London's parks and wooded areas. Nests in tree holes and old buildings.

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Tufted Duck

Tufted Duck

Aythya fuligulaLC

A common diving duck on park lakes, reservoirs, and gravel pits throughout the year. Often seen alongside Pochard and Coot.

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
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