Rare Birds in London
63 species matching this filter.
London is home to 63 rare bird species that reward patient and dedicated birdwatchers with truly memorable sightings. From the striking Avocet and elusive Eurasian Bittern lurking in wetland reserves to the secretive Barn Owl hunting over urban fringe grasslands, these uncommon visitors and residents highlight the surprising diversity of the capital's habitats. For a broader overview of the city's avian life, explore our guide to the 20 Most Common Birds in London: Gardens, Parks & Urban Hotspots.
Showing 24–46 of 63 species
Eurasian Bittern
Botaurus stellarisLC
A rare winter visitor to London's larger reedbeds, present from November to February. Extremely secretive; more often heard booming than seen.
Nov–Feb
Eurasian Tree Sparrow
Passer montanusLC
A rare and declining resident on London's fringes, favouring farmland edges. Far scarcer than its House Sparrow cousin in the capital.
Sep–Apr
Eurasian Woodcock
Scolopax rusticolaLC
A rare winter visitor, sometimes flushed from woodland and large gardens during cold snaps between November and January.
Nov–Jan
European Pied Flycatcher
Ficedula hypoleucaLC
A rare autumn passage migrant, briefly passing through in August–September. Most likely at wooded sites and occasionally in larger gardens.
Aug–Sep
Firecrest
Regulus ignicapillaLC
A rare but resident kinglet, favouring evergreen trees in parks and cemeteries. Bright crown stripe distinguishes it from the commoner Goldcrest.
Sep–May
Garden Warbler
Sylvia borinLC
A rare summer breeder in London's woodlands with dense undergrowth. A skulking warbler, best detected by its rich, even-paced song.
Apr–Sep
Garganey
Spatula querquedulaLC
A rare passage migrant, briefly appearing at wetland reserves in spring and late summer. One of London's most sought-after ducks.
Apr–Sep
Golden Plover
Pluvialis apricariaLC
A rare non-breeding visitor, occasionally seen on winter farmland and flood meadows at London's fringes in November to January.
Nov–Jan
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Goldeneye
Bucephala clangulaLC
A rare winter visitor to London's larger reservoirs and gravel pits, present from November to early spring.
Nov–Apr
Grasshopper Warbler
Locustella naeviaLC
A rare spring passage migrant, occasionally heard reeling briefly at wetland sites in April before moving on.
Apr
Great White Egret
Ardea albaLC
An increasingly regular sight at London's reservoirs and wetlands. A rare breeder, present from spring through autumn with some lingering into December.
Apr–Dec
Greater Scaup
Aythya marilaLC
A rare non-breeding visitor to London's larger reservoirs during winter months. Usually found singly among tufted duck flocks.
Dec–Apr
Greater White-fronted Goose
Anser albifronsLC
A rare winter visitor, occasionally spotted in December among other goose flocks on London's larger reservoirs and grazing marshes.
Dec
Greenshank
Tringa nebulariaLC
A rare wader seen at London's reservoirs and wetlands, mainly on spring and autumn passage. Listen for its distinctive ringing three-note call.
Apr–Sep
Horned Grebe
Podiceps auritusVU
A rare passage visitor, occasionally turning up on London's reservoirs in late winter. Known as Slavonian Grebe in British usage.
Feb
Jack Snipe
Lymnocryptes minimusLC
A rare and secretive winter visitor to London's marshes and wet meadows. Easily overlooked due to its skulking habits.
Oct–Apr
Lesser Spotted Woodpecker
Dryobates minorLC
A rare passage visitor, most likely detected in March when drumming. One of Britain's most rapidly declining species, now very scarce in the London area.
Mar
Little Owl
Athene noctuaLC
A rare year-round resident on London's rural fringes, favouring farmland and old orchards. An introduced species declining nationally.
Year-round
Nightingale
Luscinia megarhynchosLC
A rare spring passage migrant in April–May, occasionally pausing in dense scrub at sites like Rainham Marshes. Breeding range has retreated from London.
Apr–May
Red Crossbill
Loxia curvirostraLC
A rare and irruptive passage visitor, occasionally appearing in October during invasion years. Seeks out conifer stands in larger parks.
Oct
Red-crested Pochard
Netta rufinaLC
A rare but year-round resident, with a small established population centred on London's park lakes and reservoirs.
Year-round
Red-legged Partridge
Alectoris rufaNT
A rare and unexpected visitor to the London area, occasionally turning up in spring on the capital's outer farmland edges.
Apr
Ring Ouzel
Turdus torquatusLC
A rare passage migrant in April and October, pausing briefly on migration. Most often found on scrubby hillsides and open ground on London's fringes.
Oct–Apr