Uncommon Birds in London
45 species matching this filter.
London is home to 45 uncommon bird species that reward patient and observant birdwatchers willing to explore the capital's diverse habitats. From the dazzling Common Kingfisher darting along the city's rivers and canals to the elusive Common Snipe hiding in wetland reserves, these species add a thrilling dimension beyond the 20 most common birds in London. Habitats such as reservoirs, heathlands, mature woodlands and reed-fringed lakes across London's green spaces provide vital refuges for these less frequently encountered birds.
Showing 1–23 of 45 species
Barn Swallow
Hirundo rusticaLC
An uncommon summer breeder from April to October, more often seen over outer London's farmland and wetlands than the inner city.
Apr–Oct
Buzzard
Buteo buteoLC
An uncommon but increasing resident, now regularly seen soaring over London's outer suburbs, parks, and green corridors.
Year-round
Coal Tit
Periparus aterLC
An uncommon resident of parks and woodlands with mature conifers. Less numerous than Blue or Great Tits but present year-round at feeders.
Year-round
Common Kingfisher
Alcedo atthisLC
An uncommon but delightful year-round resident along London's rivers, canals, and park lakes. A flash of electric blue along the waterside.
Year-round
Common Pheasant
Phasianus colchicusLC
An uncommon resident found mainly on London's rural fringes and larger green spaces. Originally introduced, now well established.
Year-round
Common Reed-warbler
Acrocephalus scirpaceusLC
An uncommon summer visitor breeding in reedbeds at wetland reserves. Its repetitive song carries across marshes from May.
Apr–Sep
Common Sandpiper
Actitis hypoleucosLC
An uncommon but regular wader along the Thames and reservoir edges, bobbing its tail as it picks along stony margins.
Jul–May
Common Shelduck
Tadorna tadornaLC
An uncommon year-round resident, favouring the Thames estuary fringes and larger reservoirs. Less often seen on smaller park lakes.
Year-round
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Common Snipe
Gallinago gallinagoLC
An uncommon resident of London's marshes and wet grasslands. Most visible in winter when numbers increase at key wetland sites.
Aug–May
Common Tern
Sterna hirundoLC
An uncommon summer breeder, nesting on rafts at reservoirs and gravel pits. Dives for fish from April to September.
Apr–Sep
Eurasian Collared Dove
Streptopelia decaoctoLC
An uncommon resident more typical of suburban fringes than inner London. Its monotonous three-note call is distinctive.
Year-round
Eurasian Nuthatch
Sitta europaeaLC
An uncommon resident of mature deciduous woodland in parks and outer suburbs, slowly spreading across the capital.
Year-round
Eurasian Oystercatcher
Haematopus ostralegusNT
An uncommon breeder, increasingly nesting on London's gravel rooftops and reservoir margins from spring through summer.
Feb–Aug
Eurasian Siskin
Spinus spinusLC
An uncommon non-breeding visitor from September to April, often feeding in alders and birches along London's waterways and in wooded parks.
Sep–Apr
Eurasian Skylark
Alauda arvensisLC
Uncommon and declining, now largely restricted to outer London's remaining open grasslands and farmland fringes.
Year-round
Eurasian Wigeon
Mareca penelopeLC
An uncommon visitor, mainly present from autumn to spring on reservoirs and flooded grasslands. Whistling flocks are a winter highlight.
Aug–May
Fieldfare
Turdus pilarisLC
An uncommon winter visitor, arriving from Scandinavia from October. Roaming flocks sometimes descend on berry-laden trees in parks and playing fields.
Oct–Apr
Goldcrest
Regulus regulusLC
An uncommon year-round resident, favouring conifers in London's parks and cemeteries. Britain's smallest bird, with a thin, high-pitched call.
Year-round
Great Black-backed Gull
Larus marinusLC
An uncommon year-round resident, often seen at reservoirs and along the Thames. The largest regularly occurring gull in London.
Year-round
Green Sandpiper
Tringa ochropusLC
An uncommon but year-round visitor to London's watercress beds, ditches, and reservoir margins. Often solitary and easily startled.
Jun–Apr
Grey Wagtail
Motacilla cinereaLC
An uncommon year-round resident favouring streams and waterways. Increasingly seen along London's rivers and canals, bobbing its long tail.
Year-round
Hobby
Falco subbuteoLC
An elegant summer visitor from April to September, hunting dragonflies and small birds over wetlands and heathland on London's outskirts.
Apr–Sep
House Martin
Delichon urbicumLC
An uncommon and declining summer visitor, nesting under eaves from April to October. Numbers have fallen sharply.
Apr–Oct