Birds in London
Explore 158 species found in this region.
London is home to a remarkable 156 bird species, thriving across the capital's diverse habitats — from the expansive wetlands of the Lee Valley and the Royal Parks to suburban gardens and the tidal Thames. Notable species include Mandarin Duck, Eurasian Woodcock, and Northern Lapwing, alongside familiar favourites like Great Tit, Magpie, and Common Starling. To discover which species you're most likely to encounter, explore our guide to the 20 Most Common Birds in London: Gardens, Parks & Urban Hotspots.
Visiting in April? Look out for Arctic Tern and Bar-tailed Godwit arriving this month, and Black Swan and Brambling depart for the season.
Showing 47–69 of 158 species
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 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 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 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 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
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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 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
Eurasian Woodcock
Scolopax rusticolaLC
A rare winter visitor, sometimes flushed from woodland and large gardens during cold snaps between November and January.
Nov–Jan
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 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
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
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
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
Franklin's Gull
Leucophaeus pipixcanLC
An extremely rare Nearctic vagrant, recorded on passage in July. Any London sighting would be a major find for local birders.
Jul
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
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