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 70–92 of 158 species
Glossy Ibis
Plegadis falcinellusLC
A rare autumn passage visitor, occasionally turning up at wetland reserves such as those in the Lee Valley in September.
Sep
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
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
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 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
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
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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
Great Tit
Parus majorLC
One of London's most familiar garden birds, visiting feeders year-round and nesting readily in nest boxes.
Year-round
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
House Martin
Delichon urbicumLC
An uncommon and declining summer visitor, nesting under eaves from April to October. Numbers have fallen sharply.
Apr–Oct
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