Rare Birds in Manchester

71 species matching this filter.

All birds in Manchester

Manchester's diverse landscapes — from urban parks and canal corridors to the moorland fringes of the Pennines — support a surprising variety of rare bird species. With 71 species classified as rare across the county, patient observers may encounter elusive residents such as Barn Owl, Little Owl and European Green Woodpecker, alongside scarce visitors like Iceland Gull and Greenshank. The mix of reservoirs, river valleys and remnant farmland provides vital habitat pockets for these less commonly seen birds.

Wood Warbler
Wood WarblerSmallest · 11cm
to
Whooper Swan
Whooper SwanLargest · 165cm
Ranges from the Wood Warbler (11cm) to the Whooper Swan (165cm)26 families represented18 year-round residents

Showing 70–71 of 71 species

Yellow-legged Gull

Yellow-legged Gull

Larus michahellisLC

A rare visitor, occasionally breeding locally. Look for yellow legs among the commoner gull flocks at reservoirs and landfill sites.

Nov–Jan

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M
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D
Yellowhammer

Yellowhammer

Emberiza citrinellaLC

A rare resident of farmland hedgerows on the rural fringes. Has declined significantly but can still be found singing from exposed perches.

Year-round

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