Common Birds in North Yorkshire
44 species matching this filter.
North Yorkshire is the largest county in England and boasts a remarkable diversity of habitats, from the windswept moorlands of the North York Moors and Yorkshire Dales to its rugged coastline and fertile lowland valleys. With 44 commonly occurring species, birdwatchers can enjoy sightings of farmland favourites like the Curlew and Common Pheasant, woodland visitors such as the Chiffchaff and Dunnock, and waterside species including the Grey Heron and Coot. Many of these birds are also familiar garden visitors across the country — for a broader look at what you might spot closer to home, see our guide to 23 Common Garden Birds in the UK (Full Guide with Pictures).
Showing 24–44 of 44 species
Grey Heron
Ardea cinereaLC
A common and familiar resident, found along rivers, reservoirs, and farmland ponds throughout the region. Nests colonially in tall trees.
Year-round
Greylag Goose
Anser anserLC
A common year-round resident found on farmland, reservoirs and parkland lakes across the region. Feral and wild populations mix freely.
Year-round
House Martin
Delichon urbicumLC
A common summer visitor nesting under eaves in towns and villages from April to October. Numbers have declined in recent decades.
Apr–Oct
House Sparrow
Passer domesticusLC
A common resident of towns, villages and farmsteads, though numbers have declined significantly since the 1970s.
Year-round
Jackdaw
Corvus monedulaLC
A common and sociable resident, nesting in old buildings, church towers and tree cavities across the region.
Year-round
Kestrel
Falco tinnunculusLC
A common resident often seen hovering over roadside verges and moorland edges while hunting for voles.
Year-round
Linnet
Linaria cannabinaLC
A common resident of gorse-covered moorland edges, farmland and rough ground. Forms sociable flocks outside the breeding season across open countryside.
Year-round
Long-tailed Tit
Aegithalos caudatusLC
Common year-round in hedgerows and woodland, often seen in lively, acrobatic flocks bouncing along branches. Visits garden feeders in winter.
Year-round
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Magpie
Pica picaLC
A common and conspicuous resident of gardens, hedgerows, and farmland, seen throughout the region in all seasons.
Year-round
Mallard
Anas platyrhynchosLC
A common and familiar resident on virtually any body of water, from village ponds and park lakes to moorland reservoirs.
Year-round
Meadow Pipit
Anthus pratensisLC
A common resident of the moorlands and upland pastures, its thin piping call is the soundtrack of the Dales and North York Moors.
Year-round
Moorhen
Gallinula chloropusLC
A common resident found on ponds, rivers and wetlands throughout the region, often seen flicking its white undertail along waterside vegetation.
Year-round
Mute Swan
Cygnus olorLC
A familiar and elegant resident of rivers, canals and lakes throughout the region. Breeds widely and is present all year.
Year-round
Northern Lapwing
Vanellus vanellusNT
A common year-round resident of farmland and moorland edges. Breeds on upland fields but flocks on lowland pastures in winter.
Year-round
Reed Bunting
Emberiza schoeniclusLC
A common resident of reedbeds, marshes and damp scrub across the region. Males show a distinctive black head in breeding plumage from spring.
Year-round
Rock Dove
Columba liviaLC
A common year-round resident in towns, cities, and along coastal cliffs. Feral populations thrive alongside truly wild cliff-nesting birds.
Year-round
Rook
Corvus frugilegusLC
A common resident forming noisy rookeries in tall trees across farmland; large flocks feed in ploughed fields year-round.
Year-round
Song Thrush
Turdus philomelosLC
A common resident of gardens, hedgerows and woodland, often heard smashing snails on stones. Sings its repeated phrases from early spring through summer.
Year-round
Tufted Duck
Aythya fuligulaLC
A common diving duck found on lakes, reservoirs and gravel pits throughout the year. Often seen in tight rafts on open water.
Year-round
Willow Warbler
Phylloscopus trochilusLC
A common summer breeder of moorland edges, scrubby hillsides and open woodland, arriving from Africa in April.
Apr–Oct
Woodpigeon
Columba palumbusLC
A common resident seen in farmland, woodlands, parks, and gardens throughout the county all year round.
Year-round