Birds in Oxfordshire
Explore 174 species found in this region.
Oxfordshire is home to a remarkably diverse range of birdlife, with 172 species recorded across the county's varied habitats. From the wetlands of the Thames Valley, which attract species such as Common Shelduck, Northern Pintail and Common Sandpiper, to the ancient woodlands sheltering Eurasian Woodcock and Mandarin Duck, the county offers excellent birding opportunities year-round. Notable sightings include scarcer visitors like the Bluethroat alongside familiar garden favourites such as the Great Tit and Magpie.
Visiting in April? Look out for Arctic Tern and Bar-tailed Godwit arriving this month, and Avocet and Brambling depart for the season.
Showing 24–46 of 174 species
Chiffchaff
Phylloscopus collybitaLC
Present year-round in woodlands and hedgerows, with numbers boosted in spring by arriving migrants. Its repetitive song is a familiar sound.
Year-round
Coal Tit
Periparus aterLC
An uncommon resident favouring coniferous and mixed woodland, visiting garden feeders in winter. Less numerous here than in more heavily wooded counties.
Year-round
Common Crane
Grus grusLC
A rare but increasingly recorded breeder, part of the species' gradual recolonisation of England. Found on secluded wetlands.
Feb–Sep
Common Gull
Larus canusLC
An uncommon visitor to reservoirs and farmland, most often seen in winter flocks. Largely absent during May and June.
Jul–Apr
Common Kingfisher
Alcedo atthisLC
An uncommon but delightful year-round resident along rivers, streams, and canal banks. A flash of electric blue is often the first sign of its presence.
Year-round
Common Loon
Gavia immerLC
A rare winter visitor to larger water bodies, occasionally recorded at Farmoor Reservoir in late autumn and early winter.
Nov–Jan
Common Merganser
Mergus merganserLC
A rare non-breeding visitor to rivers and reservoirs, mainly from autumn through to spring. Also known as Goosander in Britain.
Sep–Apr
Common Pheasant
Phasianus colchicusLC
A common resident of farmland, hedgerows, and woodland edges throughout the county, sustained by regular releases for shooting.
Year-round
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Common Quail
Coturnix coturnixLC
A rare and secretive summer visitor, more often heard than seen calling from cereal fields in June and July.
Jun–Jul
Common Raven
Corvus coraxLC
An uncommon but increasing resident, now regularly seen and heard performing aerial displays over farmland and woodland throughout the county.
Year-round
Common Redpoll
Acanthis flammeaLC
A rare winter visitor, occasionally turning up in birch and alder woodland. Most likely seen in irruption years from autumn through early spring.
Sep–Apr
Common Redstart
Phoenicurus phoenicurusLC
A rare passage visitor in spring and autumn, occasionally seen in mature parkland and woodland edges. Does not regularly breed in the county.
Apr–Sep
Common Reed-warbler
Acrocephalus scirpaceusLC
An uncommon summer breeder, arriving in April to nest in reedbeds and waterside vegetation at sites like Otmoor, with a distinctive chattering song.
Apr–Sep
Common Sandpiper
Actitis hypoleucosLC
An uncommon visitor along rivers and gravel pits, bobbing on rocks at the water's edge. Most frequently seen on passage in spring and autumn.
Mar–Jan
Common Scoter
Melanitta nigraLC
A rare passage visitor, sometimes seen on Farmoor Reservoir in small numbers during autumn or midwinter movements.
Sep–Jan
Common Shelduck
Tadorna tadornaLC
An uncommon resident, occasionally seen on gravel pits and larger water bodies. Scarcer inland than on the coast.
Aug–Jun
Common Snipe
Gallinago gallinagoLC
An uncommon resident of marshy fields and wet meadows, often flushed from waterlogged grassland at sites like Otmoor and the Thames floodplain.
Year-round
Common Starling
Sturnus vulgarisLC
Common year-round in gardens and farmland, though nationally declining. Winter roosts can number thousands at sites across the county.
Year-round
Common Swift
Apus apusLC
A common breeding visitor screaming over towns and villages from late April to August. Nests under eaves and in roof spaces.
Apr–Sep
Common Tern
Sterna hirundoLC
An uncommon summer breeder, nesting on raft platforms at gravel pits and reservoirs from April to September, with Farmoor a key local site.
Apr–Sep
Coot
Fulica atraLC
A common and pugnacious resident of lakes, gravel pits, and park ponds, often forming large winter flocks at Farmoor Reservoir.
Year-round
Corn Bunting
Emberiza calandraLC
A rare and declining resident of open arable farmland. Once widespread, now confined to a few traditional cereal-growing areas in the county.
Year-round
Cuckoo
Cuculus canorusLC
An uncommon summer visitor arriving in April, favouring woodland edges and reedbeds. Its distinctive call is increasingly hard to hear.
Apr–Aug