Common Birds in South Yorkshire
52 species matching this filter.
South Yorkshire supports 52 commonly seen bird species across its diverse mix of urban centres, rolling farmland, moorland edges, and wetland reserves. From familiar garden visitors like the Blackbird, Great Tit, and European Goldfinch to waterbirds such as the Coot, Gadwall, and Greylag Goose, the county offers rewarding birdwatching throughout the year. Many of these species are also widespread across the rest of the country — discover more in our guide to 23 Common Garden Birds in the UK (Full Guide with Pictures).
Showing 1–23 of 52 species
Barn Swallow
Hirundo rusticaLC
A common summer visitor from April to October, nesting in barns and outbuildings across farmland. Numbers have declined nationally.
Apr–Oct
Blackbird
Turdus merulaLC
A familiar year-round resident found in gardens, parks, and woodlands across the region. One of South Yorkshire's most abundant and recognisable songbirds.
Year-round
Blue Tit
Cyanistes caeruleusLC
A common and much-loved garden resident, readily using nest boxes. Present year-round in woodlands, parks and hedgerows.
Year-round
Buzzard
Buteo buteoLC
A common resident, frequently seen soaring over farmland, moorland fringes, and woodland throughout the year.
Year-round
Canada Goose
Branta canadensisLC
A common and widespread resident of parks, lakes and rivers. Large moulting flocks gather on open water in summer.
Year-round
Carrion Crow
Corvus coroneLC
A common and adaptable resident seen across all habitats from city centres to upland pastures throughout the year.
Year-round
Chaffinch
Fringilla coelebsLC
A common resident of woodlands, hedgerows and gardens throughout the year. One of the region's most familiar songbirds.
Year-round
Chiffchaff
Phylloscopus collybitaLC
A common resident heard year-round, with numbers boosted by continental migrants in autumn. Favours scrub and woodland edges.
Year-round
Spotted something?
Upload a photo to identify it
Identify
Common Pheasant
Phasianus colchicusLC
A common and widespread resident of farmland, woodland edges, and hedgerows, sustained largely by game releases. Its explosive flush startles many a walker.
Year-round
Common Starling
Sturnus vulgarisLC
A common resident forming spectacular winter murmurations, notably over Sheffield and Rotherham. Numbers boosted by continental arrivals.
Year-round
Common Swift
Apus apusLC
Screaming parties wheel over towns and cities from late April to August, nesting under eaves in Sheffield and surrounding areas.
Apr–Sep
Coot
Fulica atraLC
A common and conspicuous resident on lakes, reservoirs and canals throughout the region. Easily recognised by its white frontal shield.
Year-round
Dunnock
Prunella modularisLC
A common but unobtrusive resident of hedgerows and garden shrubberies. Its thin, warbling song is heard throughout the year across the region.
Year-round
Eurasian Jay
Garrulus glandariusLC
A common resident of broadleaved and mixed woodland. Noisy and colourful, often seen burying acorns in autumn across the region's parks and woods.
Year-round
Eurasian Oystercatcher
Haematopus ostralegusNT
A common breeding visitor, arriving on farmland and river shingle from late winter. Piping calls are a familiar spring sound.
Jan–Aug
Eurasian Skylark
Alauda arvensisLC
A common resident of open farmland and moorland edges, delivering its iconic song in hovering flight from early spring.
Year-round
Eurasian Wren
Troglodytes troglodytesLC
A common and widespread resident found in almost every habitat from urban gardens to moorland cloughs. Remarkably loud song for its tiny size.
Year-round
European Goldfinch
Carduelis carduelisLC
A common and colourful resident, increasingly visiting garden feeders. Flocks gather on seed-rich brownfield sites in autumn and winter.
Year-round
European Herring Gull
Larus argentatusLC
A common year-round resident, frequenting reservoirs, playing fields, and urban rooftops across the region.
Year-round
European Robin
Erithacus rubeculaLC
A common and familiar year-round resident of gardens, woodlands, and hedgerows. One of the region's most confiding and recognisable birds.
Year-round
Gadwall
Mareca streperaLC
A common resident duck found on lakes, reservoirs, and marshes year-round. Often overlooked among Mallards but readily identified by its subtle plumage.
Year-round
Great Cormorant
Phalacrocorax carboLC
A common resident found year-round on rivers, reservoirs, and lakes. Numbers have increased significantly in recent decades.
Year-round
Great Crested Grebe
Podiceps cristatusLC
A common and elegant resident of larger lakes and reservoirs. Its elaborate courtship display can be seen from early spring onwards.
Year-round