Birds in Staffordshire
Explore 197 species found in this region.
Staffordshire supports a rich and varied birdlife, with 193 species recorded across the county's diverse habitats, from the moorland edges of the Peak District in the north to the lowland wetlands and river valleys further south. Notable species include the elegant Northern Lapwing on farmland, the striking Mandarin Duck along wooded waterways, and scarce winter visitors such as the Great Grey Shrike. With reservoirs like Blithfield and Chasewater providing important refuges for wildfowl and waders, the county offers rewarding birdwatching opportunities throughout the year.
Visiting in April? Look out for Arctic Tern and Bar-tailed Godwit arriving this month, and Black Grouse and Black Swan depart for the season.
Showing 47–69 of 197 species
Cuckoo
Cuculus canorusLC
An uncommon summer visitor arriving in April, heard more often than seen across heathland and woodland edges. Numbers have declined significantly in recent decades.
Apr–Jul
Curlew
Numenius arquataNT
An uncommon resident breeding on upland moorland in the north. Numbers are declining and it is a county conservation priority.
Feb–Nov
Curlew Sandpiper
Calidris ferrugineaNT
A rare autumn passage wader, occasionally appearing at muddy reservoir margins in August and September. Most records involve single juveniles.
Aug–Sep
Dipper
Cinclus cinclusLC
A rare resident of fast-flowing streams in the north of the county, particularly around the Staffordshire Moorlands and Churnet Valley.
Sep–Jul
Dunlin
Calidris alpinaLC
An uncommon wader found at reservoirs and wetland margins, most often seen on passage from late summer through autumn. Breeds on nearby moorlands in small numbers.
Feb–Dec
Dunnock
Prunella modularisLC
A common and widespread resident of hedgerows, gardens and scrubby habitats. Its thin, warbling song is heard year-round.
Year-round
Egyptian Goose
Alopochen aegyptiacaLC
An uncommon but increasing resident, breeding around gravel pits and reservoirs. Expanding its range from established populations in the south.
Year-round
Eurasian Bittern
Botaurus stellarisLC
A rare breeding species, mainly associated with extensive reedbeds such as those at Croxall Lakes. Secretive and best detected by its deep booming call in spring.
Mar–Nov
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Eurasian Collared Dove
Streptopelia decaoctoLC
An uncommon but widespread resident of gardens, farms, and suburban areas. Its monotonous call is a familiar sound year-round.
Year-round
Eurasian Jay
Garrulus glandariusLC
A common and colourful resident of broadleaved and mixed woodland. Noisy in autumn when caching acorns for winter stores.
Year-round
Eurasian Nuthatch
Sitta europaeaLC
A common resident of mature deciduous woodland, parks and gardens. Often seen spiralling down tree trunks throughout the year.
Year-round
Eurasian Oystercatcher
Haematopus ostralegusNT
An uncommon breeder, present from January to August around gravel pits and reservoir margins. Has colonised inland sites in recent decades.
Jan–Aug
Eurasian Siskin
Spinus spinusLC
An uncommon resident that visits garden feeders in winter and breeds in coniferous woodland. Often seen in alder trees by waterways.
Year-round
Eurasian Skylark
Alauda arvensisLC
An uncommon resident of open farmland and moorland fringes, declining locally but still heard singing over Staffordshire's fields in spring.
Year-round
Eurasian Spoonbill
Platalea leucorodiaLC
A rare but increasingly recorded visitor in August, reflecting the species' national expansion. Favours shallow wetlands and reservoir margins.
Aug
Eurasian Tree Sparrow
Passer montanusLC
A rare and declining resident, now largely restricted to farmland with stubble fields and hedgerow nest sites. A county conservation concern.
Year-round
Eurasian Wigeon
Mareca penelopeLC
An uncommon resident, most numerous in winter when flocks gather on reservoirs and flooded grassland. Its whistling call is a characteristic sound of cold-weather wetlands.
Year-round
Eurasian Woodcock
Scolopax rusticolaLC
A rare breeder in damp woodland, most often detected during roding flights at dusk in spring. Winter records may involve continental birds.
Jan–Jul
Eurasian Wren
Troglodytes troglodytesLC
One of Staffordshire's most abundant residents, found year-round in gardens, woodlands and hedgerows. Its loud song belies its tiny size.
Year-round
European Goldfinch
Carduelis carduelisLC
A common and colourful resident, thriving in gardens, parks and farmland year-round. Flocks gather on seed heads in autumn and winter.
Year-round
European Green Woodpecker
Picus viridisLC
An uncommon resident of parkland, woodland edges and open grassland. Its loud, laughing call is distinctive but it can be hard to spot.
Year-round
European Herring Gull
Larus argentatusLC
A common and familiar gull seen year-round, frequenting reservoirs, landfill sites, and urban rooftops across the county.
Year-round
European Pied Flycatcher
Ficedula hypoleucaLC
A rare summer breeder found in mature oak woodlands, mainly in the north and west of Staffordshire from April to June.
Apr–Jun