Birds in Suffolk
Explore 226 species found in this region.
Suffolk is a remarkable county for birdwatching, with 218 recorded species thriving across its diverse landscapes of coastal marshes, estuaries, heathlands, and ancient woodlands. The county's renowned reserves, including RSPB Minsmere and the Suffolk Coast, attract an impressive range of birds from elegant Common Shelducks and Northern Lapwings on the wetlands to elusive Great Grey Shrikes on the heaths. Whether you're scanning mudflats for Common Sandpipers or listening for Eurasian Woodcock roding at dusk, Suffolk offers outstanding birding opportunities throughout the year.
Visiting in April? Look out for American Bittern and Common Redstart arriving this month, and Eurasian Woodcock and Great Grey Shrike depart for the season.
Showing 24–46 of 226 species
Buzzard
Buteo buteoLC
A common resident across Suffolk, frequently seen soaring over farmland, heaths, and woodland throughout the year.
Year-round
Canada Goose
Branta canadensisLC
A common year-round resident found on lakes, rivers, and grazing marshes across the county. Breeds readily and forms large moulting flocks in summer.
Year-round
Carrion Crow
Corvus coroneLC
An abundant resident found across farmland, towns and gardens throughout the year. Often seen in noisy groups foraging in fields.
Year-round
Cattle Egret
Bubulcus ibisLC
A rare but increasingly recorded resident, often seen with livestock in grazing marshes. Part of a recent northward range expansion.
Jul–Apr
Cetti's Warbler
Cettia cettiLC
A resident year-round in reedbeds and dense waterside vegetation. More often heard than seen, its explosive song is unmistakable.
Year-round
Chaffinch
Fringilla coelebsLC
A common and familiar resident of gardens, hedgerows and woodland throughout Suffolk. Winter flocks are often boosted by continental arrivals.
Year-round
Chiffchaff
Phylloscopus collybitaLC
A common year-round resident, its repetitive song heard in woodlands, parks and gardens. Numbers boosted by continental birds in winter.
Year-round
Coal Tit
Periparus aterLC
A common resident of coniferous and mixed woodland, also visiting garden feeders year-round. Smaller and shyer than its tit relatives.
Year-round
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Common Crane
Grus grusLC
A rare but increasingly established resident, part of the recolonisation of East Anglia. Breeds on remote fenland and wet grassland sites.
Dec–Jul
Common Gull
Larus canusLC
A common resident found along Suffolk's coast, farmland and towns year-round, often mixing with other gull species.
Year-round
Common Kingfisher
Alcedo atthisLC
A year-round resident along Suffolk's rivers, streams, and coastal ditches. A flash of electric blue along waterways.
Year-round
Common Loon
Gavia immerLC
A rare winter visitor to Suffolk's coastal waters, typically seen offshore between November and February. Known locally as Great Northern Diver.
Nov–Feb
Common Merganser
Mergus merganserLC
Uncommon winter visitor found on Suffolk's rivers and larger water bodies, often seen in small groups diving for fish.
Nov–Apr
Common Pheasant
Phasianus colchicusLC
An abundant year-round resident of farmland, woodland edges, and hedgerows. Widely released for shooting, making it one of Suffolk's most visible birds.
Year-round
Common Raven
Corvus coraxLC
A rare but increasing resident in Suffolk, gradually recolonising the county after a long absence. Deep croaking call is distinctive.
Year-round
Common Redpoll
Acanthis flammeaLC
An uncommon resident of birch and alder woodland. Numbers fluctuate with winter influxes from the Continent boosting local birds.
Sep–May
Common Redstart
Phoenicurus phoenicurusLC
A rare breeding visitor to Suffolk's mature woodlands, present from April to October. The male's fiery orange tail is unmistakable.
Apr–Oct
Common Reed-warbler
Acrocephalus scirpaceusLC
A common summer visitor breeding in extensive reedbeds across Suffolk's river valleys and coastal marshes from April to October.
Apr–Oct
Common Sandpiper
Actitis hypoleucosLC
An uncommon passage and breeding visitor, bobbing along Suffolk's river edges and reservoir margins from spring to autumn.
Feb–Oct
Common Scoter
Melanitta nigraLC
An uncommon sea duck present year-round offshore, with numbers peaking in winter. Best spotted from coastal vantage points during calm-sea seawatches.
Year-round
Common Shelduck
Tadorna tadornaLC
A common and conspicuous resident of Suffolk's estuaries and coastal marshes, easily recognised by its bold chestnut, black and white plumage.
Year-round
Common Snipe
Gallinago gallinagoLC
An uncommon resident of Suffolk's wet grasslands and marshes, with numbers swelling in winter as continental birds arrive.
Year-round
Common Starling
Sturnus vulgarisLC
A common resident forming spectacular winter murmurations, notably along the Suffolk coast. Breeds in towns and rural buildings alike.
Year-round