Birds in West Midlands
Explore 143 species found in this region.
The West Midlands county is home to an impressive 143 recorded bird species, offering surprisingly diverse birdlife for a predominantly urban region. Parks, reservoirs, canals, and green corridors provide vital habitats for species ranging from the familiar Great Tit and Magpie to less expected visitors such as the Common Merganser, Eurasian Woodcock, and Mandarin Duck. Whether you're exploring Sutton Park, Sandwell Valley, or local nature reserves, the West Midlands rewards birdwatchers with a rich variety of resident and migratory species throughout the year.
Visiting in April? Look out for Barn Swallow and Black-necked Grebe arriving this month, and Common Gull and Corn Bunting depart for the season.
Showing 70–92 of 143 species
Greenfinch
Chloris chlorisLC
A common resident of gardens, hedgerows, and farmland, though numbers have declined. Its wheezy song is heard from treetops year-round.
Year-round
Greenshank
Tringa nebulariaLC
A rare autumn passage wader in August and September, pausing briefly at reservoirs and pools.
Aug–Sep
Grey Heron
Ardea cinereaLC
A familiar year-round resident, standing motionless at the edges of canals, park lakes and rivers throughout the West Midlands.
Year-round
Grey Partridge
Perdix perdixLC
Now rare, occasionally noted on passage in spring and autumn. Has declined severely across the West Midlands.
Apr–Oct
Grey Phalarope
Phalaropus fulicariusLC
A rare autumn vagrant, occasionally storm-driven to inland reservoirs in September. One of the region's most prized passage waders.
Sep
Grey Wagtail
Motacilla cinereaLC
An uncommon resident found along streams and canal towpaths, its bright yellow underparts a flash of colour by the water.
Year-round
Greylag Goose
Anser anserLC
Uncommon year-round resident found on park lakes, reservoirs, and gravel pits. Feral population is well established.
Year-round
Hawfinch
Coccothraustes coccothraustesLC
A rare and elusive passage visitor in autumn, occasionally seen in mature woodland with hornbeam and cherry, such as the Wyre Forest area.
Oct–Nov
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Hobby
Falco subbuteoLC
A rare summer breeder arriving in May, this agile falcon hunts dragonflies and hirundines over heathland and reservoir margins.
May–Oct
House Martin
Delichon urbicumLC
An uncommon summer breeder nesting under eaves in towns and villages, arriving in April and departing by October.
Apr–Oct
House Sparrow
Passer domesticusLC
A common year-round resident closely tied to urban and suburban areas. Colonial nester under eaves and in hedges across the region's towns.
Year-round
Iceland Gull
Larus glaucoidesLC
A rare winter passage visitor, occasionally found among gull roosts at major reservoirs such as Bartley or Blithfield.
Jan–Feb
Jack Snipe
Lymnocryptes minimusLC
A rare and secretive winter visitor to boggy margins of pools and marshes, easily overlooked due to its cryptic plumage and skulking habits.
Nov–Mar
Jackdaw
Coloeus monedulaLC
A sociable and common resident, nesting in church towers and old buildings, often seen in large flocks with rooks over farmland.
Year-round
Kestrel
Falco tinnunculusLC
An uncommon year-round resident, often seen hovering beside motorways and over rough grassland, though declining in urban areas.
Year-round
Lesser Black-backed Gull
Larus fuscusLC
Common year-round, nesting on rooftops across urban centres like Birmingham. Often seen at reservoirs, playing fields, and landfill sites.
Year-round
Lesser Whitethroat
Curruca currucaLC
A rare breeding visitor from April to September, favouring tall hedgerows and scrubby thickets. Often heard before seen.
Apr–Sep
Linnet
Linaria cannabinaLC
An uncommon resident of farmland edges and rough ground, often forming small flocks in winter. Numbers have declined.
Year-round
Little Egret
Egretta garzettaLC
An uncommon but increasing resident, now regularly seen at reservoirs, canals and wetland sites across the West Midlands.
Year-round
Little Grebe
Tachybaptus ruficollisLC
A common resident of ponds, canals and quiet lake margins throughout the region. Its whinnying trill is a familiar sound at wetland sites.
Year-round
Little Owl
Athene noctuaLC
A rare passage record, though small numbers breed in the wider countryside on farmland with old trees and barns.
Jun
Little Ringed Plover
Charadrius dubiusLC
An uncommon summer breeder from March to August, nesting on gravel pits and bare ground near water.
Mar–Aug
Long-tailed Tit
Aegithalos caudatusLC
A common resident, easily spotted in roving family flocks through hedgerows, parks and gardens year-round.
Year-round