Birds in England
Explore 274 species found in this region.
England is home to an impressive diversity of birdlife, with 257 recorded species found across its varied landscapes — from coastal estuaries and chalk downlands to ancient woodlands and upland moors. Notable species include the striking Bluethroat, the charismatic Dotterel of mountain plateaux, and the elegant Eurasian Woodcock hidden among forest floors. Whether you're watching Great Tits in a suburban garden or scanning mudflats for Common Shelduck, England offers outstanding birding opportunities throughout the year.
Visiting in April? Look out for Arctic Tern and Bar-headed Goose arriving this month, and Bluethroat and Cackling Goose depart for the season.
Explore by Region
Get a monthly guide to birds in England
Find out which birds are visiting your area this month, with seasonal tips and garden advice
Get Your Free DigestShowing 208–230 of 274 species
Reed Bunting
Emberiza schoeniclusLC
A common resident of reedbeds, marshes and damp hedgerows across England. Males sing from prominent perches with a jangling, scratchy song.
Year-round
Ring Ouzel
Turdus torquatusLC
An uncommon summer visitor to upland moorland and crags, mainly in northern England. Passage birds appear on coasts in autumn.
Apr–Nov
Ring-billed Gull
Larus delawarensisLC
A rare Nearctic winter visitor, typically found among large gull flocks at reservoirs and coastal sites from December to April. Requires careful identification.
Dec–Apr
Ringed Plover
Charadrius hiaticulaLC
A common resident of sandy and shingle beaches, also found at inland gravel pits. Numbers increase in autumn with passage birds.
Year-round
Rock Dove
Columba liviaLC
Ubiquitous in towns and cities as the feral pigeon, with truly wild birds restricted to coastal cliffs. Present year-round in huge numbers.
Year-round
Rock Pipit
Anthus petrosusLC
A common resident of rocky coastlines and sea cliffs across England. Forages along the tideline and is less often seen inland than Meadow Pipit.
Year-round
Rook
Corvus frugilegusLC
A common resident of farmland and parkland, nesting in noisy rookeries in tall trees. Large flocks forage across arable fields throughout the year.
Year-round
Rose-ringed Parakeet
Alexandrinus krameriLC
An established resident, especially abundant in London and the Home Counties. Noisy flocks roost communally in parks and suburban areas.
Year-round
Spotted something?
Upload a photo to identify it
Identify
Roseate Tern
Sterna dougalliiLC
A rare and declining breeding tern, nesting at a handful of coastal colonies from May to September. One of the UK's scarcest seabirds.
May–Sep
Ross's Goose
Anser rossiiLC
A rare visitor from North America, occasionally seen among flocks of other geese on wetlands and grazing marshes. Origins of individuals are often debated.
Aug–May
Rough-legged Hawk
Buteo lagopusLC
A rare winter visitor from Scandinavia, favouring open farmland and coastal marshes mainly in eastern England. Often hovers while hunting for voles.
Oct–Feb
Ruddy Duck
Oxyura jamaicensisLC
An uncommon resident, now heavily reduced by an eradication programme. Small numbers persist on lakes and reservoirs in the West Midlands.
Year-round
Ruddy Shelduck
Tadorna ferrugineaLC
A rare visitor, with sightings often debated as possible escapes from collections. Most records come from wetlands in southern and eastern England.
Feb–Nov
Ruddy Turnstone
Arenaria interpresLC
An uncommon but widespread coastal wader, flipping stones and seaweed to find invertebrates. Present year-round, with numbers highest outside the breeding season.
Year-round
Ruff
Philomachus pugnaxLC
An uncommon wader found on coastal marshes and flooded fields. Numbers peak on passage, though a few breed at fenland reserves in eastern England.
Year-round
Sabine's Gull
Xema sabiniLC
A rare passage migrant, most often seen from headlands during autumn gales between August and October. Strong westerly winds push birds close to shore.
Jul–Jan
Sand Martin
Riparia ripariaLC
A common summer breeder, nesting colonially in sandy riverbanks and quarry faces. One of the earliest migrants to arrive, often appearing in March.
Mar–Oct
Sanderling
Calidris albaLC
An uncommon but regular wader found year-round on sandy beaches, running along the tideline in small flocks. Numbers peak during autumn and winter passage.
Year-round
Sandwich Tern
Thalasseus sandvicensisLC
A common coastal tern found year-round, breeding in noisy colonies on shingle beaches and islands. Often the first tern to arrive in spring.
Year-round
Savi's Warbler
Locustella luscinioidesLC
A rare passage visitor to reedbeds in May and June. Its distinctive reeling song recalls Grasshopper Warbler but is lower-pitched.
May–Jun
Sedge Warbler
Acrocephalus schoenobaenusLC
A common summer breeder in reedbeds, marshes, and waterside vegetation across England. Its rapid, chattering song includes mimicry of other species.
Mar–Oct
Short-eared Owl
Asio flammeusLC
An uncommon resident of open moorland and rough grassland. Hunts by day with buoyant, wavering flight; winter birds frequent coastal marshes and fens.
Year-round
Smew
Mergellus albellusLC
A smart winter visitor to reservoirs and gravel pits, mainly in south-east England. The striking black-and-white males are a highlight of cold-weather birding.
Oct–Apr