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.
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Get Your Free DigestShowing 24–46 of 274 species
Blackbird
Turdus merulaLC
One of England's most familiar garden birds, resident year-round. Its rich, fluting song is a defining sound of dawn and dusk in towns and countryside.
Year-round
Blackcap
Sylvia atricapillaLC
A common resident and migrant found in woodlands, hedgerows, and gardens year-round. Winter numbers are boosted by Continental birds visiting garden feeders.
Year-round
Blue Tit
Cyanistes caeruleusLC
One of England's most familiar garden birds, resident year-round. Readily visits feeders and nests in boxes, hedgerows and tree holes across the country.
Year-round
Bluethroat
Luscinia svecicaLC
A rare breeding bird, nesting at a handful of sites in eastern England. Spring males flash a striking blue and orange throat patch during courtship displays.
Mar–Oct
Bohemian Waxwing
Bombycilla garrulusLC
A rare winter visitor from Scandinavia, arriving in irruption years to strip berry bushes in supermarket car parks and suburban gardens across eastern England.
Oct–Apr
Bonaparte's Gull
Chroicocephalus philadelphiaLC
An uncommon Nearctic vagrant, occasionally lingering at reservoirs and coastal sites. Most records come from spring through summer among flocks of Black-headed Gulls.
Apr–Jan
Brambling
Fringilla montifringillaLC
An uncommon winter visitor from Scandinavia, often joining Chaffinch flocks in woodland and farmland. Numbers vary considerably from year to year.
Sep–Apr
Brent Goose
Branta berniclaLC
Large winter flocks gather on estuaries and coastal marshes, especially along the south and east coasts. Dark-bellied birds from Siberia predominate in England.
Year-round
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Buff-breasted Sandpiper
Calidris subruficollisVU
An uncommon autumn passage migrant from North America, favouring short-grass coastal fields. Most records come from south-west England in September.
May–Oct
Bullfinch
Pyrrhula pyrrhulaLC
A shy but common resident of hedgerows, woodland edges, and gardens. Its soft piping call often reveals its presence.
Year-round
Buzzard
Buteo buteoLC
A common resident raptor soaring over farmland, woodland and moorland. Has recovered strongly across England after historical persecution and is now widespread.
Year-round
Cackling Goose
Branta hutchinsiiLC
A rare vagrant from North America, occasionally turning up among flocks of wintering Barnacle or Canada Geese. Most records come from coastal grazing marshes.
Jan–Mar
Canada Goose
Branta canadensisLC
A common and widespread introduced resident of lakes, rivers, and parks. Large flocks gather on urban and rural waterways alike.
Year-round
Carrion Crow
Corvus coroneLC
One of England's most abundant and adaptable birds, thriving in farmland, towns, and cities alike. Its intelligent, resourceful behaviour is easily observed in everyday settings.
Year-round
Cattle Egret
Bubulcus ibisLC
A recent colonist now breeding in southern England, often seen alongside livestock in damp pastures. Numbers have increased rapidly since the 2000s.
Year-round
Cetti's Warbler
Cettia cettiLC
A resident warbler that has expanded rapidly northward in recent decades. More often heard than seen, its explosive burst of song rings out from dense wetland scrub.
Year-round
Chaffinch
Fringilla coelebsLC
One of England's most familiar garden and woodland birds, present year-round. Its cheerful song is a hallmark of spring across the countryside.
Year-round
Chiffchaff
Phylloscopus collybitaLC
A common year-round warbler whose repetitive 'chiff-chaff' song is one of the earliest signs of spring in woodlands and gardens across England.
Year-round
Coal Tit
Periparus aterLC
A common resident of coniferous and mixed woodlands, readily visiting garden feeders. Often stores food in bark crevices for later retrieval.
Year-round
Common Crane
Grus grusLC
A recovering resident breeder, mainly found in the Norfolk Broads and Somerset Levels. Numbers are slowly increasing thanks to reintroduction efforts.
Year-round
Common Gull
Larus canusLC
A common gull found year-round on playing fields, reservoirs and coasts. Winter numbers swell with arrivals from Scandinavia and northern Europe.
Year-round
Common Kingfisher
Alcedo atthisLC
An uncommon but widespread resident along clean, slow-flowing rivers and streams. A brilliant flash of blue is often the first sign of its presence.
Year-round
Common Loon
Gavia immerLC
An uncommon visitor found mainly on coastal waters and large reservoirs, most frequently seen during winter months along southern and western coasts.
Aug–Jun