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 116–138 of 274 species
Great White Egret
Ardea albaLC
An increasingly common resident of wetlands and flooded fields. Numbers have surged in recent years, with breeding now established.
Year-round
Greater Scaup
Aythya marilaLC
An uncommon diving duck found mainly on coastal waters, estuaries and large reservoirs. Numbers peak in winter with arrivals from northern breeding grounds.
Jul–May
Greater White-fronted Goose
Anser albifronsLC
Winters in small numbers at traditional sites such as the Severn Estuary and Kent marshes. Grazes on wet grasslands alongside other wintering geese.
Year-round
Green Sandpiper
Tringa ochropusLC
A common but often solitary wader found along freshwater streams, ditches and lake margins. Bobs its tail distinctively and flushes with a sharp call.
Jun–Apr
Greenfinch
Chloris chlorisLC
A common year-round resident of gardens, hedgerows, and farmland. Numbers have declined sharply due to trichomonosis disease but it remains a familiar garden visitor.
Year-round
Greenshank
Tringa nebulariaLC
An uncommon but year-round wader, most often seen on estuaries and coastal marshes during passage and winter months.
Year-round
Grey Heron
Ardea cinereaLC
A familiar year-round resident found along rivers, lakes, and garden ponds. Often seen standing motionless at the water's edge.
Year-round
Grey Partridge
Perdix perdixLC
An uncommon and declining resident of arable farmland. Once widespread, it has suffered badly from agricultural intensification.
Year-round
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Grey Phalarope
Phalaropus fulicariusLC
A rare autumn and winter passage visitor, typically driven inshore by Atlantic storms. Most often seen at coastal headlands and harbours.
Aug–Dec
Grey Plover
Pluvialis squatarolaLC
An uncommon wader of muddy estuaries and coastal flats, most numerous in winter. Its plaintive three-note whistle and black axillary patches in flight aid identification.
Year-round
Grey Wagtail
Motacilla cinereaLC
A graceful resident of fast-flowing streams and rivers, constantly bobbing its long tail. In winter, birds often move to lowland waterways, canals, and even urban puddles.
Year-round
Greylag Goose
Anser anserLC
A common resident found on lakes, reservoirs, and farmland year-round. Feral populations are well established alongside wintering birds from Iceland.
Year-round
Hawfinch
Coccothraustes coccothraustesLC
A rare and elusive resident of mature broadleaved woodland. Best looked for in winter when small flocks gather beneath hornbeams and yews.
Aug–Jun
Hen Harrier
Circus cyaneusLC
An uncommon resident, breeding on upland moorland but wintering more widely on lowland marshes and farmland. Heavily persecuted, it remains a conservation priority.
Year-round
Hobby
Falco subbuteoLC
An elegant summer visitor arriving in April, hunting dragonflies and small birds over heathland, wetlands, and farmland across southern England.
Apr–Oct
Hooded Crow
Corvus cornixLC
A rare non-breeding visitor, occasionally seen in eastern and northern England during winter. Easily distinguished from Carrion Crow by its grey body.
Oct–Apr
Hooded Merganser
Lophodytes cucullatusLC
A rare North American vagrant; English records are debated as some may involve escapes. Occasionally found on lakes and reservoirs in winter.
Dec–May
Hoopoe
Upupa epopsLC
A rare but eagerly sought passage migrant, mainly in spring. Most records come from southern coastal counties of England.
Mar–Nov
Horned Grebe
Podiceps auritusVU
An uncommon grebe mainly seen in winter on sheltered coasts and estuaries. A very scarce breeder in England, with most nesting in Scotland.
Oct–Jul
Horned Lark
Eremophila alpestrisLC
A rare non-breeding visitor wintering on shingle beaches and saltmarshes along the east coast. Often found alongside Snow Buntings.
Oct–Mar
House Martin
Delichon urbicumLC
A common summer breeder arriving from March, nesting under eaves in towns and villages. Numbers have declined in recent decades despite remaining widespread.
Mar–Nov
House Sparrow
Passer domesticusLC
A familiar year-round resident of gardens, hedgerows, and urban areas. Despite significant long-term declines, it remains one of England's most recognisable birds.
Year-round
Hudsonian Godwit
Limosa haemasticaVU
An extremely rare transatlantic vagrant, with only a handful of English records. Most likely to appear at coastal estuaries during spring or autumn passage.
May–Aug