Birds in Northern Ireland
Explore 166 species found in this region.
Northern Ireland is home to an impressive 164 recorded bird species, thriving across a rich tapestry of habitats from the vast shores of Lough Neagh and Strangford Lough to the rugged Antrim coastline and rolling upland moorlands. Wading birds such as the Northern Lapwing and Common Sandpiper frequent the region's wetlands, while woodlands and hedgerows support species like the Great Tit and Magpie. Coastal estuaries and mudflats attract wintering wildfowl including Common Shelduck and Common Merganser, making Northern Ireland a rewarding destination for birdwatchers year-round.
Visiting in April? Look out for Atlantic Puffin and Barn Swallow arriving this month, and Barnacle Goose and Common Loon depart for the season.
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Get Your Free DigestShowing 70–92 of 166 species
Goldcrest
Regulus regulusLC
An uncommon resident of coniferous woodland, parks, and mature gardens. Europe's smallest bird, its high-pitched call is easily overlooked among the canopy.
Year-round
Golden Plover
Pluvialis apricariaLC
A rare resident, breeding on upland bog and moorland in summer. Winter flocks gather on lowland farmland and coastal fields.
Jul–Apr
Goldeneye
Bucephala clangulaLC
Uncommon winter visitor to loughs and sheltered coasts from October to March. Males are striking with their black-and-white plumage.
Oct–Mar
Grasshopper Warbler
Locustella naeviaLC
A rare summer breeder from April to July, favouring dense scrub and boggy grassland. Its reeling song is easier to hear than the bird is to see.
Apr–Jul
Great Black-backed Gull
Larus marinusLC
An uncommon year-round resident and the largest gull in the region. Favours rocky coasts and harbours, often dominating other gulls at feeding sites.
Year-round
Great Cormorant
Phalacrocorax carboLC
A common year-round resident found along rivers, loughs, and coasts, often perched with wings outstretched on rocks or jetties.
Year-round
Great Crested Grebe
Podiceps cristatusLC
An uncommon year-round resident found on larger loughs and reservoirs, performing its elaborate courtship display in spring on sites like Lough Neagh.
Year-round
Great Skua
Catharacta skuaLC
A rare breeder and passage visitor, seen offshore from April to October. This powerful seabird is best observed during seawatches at northern headlands.
Apr–Oct
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Great Spotted Woodpecker
Dendrocopos majorLC
A rare but increasing resident, only recently colonising Northern Ireland. Found in mature woodland, betrayed by its loud drumming in spring.
Year-round
Great Tit
Parus majorLC
A common resident of woodland, parks, and gardens. Its loud 'teacher-teacher' song is one of the earliest heard in spring across Northern Ireland.
Year-round
Great White Egret
Ardea albaLC
A rare non-breeding visitor, mainly recorded in autumn and winter. Part of a recent westward expansion across Britain and Ireland.
Oct–Feb
Greater Scaup
Aythya marilaLC
Rare non-breeding visitor to sheltered sea loughs and large freshwater lakes in winter. Lough Neagh is a key site.
Aug–Mar
Greater White-fronted Goose
Anser albifronsLC
Rare winter visitor appearing in November and December, sometimes among flocks of other geese on wet grasslands and lough shores.
Nov–Dec
Greenfinch
Chloris chlorisLC
An uncommon year-round resident of gardens and farmland hedgerows. Populations have suffered significant declines linked to trichomonosis disease.
Year-round
Greenshank
Tringa nebulariaLC
A rare but year-round resident, most often seen on estuarine mudflats. Tall and elegant, it forages in shallow water at key coastal sites.
Jul–Apr
Grey Heron
Ardea cinereaLC
A common year-round resident found along rivers, lake margins, and estuaries. A familiar sight standing motionless at the water's edge.
Year-round
Grey Plover
Pluvialis squatarolaLC
A rare passage visitor in autumn and early winter, found on mudflats and estuaries. Belfast Lough and Strangford Lough are key sites.
Sep–Dec
Grey Wagtail
Motacilla cinereaLC
Found year-round along fast-flowing streams and rivers, constantly bobbing its long tail. Moves to lowland waterways and coasts in winter.
Year-round
Greylag Goose
Anser anserLC
Uncommon year-round resident found on farmland, loughs, and coastal grasslands. Feral populations supplement wild birds across Northern Ireland.
Year-round
Hen Harrier
Circus cyaneusLC
A rare passage visitor in spring and autumn. Breeds sparingly on upland moorland but has declined significantly in Northern Ireland.
Oct–Apr
Hooded Crow
Corvus cornixLC
A common resident throughout the region, replacing the Carrion Crow. Found in farmland, towns, and along the coast year-round.
Year-round
Horned Grebe
Podiceps auritusVU
A rare non-breeding visitor to sheltered sea loughs and coastal bays from October to January. Often found at sites like Belfast and Strangford Loughs.
Oct–Jan
House Martin
Delichon urbicumLC
A common summer breeder arriving in April and departing by October. Nests under eaves in towns and villages across the region.
Apr–Oct