Birds to See in Scotland in April
197 bird species on our list for Scotland are recorded regularly in April
Of these, the most often recorded are European Herring Gull, Woodpigeon, Carrion Crow, Jackdaw and Blackbird. New this month: Barn Swallow, Willow Warbler, House Martin and Sedge Warbler and 35 more.
On the move in April
GBIF · AprArriving
At their peak
From Scotland’s bird records, 2019–2024: arriving birds are regular this month but not last; leaving birds are regular this month but not next.
Other months
All 197 birds in April
197 birds
European Herring GullLarus argentatusResidentCommon55–67 cmRecorded all year · 3.98% in Apr
WoodpigeonColumba palumbusResidentCommon40–42 cmRecorded all year · 3.47% in Apr
Carrion CrowCorvus coroneResidentCommon45–47 cmRecorded all year · 3.32% in Apr
JackdawColoeus monedulaResidentCommon34–39 cmRecorded all year · 3.31% in Apr
BlackbirdTurdus merulaResidentCommon24–25 cmRecorded all year · 3.26% in Apr
Lesser Black-backed GullLarus fuscusSummer visitorCommon52–64 cmRecorded all year · 2.71% in Apr
House SparrowPasser domesticusResidentCommon14–17 cmRecorded all year · 2.69% in Apr
RookCorvus frugilegusResidentCommon45–47 cmRecorded all year · 2.53% in Apr
Blue TitCyanistes caeruleusResidentCommon11–12 cmRecorded all year · 2.44% in Apr
ChaffinchFringilla coelebsResidentCommon14–16 cmRecorded all year · 2.39% in Apr
European RobinErithacus rubeculaResidentCommon13–14 cmRecorded all year · 2.39% in Apr
Common StarlingSturnus vulgarisResidentCommon21–23 cmRecorded all year · 2.19% in Apr
Eurasian WrenTroglodytes troglodytesResidentCommon9–10 cmRecorded all year · 2.12% in Apr
Eurasian OystercatcherHaematopus ostralegusResidentCommon40–45 cmRecorded all year · 1.95% in Apr
MallardAnas platyrhynchosResidentCommon50–65 cmRecorded all year · 1.90% in Apr
Great TitParus majorResidentCommonRecorded all year · 1.88% in Apr
European GoldfinchCarduelis carduelisResidentCommon12–13 cmRecorded all year · 1.76% in Apr
DunnockPrunella modularisResidentCommon14–15 cmRecorded all year · 1.72% in Apr
MagpiePica picaResidentCommon44–46 cmRecorded all year · 1.69% in Apr
Rock DoveColumba liviaResidentCommon29–37 cmRecorded all year · 1.63% in Apr
ChiffchaffPhylloscopus collybitaSummer visitorCommon10–12 cmRegularly Mar–Nov · 1.52% in Apr
Pied WagtailMotacilla albaResidentCommon17–19 cmRecorded all year · 1.48% in Apr
Meadow PipitAnthus pratensisSummer visitorCommon14–15 cmRecorded all year · 1.46% in Apr
Willow WarblerPhylloscopus trochilusSummer visitorCommon11–13 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 1.31% in Apr
Common GullLarus canusResidentCommon40–46 cmRecorded all year · 1.22% in Apr
Coal TitPeriparus aterResidentCommon10–12 cmRecorded all year · 1.18% in Apr
Eurasian SkylarkAlauda arvensisResidentCommon16–18 cmRecorded all year · 1.11% in Apr
Song ThrushTurdus philomelosResidentCommon20–23 cmRecorded all year · 1.08% in Apr
CurlewNumenius arquataResidentCommon50–60 cmRecorded all year · 1.07% in Apr
Eurasian Collared DoveStreptopelia decaoctoResidentCommon30–32 cmRecorded all year · 1.05% in Apr
Black-headed GullChroicocephalus ridibundusResidentCommon38–44 cmRecorded all year · 1.01% in Apr
Greylag GooseAnser anserResidentCommon75–90 cmRecorded all year · 0.99% in Apr
Mute SwanCygnus olorResidentCommon140–160 cmRecorded all year · 0.92% in Apr
BuzzardButeo buteoResidentCommon51–57 cmRecorded all year · 0.91% in Apr
Grey HeronArdea cinereaResidentCommon90–98 cmRecorded all year · 0.91% in Apr
Great Black-backed GullLarus marinusResidentCommon64–79 cmRecorded all year · 0.90% in Apr
Common PheasantPhasianus colchicusResidentCommon50–90 cmRecorded all year · 0.84% in Apr
Barn SwallowHirundo rusticaSummer visitorCommon17–19 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.83% in Apr
RedshankTringa totanusResidentCommon27–29 cmRecorded all year · 0.82% in Apr
Great CormorantPhalacrocorax carboResidentCommon80–100 cmRecorded all year · 0.81% in Apr
EiderSomateria mollissimaResidentCommon50–71 cmRecorded all year · 0.78% in Apr
GreenfinchChloris chlorisResidentCommon15–16 cmRecorded all year · 0.75% in Apr
European ShagGulosus aristotelisResidentCommon65–80 cmRecorded all year · 0.69% in Apr
Eurasian SiskinSpinus spinusResidentCommon11–13 cmRecorded all year · 0.66% in Apr
Hooded CrowCorvus cornixResidentCommon44–51 cmRecorded all year · 0.66% in Apr
BlackcapSylvia atricapillaSummer visitorCommon13–15 cmRecorded all year · 0.64% in Apr
Eurasian TealAnas creccaWinter visitorCommon34–38 cmRecorded all year · 0.63% in Apr
Northern LapwingVanellus vanellusResidentCommon28–31 cmRecorded all year · 0.62% in Apr
LinnetLinaria cannabinaResidentCommon13–14 cmRecorded all year · 0.62% in Apr
Sand MartinRiparia ripariaSummer visitorCommon12–14 cmRegularly Mar–Sep · 0.60% in Apr
Northern GannetMorus bassanusSummer visitorCommon87–100 cmRecorded all year · 0.59% in Apr
WheatearOenanthe oenantheSummer visitorCommon15–16 cmRegularly Mar–Oct · 0.59% in Apr
GoldcrestRegulus regulusResidentCommon9–10 cmRecorded all year · 0.56% in Apr
Common RavenCorvus coraxResidentCommon54–67 cmRecorded all year · 0.55% in Apr
MoorhenGallinula chloropusResidentCommon30–38 cmRecorded all year · 0.55% in Apr
Common ShelduckTadorna tadornaResidentCommon58–67 cmRecorded all year · 0.53% in Apr
Long-tailed TitAegithalos caudatusResidentCommon13–16 cmRecorded all year · 0.53% in Apr
Tufted DuckAythya fuligulaResidentCommon40–47 cmRecorded all year · 0.52% in Apr
Reed BuntingEmberiza schoeniclusResidentCommon14–16 cmRecorded all year · 0.49% in Apr
FulmarFulmarus glacialisResidentCommon45–50 cmRecorded all year · 0.48% in Apr
Red-breasted MerganserMergus serratorResidentCommon52–58 cmRecorded all year · 0.47% in Apr
BullfinchPyrrhula pyrrhulaResidentCommon15–17 cmRecorded all year · 0.45% in Apr
Common MerganserMergus merganserResidentCommon58–68 cmRecorded all year · 0.45% in Apr
Great Spotted WoodpeckerDendrocopos majorResidentUncommon23–26 cmRecorded all year · 0.44% in Apr
GoldeneyeBucephala clangulaWinter visitorCommon40–51 cmRegularly Sep–Jul · 0.44% in Apr
YellowhammerEmberiza citrinellaResidentUncommon16–17 cmRecorded all year · 0.42% in Apr
CootFulica atraResidentUncommon36–42 cmRecorded all year · 0.40% in Apr
Pink-footed GooseAnser brachyrhynchusWinter visitorCommon60–75 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.40% in Apr
Eurasian WigeonMareca penelopeWinter visitorCommon42–51 cmRecorded all year · 0.39% in Apr
RazorbillAlca tordaResidentCommon38–43 cmRecorded all year · 0.39% in Apr
Mistle ThrushTurdus viscivorusResidentCommon26–29 cmRecorded all year · 0.38% in Apr
KittiwakeRissa tridactylaSummer visitorCommon37–41 cmRecorded all year · 0.37% in Apr
Canada GooseBranta canadensisResidentUncommon76–110 cmRecorded all year · 0.36% in Apr
Rock PipitAnthus petrosusResidentCommon16–18 cmRecorded all year · 0.36% in Apr
Black GuillemotCepphus grylleResidentCommon30–32 cmRecorded all year · 0.35% in Apr
TreecreeperCerthia familiarisResidentUncommon12–14 cmRecorded all year · 0.35% in Apr
Ruddy TurnstoneArenaria interpresWinter visitorCommon21–24 cmRecorded all year · 0.35% in Apr
Grey WagtailMotacilla cinereaResidentUncommon17–20 cmRecorded all year · 0.33% in Apr
Ringed PloverCharadrius hiaticulaResidentCommon17–19 cmRecorded all year · 0.33% in Apr
Little GrebeTachybaptus ruficollisResidentUncommon23–29 cmRecorded all year · 0.32% in Apr
Red-throated LoonGavia stellataResidentUncommon53–69 cmRecorded all year · 0.32% in Apr
StonechatSaxicola rubicolaResidentUncommon12–13 cmRecorded all year · 0.30% in Apr
Common SandpiperActitis hypoleucosSummer visitorCommon18–20 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.29% in Apr
Common LoonGavia immerResidentUncommon66–91 cmRecorded all year · 0.29% in Apr
SparrowhawkAccipiter nisusResidentUncommon28–38 cmRecorded all year · 0.27% in Apr
Sandwich TernThalasseus sandvicensisSummer visitorCommon36–41 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.25% in Apr
Common SnipeGallinago gallinagoResidentCommon25–27 cmRecorded all year · 0.25% in Apr
Common RedpollAcanthis flammeaResidentUncommon12–14 cmRecorded all year · 0.25% in Apr
KestrelFalco tinnunculusResidentUncommon32–39 cmRecorded all year · 0.25% in Apr
Eurasian NuthatchSitta europaeaResidentUncommon12–15 cmRecorded all year · 0.25% in Apr
Long-tailed DuckClangula hyemalisWinter visitorUncommon37–60 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.22% in Apr
Stock DoveColumba oenasResidentUncommon32–34 cmRecorded all year · 0.21% in Apr
Eurasian Tree SparrowPasser montanusResidentUncommon13–14 cmRecorded all year · 0.20% in Apr
DipperCinclus cinclusResidentUncommon17–20 cmRecorded all year · 0.20% in Apr
OspreyPandion haliaetusSummer visitorUncommon54–58 cmRegularly Mar–Sep · 0.20% in Apr
Red KiteMilvus milvusResidentUncommon60–66 cmRecorded all year · 0.19% in Apr
GadwallMareca streperaResidentUncommon46–56 cmRecorded all year · 0.18% in Apr
RedwingTurdus iliacusWinter visitorCommon20–24 cmRegularly Sep–Apr · 0.18% in Apr
Common ScoterMelanitta nigraResidentUncommon43–54 cmRecorded all year · records held back in Apr (protected)
Atlantic PuffinFratercula arcticaSummer visitorUncommon28–34 cmRegularly Apr–Dec · 0.16% in Apr
House MartinDelichon urbicumSummer visitorCommon13–15 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.16% in Apr
Great Crested GrebePodiceps cristatusResidentUncommon46–51 cmRecorded all year · 0.15% in Apr
Northern ShovelerSpatula clypeataResidentUncommon44–51 cmRecorded all year · 0.15% in Apr
WhimbrelNumenius phaeopusSummer visitorUncommon40–46 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.15% in Apr
Golden PloverPluvialis apricariaWinter visitorUncommon26–29 cmRecorded all year · 0.14% in Apr
Red GrouseLagopus scoticaResidentUncommon37–42 cmRecorded all year · 0.14% in Apr
Eurasian JayGarrulus glandariusResidentUncommon32–35 cmRecorded all year · 0.13% in Apr
CuckooCuculus canorusSummer visitorCommon32–34 cmRegularly Apr–Jul · 0.13% in Apr
DunlinCalidris alpinaResidentCommon16–22 cmRecorded all year · 0.12% in Apr
Tree PipitAnthus trivialisSummer visitorUncommon14–16 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.12% in Apr
Great SkuaStercorarius skuaSummer visitorUncommon50–58 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.12% in Apr
Bar-tailed GodwitLimosa lapponicaResidentUncommon37–41 cmRecorded all year · 0.12% in Apr
Purple SandpiperCalidris maritimaWinter visitorUncommon20–22 cmRegularly Aug–Apr · 0.11% in Apr
White-tailed Sea-eagleHaliaeetus albicillaResidentUncommon66–94 cmRecorded all year · records held back in Apr (protected)
WhitethroatCurruca communisSummer visitorCommon13–15 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.11% in Apr
GreenshankTringa nebulariaWinter visitorUncommon30–35 cmRegularly Aug–Apr · 0.10% in Apr
TwiteLinaria flavirostrisSummer visitorUncommon13–14 cmRecorded all year · 0.10% in Apr
Grasshopper WarblerLocustella naeviaSummer visitorUncommon12–13 cmRegularly Apr–Aug · 0.10% in Apr
Red CrossbillLoxia curvirostraResidentUncommon15–17 cmRecorded all year · 0.09% in Apr
FieldfareTurdus pilarisWinter visitorCommon22–27 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.09% in Apr
Velvet ScoterMelanitta fuscaResidentUncommon51–58 cmRecorded all year · 0.09% in Apr
Ring OuzelTurdus torquatusSummer visitorUncommon23–24 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.09% in Apr
BramblingFringilla montifringillaWinter visitorUncommon14–16 cmRegularly Sep–Apr · 0.09% in Apr
Hen HarrierCircus cyaneusResidentUncommon41–52 cmRecorded all year · records held back in Apr (protected)
Black-tailed GodwitLimosa limosaSummer visitorUncommon40–44 cmRecorded all year · 0.08% in Apr
Red-legged PartridgeAlectoris rufaResidentUncommon32–34 cmRecorded all year · 0.08% in Apr
Sedge WarblerAcrocephalus schoenobaenusSummer visitorCommon12–13 cmRegularly Apr–Aug · 0.08% in Apr
Peregrine FalconFalco peregrinusResidentUncommon34–58 cmRecorded all year · records held back in Apr (protected)
Little EgretEgretta garzettaWinter visitorUncommon55–65 cmRecorded all year · 0.07% in Apr
MerlinFalco columbariusWinter visitorUncommon24–33 cmRecorded all year · 0.06% in Apr
Horned GrebePodiceps auritusResidentUncommon31–38 cmRecorded all year · records held back in Apr (protected)
Tawny OwlStrix alucoResidentUncommon37–43 cmRecorded all year · 0.06% in Apr
Common RedstartPhoenicurus phoenicurusSummer visitorUncommon13–15 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.05% in Apr
Barnacle GooseBranta leucopsisWinter visitorUncommon58–70 cmRegularly Aug–Jun · 0.05% in Apr
Water RailRallus aquaticusResidentUncommon23–28 cmRecorded all year · 0.05% in Apr
Crested TitLophophanes cristatusResidentUncommon11–12 cmRecorded all year · 0.05% in Apr
Greater ScaupAythya marilaWinter visitorUncommon39–56 cmRegularly Aug–Apr · 0.05% in Apr
Red KnotCalidris canutusWinter visitorUncommon23–26 cmRecorded all year · 0.05% in Apr
Grey PartridgePerdix perdixResidentUncommon28–32 cmRecorded all year · 0.05% in Apr
Manx ShearwaterPuffinus puffinusSummer visitorUncommon30–38 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.05% in Apr
Short-eared OwlAsio flammeusSummer visitorUncommon34–43 cmRecorded all year · 0.05% in Apr
SanderlingCalidris albaResidentUncommon18–20 cmRecorded all year · 0.05% in Apr
Common TernSterna hirundoSummer visitorCommon31–35 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.04% in Apr
Northern PintailAnas acutaWinter visitorUncommon59–76 cmRegularly Aug–May · 0.04% in Apr
Snow BuntingPlectrophenax nivalisWinter visitorUncommon15–18 cmRegularly Sep–Jul · 0.04% in Apr
Common KingfisherAlcedo atthisResidentUncommon16–17 cmRecorded all year · 0.04% in Apr
Grey PloverPluvialis squatarolaWinter visitorUncommon27–30 cmRegularly Aug–May · 0.04% in Apr
Surf ScoterMelanitta perspicillataWinter visitorRare48–60 cmRegularly Aug–May · 0.03% in Apr
Iceland GullLarus glaucoidesWinter visitorUncommon52–60 cmRegularly Sep–Jun · 0.03% in Apr
Western Marsh-harrierCircus aeruginosusSummer visitorUncommon48–56 cmRecorded all year · 0.03% in Apr
Arctic LoonGavia arcticaResidentUncommon58–77 cmRecorded all year · records held back in Apr (protected)
Eurasian WoodcockScolopax rusticolaWinter visitorUncommon33–38 cmRegularly Oct–Jul · 0.03% in Apr
Little Ringed PloverThinornis dubiusSummer visitorRare14–17 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.03% in Apr
Wood WarblerPhylloscopus sibilatrixSummer visitorUncommon11–13 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.02% in Apr
European Green WoodpeckerPicus viridisResidentRare30–36 cmRecorded all year · 0.02% in Apr
PochardAythya ferinaResidentUncommon42–49 cmRecorded all year · 0.02% in Apr
WhinchatSaxicola rubetraSummer visitorUncommon12–14 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.02% in Apr
Arctic JaegerStercorarius parasiticusSummer visitorUncommon41–46 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.02% in Apr
Barn OwlTyto albaResidentUncommon33–39 cmRecorded all year · 0.02% in Apr
Corn BuntingEmberiza calandraResidentRare16–19 cmRecorded all year · 0.02% in Apr
Greater White-fronted GooseAnser albifronsWinter visitorUncommon64–81 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.02% in Apr
GarganeySpatula querquedulaPassage migrantRare37–41 cmRegularly Mar–Aug · 0.02% in Apr
Brent GooseBranta berniclaWinter visitorUncommon55–66 cmRegularly Aug–May · 0.02% in Apr
Glaucous GullLarus hyperboreusWinter visitorUncommon62–68 cmRegularly Sep–Jul · 0.02% in Apr
King EiderSomateria spectabilisSummer visitorRare46–64 cmRegularly Jan–Oct · 0.02% in Apr
HawfinchCoccothraustes coccothraustesWinter visitorUncommon17–18 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.02% in Apr
Lesser WhitethroatCurruca currucaPassage migrantUncommon11–13 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.02% in Apr
Red-necked GrebePodiceps grisegenaWinter visitorRare40–50 cmRegularly Jul–Apr · 0.02% in Apr
Garden WarblerSylvia borinSummer visitorUncommon14–15 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.02% in Apr
Mandarin DuckAix galericulataResidentRare41–49 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in Apr
European Pied FlycatcherFicedula hypoleucaSummer visitorUncommon12–14 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.01% in Apr
Black RedstartPhoenicurus ochrurosWinter visitorRare13–15 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in Apr
Yellow WagtailMotacilla flavaSummer visitorRare15–17 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.01% in Apr
Little GullHydrocoloeus minutusSummer visitorUncommon25–30 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in Apr
Rose-ringed ParakeetPsittacula krameriResidentRare38–42 cmRegularly Oct–Aug · 0.01% in Apr
Northern GoshawkAstur gentilisRecords withheldRare46–61 cmRegularly Feb–Aug · records held back in Apr (protected)
Tundra Bean GooseAnser serrirostrisPassage migrantRare66–84 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.01% in Apr
HoopoeUpupa epopsPassage migrantRare25–32 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.01% in Apr
Bearded TitPanurus biarmicusSummer visitorRare13–15 cmRegularly Mar–Jan · 0.01% in Apr
Great White EgretArdea albaWinter visitorUncommon80–104 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in Apr
Lapland LongspurCalcarius lapponicusPassage migrantRare15–16 cmRegularly Sep–Apr · 0.01% in Apr
Little TernSternula albifronsSummer visitorUncommon21–25 cmRegularly Apr–Aug · 0.01% in Apr
Spotted RedshankTringa erythropusResidentRare29–31 cmRegularly Apr–Jan · 0.00% in Apr
SmewMergellus albellusWinter visitorUncommon38–44 cmRegularly Nov–Apr · 0.00% in Apr
AvocetRecurvirostra avosettaResidentRare42–45 cmRegularly Mar–Jun · 0.00% in Apr
Black SwanCygnus atratusResidentRare110–142 cmRegularly Mar–Sep · 0.00% in Apr
Ring-billed GullLarus delawarensisPassage migrantRare43–54 cmRegularly Jan–Jun · 0.00% in Apr
Eurasian SpoonbillPlatalea leucorodiaSummer visitorRare80–90 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.00% in Apr
Great Grey ShrikeLanius excubitorPassage migrantRare22–26 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.00% in Apr
WryneckJynx torquillaPassage migrantRare16–18 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.00% in Apr
Common Reed-warblerAcrocephalus scirpaceusSummer visitorRare13–14 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.00% in Apr
Taiga Bean GooseAnser fabalisWinter visitorRare68–88 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.00% in Apr
Muscovy DuckCairina moschataResidentRare66–84 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.00% in Apr
Snow GooseAnser caerulescensWinter visitorRare69–84 cmRegularly Sep–Apr · 0.00% in Apr
Tundra SwanCygnus columbianusPassage migrantRare120–150 cmRegularly Feb–Apr · 0.00% in Apr
Willow TitPoecile montanusWinter visitorRare11–12 cmRegularly Aug–May · 0.00% in Apr
Parrot CrossbillLoxia pytyopsittacusPassage migrantRare16–18 cmRegularly Apr–Jun · 0.00% in Apr
Data: EOD – eBird Observation Dataset (Cornell Lab of Ornithology), accessed via GBIF.org, CC BY 4.0. Records from 2019–2024, aggregated and filtered by Birdfact. How these lists are made