Birds to See in Highland in December
126 bird species on our list for Highland are recorded regularly in December
Of these, the most often recorded are European Robin, European Herring Gull, Blackbird, Chaffinch and Carrion Crow. New this month: Fulmar, Twite, Iceland Gull and Barn Owl and 2 more.
On the move in December
GBIF · DecArriving
From Highland’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 126 birds in December
126 birds
European RobinErithacus rubeculaResidentCommon13–14 cmRecorded all year · 3.62% in Dec
European Herring GullLarus argentatusResidentCommon55–67 cmRecorded all year · 3.57% in Dec
BlackbirdTurdus merulaResidentCommon24–25 cmRecorded all year · 3.21% in Dec
ChaffinchFringilla coelebsResidentCommon14–16 cmRecorded all year · 3.01% in Dec
Carrion CrowCorvus coroneResidentCommon45–47 cmRecorded all year · 2.60% in Dec
Blue TitCyanistes caeruleusResidentCommon11–12 cmRecorded all year · 2.40% in Dec
MallardAnas platyrhynchosResidentCommon50–65 cmRecorded all year · 2.31% in Dec
Hooded CrowCorvus cornixResidentCommon44–51 cmRecorded all year · 2.27% in Dec
Great TitParus majorResidentCommonRecorded all year · 2.24% in Dec
Eurasian OystercatcherHaematopus ostralegusResidentCommon40–45 cmRecorded all year · 2.18% in Dec
JackdawColoeus monedulaResidentCommon34–39 cmRecorded all year · 2.11% in Dec
Great Black-backed GullLarus marinusResidentCommon64–79 cmRecorded all year · 1.99% in Dec
House SparrowPasser domesticusResidentCommon14–17 cmRecorded all year · 1.99% in Dec
Common GullLarus canusResidentCommon40–46 cmRecorded all year · 1.98% in Dec
Coal TitPeriparus aterResidentCommon10–12 cmRecorded all year · 1.97% in Dec
CurlewNumenius arquataResidentCommon50–60 cmRecorded all year · 1.97% in Dec
WoodpigeonColumba palumbusResidentCommon40–42 cmRecorded all year · 1.97% in Dec
Grey HeronArdea cinereaResidentCommon90–98 cmRecorded all year · 1.92% in Dec
Common StarlingSturnus vulgarisResidentCommon21–23 cmRecorded all year · 1.84% in Dec
Black-headed GullChroicocephalus ridibundusResidentCommon38–44 cmRecorded all year · 1.79% in Dec
Great CormorantPhalacrocorax carboResidentCommon80–100 cmRecorded all year · 1.75% in Dec
DunnockPrunella modularisResidentCommon14–15 cmRecorded all year · 1.74% in Dec
Eurasian WrenTroglodytes troglodytesResidentCommon9–10 cmRecorded all year · 1.70% in Dec
BuzzardButeo buteoResidentCommon51–57 cmRecorded all year · 1.66% in Dec
RedshankTringa totanusWinter visitorCommon27–29 cmRecorded all year · 1.61% in Dec
Eurasian WigeonMareca penelopeWinter visitorCommon42–51 cmRecorded all year · 1.57% in Dec
European GoldfinchCarduelis carduelisResidentCommon12–13 cmRecorded all year · 1.57% in Dec
GoldeneyeBucephala clangulaWinter visitorCommon40–51 cmRecorded all year · 1.50% in Dec
European ShagGulosus aristotelisResidentCommon65–80 cmRecorded all year · 1.29% in Dec
Red-breasted MerganserMergus serratorResidentCommon52–58 cmRecorded all year · 1.25% in Dec
RookCorvus frugilegusResidentCommon45–47 cmRecorded all year · 1.17% in Dec
Rock DoveColumba liviaResidentCommon31–34 cmRecorded all year · 1.15% in Dec
Greylag GooseAnser anserResidentCommon75–90 cmRecorded all year · 1.12% in Dec
Pink-footed GooseAnser brachyrhynchusWinter visitorCommon60–75 cmRegularly Sep–May · 1.05% in Dec
GoldcrestRegulus regulusResidentCommon9–10 cmRecorded all year · 1.03% in Dec
Common RavenCorvus coraxResidentCommon54–67 cmRecorded all year · 0.99% in Dec
Eurasian TealAnas creccaResidentCommon34–38 cmRecorded all year · 0.98% in Dec
Eurasian Collared DoveStreptopelia decaoctoResidentCommon30–32 cmRecorded all year · 0.92% in Dec
Long-tailed DuckClangula hyemalisWinter visitorCommon37–60 cmRegularly Oct–May · 0.87% in Dec
RedwingTurdus iliacusWinter visitorCommon20–24 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.84% in Dec
FieldfareTurdus pilarisWinter visitorCommon22–27 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.83% in Dec
EiderSomateria mollissimaResidentCommon50–71 cmRecorded all year · 0.82% in Dec
Mute SwanCygnus olorResidentCommon140–160 cmRecorded all year · 0.79% in Dec
Long-tailed TitAegithalos caudatusResidentCommon13–16 cmRecorded all year · 0.77% in Dec
Eurasian SiskinSpinus spinusResidentCommon11–13 cmRecorded all year · 0.77% in Dec
GreenfinchChloris chlorisResidentCommon15–16 cmRecorded all year · 0.77% in Dec
TreecreeperCerthia familiarisResidentCommon12–14 cmRecorded all year · 0.69% in Dec
Red KiteMilvus milvusResidentCommon60–66 cmRecorded all year · 0.68% in Dec
Great Spotted WoodpeckerDendrocopos majorResidentCommon23–26 cmRecorded all year · 0.64% in Dec
Rock PipitAnthus petrosusResidentCommon16–18 cmRecorded all year · 0.62% in Dec
Common MerganserMergus merganserResidentCommon58–68 cmRecorded all year · 0.58% in Dec
MoorhenGallinula chloropusResidentCommon30–38 cmRecorded all year · 0.58% in Dec
Common LoonGavia immerResidentCommon66–91 cmRegularly Sep–Jul · 0.57% in Dec
Little GrebeTachybaptus ruficollisResidentCommon23–29 cmRecorded all year · 0.57% in Dec
Common PheasantPhasianus colchicusResidentCommon50–90 cmRecorded all year · 0.56% in Dec
Mistle ThrushTurdus viscivorusResidentCommon26–29 cmRecorded all year · 0.56% in Dec
Ruddy TurnstoneArenaria interpresWinter visitorCommon21–24 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.55% in Dec
Crested TitLophophanes cristatusResidentCommon11–12 cmRecorded all year · 0.54% in Dec
Red-throated LoonGavia stellataResidentCommon53–69 cmRecorded all year · 0.54% in Dec
Bar-tailed GodwitLimosa lapponicaWinter visitorCommon37–41 cmRecorded all year · 0.50% in Dec
Song ThrushTurdus philomelosResidentCommon20–23 cmRecorded all year · 0.50% in Dec
StonechatSaxicola rubicolaResidentCommon12–13 cmRecorded all year · 0.50% in Dec
Northern LapwingVanellus vanellusResidentCommon28–31 cmRecorded all year · 0.49% in Dec
Ringed PloverCharadrius hiaticulaResidentCommon17–19 cmRecorded all year · 0.48% in Dec
Tufted DuckAythya fuligulaResidentCommon40–47 cmRecorded all year · 0.47% in Dec
KestrelFalco tinnunculusResidentCommon32–39 cmRecorded all year · 0.47% in Dec
BullfinchPyrrhula pyrrhulaResidentCommon15–17 cmRecorded all year · 0.45% in Dec
SparrowhawkAccipiter nisusResidentCommon28–38 cmRecorded all year · 0.45% in Dec
Pied WagtailMotacilla albaSummer visitorCommon17–19 cmRecorded all year · 0.42% in Dec
Common RedpollAcanthis flammeaResidentCommon12–14 cmRecorded all year · 0.41% in Dec
Greater ScaupAythya marilaWinter visitorUncommon39–56 cmRegularly Aug–Apr · 0.41% in Dec
DunlinCalidris alpinaResidentUncommon16–22 cmRecorded all year · 0.39% in Dec
Horned GrebePodiceps auritusResidentUncommon31–38 cmRecorded all year · 0.39% in Dec
Common ShelduckTadorna tadornaResidentCommon58–67 cmRecorded all year · 0.37% in Dec
YellowhammerEmberiza citrinellaResidentCommon16–17 cmRecorded all year · 0.37% in Dec
Whooper SwanCygnus cygnusWinter visitorCommon140–165 cmRegularly Sep–Mar · 0.35% in Dec
DipperCinclus cinclusResidentUncommon17–20 cmRecorded all year · 0.32% in Dec
Black GuillemotCepphus grylleResidentCommon30–32 cmRecorded all year · 0.31% in Dec
LinnetLinaria cannabinaResidentCommon13–14 cmRecorded all year · 0.31% in Dec
White-tailed Sea-eagleHaliaeetus albicillaResidentUncommon66–94 cmRecorded all year · 0.28% in Dec
Red CrossbillLoxia curvirostraResidentCommon15–17 cmRecorded all year · 0.27% in Dec
Reed BuntingEmberiza schoeniclusResidentUncommon14–16 cmRecorded all year · 0.26% in Dec
Common ScoterMelanitta nigraResidentUncommon43–54 cmRecorded all year · 0.26% in Dec
Eurasian JayGarrulus glandariusResidentCommon32–35 cmRecorded all year · 0.25% in Dec
Red GrouseLagopus scoticaResidentUncommon37–42 cmRecorded all year · 0.24% in Dec
Red KnotCalidris canutusWinter visitorUncommon23–26 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.22% in Dec
Meadow PipitAnthus pratensisSummer visitorCommon14–15 cmRecorded all year · 0.22% in Dec
Eurasian WoodcockScolopax rusticolaWinter visitorUncommon33–38 cmRegularly Oct–Jul · 0.21% in Dec
MagpiePica picaResidentUncommon44–46 cmRecorded all year · 0.20% in Dec
Snow BuntingPlectrophenax nivalisWinter visitorUncommon15–18 cmRecorded all year · 0.20% in Dec
CootFulica atraResidentUncommon36–42 cmRecorded all year · 0.19% in Dec
Barnacle GooseBranta leucopsisWinter visitorUncommon58–70 cmRecorded all year · 0.16% in Dec
Brent GooseBranta berniclaWinter visitorUncommon55–66 cmRegularly Sep–Apr · 0.16% in Dec
RazorbillAlca tordaSummer visitorCommon38–43 cmRecorded all year · 0.15% in Dec
Common SnipeGallinago gallinagoResidentUncommon25–27 cmRecorded all year · 0.14% in Dec
Purple SandpiperCalidris maritimaWinter visitorUncommon20–22 cmRegularly Sep–Apr · 0.14% in Dec
Northern GannetMorus bassanusSummer visitorCommon87–100 cmRecorded all year · 0.14% in Dec
Eurasian SkylarkAlauda arvensisSummer visitorCommon16–18 cmRecorded all year · 0.13% in Dec
GreenshankTringa nebulariaWinter visitorUncommon30–35 cmRegularly Aug–Apr · 0.12% in Dec
KittiwakeRissa tridactylaSummer visitorCommon37–41 cmRecorded all year · 0.12% in Dec
Eurasian Tree SparrowPasser montanusResidentUncommon13–14 cmRecorded all year · 0.10% in Dec
Barn OwlTyto albaResidentUncommon33–39 cmRegularly Dec–Oct · 0.09% in Dec
SanderlingCalidris albaWinter visitorUncommon18–20 cmRecorded all year · 0.09% in Dec
Common KingfisherAlcedo atthisWinter visitorUncommon16–17 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.09% in Dec
Great Crested GrebePodiceps cristatusResidentUncommon46–51 cmRegularly Aug–May · 0.09% in Dec
Grey WagtailMotacilla cinereaSummer visitorCommon17–20 cmRecorded all year · 0.09% in Dec
Northern PintailAnas acutaWinter visitorUncommon59–76 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.09% in Dec
Red-legged PartridgeAlectoris rufaResidentUncommon32–34 cmRecorded all year · 0.09% in Dec
Peregrine FalconFalco peregrinusResidentUncommon34–58 cmRecorded all year · 0.08% in Dec
Arctic LoonGavia arcticaResidentUncommon58–77 cmRecorded all year · 0.07% in Dec
BlackcapSylvia atricapillaSummer visitorCommon13–15 cmRegularly Apr–Feb · 0.07% in Dec
FulmarFulmarus glacialisSummer visitorCommon45–50 cmRegularly Dec–Sep · 0.07% in Dec
Canada GooseBranta canadensisResidentUncommon76–110 cmRecorded all year · 0.07% in Dec
Hen HarrierCircus cyaneusResidentUncommon41–52 cmRecorded all year · 0.07% in Dec
Black-tailed GodwitLimosa limosaWinter visitorUncommon40–44 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.06% in Dec
BramblingFringilla montifringillaWinter visitorUncommon14–16 cmRegularly Sep–Apr · 0.06% in Dec
Velvet ScoterMelanitta fuscaWinter visitorUncommon51–58 cmRegularly Aug–May · 0.06% in Dec
GadwallMareca streperaSummer visitorRare46–56 cmRegularly Mar–Dec · 0.05% in Dec
Greater White-fronted GooseAnser albifronsWinter visitorUncommon64–81 cmRegularly Sep–Apr · 0.05% in Dec
TwiteLinaria flavirostrisSummer visitorUncommon13–14 cmRegularly Dec–Oct · 0.05% in Dec
Water RailRallus aquaticusSummer visitorUncommon23–28 cmRegularly Mar–Jan · 0.05% in Dec
Golden PloverPluvialis apricariaResidentUncommon26–29 cmRecorded all year · 0.04% in Dec
Tawny OwlStrix alucoResidentUncommon37–43 cmRecorded all year · 0.04% in Dec
MerlinFalco columbariusResidentUncommon24–33 cmRecorded all year · 0.03% in Dec
Iceland GullLarus glaucoidesWinter visitorUncommon52–60 cmRegularly Dec–May · 0.03% in Dec
Stock DoveColumba oenasResidentUncommon32–34 cmRegularly Dec–Oct · 0.02% in Dec
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