Birds to See in Scotland in January
167 bird species on our list for Scotland are recorded regularly in January
Of these, the most often recorded are European Herring Gull, Carrion Crow, Jackdaw, European Robin and Blackbird. New this month: King Eider, Tundra Bean Goose, Ring-billed Gull and Black-necked Grebe and 4 more.
On the move in January
GBIF · JanArriving
At their peak
Leaving soon
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 167 birds in January
167 birds
European Herring GullLarus argentatusResidentCommon55–67 cmRecorded all year · 4.75% in Jan
Carrion CrowCorvus coroneResidentCommon45–47 cmRecorded all year · 4.14% in Jan
JackdawColoeus monedulaResidentCommon34–39 cmRecorded all year · 3.57% in Jan
European RobinErithacus rubeculaResidentCommon13–14 cmRecorded all year · 3.26% in Jan
BlackbirdTurdus merulaResidentCommon24–25 cmRecorded all year · 3.20% in Jan
WoodpigeonColumba palumbusResidentCommon40–42 cmRecorded all year · 3.13% in Jan
Blue TitCyanistes caeruleusResidentCommon11–12 cmRecorded all year · 2.75% in Jan
Black-headed GullChroicocephalus ridibundusResidentCommon38–44 cmRecorded all year · 2.72% in Jan
Common StarlingSturnus vulgarisResidentCommon21–23 cmRecorded all year · 2.64% in Jan
RookCorvus frugilegusResidentCommon45–47 cmRecorded all year · 2.46% in Jan
MagpiePica picaResidentCommon44–46 cmRecorded all year · 2.44% in Jan
House SparrowPasser domesticusResidentCommon14–17 cmRecorded all year · 2.32% in Jan
MallardAnas platyrhynchosResidentCommon50–65 cmRecorded all year · 2.19% in Jan
ChaffinchFringilla coelebsResidentCommon14–16 cmRecorded all year · 2.04% in Jan
Rock DoveColumba liviaResidentCommon29–37 cmRecorded all year · 1.92% in Jan
Great TitParus majorResidentCommonRecorded all year · 1.87% in Jan
Common GullLarus canusResidentCommon40–46 cmRecorded all year · 1.76% in Jan
CurlewNumenius arquataResidentCommon50–60 cmRecorded all year · 1.66% in Jan
Eurasian WrenTroglodytes troglodytesResidentCommon9–10 cmRecorded all year · 1.60% in Jan
Eurasian OystercatcherHaematopus ostralegusResidentCommon40–45 cmRecorded all year · 1.53% in Jan
European GoldfinchCarduelis carduelisResidentCommon12–13 cmRecorded all year · 1.43% in Jan
DunnockPrunella modularisResidentCommon14–15 cmRecorded all year · 1.36% in Jan
Great Black-backed GullLarus marinusResidentCommon64–79 cmRecorded all year · 1.33% in Jan
Coal TitPeriparus aterResidentCommon10–12 cmRecorded all year · 1.29% in Jan
RedshankTringa totanusResidentCommon27–29 cmRecorded all year · 1.26% in Jan
Great CormorantPhalacrocorax carboResidentCommon80–100 cmRecorded all year · 1.23% in Jan
GoldeneyeBucephala clangulaWinter visitorCommon40–51 cmRegularly Sep–Jul · 1.21% in Jan
Mute SwanCygnus olorResidentCommon140–160 cmRecorded all year · 1.20% in Jan
Eurasian WigeonMareca penelopeWinter visitorCommon42–51 cmRecorded all year · 1.18% in Jan
Grey HeronArdea cinereaResidentCommon90–98 cmRecorded all year · 1.12% in Jan
Eurasian TealAnas creccaWinter visitorCommon34–38 cmRecorded all year · 0.99% in Jan
BuzzardButeo buteoResidentCommon51–57 cmRecorded all year · 0.94% in Jan
RedwingTurdus iliacusWinter visitorCommon20–24 cmRegularly Sep–Apr · 0.94% in Jan
European ShagGulosus aristotelisResidentCommon65–80 cmRecorded all year · 0.84% in Jan
EiderSomateria mollissimaResidentCommon50–71 cmRecorded all year · 0.84% in Jan
Long-tailed TitAegithalos caudatusResidentCommon13–16 cmRecorded all year · 0.83% in Jan
Greylag GooseAnser anserResidentCommon75–90 cmRecorded all year · 0.83% in Jan
Ruddy TurnstoneArenaria interpresWinter visitorCommon21–24 cmRecorded all year · 0.80% in Jan
Pied WagtailMotacilla albaResidentCommon17–19 cmRecorded all year · 0.79% in Jan
MoorhenGallinula chloropusResidentCommon30–38 cmRecorded all year · 0.77% in Jan
FieldfareTurdus pilarisWinter visitorCommon22–27 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.75% in Jan
Eurasian Collared DoveStreptopelia decaoctoResidentCommon30–32 cmRecorded all year · 0.75% in Jan
Red-breasted MerganserMergus serratorResidentCommon52–58 cmRecorded all year · 0.72% in Jan
BullfinchPyrrhula pyrrhulaResidentCommon15–17 cmRecorded all year · 0.70% in Jan
Pink-footed GooseAnser brachyrhynchusWinter visitorCommon60–75 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.69% in Jan
Tufted DuckAythya fuligulaResidentCommon40–47 cmRecorded all year · 0.68% in Jan
Common MerganserMergus merganserResidentCommon58–68 cmRecorded all year · 0.63% in Jan
Hooded CrowCorvus cornixResidentCommon44–51 cmRecorded all year · 0.61% in Jan
GreenfinchChloris chlorisResidentCommon15–16 cmRecorded all year · 0.58% in Jan
Northern LapwingVanellus vanellusResidentCommon28–31 cmRecorded all year · 0.57% in Jan
Song ThrushTurdus philomelosResidentCommon20–23 cmRecorded all year · 0.55% in Jan
Common PheasantPhasianus colchicusResidentCommon50–90 cmRecorded all year · 0.55% in Jan
Rock PipitAnthus petrosusResidentCommon16–18 cmRecorded all year · 0.54% in Jan
Common RavenCorvus coraxResidentCommon54–67 cmRecorded all year · 0.53% in Jan
GoldcrestRegulus regulusResidentCommon9–10 cmRecorded all year · 0.52% in Jan
Mistle ThrushTurdus viscivorusResidentCommon26–29 cmRecorded all year · 0.51% in Jan
CootFulica atraResidentUncommon36–42 cmRecorded all year · 0.49% in Jan
Little GrebeTachybaptus ruficollisResidentUncommon23–29 cmRecorded all year · 0.49% in Jan
Eurasian SiskinSpinus spinusResidentCommon11–13 cmRecorded all year · 0.49% in Jan
Great Spotted WoodpeckerDendrocopos majorResidentUncommon23–26 cmRecorded all year · 0.47% in Jan
Long-tailed DuckClangula hyemalisWinter visitorUncommon37–60 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.46% in Jan
DunlinCalidris alpinaResidentCommon16–22 cmRecorded all year · 0.44% in Jan
TreecreeperCerthia familiarisResidentUncommon12–14 cmRecorded all year · 0.42% in Jan
Meadow PipitAnthus pratensisSummer visitorCommon14–15 cmRecorded all year · 0.41% in Jan
KestrelFalco tinnunculusResidentUncommon32–39 cmRecorded all year · 0.40% in Jan
Reed BuntingEmberiza schoeniclusResidentCommon14–16 cmRecorded all year · 0.37% in Jan
Lesser Black-backed GullLarus fuscusSummer visitorCommon52–64 cmRecorded all year · 0.37% in Jan
Whooper SwanCygnus cygnusWinter visitorCommon140–165 cmRegularly Aug–Mar · 0.36% in Jan
Common ShelduckTadorna tadornaResidentCommon58–67 cmRecorded all year · 0.36% in Jan
SparrowhawkAccipiter nisusResidentUncommon28–38 cmRecorded all year · 0.34% in Jan
Bar-tailed GodwitLimosa lapponicaResidentUncommon37–41 cmRecorded all year · 0.34% in Jan
Red-throated LoonGavia stellataResidentUncommon53–69 cmRecorded all year · 0.33% in Jan
Ringed PloverCharadrius hiaticulaResidentCommon17–19 cmRecorded all year · 0.33% in Jan
Canada GooseBranta canadensisResidentUncommon76–110 cmRecorded all year · 0.33% in Jan
Eurasian SkylarkAlauda arvensisResidentCommon16–18 cmRecorded all year · 0.32% in Jan
YellowhammerEmberiza citrinellaResidentUncommon16–17 cmRecorded all year · 0.30% in Jan
StonechatSaxicola rubicolaResidentUncommon12–13 cmRecorded all year · 0.30% in Jan
FulmarFulmarus glacialisResidentCommon45–50 cmRecorded all year · 0.28% in Jan
LinnetLinaria cannabinaResidentCommon13–14 cmRecorded all year · 0.28% in Jan
Purple SandpiperCalidris maritimaWinter visitorUncommon20–22 cmRegularly Aug–Apr · 0.28% in Jan
Grey WagtailMotacilla cinereaResidentUncommon17–20 cmRecorded all year · 0.27% in Jan
Common SnipeGallinago gallinagoResidentCommon25–27 cmRecorded all year · 0.27% in Jan
Eurasian Tree SparrowPasser montanusResidentUncommon13–14 cmRecorded all year · 0.27% in Jan
Common ScoterMelanitta nigraResidentUncommon43–54 cmRecorded all year · 0.24% in Jan
DipperCinclus cinclusResidentUncommon17–20 cmRecorded all year · 0.24% in Jan
Common RedpollAcanthis flammeaResidentUncommon12–14 cmRecorded all year · 0.23% in Jan
Black GuillemotCepphus grylleResidentCommon30–32 cmRecorded all year · 0.23% in Jan
Eurasian NuthatchSitta europaeaResidentUncommon12–15 cmRecorded all year · 0.22% in Jan
Common LoonGavia immerResidentUncommon66–91 cmRecorded all year · 0.21% in Jan
Stock DoveColumba oenasResidentUncommon32–34 cmRecorded all year · 0.20% in Jan
Little EgretEgretta garzettaWinter visitorUncommon55–65 cmRecorded all year · 0.20% in Jan
Golden PloverPluvialis apricariaWinter visitorUncommon26–29 cmRecorded all year · 0.17% in Jan
Eurasian JayGarrulus glandariusResidentUncommon32–35 cmRecorded all year · 0.17% in Jan
Great Crested GrebePodiceps cristatusResidentUncommon46–51 cmRecorded all year · 0.16% in Jan
RazorbillAlca tordaResidentCommon38–43 cmRecorded all year · 0.16% in Jan
KittiwakeRissa tridactylaSummer visitorCommon37–41 cmRecorded all year · 0.16% in Jan
Red KiteMilvus milvusResidentUncommon60–66 cmRecorded all year · 0.16% in Jan
SanderlingCalidris albaResidentUncommon18–20 cmRecorded all year · 0.16% in Jan
Velvet ScoterMelanitta fuscaResidentUncommon51–58 cmRecorded all year · 0.16% in Jan
Northern PintailAnas acutaWinter visitorUncommon59–76 cmRegularly Aug–May · 0.15% in Jan
Barnacle GooseBranta leucopsisWinter visitorUncommon58–70 cmRegularly Aug–Jun · 0.15% in Jan
Horned GrebePodiceps auritusResidentUncommon31–38 cmRecorded all year · 0.15% in Jan
Red KnotCalidris canutusWinter visitorUncommon23–26 cmRecorded all year · 0.14% in Jan
Greater ScaupAythya marilaWinter visitorUncommon39–56 cmRegularly Aug–Apr · 0.13% in Jan
GadwallMareca streperaResidentUncommon46–56 cmRecorded all year · 0.13% in Jan
GreenshankTringa nebulariaWinter visitorUncommon30–35 cmRegularly Aug–Apr · 0.12% in Jan
Peregrine FalconFalco peregrinusResidentUncommon34–58 cmRecorded all year · 0.12% in Jan
Northern GannetMorus bassanusSummer visitorCommon87–100 cmRecorded all year · 0.12% in Jan
Common KingfisherAlcedo atthisResidentUncommon16–17 cmRecorded all year · 0.11% in Jan
Grey PloverPluvialis squatarolaWinter visitorUncommon27–30 cmRegularly Aug–May · 0.11% in Jan
Eurasian WoodcockScolopax rusticolaWinter visitorUncommon33–38 cmRegularly Oct–Jul · 0.11% in Jan
Red GrouseLagopus scoticaResidentUncommon37–42 cmRecorded all year · 0.10% in Jan
TwiteLinaria flavirostrisSummer visitorUncommon13–14 cmRecorded all year · 0.10% in Jan
Northern ShovelerSpatula clypeataResidentUncommon44–51 cmRecorded all year · 0.09% in Jan
Red CrossbillLoxia curvirostraResidentUncommon15–17 cmRecorded all year · 0.09% in Jan
Glaucous GullLarus hyperboreusWinter visitorUncommon62–68 cmRegularly Sep–Jul · 0.09% in Jan
Black-tailed GodwitLimosa limosaSummer visitorUncommon40–44 cmRecorded all year · 0.09% in Jan
BramblingFringilla montifringillaWinter visitorUncommon14–16 cmRegularly Sep–Apr · 0.08% in Jan
Iceland GullLarus glaucoidesWinter visitorUncommon52–60 cmRegularly Sep–Jun · 0.08% in Jan
Greater White-fronted GooseAnser albifronsWinter visitorUncommon64–81 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.08% in Jan
Hen HarrierCircus cyaneusResidentUncommon41–52 cmRecorded all year · 0.08% in Jan
White-tailed Sea-eagleHaliaeetus albicillaResidentUncommon66–94 cmRecorded all year · 0.07% in Jan
PochardAythya ferinaResidentUncommon42–49 cmRecorded all year · 0.07% in Jan
BlackcapSylvia atricapillaSummer visitorCommon13–15 cmRecorded all year · 0.07% in Jan
Water RailRallus aquaticusResidentUncommon23–28 cmRecorded all year · 0.07% in Jan
SmewMergellus albellusWinter visitorUncommon38–44 cmRegularly Nov–Apr · 0.07% in Jan
Crested TitLophophanes cristatusResidentUncommon11–12 cmRecorded all year · 0.06% in Jan
Bohemian WaxwingBombycilla garrulusWinter visitorUncommon19–23 cmRegularly Oct–Mar · 0.06% in Jan
MerlinFalco columbariusWinter visitorUncommon24–33 cmRecorded all year · 0.06% in Jan
Brent GooseBranta berniclaWinter visitorUncommon55–66 cmRegularly Aug–May · 0.06% in Jan
Tawny OwlStrix alucoResidentUncommon37–43 cmRecorded all year · 0.06% in Jan
Grey PartridgePerdix perdixResidentUncommon28–32 cmRecorded all year · 0.05% in Jan
Snow BuntingPlectrophenax nivalisWinter visitorUncommon15–18 cmRegularly Sep–Jul · 0.05% in Jan
Jack SnipeLymnocryptes minimusWinter visitorUncommon17–19 cmRegularly Sep–Mar · 0.04% in Jan
Mediterranean GullIchthyaetus melanocephalusWinter visitorUncommon37–40 cmRegularly Jun–Mar · 0.04% in Jan
Red-legged PartridgeAlectoris rufaResidentUncommon32–34 cmRecorded all year · 0.04% in Jan
Barn OwlTyto albaResidentUncommon33–39 cmRecorded all year · 0.04% in Jan
Arctic LoonGavia arcticaResidentUncommon58–77 cmRecorded all year · 0.04% in Jan
Surf ScoterMelanitta perspicillataWinter visitorRare48–60 cmRegularly Aug–May · 0.03% in Jan
Black RedstartPhoenicurus ochrurosWinter visitorRare13–15 cmRecorded all year · 0.03% in Jan
Snow GooseAnser caerulescensWinter visitorRare69–84 cmRegularly Sep–Apr · 0.02% in Jan
Little GullHydrocoloeus minutusSummer visitorUncommon25–30 cmRecorded all year · 0.02% in Jan
Ring-billed GullLarus delawarensisPassage migrantRare43–54 cmRegularly Jan–Jun · 0.02% in Jan
Corn BuntingEmberiza calandraResidentRare16–19 cmRecorded all year · 0.02% in Jan
Taiga Bean GooseAnser fabalisWinter visitorRare68–88 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.02% in Jan
Black-necked GrebePodiceps nigricollisPassage migrantRare28–34 cmRegularly Oct–Mar · 0.02% in Jan
Short-eared OwlAsio flammeusSummer visitorUncommon34–43 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in Jan
Rose-ringed ParakeetPsittacula krameriResidentRare38–42 cmRegularly Oct–Aug · 0.01% in Jan
Mandarin DuckAix galericulataResidentRare41–49 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in Jan
HawfinchCoccothraustes coccothraustesWinter visitorUncommon17–18 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.01% in Jan
Water PipitAnthus spinolettaPassage migrantRare15–17 cmRegularly Nov–Feb · 0.01% in Jan
Great White EgretArdea albaWinter visitorUncommon80–104 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in Jan
Western Marsh-harrierCircus aeruginosusSummer visitorUncommon48–56 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in Jan
European Green WoodpeckerPicus viridisResidentRare30–36 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in Jan
Little AukAlle alleWinter visitorUncommon18–21 cmRegularly Oct–Feb · 0.01% in Jan
Red-necked GrebePodiceps grisegenaWinter visitorRare40–50 cmRegularly Jul–Apr · 0.01% in Jan
Red-billed ChoughPyrrhocorax pyrrhocoraxWinter visitorRare39–43 cmRegularly May–Mar · 0.01% in Jan
Green SandpiperTringa ochropusWinter visitorUncommon21–24 cmRegularly Aug–Mar · 0.01% in Jan
Spotted RedshankTringa erythropusResidentRare29–31 cmRegularly Apr–Jan · 0.01% in Jan
Cackling GooseBranta hutchinsiiWinter visitorRare53–76 cmRegularly Oct–Mar · 0.01% in Jan
Tundra Bean GooseAnser serrirostrisPassage migrantRare66–84 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.01% in Jan
Bearded TitPanurus biarmicusSummer visitorRare13–15 cmRegularly Mar–Jan · 0.01% in Jan
Grey PhalaropePhalaropus fulicariusWinter visitorRare20–22 cmRegularly Sep–Feb · 0.00% in Jan
King EiderSomateria spectabilisSummer visitorRare46–64 cmRegularly Jan–Oct · 0.00% in Jan
Eurasian BitternBotaurus stellarisResidentRare69–81 cmRegularly Jan–Feb · 0.00% in Jan
Willow TitPoecile montanusWinter visitorRare11–12 cmRegularly Aug–May · 0.00% in Jan
Yellow-legged GullLarus michahellisResidentRare52–68 cmRegularly Jan · 0.00% in Jan
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