Birds in Scotland
Explore 186 species found in this region.
Scotland is home to an impressive diversity of birdlife, with 186 species recorded across its dramatic landscapes of rugged coastlines, ancient Caledonian forests, expansive moorlands, and tranquil lochs. From vast flocks of Pink-footed Geese arriving each autumn to the charismatic Northern Lapwing displaying over farmland, Scotland offers exceptional birdwatching throughout the year. Notable species include the Common Merganser on highland rivers, Eurasian Woodcock in dense woodland, and the Common Shelduck along its estuaries.
Visiting in April? Look out for Atlantic Puffin and Barn Swallow arriving this month, and Brent Goose and Common Kingfisher depart for the season.
Get a monthly guide to birds in Scotland
Find out which birds are visiting your area this month, with seasonal tips and garden advice
Get Your Free DigestShowing 70–92 of 186 species
Garden Warbler
Sylvia borinLC
A rare passage visitor in spring and autumn, skulking in dense scrub. Easily confused with the Blackcap but lacks a distinctive cap.
May–Oct
Glaucous Gull
Larus hyperboreusLC
A rare late-winter visitor from the Arctic, most often seen in the Northern Isles from January to March. Large and pale with a hefty bill.
Jan–Mar
Goldcrest
Regulus regulusLC
Britain's smallest bird, resident year-round in coniferous and mixed woodland. Numbers bolstered in autumn by continental migrants.
Year-round
Golden Eagle
Aquila chrysaetosLC
A rare but iconic resident of the Scottish Highlands and islands. Soars over remote mountain glens and moorland, with around 500 pairs in Scotland.
Jan–Nov
Golden Plover
Pluvialis apricariaLC
A rare year-round resident breeding on upland moorland in summer and gathering in lowland fields during winter. A declining species.
Year-round
Goldeneye
Bucephala clangulaLC
Year-round resident on Highland lochs and rivers, nesting in tree cavities. Winter numbers increase with arrivals from Scandinavia.
Year-round
Grasshopper Warbler
Locustella naeviaLC
A rare and secretive summer breeder, more often heard reeling from dense scrub and grassland than seen.
Apr–Jul
Great Black-backed Gull
Larus marinusLC
The largest resident gull, found year-round on coasts and islands. A powerful predator and scavenger across Scottish shorelines.
Year-round
Spotted something?
Upload a photo to identify it
Identify
Great Cormorant
Phalacrocorax carboLC
An uncommon year-round resident found along coasts, estuaries, and larger inland lochs. Often seen perched with wings outstretched on rocks and jetties.
Year-round
Great Crested Grebe
Podiceps cristatusLC
A rare year-round resident of larger lowland lochs and reservoirs. More common in central and southern Scotland, with elegant courtship displays in spring.
Year-round
Great Skua
Catharacta skuaLC
Breeds on northern Scottish islands, especially Shetland and Orkney. A powerful, aggressive seabird known locally as the 'bonxie'.
Apr–Oct
Great Spotted Woodpecker
Dendrocopos majorLC
An uncommon resident that has expanded its Scottish range in recent decades. Drums loudly on trees in mature woodland year-round.
Year-round
Great Tit
Parus majorLC
A common year-round resident of gardens, parks, and woodland. Its loud, varied song is one of the first heard in spring.
Year-round
Great White Egret
Ardea albaLC
A rare autumn passage visitor, occasionally appearing at wetlands and estuaries in October and November. An increasingly frequent sight as the species expands northward.
Oct–Nov
Greater Scaup
Aythya marilaLC
Rare non-breeding visitor wintering on sheltered firths and coastal waters. The Firth of Forth holds one of the UK's key flocks.
Sep–Apr
Greater White-fronted Goose
Anser albifronsLC
Rare winter visitor from Arctic breeding grounds, arriving October and departing by March. Most often found on coastal grasslands and estuaries.
Oct–Mar
Green Sandpiper
Tringa ochropusLC
A rare passage visitor in August, favouring freshwater pools, ditches, and marshy edges. Bobs distinctively and flashes white rump in flight.
Aug
Greenfinch
Chloris chlorisLC
Present all year in gardens, farmland and woodland edges. Numbers have declined sharply due to trichomonosis disease, though it remains a regular feeder visitor.
Year-round
Greenshank
Tringa nebulariaLC
Breeds on remote Highland bogs and flows in summer, moving to estuaries in winter. A flagship species of Scotland's wild upland landscapes.
Year-round
Grey Heron
Ardea cinereaLC
A familiar year-round resident of lochs, rivers, and estuaries. Often seen standing motionless at the water's edge, even in urban parks and gardens.
Year-round
Grey Partridge
Perdix perdixLC
A rare resident of lowland farmland, severely declined across Scotland. Most likely seen in arable fields during autumn and winter months.
Oct–May
Grey Plover
Pluvialis squatarolaLC
A rare non-breeding visitor to estuaries and coastal mudflats from autumn through spring. Identified by its black 'armpit' patches in flight.
Sep–Mar
Grey Wagtail
Motacilla cinereaLC
Found year-round along fast-flowing burns and rivers, bobbing its long tail on rocks. Breeds in upland streams and may move to lowland waters in winter.
Year-round