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 116–138 of 186 species
Long-tailed Duck
Clangula hyemalisVU
Winters in Scottish coastal waters and firths from October to May. Breeds in the Arctic and is recognisable by its long tail streamers.
Oct–May
Long-tailed Tit
Aegithalos caudatusLC
Resident year-round in woodlands and hedgerows, often seen in noisy family flocks. Recognisable by its distinctive long tail and bouncing flight.
Year-round
Magpie
Pica picaLC
A common and conspicuous resident of towns, parks, and farmland. Readily recognised by its bold black-and-white plumage and long tail.
Year-round
Mallard
Anas platyrhynchosLC
The most common and widespread duck in Scotland, found year-round on virtually any freshwater body, estuary or urban park.
Year-round
Manx Shearwater
Puffinus puffinusLC
A rare breeder on remote Scottish islands such as Rum, nesting in burrows and visiting colonies only at night. Present from April to October.
Apr–Oct
Meadow Pipit
Anthus pratensisLC
A characteristic bird of Scotland's moorlands, rough grasslands and hillsides. Present all year, its parachuting song flight is a hallmark of upland spring.
Year-round
Merlin
Falco columbariusLC
A rare but iconic resident of upland moorland, breeding on heather-clad hills. Moves to lower ground and coasts in winter.
Aug–May
Mistle Thrush
Turdus viscivorusLC
An uncommon resident of parkland and open woodland, often singing from treetops in early spring. Bold and aggressive in defending berry-laden trees.
Year-round
Spotted something?
Upload a photo to identify it
Identify
Moorhen
Gallinula chloropusLC
An uncommon year-round resident of ponds, lochs, and slow-moving waterways. Less numerous in Scotland than in southern Britain.
Year-round
Mute Swan
Cygnus olorLC
Resident year-round on lochs, canals and sheltered coasts. Breeds on freshwater sites and is a familiar sight in urban parks.
Year-round
Northern Gannet
Morus bassanusLC
Home to the world's largest colony at Bass Rock, an iconic Scottish wildlife spectacle. Present year-round but most impressive during the breeding season.
Year-round
Northern Lapwing
Vanellus vanellusNT
An uncommon year-round resident of farmland and wetland margins. Breeding numbers have declined sharply, though winter flocks still gather.
Year-round
Northern Pintail
Anas acutaLC
Rare non-breeding visitor to estuaries and coastal marshes from autumn to spring. An elegant, long-necked dabbling duck.
Sep–Apr
Northern Shoveler
Spatula clypeataLC
Rare resident found on shallow freshwater lochs and marshes. The distinctive spatulate bill is used to filter invertebrates from muddy water.
Year-round
Osprey
Pandion haliaetusLC
A rare but celebrated summer breeder, returning to Highland lochs from April to September. Scotland's reintroduction programme has been a major conservation success.
Apr–Sep
Peregrine Falcon
Falco peregrinusLC
A rare year-round resident nesting on cliff faces and increasingly on urban buildings. The world's fastest bird, stooping at tremendous speed.
Year-round
Pink-footed Goose
Anser brachyrhynchusLC
Huge flocks arrive from Iceland in autumn, making Scotland one of Europe's key wintering sites. Feeds on stubble fields and roosts on lochs.
Sep–May
Pochard
Aythya ferinaVU
A rare non-breeding visitor to lochs and reservoirs from October to March. Numbers have declined significantly across the UK.
Oct–Mar
Purple Sandpiper
Calidris maritimaLC
Favours wave-washed rocky shores and harbour walls in winter. Absent in midsummer, returning from Arctic breeding grounds in autumn.
Sep–May
Razorbill
Alca tordaLC
Breeds on sea cliffs across Scotland and disperses to inshore waters in winter. Numbers are declining, raising conservation concern.
Year-round
Red Crossbill
Loxia curvirostraLC
A rare but resident finch of Scotland's conifer plantations, using its crossed bill to extract seeds from spruce and pine cones. Numbers fluctuate with cone crops.
Year-round
Red Grouse
Lagopus lagopus scoticaLC
Iconic resident of Scottish heather moorland, present year-round. A subspecies unique to Britain, closely tied to managed grouse moors.
Year-round
Red Kite
Milvus milvusLC
Successfully reintroduced to Scotland, now a rare but increasing resident. Most readily seen soaring over the Black Isle and central Scotland year-round.
Year-round