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.
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Get Your Free DigestShowing 139–161 of 186 species
Red Knot
Calidris canutusNT
Found on estuaries and sandy shores, mainly outside the breeding season. Large winter flocks gather at key sites like the Firth of Forth.
Jul–May
Red-breasted Merganser
Mergus serratorLC
Resident along Scottish coasts and sea lochs year-round. Breeds on islands and sheltered shores, often seen in small fishing parties.
Year-round
Red-legged Partridge
Alectoris rufaNT
A rare and largely introduced breeder at the northern edge of its UK range, found mainly on lowland farmland.
Mar–Jun
Red-throated Loon
Gavia stellataLC
Breeds on remote Highland and island lochs in summer, moving to coastal waters in winter. Its eerie wailing call is iconic of the Scottish wilderness.
Year-round
Redshank
Tringa totanusLC
A year-round resident of saltmarshes, estuaries, and wet grasslands. Its loud, piping alarm call is a familiar sound on Scottish coasts and moorland.
Year-round
Redwing
Turdus iliacusNT
An uncommon winter visitor from Scandinavia, foraging in hedgerows and fields. A small number also breed in the Highlands.
Sep–Apr
Reed Bunting
Emberiza schoeniclusLC
An uncommon resident of reedbeds, marshes and damp scrubby margins. Males show a striking black head in breeding plumage; forms mixed flocks in winter.
Year-round
Ring Ouzel
Turdus torquatusLC
A rare summer breeder of upland crags and moorland gullies in the Highlands. The male's white breast crescent is distinctive against dark plumage.
Apr–Oct
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Ringed Plover
Charadrius hiaticulaLC
An uncommon resident found on sandy and shingle beaches year-round. Breeds along the coast and on machair in the islands.
Year-round
Rock Dove
Columba liviaLC
Common year-round resident; Scotland's coasts and islands hold some of the purest wild populations, distinct from feral urban pigeons.
Year-round
Rock Pipit
Anthus petrosusLC
A year-round resident of Scotland's rocky coastlines and offshore islands. Forages among seaweed-strewn boulders, rarely straying far from the shore.
Year-round
Rook
Corvus frugilegusLC
A common resident forming large rookeries in tall trees near farmland. Gregarious throughout the year, foraging in ploughed fields.
Year-round
Ruddy Turnstone
Arenaria interpresLC
Present year-round on rocky Scottish shores, flipping stones and seaweed to find invertebrates. Numbers increase in winter with Arctic migrants.
Year-round
Ruff
Philomachus pugnaxLC
A rare autumn passage migrant from August to October, visiting coastal pools and marshes. Males are much larger than females.
Aug–Oct
Sand Martin
Riparia ripariaLC
An uncommon summer breeder nesting colonially in sandy riverbanks. Arrives from March and departs by September.
Mar–Sep
Sanderling
Calidris albaLC
Found year-round on sandy beaches, often in small, energetic flocks chasing waves. Most numerous on passage and in winter months.
Year-round
Sandwich Tern
Thalasseus sandvicensisLC
Scotland's earliest arriving tern, present from April to October at scattered coastal colonies. Feeds over shallow sandy bays with a distinctive harsh call.
Apr–Oct
Sedge Warbler
Acrocephalus schoenobaenusLC
An uncommon summer breeder arriving in April, favouring reedbeds and waterside scrub. Delivers a rapid, chattering song.
Apr–Sep
Short-eared Owl
Asio flammeusLC
A rare passage visitor seen in spring and autumn. Hunts voles over open moorland and rough grassland with distinctive wavering flight.
May–Oct
Smew
Mergellus albellusLC
A very rare and irregular winter visitor, occasionally recorded on Scottish lochs in January. The striking male is sometimes called the 'white nun'.
Jan
Snow Bunting
Plectrophenax nivalisLC
A rare winter visitor to Scotland's highest peaks and northern coasts. Small flocks frequent the Cairngorm plateau and coastal machair from autumn to spring.
Sep–Apr
Song Thrush
Turdus philomelosLC
An uncommon but widespread resident of gardens, hedgerows and woodland. Its rich, repeated song phrases are a familiar sound across Scottish towns.
Year-round
Sooty Shearwater
Ardenna griseaNT
A rare passage visitor from the southern oceans, seen offshore in August and September. Best spotted from headlands during strong westerly winds.
Aug–Sep