Birds in Wales
Explore 203 species found in this region.
Wales is home to an impressive diversity of birdlife, with 199 recorded species found across its rugged coastlines, estuaries, upland moors, and ancient woodlands. From wintering wildfowl such as the Pink-footed Goose and Northern Pintail on coastal wetlands to woodland favourites like the Great Tit and Eurasian Woodcock, the country offers exceptional birding opportunities year-round. Wales's varied habitats also support notable waders including the Northern Lapwing and Common Sandpiper, alongside more unexpected residents such as the Mandarin Duck.
Visiting in April? Look out for Atlantic Puffin and Barnacle Goose arriving this month, and Black Redstart and Brambling depart for the season.
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Get Your Free DigestShowing 47–69 of 203 species
Curlew
Numenius arquataNT
A common but declining resident, breeding on Welsh upland moors and wintering on estuaries. Its evocative bubbling call is iconic of the Welsh hills.
Year-round
Curlew Sandpiper
Calidris ferrugineaNT
A scarce autumn passage wader, occasionally appearing on Welsh estuaries and coastal pools in September and October.
Sep–Oct
Dipper
Cinclus cinclusLC
A characteristic bird of Wales's fast-flowing upland streams and rivers, bobbing on rocks before plunging underwater to feed.
Year-round
Dunlin
Calidris alpinaLC
Present year-round, with large winter flocks on estuaries like the Dee and Severn. A small number breed on Welsh upland moorlands.
Year-round
Dunnock
Prunella modularisLC
A common but unobtrusive resident of Welsh hedgerows and gardens, shuffling along the ground. Its thin song is heard from late winter.
Year-round
Eider
Somateria mollissimaNT
A rare resident along the Welsh coast, with small numbers present year-round. Most often seen off Anglesey and the north Wales shoreline.
Year-round
Eurasian Bittern
Botaurus stellarisLC
A rare and secretive passage visitor in spring, favouring dense reedbeds. Most likely at larger wetland reserves in south Wales.
Mar–May
Eurasian Collared Dove
Streptopelia decaoctoLC
An uncommon resident of Welsh villages and suburban areas, often seen perched on rooftops and aerials. Its repetitive cooing is distinctive.
Year-round
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Eurasian Jay
Garrulus glandariusLC
A colourful but wary resident of Welsh oak woodlands and mature gardens. Its harsh screeching call often betrays its presence.
Year-round
Eurasian Nuthatch
Sitta europaeaLC
An uncommon resident of mature deciduous woodland, especially oak. Readily visits garden feeders and nest boxes in wooded areas.
Year-round
Eurasian Oystercatcher
Haematopus ostralegusNT
A common resident along the Welsh coast and increasingly on inland rivers. Its loud piping call is a familiar sound on rocky shores and estuaries.
Year-round
Eurasian Siskin
Spinus spinusLC
An uncommon resident breeding in Welsh conifer forests, becoming more visible in winter when flocks visit alder trees and garden nyjer seed feeders.
Year-round
Eurasian Skylark
Alauda arvensisLC
An uncommon year-round resident of Welsh farmland and upland margins. Its soaring song flight is a characteristic sound of open countryside.
Year-round
Eurasian Spoonbill
Platalea leucorodiaLC
A rare autumn and early winter passage visitor, occasionally lingering at estuaries and wetlands in south and west Wales.
Sep–Dec
Eurasian Wigeon
Mareca penelopeLC
Present year-round but numbers swell in winter on Welsh estuaries and coastal marshes. Flocks produce a distinctive whistling call.
Year-round
Eurasian Woodcock
Scolopax rusticolaLC
A rare winter visitor to Welsh woodlands and damp fields. Its cryptic plumage provides superb camouflage among fallen leaves on the forest floor.
Nov–Feb
Eurasian Wren
Troglodytes troglodytesLC
Abundant in hedgerows, gardens and woodlands across Wales. Delivers a remarkably loud song for its tiny size throughout the year.
Year-round
European Goldfinch
Carduelis carduelisLC
A common and colourful resident, readily visiting garden feeders across Wales. Flocks gather on teasel and thistle heads in autumn and winter.
Year-round
European Green Woodpecker
Picus viridisLC
Resident in Welsh parklands and woodland edges, often feeding on ants in short grassland. Its loud, laughing call is distinctive.
Year-round
European Herring Gull
Larus argentatusLC
A common year-round resident breeding on cliffs and rooftops in Welsh coastal towns. Numbers bolstered by winter visitors.
Year-round
European Pied Flycatcher
Ficedula hypoleucaLC
Wales's oak woodlands are a key UK stronghold for this summer breeder. Readily uses nestboxes, arriving from Africa in late April.
Apr–Sep
European Robin
Erithacus rubeculaLC
A beloved year-round resident of Welsh gardens and woodlands, singing through autumn and winter when most other birds fall silent.
Year-round
European Shag
Phalacrocorax aristotelisLC
An uncommon resident of rocky coastlines and sea cliffs. Nests on Pembrokeshire and Anglesey cliffs, staying close to shore year-round.
Year-round