Birds in United Kingdom
Explore 275 species found in this region.
The United Kingdom is home to an impressive diversity of 258 bird species, thriving across a rich mosaic of habitats from rugged Scottish highlands and coastal estuaries to ancient woodlands and rolling farmland. Notable residents include the charismatic Great Tit and Magpie in gardens and hedgerows, the elegant Eurasian Woodcock in dense woodland, and the striking Mandarin Duck along sheltered waterways. Coastal and upland areas host remarkable species such as the Dotterel on mountain plateaux and the Common Shelduck along tidal mudflats, making the UK a rewarding destination for birdwatchers year-round.
Visiting in April? Look out for Arctic Tern and Bar-headed Goose arriving this month, and Bluethroat and Cackling Goose depart for the season.
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Get Your Free DigestShowing 24–46 of 275 species
Black-tailed Godwit
Limosa limosaNT
Present year-round on estuaries and wet grasslands. The Icelandic subspecies winters in large numbers, while the breeding population remains very small.
Year-round
Blackbird
Turdus merulaLC
One of the most familiar garden birds, resident year-round in hedgerows, parks, and woodland. Its rich, melodious song is a hallmark of British dusk.
Year-round
Blackcap
Sylvia atricapillaLC
A common resident and passage migrant found in woodlands, hedgerows, and gardens year-round. Increasingly overwinters thanks to continental migrants supplementing the breeding population.
Year-round
Blue Tit
Cyanistes caeruleusLC
One of the most familiar garden birds, present year-round at feeders, in hedgerows and woodland. Easily recognised by its bright blue cap.
Year-round
Bluethroat
Luscinia svecicaLC
A rare breeder and scarce passage migrant, most often seen at coastal migration hotspots in spring and autumn. Has bred occasionally in eastern England.
Mar–Oct
Bohemian Waxwing
Bombycilla garrulusLC
An irruptive winter visitor from Scandinavia, arriving in variable numbers. Flocks descend on berry-laden trees in towns and supermarket car parks.
Oct–Apr
Bonaparte's Gull
Chroicocephalus philadelphiaLC
An uncommon Nearctic vagrant, occasionally lingering at reservoirs, harbours, and coastal sites. Most records come from southern England and Ireland.
Apr–Jan
Brambling
Fringilla montifringillaLC
An uncommon winter visitor from Scandinavia, often joining Chaffinch flocks at woodland edges and garden feeders. Numbers vary greatly between years.
Sep–Apr
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Brent Goose
Branta berniclaLC
Winters commonly on estuaries and coastal marshes, with large flocks on sites like the Thames Estuary and Norfolk coast. Dark-bellied birds predominate in the south.
Year-round
Buff-breasted Sandpiper
Calidris subruficollisVU
A scarce autumn passage migrant from North America, favouring short-grass fields and airfields. Most records come from south-west coasts.
May–Oct
Bullfinch
Pyrrhula pyrrhulaLC
A common but shy resident of hedgerows, woodland edges, and gardens. The male's rosy-pink breast makes it one of Britain's most striking finches.
Year-round
Buzzard
Buteo buteoLC
A widespread resident raptor, commonly seen soaring over farmland, woodland edges and motorway verges. Has recovered strongly across England.
Year-round
Cackling Goose
Branta hutchinsiiLC
A rare Nearctic vagrant, occasionally recorded among flocks of Barnacle Geese. Most UK records come from western Scotland and Ireland during winter months.
Jan–Mar
Canada Goose
Branta canadensisLC
An abundant naturalised resident found on lakes, rivers, and park ponds year-round, often forming large and conspicuous flocks.
Year-round
Carrion Crow
Corvus coroneLC
An abundant and highly adaptable resident found in virtually every habitat across England and Wales. Replaced by the Hooded Crow in Scotland and Ireland.
Year-round
Cattle Egret
Bubulcus ibisLC
A recent colonist now breeding in small numbers, mainly in south-west England. Often found alongside livestock in damp pastures.
Year-round
Cetti's Warbler
Cettia cettiLC
A resident of dense wetland scrub and reedbeds, rapidly spreading northwards across England. More often heard than seen, with its explosive burst of song.
Year-round
Chaffinch
Fringilla coelebsLC
One of the UK's most abundant birds, found in gardens, woodlands and hedgerows year-round. Its cheerful descending song is a hallmark of spring.
Year-round
Chiffchaff
Phylloscopus collybitaLC
A common warbler whose repetitive two-note song is heard in woodlands and scrub. Increasingly overwinters in southern Britain.
Year-round
Coal Tit
Periparus aterLC
A common resident of coniferous and mixed woodland, readily visiting garden feeders. Often stores food in bark crevices for later retrieval.
Year-round
Common Crane
Grus grusLC
A recolonising breeder, now nesting in the Norfolk Broads and Somerset Levels. Numbers are slowly increasing thanks to reintroduction and conservation efforts.
Year-round
Common Gull
Larus canusLC
A common resident and winter visitor found on coasts, playing fields and farmland. Breeds mainly in Scotland and northern England.
Year-round
Common Kingfisher
Alcedo atthisLC
An uncommon but iconic resident of rivers and streams, often glimpsed as a flash of electric blue darting low over water.
Year-round