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 47–69 of 275 species
Common Loon
Gavia immerLC
Known locally as Great Northern Diver, found year-round on Scottish lochs and coastal waters. Most numerous in winter, with breeding confined to a handful of Scottish sites.
Year-round
Common Merganser
Mergus merganserLC
A common resident of upland rivers and lakes, often called Goosander in the UK. In winter, gathers in flocks on lowland reservoirs and estuaries.
Year-round
Common Pheasant
Phasianus colchicusLC
An introduced resident abundant across farmland, woodland edges and hedgerows. Millions are released annually for shooting, making it one of the UK's commonest birds.
Year-round
Common Quail
Coturnix coturnixLC
A rare and elusive summer breeder heard far more often than seen, calling from cereal fields and grasslands.
May–Aug
Common Raven
Corvus coraxLC
A widespread resident that has expanded significantly from western uplands into lowland and urban areas. Its deep, resonant croaking call is increasingly heard across England.
Year-round
Common Redpoll
Acanthis flammeaLC
An uncommon resident and winter visitor, favouring birch and alder woodland. Numbers fluctuate with irruptive movements from the Continent.
Year-round
Common Redstart
Phoenicurus phoenicurusLC
A summer breeding visitor favouring mature oak woodland, especially in Wales and western Britain. Males sport a vivid orange breast.
Apr–Oct
Common Reed-warbler
Acrocephalus scirpaceusLC
A common summer breeder arriving in April, singing its chattering song from reedbeds across England and Wales.
Apr–Oct
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Common Sandpiper
Actitis hypoleucosLC
Found along upland rivers and lake shores, bobbing its tail constantly. Breeds in the north and west, wintering more widely across lowland waters.
Year-round
Common Scoter
Melanitta nigraLC
An uncommon year-round resident, breeding at a few freshwater lochs in Scotland and Ireland. Larger numbers winter offshore, forming rafts along exposed coasts.
Year-round
Common Shelduck
Tadorna tadornaLC
A striking resident of estuaries and coastal mudflats, often seen in large flocks. Nests in rabbit burrows and other cavities near the shore.
Year-round
Common Snipe
Gallinago gallinagoLC
A common resident of wet grasslands and marshes, often detected by its distinctive 'drumming' display flight over moorland in spring.
Year-round
Common Starling
Sturnus vulgarisLC
A familiar garden resident forming spectacular murmurations at winter roosts. Numbers have declined significantly in recent decades.
Year-round
Common Swift
Apus apusLC
A familiar summer visitor screaming over towns and cities from May to August. Spends almost its entire life on the wing, even sleeping in flight.
Apr–Sep
Common Tern
Sterna hirundoLC
A common summer breeder found at coastal colonies, gravel pits, and reservoirs from spring to autumn. Plunge-dives for small fish in open water.
Mar–Oct
Coot
Fulica atraLC
A common resident of lakes, reservoirs, and gravel pits across lowland Britain. Often forms large winter flocks on open water.
Year-round
Corn Bunting
Emberiza calandraLC
A declining resident of arable farmland, often perched on wires or fence posts delivering its jangling song. Now largely restricted to parts of eastern and southern England.
Year-round
Cuckoo
Cuculus canorusLC
A declining summer visitor arriving in April, its distinctive call heard across woodlands and reedbeds before departing by September.
Apr–Sep
Curlew
Numenius arquataNT
A common but declining resident of upland moors and farmland. Winters on estuaries and coasts, where its evocative call is iconic.
Year-round
Curlew Sandpiper
Calidris ferrugineaNT
An uncommon passage wader seen mainly on coastal mudflats and estuaries from late summer into autumn. Most records come from eastern and southern England.
Apr–Nov
Dartford Warbler
Curruca undataNT
A scarce resident of lowland heathland and gorse scrub, mainly in southern England. Sensitive to harsh winters but has slowly expanded its range in recent decades.
Year-round
Dipper
Cinclus cinclusLC
An uncommon but charismatic resident of fast-flowing upland streams in Wales, Scotland, and northern England. Bobs on rocks before plunging underwater to feed.
Year-round
Dotterel
Eudromias morinellusLC
A rare passage migrant pausing on high ground in spring and autumn, with a tiny breeding population in the Scottish Highlands.
May–Oct