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 70–92 of 275 species
Dunlin
Calidris alpinaLC
A common wader found year-round on estuaries and mudflats. Winter flocks swell with migrants from Scandinavia and Iceland.
Year-round
Dunnock
Prunella modularisLC
A common and widespread garden resident, often shuffling quietly beneath hedgerows and shrubs across the UK year-round.
Year-round
Egyptian Goose
Alopochen aegyptiacaLC
An established non-native resident, originally from Africa, now breeding widely in England, especially in parks and lakes. Numbers continue to increase steadily.
Year-round
Eider
Somateria mollissimaNT
A common resident of northern and Scottish coasts, often seen rafting in sheltered bays. Numbers have declined in recent years due to avian flu.
Year-round
Eurasian Bittern
Botaurus stellarisLC
A secretive resident of extensive reedbeds, best known for the male's deep booming call in spring. Conservation efforts have helped numbers recover at key wetland sites.
Year-round
Eurasian Collared Dove
Streptopelia decaoctoLC
A common year-round resident of suburban gardens, farmyards, and villages. Its monotonous three-note cooing call is a familiar sound across the UK.
Year-round
Eurasian Jay
Garrulus glandariusLC
A colourful but wary resident of broadleaved and mixed woodland. Buries thousands of acorns each autumn, aiding oak regeneration.
Year-round
Eurasian Nuthatch
Sitta europaeaLC
A year-round resident of mature deciduous woodland, parks and gardens in England and Wales. Absent from Scotland and Ireland.
Year-round
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Eurasian Oystercatcher
Haematopus ostralegusNT
A common resident of coastlines, estuaries, and increasingly inland fields, recognised by its bold black-and-white plumage and piping call.
Year-round
Eurasian Siskin
Spinus spinusLC
A common resident breeding in conifer woods, visiting garden feeders in large numbers during autumn and winter.
Year-round
Eurasian Skylark
Alauda arvensisLC
A familiar farmland resident whose soaring song flight is iconic across open countryside. Numbers have declined significantly due to agricultural intensification.
Year-round
Eurasian Spoonbill
Platalea leucorodiaLC
An uncommon but increasing resident, now breeding at a handful of sites in East Anglia. Favours shallow wetlands and coastal lagoons.
Year-round
Eurasian Stone-curlew
Burhinus oedicnemusLC
A scarce breeding visitor to chalk downland and heathland, mainly in East Anglia and Wiltshire. Its eerie nocturnal calls carry far across open stony ground.
Mar–Oct
Eurasian Tree Sparrow
Passer montanusLC
A common but localised resident, mainly found in farmland and rural edges of eastern England. Has declined significantly since the 1970s.
Year-round
Eurasian Wigeon
Mareca penelopeLC
Commonly seen in large flocks on estuaries and flooded grasslands, especially in winter. A small number breed on upland lochs in Scotland.
Year-round
Eurasian Woodcock
Scolopax rusticolaLC
A secretive resident of damp woodland floors, best seen during its 'roding' display flights at dusk in spring. Winter numbers swell with Continental immigrants.
Oct–Jul
Eurasian Wren
Troglodytes troglodytesLC
One of the UK's most abundant birds, found in almost every habitat with dense cover. Its loud, explosive song belies its tiny size.
Year-round
European Bee-eater
Merops apiasterLC
A rare but increasingly recorded summer visitor, with occasional breeding attempts. Colourful flocks sometimes appear along the south coast.
May–Aug
European Goldfinch
Carduelis carduelisLC
A common and colourful resident found in gardens, parks, and farmland year-round. Often seen in lively flocks feeding on seed heads of thistles and teasels.
Year-round
European Green Woodpecker
Picus viridisLC
A common resident of parkland, orchards, and woodland edges across England and Wales. Its loud, laughing call is a familiar sound, and it feeds mainly on ants.
Year-round
European Herring Gull
Larus argentatusLC
A noisy year-round presence at coasts, harbours and increasingly inland towns. Numbers have declined significantly, earning it red-list status.
Year-round
European Honey-buzzard
Pernis apivorusLC
A scarce summer breeder in mature broadleaved woodlands, feeding largely on wasp and bee larvae. Secretive and easily overlooked during its brief stay.
May–Sep
European Pied Flycatcher
Ficedula hypoleucaLC
Breeds in oak woodlands of western Britain, favouring nest boxes and tree holes. Arrives in spring and departs by autumn, with males sporting bold black-and-white plumage.
Apr–Oct