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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Great Tit
Parus majorLC
An abundant and familiar garden resident found throughout the UK year-round. Bold and vocal, it readily visits feeders.
Year-round
Great White Egret
Ardea albaLC
Once a rarity, now a common resident at wetlands across southern and central England, part of a dramatic recent range expansion.
Year-round
Greater Scaup
Aythya marilaLC
Mainly a winter visitor to sheltered coastal bays and estuaries, with notable flocks in Scotland and Northern Ireland. Scarce in summer.
Jul–May
Greater White-fronted Goose
Anser albifronsLC
An uncommon winter visitor to wet grasslands and marshes, with key flocks in Gloucestershire and on the Swale in Kent. Numbers vary between winters.
Year-round
Green Sandpiper
Tringa ochropusLC
Found along streams, ditches and muddy pool edges year-round. A secretive wader that bobs constantly and flushes with a distinctive call.
Jun–Apr
Greenfinch
Chloris chlorisLC
A common year-round resident of gardens, hedgerows, and farmland. Numbers have declined sharply due to trichomonosis but it remains widespread.
Year-round
Greenshank
Tringa nebulariaLC
Breeds on Scottish bogs and moorland in summer, then disperses to estuaries and coastal marshes across Britain for the winter months.
Year-round
Grey Heron
Ardea cinereaLC
A familiar year-round resident, commonly seen standing motionless at rivers, lakes, and garden ponds throughout Britain.
Year-round
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Grey Partridge
Perdix perdixLC
An uncommon and declining resident of arable farmland. Once widespread, it has suffered greatly from modern farming practices.
Year-round
Grey Phalarope
Phalaropus fulicariusLC
A rare autumn and winter passage visitor, most often driven inshore by Atlantic storms. Typically seen at coastal headlands from August to December.
Aug–Dec
Grey Plover
Pluvialis squatarolaLC
An uncommon but regular visitor to estuaries and mudflats, mainly from autumn through spring. Breeds in the high Arctic and passes through on migration.
Year-round
Grey Wagtail
Motacilla cinereaLC
A graceful resident found along fast-flowing streams, rivers and weirs throughout the year. In winter, often visits lowland watercourses, canals and even garden ponds.
Year-round
Greylag Goose
Anser anserLC
A common resident boosted by large winter arrivals from Iceland. Found on farmland, lakes, and estuaries nationwide.
Year-round
Hawfinch
Coccothraustes coccothraustesLC
A rare and elusive resident of mature broadleaved woodland. Easiest to find in late winter when flocks gather at favoured sites.
Aug–Jun
Hen Harrier
Circus cyaneusLC
An uncommon resident of upland moorlands, heavily persecuted on some grouse moors. Winters more widely on lowland marshes and farmland.
Year-round
Hobby
Falco subbuteoLC
An elegant summer visitor to southern England, hunting dragonflies and small birds over heathland and wetlands from April to October.
Apr–Oct
Hooded Crow
Corvus cornixLC
A common resident in Scotland, Northern Ireland, and the Isle of Man, replacing the Carrion Crow. Easily identified by its grey body and black head.
Year-round
Hooded Merganser
Lophodytes cucullatusLC
A rare North American vagrant, though many UK records are suspected escapes from wildfowl collections.
Dec–May
Hoopoe
Upupa epopsLC
A rare but eagerly anticipated passage migrant, mainly in spring and autumn. Most records come from southern coastal counties.
Mar–Nov
Horned Grebe
Podiceps auritusVU
Known as Slavonian Grebe in the UK, a scarce breeder on Scottish Highland lochs. Winters around sheltered coasts and estuaries.
Sep–Jul
Horned Lark
Eremophila alpestrisLC
A rare winter visitor to shingle beaches and saltmarshes, mainly along the east coast of England.
Oct–Mar
House Martin
Delichon urbicumLC
A common summer breeder nesting under eaves in towns and villages. Arrives from March and gathers in large flocks before departing south by autumn.
Mar–Nov
House Sparrow
Passer domesticusLC
A familiar year-round resident of towns, gardens, and farmyards across the UK. Despite long-term population declines, it remains one of the most recognisable birds.
Year-round