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 139–161 of 275 species
Hudsonian Godwit
Limosa haemasticaVU
An extremely rare Nearctic vagrant, with only a handful of UK records. Passage sightings typically occur at coastal estuaries during spring or late summer.
May–Aug
Iceland Gull
Larus glaucoidesLC
A rare winter visitor from the Arctic, most reliably found at harbours and fishing ports in Scotland and northern England.
Nov–May
Jack Snipe
Lymnocryptes minimusLC
A secretive winter visitor to boggy marshes and wet meadows, often flushing only at close range. Easily overlooked due to its cryptic plumage and solitary habits.
Sep–Apr
Jackdaw
Coloeus monedulaLC
A sociable and adaptable resident found in towns, villages and farmland. Often seen with rooks, nesting in chimneys, church towers and tree holes.
Year-round
Kestrel
Falco tinnunculusLC
A familiar hovering raptor seen along motorway verges, farmland, and open country year-round. Numbers have declined in parts of England but it remains widespread.
Year-round
Kittiwake
Rissa tridactylaVU
Breeds in noisy colonies on sea cliffs but is sadly declining. Spends winter months far out at sea.
Year-round
Lapland Longspur
Calcarius lapponicusLC
A rare winter visitor and scarce breeder in the Scottish Highlands, favouring windswept coastal marshes and stubble fields outside the breeding season.
Sep–Mar
Leach's Storm-petrel
Hydrobates leucorhousVU
A rare pelagic species breeding on remote Scottish islands, most often seen from headlands during autumn gales when storm-driven birds pass close to shore.
Sep–Nov
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Lesser Black-backed Gull
Larus fuscusLC
A common year-round gull found at coasts, landfill sites, and urban areas. Numbers bolstered by continental migrants in winter.
Year-round
Lesser Spotted Woodpecker
Dryobates minorLC
A rare and declining resident of mature broadleaved woodland, mainly in southern England. Best located by its high-pitched spring call.
Nov–Sep
Lesser Whitethroat
Curruca currucaLC
A summer breeding visitor to hedgerows and scrubby thickets, mainly in England. Its dry, rattling song is distinctive, and it departs southward by October.
Apr–Oct
Lesser Yellowlegs
Tringa flavipesVU
A scarce Nearctic wader that turns up as a vagrant, mainly in autumn. Most records come from freshwater marshes and coastal pools in southern England.
Year-round
Linnet
Linaria cannabinaLC
A year-round resident of farmland, heathland and coastal scrub. Often seen in flocks outside the breeding season but declining due to habitat loss.
Year-round
Little Auk
Alle alleLC
A rare winter visitor from Arctic seas, occasionally driven ashore in large numbers by autumn gales. Most sightings occur along North Sea coasts.
Oct–Jan
Little Egret
Egretta garzettaLC
A now-common resident that colonised naturally in the 1990s, frequenting estuaries, marshes, and coastal lagoons. Numbers continue to increase across England and Wales.
Year-round
Little Grebe
Tachybaptus ruficollisLC
A common resident of sheltered ponds, lakes, and slow rivers. Often heard before seen, giving a distinctive whinnying trill from dense bankside vegetation.
Year-round
Little Gull
Hydrocoloeus minutusLC
An uncommon gull found year-round at reservoirs, coastal marshes, and estuaries. Numbers peak during passage periods, with a dainty, buoyant flight.
Year-round
Little Owl
Athene noctuaLC
An introduced resident found year-round in lowland farmland and orchards, mainly in England and Wales. Often perches prominently on fence posts and barn roofs.
Year-round
Little Ringed Plover
Charadrius dubiusLC
A summer breeding visitor favouring gravel pits, reservoirs and river shingle. Arrives from March and departs by early autumn.
Mar–Sep
Little Stint
Calidris minutaLC
A small wader found on coastal mudflats and freshwater margins, peaking in autumn passage. Most numerous along eastern and southern estuaries.
Year-round
Little Tern
Sternula albifronsLC
An uncommon summer breeder on shingle beaches and sandy coasts from April to September. A Schedule 1 species, vulnerable to disturbance and declining.
Apr–Sep
Long-billed Dowitcher
Limnodromus scolopaceusNT
A rare Nearctic vagrant found at coastal pools and marshes, mainly in autumn and winter. Often associates with other waders on muddy margins.
Jul–Apr
Long-eared Owl
Asio otusLC
A secretive nocturnal resident of dense conifer plantations and thick hedgerows, easily overlooked but present year-round across Britain.
Year-round