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 162–184 of 275 species
Long-tailed Duck
Clangula hyemalisVU
A scarce sea duck wintering mainly off Scottish coasts. Small numbers breed in the Highlands; most arrive from Scandinavia in autumn.
Sep–May
Long-tailed Jaeger
Stercorarius longicaudusLC
A rare autumn passage migrant, occasionally seen from headlands and pelagic trips between August and October. The most graceful and slender skua.
Aug–Oct
Long-tailed Tit
Aegithalos caudatusLC
A common and charming resident of woodland, hedgerows, and gardens. Roving family parties are a familiar sight year-round.
Year-round
Magpie
Pica picaLC
A bold and familiar garden resident across England and Wales, less common in Scotland. Easily recognised by its chattering alarm call.
Year-round
Mallard
Anas platyrhynchosLC
Abundant and widespread on lakes, rivers, canals, and urban park ponds year-round. One of the most familiar and recognisable British ducks.
Year-round
Mandarin Duck
Aix galericulataLC
An uncommon introduced resident of wooded lakes and rivers. The ornate male is unmistakable on park ponds, especially in southern England.
Year-round
Manx Shearwater
Puffinus puffinusLC
An uncommon breeder on western islands, nesting in burrows on offshore islands. Best known from colonies on Skomer and Rum.
Year-round
Marsh Tit
Poecile palustrisLC
An uncommon but sedentary resident of mature deciduous woodland in England and Wales. Declining in many areas and absent from Scotland and Ireland.
Year-round
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Meadow Pipit
Anthus pratensisLC
A common resident of upland moors, rough grassland and coastal areas. In winter, many move to lowland fields and coasts, often forming loose flocks.
Year-round
Merlin
Falco columbariusLC
An uncommon resident falcon of upland moors in summer, moving to lowland coasts and marshes in winter.
Year-round
Mistle Thrush
Turdus viscivorusLC
A bold, year-round resident of parkland, orchards and open woodland. One of the earliest songsters, singing from treetops even in midwinter.
Year-round
Montagu's Harrier
Circus pygargusLC
A rare summer visitor and passage migrant, with very few breeding pairs remaining in southern England. Favours open arable farmland and marshes.
May–Aug
Moorhen
Gallinula chloropusLC
A common year-round resident found on ponds, lakes, and canals across the UK. Often seen flicking its white-edged tail as it forages along waterway margins.
Year-round
Muscovy Duck
Cairina moschataLC
A rare feral resident found on park lakes and farmyards, originating from escaped or released captive birds. Not established as a wild species.
Year-round
Mute Swan
Cygnus olorLC
An elegant and familiar resident of lakes, rivers and urban parks across the UK. Pairs defend territories vigorously and are a much-loved sight year-round.
Year-round
Nightingale
Luscinia megarhynchosLC
An uncommon summer breeder in dense scrub and woodland of south-east England. Its rich, powerful song is heard from April to June.
Apr–Aug
Nightjar
Caprimulgus europaeusLC
A summer visitor arriving in May, breeding on heathland, young forestry plantations and moorland edges. Best detected by its distinctive churring song at dusk.
May–Sep
Northern Gannet
Morus bassanusLC
Breeds in spectacular colonies on sea cliffs such as Bass Rock and Bempton. Plunge-dives dramatically for fish and is seen offshore year-round.
Year-round
Northern Goshawk
Accipiter gentilisLC
A rare but increasing resident of mature forests and plantations. Secretive and elusive, most often encountered in large woodlands across Wales and northern England.
Year-round
Northern Lapwing
Vanellus vanellusNT
A common resident of farmland and wetland margins, with numbers boosted by continental arrivals in winter. Breeding populations have declined sharply.
Year-round
Northern Pintail
Anas acutaLC
A common and elegant dabbling duck found on estuaries and wetlands. Winter numbers are boosted by large influxes from the continent.
Year-round
Northern Shoveler
Spatula clypeataLC
Present year-round on lakes, reservoirs, and marshes, with numbers boosted in winter by Continental migrants. Easily identified by its large spatulate bill used for filter-feeding.
Year-round
Osprey
Pandion haliaetusLC
A summer breeding visitor from March to October, nesting near Scottish lochs and increasingly at reintroduction sites in England and Wales.
Mar–Oct