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 185–207 of 275 species
Pacific Golden-Plover
Pluvialis fulvaLC
A rare vagrant from Asia, occasionally turning up on coastal grasslands and estuaries in summer. Easily confused with the commoner Golden Plover.
Jun–Aug
Pectoral Sandpiper
Calidris melanotosLC
A rare but annual Nearctic passage migrant, most frequently found at freshwater pools and coastal scrapes in autumn, particularly in south-west England and Ireland.
May–Oct
Peregrine Falcon
Falco peregrinusLC
A year-round resident increasingly seen on cathedral ledges and city towers. The world's fastest animal has recovered well from past declines.
Year-round
Pink-footed Goose
Anser brachyrhynchusLC
Huge wintering flocks arrive from Iceland and Greenland, gathering on farmland and estuaries mainly in Scotland and eastern England from autumn to spring.
Year-round
Pochard
Aythya ferinaVU
Found year-round on lakes and reservoirs, though the breeding population is small and declining. Winter numbers are boosted by Continental arrivals.
Year-round
Pomarine Jaeger
Stercorarius pomarinusLC
A rare but regular passage seabird, best seen from headlands during autumn seawatches, especially in strong onshore winds.
Apr–Nov
Purple Heron
Ardea purpureaLC
A rare spring and autumn visitor, mainly to southern English wetlands. Slimmer and darker than Grey Heron, it favours dense reedbeds.
Apr–Oct
Purple Sandpiper
Calidris maritimaLC
An uncommon wader favouring rocky shorelines and harbour walls, mainly in winter. A tiny number breed in the Scottish Highlands.
Jul–May
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Razorbill
Alca tordaLC
Breeds on sea cliffs around the coast, especially in Scotland and Wales. Disperses offshore in winter but can be seen from headlands year-round.
Year-round
Red Crossbill
Loxia curvirostraLC
A resident of mature conifer plantations, with numbers boosted by periodic irruptions from the continent. Its crossed bill is perfectly adapted for extracting pine seeds.
Year-round
Red Grouse
Lagopus lagopus scoticaLC
A UK endemic subspecies found on heather moorlands across Scotland, northern England and Wales. Populations are closely managed alongside grouse moor shooting.
Year-round
Red Kite
Milvus milvusLC
A conservation success story, now widespread after near-extinction in the UK. Soars gracefully over Welsh valleys, the Chilterns and increasingly across England.
Year-round
Red Knot
Calidris canutusNT
Gathers in vast winter flocks on estuaries such as the Wash and Morecambe Bay. These Arctic breeders are a spectacular sight swirling over mudflats at high tide.
Year-round
Red-backed Shrike
Lanius collurioLC
Once a regular breeder, now a rare visitor mostly seen on passage along the east and south coasts. A striking but declining species across Europe.
May–Oct
Red-breasted Goose
Branta ruficollisVU
A rare passage visitor, occasionally wintering among flocks of Brent or Barnacle Geese on eastern coasts. Most records fall between November and spring.
Nov–May
Red-breasted Merganser
Mergus serratorLC
Breeds on rivers and lochs in Scotland and Ireland, moving to sheltered coasts in winter. Often seen in small groups on estuaries.
Year-round
Red-crested Pochard
Netta rufinaLC
An uncommon resident, with a growing feral population centred on southern English gravel pits and reservoirs.
Year-round
Red-flanked Bluetail
Tarsiger cyanurusLC
A rare vagrant from Asia, mostly recorded on the Northern Isles and east coast in autumn. A prized find among birders during October falls.
Sep–Jan
Red-legged Partridge
Alectoris rufaNT
An introduced resident most common on farmland in lowland England. Often seen in small coveys scurrying across arable fields.
Year-round
Red-necked Grebe
Podiceps grisegenaLC
An uncommon visitor, mainly seen in winter along east coast waters and estuaries. A very scarce breeder, with occasional nesting attempts in Scotland.
Jul–May
Red-necked Phalarope
Phalaropus lobatusLC
A rare passage migrant with a tiny breeding population in northern Scotland. Most sightings occur at coastal pools and marshes during autumn migration.
May–Oct
Red-throated Loon
Gavia stellataLC
Breeds on remote Scottish lochs in summer and winters around British coasts. Known locally as Red-throated Diver.
Year-round
Redshank
Tringa totanusLC
A common year-round wader of estuaries, saltmarshes and wet grasslands. The breeding population is declining, placing it on the amber list.
Year-round