26 common British birds and how to spot them
We are fortunate to have many beautiful British birds throughout the country. Some visit our gardens, others are found only in the wild, and a few favour our cities.
With so many varieties, bird watching can easily become a favourite pastime. Whatever the species, we can help make birds' lives easier by protecting their habitats and providing extra resources like bird feeders and clean water for drinking and bathing.
Before we look at our list of 26 common British birds and how to identify them, here are the answers to some common garden bird questions, including the most common and rare British birds, as well as the best kind of bird feeder to invest in.
What are the most common garden birds?
A huge array of birds can be sighted on UK shores, but according to the RSPB's Big Garden Birdwatch in 2024 (the most recent findings), these are the top 10 most commonly-sighted birds:
House sparrow (1,442,300)
Blue tit (1,094,401)
Starling (879,006)
Wood pigeon (835,408)
Blackbird (708,004)
Robin (539,820)
Great tit (523,638)
Goldfinch (478,740)
Magpie (446,678)
Long-tailed tit (383,166)
However, despite being the most commonly sighted, house sparrows are actually in decline, with their numbers falling by 57% since 1979.
The RSPB explain: "House sparrows are one of the UK’s most widespread birds. While they are often the most commonly spotted garden birds in Big Garden Birdwatch, unfortunately, their breeding numbers have drastically declined since records began over the last 50 years.
"In 2002, house sparrows were added to the UK Red List of birds of high conservation concern. Although there have been increases in some areas over the last decade, house sparrows remain on the Red List. One way to help garden birds is by encouraging insects. Why not let a patch of your garden grow wild this spring and summer?"
What is the rarest British bird?
According to the Woodland Trust, the rarest birds in the UK include:
Hawfinch
Lesser-spotted woodpecker (not to be confused with the greater-spotted woodpecker)
Nightingale
Capercaillie
Pied flycatcher
Willow tit
Nightjar
Spotted flycatcher
Wood warbler
Goshawk
Lesser redpoll
Sadly, whilst still seen often, a number of once common birds are now also in decline due to issues around climate change and habitat loss. House sparrows, starlings, blackbirds and robins are all in decline, according to the Big Garden Birdwatch.
What birds are only found in the UK?
The Scottish Crossbill is the UK's only endemic bird species (meaning its not found anywhere in the world). This rare bird, which looks like a thick-set finch with a large head and bill, can be found in the Caledonian Forests of Scotland.
What is the UK's national bird?
The European robin (also known as the Erithacusrubecula) is the UK's national bird. In 2015, the robin won a poll of over 200,000 people to become the UK's first national bird, according to reporting from the BBC. The humble robin got 34% of votes, followed by the barn owl, which received 12%, and the blackbird, which had 11%.
What is the best bird food for garden birds?
It is important to help British birds get the nutrition they need by topping up our bird feeders and putting food out for them in our gardens, especially during the winter when natural food sources, like berries, are harder to come by.
However, investing in a hanging bird feeder could benefit the wildlife in your garden. A recent warning has shown the dangers of flat bird feeders spreading diseases such as trichomonosis. A hanging bird feeder mitigates this problem and is more hygienic.
Garden birds like to eat peanuts (not salted or human peanut snacks, but those created especially for birds), sunflower seeds, cooked rice (not salted) and fruit. You can also make your own fat balls packed with a variety of nutritious snacks. Read our guide on how to make your own bird feeders, or follow Matt Baker's example of turning a whole tree into a bird buffet.
It's also safe to feed birds some specific kitchen scraps, though it's important to be aware that you can't throw just anything out into your garden for birds to eat.
Is bread bad for birds?
It is not harmful to feed bread to garden birds, but it is important to note that if the bread is in large chunks and is dry, it can be hard for them to digest. It is better to put out moistened crumbs in small chunks rather than large quantities.
Bread is also not very high in nutritional value, so it should not be the only option you put out if you're looking to feed birds who visit your garden. Peanuts, seeds and fat balls are better bird foods, for example.
What should you not feed birds?
Avoid putting food out for birds that are too salty or showing any mould signs. Birds should also not eat cooking fat as it can damage their feathers.
Of course, there are plenty of other things you shouldn't leave on the ground, as they can be hazardous for birds if they try to eat them, such as chocolate, fruit seeds or avocado; all of these can be potentially toxic for birds.
Other bird foods to avoid include dog or cat biscuits, as they are too dry, and milk, which is hard for them to digest
26 British birds to identify
1. Robin
One of the most common British birds you're likely to find perching on your garden fence is the robin. Famous for its bright red chest, robins are found all year round but especially during the winter months. They are an iconic Christmas bird and are popular on festive cards. Make sure you keep your bird feeders well-stocked to ensure the robin has plenty to eat.
2. Great tit
Arguably one of the most beautiful British garden birds, the great tit is the largest of the UK tit family. If you're hoping to spot one of these in your garden, keep your ears open for its sweet two-syllable song — it's a giveaway.
3. Blue tit
With its vibrant coloured body, the blue tit is one of the UK's most attractive garden visitors. During winter, make sure to keep bird feeders filled with fatty foods as these sweet birds will find it hard to locate anything to fill them up. You'll want to keep your camera close by: it's too pretty not to capture.
4. Coal tit
Darker than its tit relatives, the coal tit is still beautiful. In winter, they can be seen with other tits on the lookout for food together. It has a black head and a white patch on the back of its neck. They love visiting garden feeders - just be sure to squirrel-proof them first.
5. Long-tailed tit
Recognisable by its long tail and pinkish body, the long-tailed tit likes to be in a flock of up to 20 tits.
6. Wood pigeon
While we all wish our gardens would be teeming with beautiful British birds that wake us with the sound of song, it's quite common to find pigeons instead. The breed you're likely to spot in the UK is the wood pigeon, which you can identify thanks to its grey and white chest. Their cooing sound will also give them away if they're hiding in your trees.
7. Collared Dove
Similar to a pigeon but smaller, the collared dove is easily identifiable by the black ring around its neck. They also have red-tinted eyes and feet. Their song is a monotonous cooing.
8. Blackbird
Another bird you're likely to spot is the blackbird, which is usually found singing a mellow song. While the males have black feathers, females are more likely to be brown. These birds have little fear and will eat whatever they find in your garden. With a sturdy, long-tailed thrush and yellow ring at the eyes, they're not hard to miss.
9. House sparrow
These small, noisy British birds are commonly found in parks and gardens across the UK. Thanks to their streaky brown bodies, you should be able to identify them fairly quickly. They're also particularly friendly with an all-year-round garden presence.
10. Starling
These fast and direct birds move with confidence, both in the sky and on the ground. Starlings spend a lot of time flying in large murmuration groups (which you are likely to spot due to their large numbers). Their flocks provide safety for the birds, especially from any predators. Plus, flying in their groups helps to keep them warm during winter.
11. Magpie
This black, white and blue bird is a clever one. Often seen in pairs, they are known for being predators, scavengers and pest-destroyers (and for stealing anything with a gold-like shine). From a distance, you'll hear their chatter, but will be able to tell them apart from others by their regal, shimmering blue tail. While they might have a reputation as the bad boy in the world of birds, they're some of the most friendly around.
12. Goldfinch
Astoundingly beautiful, the Goldfinch is easily recognised by its distinct scarlet face and bright yellow wing patch. If you've got bird feeders in the your garden, top them up with sunflower hearts and nyjer seeds: snacks the species love to feed on for strength. Thanks to their long beaks they are also able to extract worms wiggled deep in the ground.
13. Greenfinch
With its sweet twittering song, pop of vibrant green and small body, the Greenfinch truly is a wonderful character to find in your garden. They love to visit birdtables and feeders, so be sure to keep these regularly topped up. While they're more likely to be seen from February onwards, some may even appear in your garden as early as January.
14. Bullfinch
Striking and completely beautiful, the bullfinch is a real treat for anyone who spots it outside. Its bright orange tummy will give him away, so be sure to keep a look out for the dash of colour amongst the trees. The shy bullfinch is rarely seen in most gardens, and only heads to areas where they can find suitable thick cover. If you're out on a walk, you may get lucky at spotting one of these in sitting high in woodland areas.
15. Wren
These round, plump, small birds can spotted around shady areas, where you'll find them hunting for food. With a perky tail and powerful song, they're not hard to miss. Wrens are one of the most common breeding birds in the UK, with around 8.6 million breeding wren territories.
16. Carrion Crow
Often alone or in pairs, carrion crows are jet black in appearance. They are one of the cleverest British birds and are very adaptable to different surroundings. As their name suggests, they eat carrion, as well as insects, worms, seeds, fruit, eggs and scraps.
17. Jackdaw
Also black, the jackdaw can be told apart from a crow thanks to being slightly smaller with a silver sheen on its head. They like to nest in chimneys, tree holes and building crevices.
18. Jay
Jays, part of the crow family, are larger birds – a similar size to a magpie. They can be found all over the UK but love to dwell under the cover of woodland so are less brazen in open spaces and gardens. They are identifiable by their blue wings. They love acorns and can often be found burying them in autumn, in preparation for winter.
19. Goldcrest
The goldcrest is the smallest British bird and can be identified by the yellow stripe on its head. In males, this stripe has an orange centre. Due to their size, they only eat small meals like spiders, moth eggs and small insects. Their tiny beaks mean they can get into very tight gaps to forage.
20. Dunnock
Solitary birds, dunnocks can usually be found hopping or shuffling near flower beds or shrubs. They are generally quiet birds, unless two males meet in which case wing-flicking and loud noises commence.
21. Chiffchaff
This small bird is named after the noise it makes: 'chiff-chaff, chiff-chaff'. Chiffchaffs are migrating birds and can be seen in the UK in the summer to breed, but are absent in the winter when they head to warmer climes.
22. Great Spotted Woodpecker
Great spotted woodpeckers are bold red, white and black. Males have a red patch on the back of their heads as well as on their lower bodies. They have very hard, strong beaks which allow them to peck nesting holes into tree trunks and shock-absorbent skulls which mean they can withstand it. They can be found in woodland, parks and gardens and you are likely to hear one tapping away before you spot it.
23. Lesser Spotted Woodpecker
Lesser spotted woodpeckers are smaller than their greater cousins and have black and white stripes on their backs. They are sadly in decline in the UK and live in mature-woodland where they rely on old, dead or rotting trees.
24. Green Woodpeckers
These woodpeckers look totally different from their greater and lesser spotted counterparts with green bodies and red heads. Males also have a red streak on their cheeks. They are the biggest woodpecker in the UK.
25. Chaffinch
The Eurasian chaffinch is one of the most common birds to spot in the UK, and are typically identified by their loud songs are wide range of calls to one another. They usually have black/brown and white patterned wings but can be shy, so they are likely to stay away from bird feeders.
26. Meadow pipit
The Meadow pipit is a beautiful small bird with distinct markings, but you're unlikely to spot it in your garden. Instead, this adventurous bird likes to roam grasslands, heaths and moors.
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$14.99 at notonthehighstreet.com
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