List of birds of Wales facts for kids

This article lists all the different kinds of birds that have been seen living wild in Wales. Wales might have fewer types of birds that breed here compared to the whole of Britain, but it's a great place for certain birds! You can find many birds that live on moorlands, like the Red Grouse and Black Grouse. There are also huge numbers of seabirds, especially on islands like Skomer, Grassholm, and Bardsey Island.

Wales is also home to many birds that love Welsh oak woods, such as the Redstart, Pied Flycatcher, and Wood Warbler. Among the amazing birds of prey, the Red Kite is a real success story. It had disappeared from other parts of Britain but has been brought back thanks to special efforts. In winter, lots of wildfowl (like ducks and geese) and waders (birds that wade in water) come to the coast because the weather is mild. During spring and autumn, you can spot many migrant birds and vagrant birds (those that have wandered off course), especially on headlands and islands. Did you know that three-quarters of all the Red-billed Choughs in the UK live in Wales?

This list is based on information from expert bird books and reports from the Welsh Ornithological Society. The names of the birds follow the official list from the British Ornithologists' Union.

Here are some special tags you'll see next to the birds:

• (A) Accidental - This means the bird rarely or accidentally visits Wales.
• (I) Introduced - This means people brought this bird to Wales, either directly or indirectly.

In total, there are 463 different bird species on this list, with 10 of them being introduced by humans. About 150 types of birds breed in Wales every year.

Ducks, Geese, and Swans

These birds are medium to large and are perfectly built for living in water. They have webbed feet and flat bills. For many ducks, the male birds are very colorful, while the females are a duller brown. They eat a mix of plants and small animals. Lots of these birds live in Wales, especially in winter when huge numbers fly in from places like Greenland, Scandinavia, and Russia.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Brent goose	Branta bernicla
Red-breasted goose	Branta ruficollis
Canada goose	Branta canadensis	I
Barnacle goose	Branta leucopsis
Greylag goose	Anser anser
Taiga bean goose	Anser fabalis	(A)
Pink-footed goose	Anser brachyrhynchus
Tundra bean goose	Anser serrirostris	(A)
White-fronted goose	Anser albifrons
Lesser white-fronted goose	Anser erythropus	(A)
Mute swan	Cygnus olor
Bewick's swan	Cygnus columbianus
Whooper swan	Cygnus cygnus
Egyptian goose	Alopochen aegyptiacus	I
Shelduck	Tadorna tadorna
Ruddy shelduck	Tadorna ferruginea	(A)
Mandarin duck	Aix galericulata	I
Garganey	Spatula querquedula
Blue-winged teal	Spatula discors	(A)
Shoveler	Spatula clypeata
Gadwall	Mareca strepera
Falcated duck	Mareca falcata
Wigeon	Anas penelope
American wigeon	Mareca americana	(A)
Mallard	Anas platyrhynchos
Black duck	Anas rubripes	(A)
Pintail	Anas acuta
Teal	Anas crecca
Green-winged teal	Anas carolinensis	(A)
Red-crested pochard	Netta rufina	I
Pochard	Aythya ferina
Ferruginous duck	Aythya nyroca	(A)
Ring-necked duck	Aythya collaris	(A)
Tufted duck	Aythya fuligula
Scaup	Aythya marila
Lesser scaup	Aythya affinis	(A)
King eider	Somateria spectabilis	(A)
Eider	Somateria mollissima
Surf scoter	Melanitta perspicillata	(A)
Velvet scoter	Melanitta fusca
Common scoter	Melanitta nigra
Black scoter	Melanitta americana	(A)
Long-tailed duck	Clangula hyemalis
Goldeneye	Bucephala clangula
Smew	Mergellus albellus
Hooded merganser	Lophodytes cucullatus	(A)
Goosander	Mergus merganser
Red-breasted merganser	Mergus serrator
Ruddy duck	Oxyura jamaicensis	I

Pheasants, Grouse, and Allies

These birds live on the ground, where they find their food and build their nests. They are usually plump with broad, short wings.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Red grouse	Lagopus lagopus
Black grouse	Lyrurus tetrix
Grey partridge	Perdix perdix
Pheasant	Phasianus colchicus	I
Quail	Coturnix coturnix
Red-legged partridge	Alectorix rufa	I

Nightjars and Allies

Nightjars are medium-sized birds that are active at night. They usually nest on the ground. They have long wings, short legs, and very short bills. Their soft feathers are colored to help them blend in with tree bark or leaves.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Common nighthawk	Chordeiles minor	(A)
Nightjar	Caprimulgus europaeus

Swifts

Swifts are small birds that spend most of their lives flying. They have very short legs and almost never land on the ground. Instead, they perch on vertical surfaces.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Chimney swift	Chaetura pelagica	(A)
Alpine swift	Apus melba	(A)
Swift	Apus apus
Pallid swift	Apus pallidus	(A)
Little swift	Apus affinis	(A)

Bustards

Bustards are large, strong birds that live on open plains. They have long legs and necks and strong feet.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Great bustard	Otis tarda	(A)
Little bustard	Tetrax tetrax	(A)

Cuckoos

Cuckoos are birds of different sizes with slim bodies and long tails. Some types of cuckoos are famous for laying their eggs in the nests of other birds.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Great spotted cuckoo	Clamator glandarius	(A)
Yellow-billed cuckoo	Coccyzus americanus	(A)
Cuckoo	Cuculus canorus

Sandgrouse

Sandgrouse are sturdy, medium-sized birds with small heads and long, pointed wings.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Pallas's sandgrouse	Syrrhaptes paradoxus	(A)

Pigeons and Doves

Pigeons and doves are plump birds with short necks and thin bills that have a fleshy part called a cere at the base.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Rock dove	Columba livia
Stock dove	Columba oenas
Woodpigeon	Columba palumbus
Turtle dove	Streptopelia turtur
Collared dove	Streptopelia decaocto

Rails, Gallinules, and Coots

These birds mostly live in thick plants in wet areas near lakes, marshes, or rivers. Many are shy and hard to spot. Most have strong legs and long toes that help them walk on soft, uneven ground.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Water rail	Rallus aquaticus
Corncrake	Crex crex	(A)
Sora	Porzana carolina	(A)
Spotted crake	Porzana porzana	(A)
Moorhen	Gallinula chloropus
Coot	Fulica atra
Baillon's crake	Porzana pusilla	(A)
Little crake	Porzana parva	(A)

Cranes

Cranes are large birds with long legs and long necks. Unlike herons, which look similar, cranes fly with their necks stretched out, not pulled back. Many cranes have special, loud "dances" they do when looking for a mate.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Crane	Grus grus	(A)

Grebes

Grebes are small to medium-sized diving birds with lobed toes and pointed bills. You mostly see them on lowland waters and along the coast. They eat aquatic animals and build their nests on floating platforms made of plants.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Little grebe	Tachybaptus ruficollis
Pied-billed grebe	Podilymbus podiceps	(A)
Red-necked grebe	Podiceps grisegena
Great crested grebe	Podiceps cristata
Slavonian grebe	Podiceps auritus
Black-necked grebe	Podiceps nigricollis

Stone-curlews

This is a small family of medium to large wading birds. They have strong black bills, big yellow eyes, and feathers that help them blend in with their surroundings.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Stone-curlew	Burhinus oedicnemus	(A)

Oystercatchers

Oystercatchers are large, easy-to-spot, and noisy wading birds. They have strong bills that they use to smash or pry open molluscs (like mussels and clams).

Common name	Binomial	Status
Oystercatcher	Haematopus ostralegus

Stilts and Avocets

This family includes fairly large wading birds. Avocets have long legs and long bills that curve upwards. Stilts have extremely long legs and long, thin, straight bills.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Black-winged stilt	Himantopus himantopus	(A)
Avocet	Recurvirostra avosetta

Plovers and Lapwings

These are small to medium-sized wading birds with compact bodies, short, thick necks, and long, usually pointed, wings.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Lapwing	Vanellus vanellus
Sociable plover	Vanellus gregarius	(A)
Golden plover	Pluvialis apricaria
Pacific golden plover	Pluvialis fulva	(A)
American golden plover	Pluvialis dominica	(A)
Grey plover	Pluvialis squatarola
Ringed plover	Charadrius hiaticula
Little ringed plover	Charadrius dubius
Killdeer	Charadrius vociferus	(A)
Kentish plover	Charadrius alexandrinus	(A)
Greater sand plover	Charadrius leschenaultii	(A)
Dotterel	Charadrius morinellus

Sandpipers and Allies

This is a large and varied family of wading birds. Their different leg and bill lengths allow many species to feed in the same places, especially on the coast, without competing for the same food.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Upland sandpiper	Bartramia longicauda	(A)
Whimbrel	Numenius phaeopus
Hudsonian whimbrel	Numenius hudsonicus	(A)
Little whimbrel	Numenius minutus	(A)
Curlew	Numenius arquata
Bar-tailed godwit	Limosa lapponica
Black-tailed godwit	Limosa limosa
Turnstone	Arenaria interpres
Knot	Calidris canutus
Ruff	Calidris pugnax
Broad-billed sandpiper	Calidris falcinellus	(A)
Sharp-tailed sandpiper	Calidris acuminata	(A)
Stilt sandpiper	Calidris himantopus	(A)
Curlew sandpiper	Calidris ferruginea
Temminck's stint	Calidris temminckii	(A)
Sanderling	Calidris alba
Dunlin	Calidris alpina
Purple sandpiper	Calidris maritima
Baird's sandpiper	Calidris bairdii	(A)
Little stint	Calidris minuta
Least sandpiper	Calidris minutilla	(A)
White-rumped sandpiper	Calidris fuscicollis	(A)
Buff-breasted sandpiper	Calidris subruficollis	(A)
Pectoral sandpiper	Calidris melanotos	(A)
Semipalmated sandpiper	Calidris pusilla	(A)
Long-billed dowitcher	Limnodromus scolopaceus
Woodcock	Scolopax rusticola
Jack snipe	Lymnocryptes minimus
Great snipe	Gallinago minima	(A)
Snipe	Gallinago gallinago
Terek sandpiper	Xenus cinerea	(A)
Wilson's phalarope	Phalaropus tricolor	(A)
Red-necked phalarope	Phalaropus lobatus	(A)
Grey phalarope	Phalaropus fulicarius
Common sandpiper	Actitis hypoleucos
Spotted sandpiper	Tringa macularius	(A)
Green sandpiper	Tringa ochropus
Grey-tailed tattler	Tringa brevipes	(A)
Lesser yellowlegs	Tringa flavipes	(A)
Redshank	Tringa totanus
Marsh sandpiper	Tringa stagnatilis	(A)
Wood sandpiper	Tringa glareola
Spotted redshank	Tringa erythropus
Greenshank	Tringa nebularia
Greater yellowlegs	Tringa melanoleuca	(A)

Pratincoles and Coursers

This is a family of slender, long-winged wading birds.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Cream-coloured courser	Cursorius cursor	(A)
Collared pratincole	Glareola pratincola	(A)
Black-winged pratincole	Glareola nordmanni	(A)

Gulls, Terns, and Skimmers

These are medium to large seabirds with grey, white, and black feathers, webbed feet, and strong bills. Many of them are good at finding food in different ways and places.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Kittiwake	Rissa tridactyla
Ivory gull	Pagophila eburnea	(A)
Sabine's gull	Xema sabini
Bonaparte's gull	Chroicocephalus philadelphia	(A)
Black-headed gull	Chroicocephalus ridibundus
Little gull	Hydrocoloeus minutus
Ross's gull	Rhodostethia rosea	(A)
Laughing gull	Leucophaeus atricilla	(A)
Franklin's gull	Leucophaeus pipixcan	(A)
Mediterranean gull	Ichthyaetus melanocephalus
Common gull	Larus canus
Ring-billed gull	Larus delawarensis
Great black-backed gull	Larus marinus
Glaucous-winged gull	Larus glaucescens	(A)
Glaucous gull	Larus hyperboreus
Iceland gull	Larus glaucoides
Herring gull	Larus argentatus
Caspian gull	Larus cachinnans	(A)
Yellow-legged gull	Larus michahellis	(A)
Lesser black-backed gull	Larus fuscus
Gull-billed tern	Gelochelidon nilotica	(A)
Caspian tern	Hydroprogne caspia	(A)
Royal tern	Thalasseus maximus	(A)
Lesser crested tern	Thalasseus bengalensis	(A)
Sandwich tern	Thalasseus sandvicensis
Elegant tern	Thalasseus elegans	(A)
Little tern	Sternula albifrons
Bridled tern	Onychoprion anaethetus	(A)
Sooty tern	Onychoprion fuscatus	(A)
Roseate tern	Sterna dougallii
Common tern	Sterna hirundo
Arctic tern	Sterna paradisaea
Forster's tern	Sterna forsteri	(A)
Whiskered tern	Chlidonias hybrida	(A)
White-winged black tern	Chlidonias leucoptera	(A)
Black tern	Chlidonias niger

Skuas

Skuas are medium to large seabirds, usually grey or brown. They have sharp claws and a hooked bill. They are known for chasing other seabirds to make them drop their food, which the skuas then eat.

Common name	Binomial	Status
South Polar skua	Stercorarius maccormicki
Great skua	Stercorarius skua
Pomarine skua	Stercorarius pomarinus
Arctic skua	Stercorarius parasiticus
Long-tailed skua	Stercorarius longicaudus

Auks, Murres, and Puffins

This family of seabirds looks a bit like penguins with their black and white colors and upright stance, but they can fly! Sadly, the Great Auk is now extinct.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Little auk	Alle alle
Common guillemot	Uria aalge
Razorbill	Alca torda
Black guillemot	Cepphus grylle
Puffin	Fratercula arctica

Divers

Divers are aquatic birds, about the size of a large duck, but they are not related to ducks. They are excellent swimmers and can fly well, but they are very clumsy on land because their legs are set far back on their bodies. They eat fish and other water animals. All divers found in Wales are visitors and do not breed here.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Red-throated diver	Gavia stellata
Black-throated diver	Gavia arctica
Great northern diver	Gavia immer
White-billed diver	Gavia adamsii	(A)

Southern Storm Petrels

These are the smallest seabirds. They eat tiny plankton and small fish, which they pick from the water's surface while hovering. They nest in groups on the ground, often in burrows.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Wilson's storm petrel	Oceanites oceanicus	(A)

Albatrosses

Albatrosses are among the largest flying birds, with long, narrow wings that help them glide over the ocean. Most of them live in the Southern Hemisphere, and only a few wander into the North Atlantic.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Black-browed albatross	Thalassarche melanophris	(A)

Northern Storm Petrels

Like their southern relatives, these are also very small seabirds. They feed on plankton and small fish from the surface of the water, often hovering as they do so. They nest in groups on the ground, usually in burrows.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Storm petrel	Hydrobates pelagicus
Leach's petrel	Hydrobates leucorrhous

Petrels and Shearwaters

These birds spend most of their lives far out at sea (they are pelagic). They have long, narrow wings and tube-shaped nostrils. They eat fish, squid, and other sea creatures. They only come to land to breed in colonies, nesting in burrows or on cliffs.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Fulmar	Fulmarus glacialis
Cory's shearwater	Calonectris borealis	(A)
Sooty shearwater	Ardenna griseus
Great shearwater	Ardenna gravis	(A)
Manx shearwater	Puffinus puffinus
Balearic shearwater	Puffinus mauretanicus
Macaronesian shearwater	Puffinus baroli	(A)

Storks

Storks are large, heavy wading birds with long legs, long necks, and strong, thick bills. They have wide wings and fly with their necks stretched out.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Black stork	Ciconia nigra	(A)
White stork	Ciconia ciconia	(A)

Boobies and Gannets

Gannets are large seabirds that dive headfirst into the water to catch fish. They nest in big groups. They have a sleek, torpedo-shaped body, long, narrow, pointed wings, and a fairly long tail.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Gannet	Morus bassanus

Cormorants and Shags

Cormorants are medium to large water birds with mostly dark feathers and colored skin on their faces. Their bills are long, thin, and sharply hooked, perfect for catching fish and other water creatures. They nest in groups, usually by the sea.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Cormorant	Phalacrocorax carbo
Shag	Gulosus aristotelis

Ibises and Spoonbills

This family includes long-legged, long-necked wading birds. Ibises have long, curved bills. Spoonbills have a flat bill that is wider at the tip.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Glossy ibis	Plegadis falcinellus	(A)
Spoonbill	Platalea leucorodia

Herons and Bitterns

Herons and egrets are medium to large wading birds with long necks and legs. Bitterns usually have shorter necks and are more secretive. All of them fly with their necks pulled back. They use their sharp bills to catch fish, amphibians, and other small animals. Many types nest in groups, often in trees.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Bittern	Botaurus stellaris
American bittern	Botaurus lentiginosus	(A)
Little bittern	Ixobrychus minutus	(A)
Night heron	Nycticorax nycticorax	(A)
Green heron	Butorides virescens	(A)
Squacco heron	Ardeola ralloides	(A)
Cattle egret	Bubulcus ibis
Grey heron	Ardea cinerea
Purple heron	Ardea purpurea	(A)
Great white egret	Ardea alba	(A)
Little egret	Egretta garzetta

Osprey

The Osprey is a large bird of prey that eats fish. It belongs to its own special family. It's mostly brown on top and white underneath, with long, angled wings. In Wales, it's mainly a bird that passes through during migration, but it has recently started to breed here.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Osprey	Pandion haliaetus

Hawks, Eagles, and Kites

This family includes hawks, buzzards, eagles, kites, and harriers. These birds of prey have very large, strong, hooked beaks for tearing meat from their prey. They also have strong legs, powerful talons (claws), and excellent eyesight.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Honey-buzzard	Pernis apivorus
Golden eagle	Aquila chrysaetos	(A)
Sparrowhawk	Accipiter nisus
Goshawk	Accipiter gentilis
Marsh harrier	Circus aeruginosus
Hen harrier	Circus cyaneus
Pallid harrier	Circus macrourus	(A)
Montagu's harrier	Circus pygargus	(A)
Red kite	Milvus milvus
Black kite	Milvus migrans	(A)
White-tailed eagle	Haliaaetus albicilla	(A)
Rough-legged buzzard	Buteo lagopus	(A)
Buzzard	Buteo buteo

Barn Owls

Barn owls are medium to large owls with big heads and unique heart-shaped faces. They have long, strong legs with powerful talons.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Barn owl	Tyto alba

Owls

Typical owls are solitary birds of prey that are active at night. They have large eyes that face forward and good hearing. They have a hawk-like beak and a clear circle of feathers around each eye, called a facial disc.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Little owl	Athene noctua
Scops owl	Otus scops	(A)
Long-eared owl	Asio otus
Short-eared owl	Asio flammeus
Snowy owl	Bubo scandiaca	(A)
Tawny owl	Strix aluco

Hoopoes

The Hoopoe is a unique bird in its own family. It has a long, curved bill, a crest on its head, and black and white striped wings and tail.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Hoopoe	Upupa epops

Rollers

This is a small family of colorful, medium-sized birds that look a bit like crows. They mainly eat insects.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Roller	Coracias garrulus	(A)

Kingfishers

Kingfishers are medium-sized birds with large heads, long, pointed bills, short legs, and stubby tails. There are about 93 species worldwide, but only one is commonly found in Wales.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Kingfisher	Alcedo atthis

Bee-eaters

Bee-eaters are a group of colorful birds with slender bodies and usually long central tail feathers.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Bee-eater	Merops apiaster	(A)

Woodpeckers

Woodpeckers are small to medium-sized birds with chisel-like beaks, short legs, stiff tails, and long tongues for catching insects. Many woodpeckers are known for loudly tapping on tree trunks with their beaks.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Wryneck	Jynx tranquila
Lesser spotted woodpecker	Dryobates minor
Great spotted woodpecker	Dendrocopos major
Green woodpecker	Picus viridis

Falcons and Caracaras

This family includes small to medium-sized birds of prey that are active during the day. They have pointed wings. They don't build their own nests and mostly catch their prey while flying.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Kestrel	Falco tinnunculus
Red-footed falcon	Falco vespertinus	(A)
Merlin	Falco columbarius
Hobby	Falco subbuteo
Gyr falcon	Falco rusticolus	(A)
Peregrine	Falco peregrinus

Shrikes

Shrikes are passerine birds known for their habit of catching other birds and small animals and sticking them on thorns. A typical shrike's beak is hooked, like a bird of prey.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Red-backed shrike	Lanius collurio	(A)
Turkestan shrike	Lanius phoenicuroides
Lesser grey shrike	Lanius minor	(A)
Great grey shrike	Lanius excubitor
Woodchat shrike	Lanius senator	(A)

Vireos

Vireos are a group of small to medium-sized passerine birds found only in the New World (the Americas).

Common name	Binomial	Status
Red-eyed vireo	Vireo olivaceus	(A)

Old World Orioles

Orioles are colorful, medium-sized passerine birds known for their loud, flute-like songs.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Golden oriole	Oriolus oriolus

Crows, Jays, and Magpies

Crows and their relatives are fairly large birds with strong bills. They are usually very smart and can adapt to many different places.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Jay	Garrulus glandarius
Magpie	Pica pica
Nutcracker	Nucifraga caryocatactes	(A)
Chough	Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax
Jackdaw	Corvus monedula
Rook	Corvus frugilegus
Carrion crow	Corvus corone
Hooded crow	Corvus cornix
Raven	Corvus corax

Waxwings

Waxwings are a group of passerine birds with soft, silky feathers. They have unique red tips on some of their wing feathers.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Waxwing	Bombycilla garrulus
Cedar waxwing	Bombycilla cedrorum	(A)

Tits, Chickadees, and Titmice

Tits are mostly small, stocky woodland birds with short, stout bills. They are adaptable birds that eat a mix of seeds and insects.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Coal tit	Periparus ater
Marsh tit	Poecile palustris
Willow tit	Poecile montana
Blue tit	Cyanistes caeruleus
Great tit	Parus major

Penduline Tits

These are small birds with very pointed bills. They build nests that look like purses, hanging from branches.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Penduline tit	Remiz pendulinus	(A)

Bearded Tit

This bird is the only one in its family. It lives in reed beds across Europe and Asia.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Bearded tit	Panurus biarmicus	(A)

Larks

Larks are small ground birds often known for their amazing songs and display flights. Most larks don't have very bright feathers. They eat insects and seeds.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Woodlark	Lullula arborea	(A)
Skylark	Alauda arvensis
Crested lark	Galerida cristata	(A)
Shore lark	Eremophila alpestris	(A)
Short-toed lark	Calandrella brachydactyla	(A)
Black lark	Melanocorypha yeltoniensis	(A)

Swallows

The swallow family is built for catching food while flying. They have slim, streamlined bodies, long, pointed wings, and a short bill with a wide mouth.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Sand martin	Riparia riparia
Crag martin	Ptyonoprogne rupestris	(A)
Swallow	Hirundo rustica
House martin	Delichon urbicum
Red-rumped swallow	Cecropis daurica	(A)

Bush Warblers and Allies

The birds in this family are found in Africa, Asia, and Polynesia. Scientists are still learning about how they are related to other birds.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Cetti's warbler	Cettia cetti

Long-tailed Tits

These are small birds with long tails that usually live in flocks for most of the year.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Long-tailed tit	Aegithalos caudatus

Leaf Warblers

Leaf warblers are a family of small birds that eat insects. They are mostly found in Europe and Asia. They come in different sizes, often with green feathers on top and yellow underneath, or more muted grey-green to grey-brown colors.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Wood warbler	Phylloscopus sibalatrix
Western Bonelli's warbler	Phylloscopus bonelli	(A)
Hume's warbler	Phylloscopus humei	(A)
Yellow-browed warbler	Phylloscopus inornatus
Pallas's warbler	Phylloscopus proregulus	(A)
Radde's warbler	Phylloscopus schwarzi	(A)
Dusky warbler	Phylloscopus fuscatus	(A)
Willow warbler	Phylloscopus trochilus
Chiffchaff	Phylloscopus collybita	(A)
Iberian chiffchaff	Phylloscopus ibericus	(A)
Greenish warbler	Phylloscopus trochiloides	(A)
Arctic warbler	Phylloscopus borealis	(A)

Reed Warblers and Allies

Birds in this family are usually quite large for "warblers." Most are plain olive-brown on top with yellow or beige underneath. They are often found in open woodlands, reed beds, or tall grass.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Great reed warbler	Acrocephalus arundinaceus	(A)
Aquatic warbler	Acrocephalus paludicola	(A)
Sedge warbler	Acrocephalus schoenobaenus
Paddyfield warbler	Acrocephalus agricola	(A)
Blyth's reed warbler	Acrocephalus dumetorum	(A)
Reed warbler	Acrocephalus scirpaceus
Marsh warbler	Acrocephalus palustris	(A)
Booted warbler	Iduna caligata	(A)
Melodious warbler	Hippolais polyglotta	(A)
Icterine warbler	Hippolais icterina	(A)

Grassbirds and Allies

Grassbirds are a family of small insect-eating songbirds found mostly in Europe, Asia, Africa, and Australia. They are small birds with tails that are usually long and pointed, and they tend to be dull brownish or buffy all over.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Lanceolated warbler	Locustella lanceolata	(A)
River warbler	Locustella fluviatilis	(A)
Savi's warbler	Locustella luscinioides	(A)
Grasshopper warbler	Locustella naevia

Sylviid Warblers, Parrotbills, and Allies

This is a group of small, insect-eating passerine birds. Most of them don't look very special, but many have unique and beautiful songs.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Blackcap	Sylvia atricapilla
Garden warbler	Sylvia borin
Barred warbler	Curruca nisoria	(A)
Lesser whitethroat	Curruca curruca
Western Orphean warbler	Curruca hortensis	(A)
Rüppell's warbler	Curruca ruppeli	(A)
Sardinian warbler	Curruca melanocephala	(A)
Western subalpine warbler	Curruca iberiae	(A)
Eastern subalpine warbler	Curruca cantillans	(A)
whitethroat	Curruca communis
Marmora's warbler	Curruca sarda	(A)
Dartford warbler	Curruca undata

Kinglets

Kinglets, also called crests, are a small group of birds. They are sometimes grouped with Old World warblers, but they are often given their own family because they also look like titmice.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Common firecrest	Regulus ignicapilla
Goldcrest	Regulus regulus

Wrens

Wrens are small and often hard to see birds, except for their loud songs! They have short wings and thin, downward-curved bills.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Wren	Troglodytes troglodytes

Nuthatches

Nuthatches are small woodland birds with a special ability: they can climb down trees head-first! Other birds can usually only climb upwards.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Nuthatch	Sitta europaea

Treecreepers

Treecreepers are small woodland birds, brown on top and white underneath. They have thin, pointed, downward-curved bills, which they use to pull insects out of tree bark.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Treecreeper	Certhia familiaris

Mockingbirds and Thrashers

These are medium-sized passerine birds with long tails. Some are famous for being able to copy sounds, like the songs of other birds.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Grey catbird	Dumetella carolinensis	(A)

Starlings

Starlings are small to medium-sized passerine birds with strong feet. They fly strongly and directly, and most of them like to live in large groups.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Rose-coloured starling	Pastor roseus	(A)
Starling	Sturnus vulgaris

Thrushes and Allies

Thrushes and chats are plump birds with soft feathers. They are small to medium-sized and eat insects, or sometimes a mix of things. They often find food on the ground. Many of them have beautiful songs.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Swainson's thrush	Catharus ustulatus	(A)
Grey-cheeked thrush	Catharus minimus	(A)
Song thrush	Turdus philomelos
Mistle thrush	Turdus viscivorus	(A)
Redwing	Turdus iliacus
Blackbird	Turdus merula
Eyebrowed thrush	Turdus obscurus	(A)
Fieldfare	Turdus pilaris
Ring ouzel	Turdus torquatus
Black-throated thrush	Turdus atrogularis
Red-throated thrush	Turdus ruficollis	(A)
Dusky thrush	Turdus eunomus	(A)
American robin	Turdus viscivorus	(A)

Old World Flycatchers

Flycatchers are small birds that fly out from a perch to catch insects in the air.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Spotted flycatcher	Muscicapa striata
Robin	Erithacus rubecula
Bluethroat	Luscinia svecica	(A)
Thrush nightingale	Luscinia luscinia	(A)
Nightingale	Luscinia megarhynchos	(A)
White-throated robin	Irania gutturalis	(A)
Red-flanked bluetail	Tarsiger cyanurus	(A)
Red-breasted flycatcher	Ficedula parva	(A)
Pied flycatcher	Ficedula hypoleuca
Collared flycatcher	Ficedula albicollis	(A)
Black redstart	Phoenicurus ochruros
Redstart	Phoenicurus phoenicurus
Moussier's redstart	Phoenicurus moussieri	(A)
Rock thrush	Monticola saxatilis	(A)
Blue rock thrush	Monticola solitarius	(A)
Whinchat	Saxicola rubetra
Stonechat	Saxicola torquata
Wheatear	Oenanthe oenanthe
Isabelline wheatear	Oenanthe isabellina	(A)
Desert wheatear	Oenanthe deserti	(A)
Western black-eared wheatear	Oenanthe hispanica	(A)
Pied wheatear	Oenanthe pleschanka	(A)

Dippers

Dippers are a group of perching birds that live near water in the Americas, Europe, and Asia. They are named for their bobbing or "dipping" movements.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Dipper	Cinclus cinclus

Old World Sparrows

Sparrows are usually small, plump, brownish or grayish birds with short tails and short, strong beaks. They eat seeds and also small insects.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Tree sparrow	Passer montanus
Spanish sparrow	Passer hispaniolensis	(A)
House sparrow	Passer domesticus

Accentors

This is a small family of plain, quiet, insect-eating birds with thin, pointed bills.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Alpine accentor	Prunella collaris	(A)
Dunnock	Prunella modularis

Wagtails and Pipits

This family includes small passerine birds with medium to long tails. They are slender, insect-eating birds that find their food on the ground in open areas.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Western yellow wagtail	Motacilla flava	(A)
Eastern yellow wagtail	Motacilla tschutschensis	(A)
Citrine wagtail	Motacilla citreola	(A)
Grey wagtail	Motacilla cinerea
White wagtail	Motacilla alba
Richard's pipit	Anthus richardi
Blyth's pipit	Anthus godlewskii	(A)
Tawny pipit	Anthus campestris	(A)
Meadow pipit	Anthus pratensis
Tree pipit	Anthus trivialis
Olive-backed pipit	Anthus hodgsoni	(A)
Pechora pipit	Anthus gustavi	(A)
Red-throated pipit	Anthus cervinus	(A)
Buff-bellied pipit	Anthus rubescens	(A)
Water pipit	Anthus spinoletta
Rock pipit	Anthus petrosus

Finches, Euphonias, and Allies

These are seed-eating passerine birds that are small to medium-large. They have strong beaks, usually shaped like a cone, and in some species, very large.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Chaffinch	Fringilla coelebs
Brambling	Fringilla montifringilla
Hawfinch	Coccothraustes coccothraustes
Bullfinch	Pyrrhula pyrrhula
Common rosefinch	Carpodacus erythrinus	(A)
Greenfinch	Chloris chloris
Twite	Linaria flavirostris
Linnet	Linaria cannabina
Common redpoll	Acanthis flammea	(A)
Lesser redpoll	Acanthis cabaret
Arctic redpoll	Acanthis hornemanni	(A)
Common crossbill	Loxia curvirostra
Two-barred crossbill	Loxia leucoptera	(A)
Goldfinch	Carduelis carduelis
Serin	Serinus serinus	(A)
Siskin	Spinus spinus

Longspurs and Arctic Buntings

This family of birds used to be grouped with New World sparrows, but they are different in many ways. They are usually found in open grassy areas.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Lapland bunting	Calcarius lapponicus
Snow bunting	Plectrophenax nivalis

Old World Buntings

This is a large family of seed-eating passerine birds with a uniquely shaped bill.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Corn bunting	Emberiza calandra	(A)
Yellowhammer	Emberiza citrinella
Pine bunting	Emberiza leucocephalos	(A)
Rock bunting	Emberiza cia	(A)
Ortolan bunting	Emberiza hortulana	(A)
Cretzschmar's bunting	Emberiza caesia	(A)
Cirl bunting	Emberiza cirlus	(A)
Little bunting	Emberiza pusilla	(A)
Rustic bunting	Emberiza rustica	(A)
Yellow-breasted bunting	Emberiza aureola	(A)
Black-headed bunting	Emberiza melanocephala	(A)
Reed bunting	Emberiza schoeniclus

New World Sparrows

Before 2017, these birds were thought to be part of the Emberizidae family. Most of these birds are called sparrows, but they are not closely related to the Old World sparrows. Many of them have distinct patterns on their heads.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Dark-eyed junco	Junco hyemalis	(A)
White-throated sparrow	Zonotrichia albicollis	(A)
Song sparrow	Melospiza melodia	(A)

Troupials and Allies

This group includes small to medium-sized, often colorful passerine birds found only in the New World.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Bobolink	Dolichonyx oryzivorus	(A)
Baltimore oriole	Icterus galbula	(A)
Brown-headed cowbird	Molothrus ater	(A)

New World Warblers

This is a group of small, often colorful passerine birds found only in the New World. Most of them live in trees and eat insects.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Black-and-white warbler	Mniotilta varia	(A)
Common yellowthroat	Geothlypas trichas	(A)
Blackburnian warbler	Setophaga fusca	(A)
Yellow warbler	Setophaga petechia	(A)
Blackpoll warbler	Setophaga striata	(A)
Yellow-rumped warbler	Setophaga coronata	(A)

Cardinals and Allies

Cardinals are a family of strong, seed-eating birds with powerful bills. They usually live in open woodlands. The male and female birds often have different colored feathers.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Summer tanager	Piranga rubra	(A)
Rose-breasted grosbeak	Pheucticus ludovicianus	(A)
Indigo bunting	Passerina cyanea	(A)

See also

• List of birds of Great Britain
• British avifauna
• Lists of birds by region