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Birds name
List of birds of Great Britain
The list of British birds comprises all those bird species which have occurred in a wild state in Great Britain. In general the avifauna of Britain is similar to that of Europe, although with fewer breeding species. There are 592 species of birds on the British list as of 9 September 2010, with the latest additions Amur Falcon (Falco amurensis), Tufted Puffin (Fratercula cirrhata), Eastern Crowned Warbler (Phylloscopus coronatus) and Citril Finch (Carduelis citrinella).[1] The species order and scientific names used here follow that of the Official British List,[2] maintained by the British Ornithologists' Union (BOU). Decisions relating to the British List are published by the British Ornithologists' Union Records Committee (BOURC) in its annual reports in Ibis, the journal of the BOU. These reports were formerly geographically based, and included the whole of the British Isles, but records for the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland are now published by their own ornithological associations. Records from the Isle of Man, although adjudicated by the Manx Ornithological Society, continue to be published in the BOU reports.[2]
The BOU uses the following categories for British bird species:[2]
Species listed as rare here are those for a full description is required for acceptance of the record by the British Birds Rarities Committee. Other species have an indication of their breeding and wintering status in Great Britain.
Because of its mild winters, Great Britain has a considerable population of wintering species, particularly ducks, geese and swans. There are also a number of species, such as Oystercatcher, which are resident in this island, but migrants elsewhere. Also because of its position, Britain receives a number of vagrants from Asia and North America. Some American gulls, ducks and waders are regular enough not to be considered rare. These include Ring-billed Gull, Surf Scoter and Pectoral Sandpiper; 150 of the latter species were found in Britain in the record month of September 2003, with a further 40 in Ireland.
The swans, ducks and geese are medium to large birds that are modified for an aquatic existence with webbed feet and bills which are flattened to a greater or lesser extent. In many ducks the male is colourful while the female is dull brown. The diet consists of a variety of animals and plants. The family is well-represented in Britain, especially in winter when large numbers visit from Greenland, Scandinavia and Russia. There are about 160 species worldwide with 57 in Britain.
Red Grouse
Grouse are sturdy, medium-sized terrestrial birds of the Northern Hemisphere. They have feathered feet and nostrils and short, rounded wings. They feed mainly on plant material and lay their eggs in a simple scrape on the ground. They are gamebirds and large numbers were shot in the past in moorland areas. There are about 19 species worldwide, 4 in Britain.
These are terrestrial species, feeding and nesting on the ground. They are variable in size but generally plump, with broad and relatively short wings. There are about 155 species worldwide with 6 in Britain. 4 of these were introduced for hunting or ornamental purposes but 2 have now apparently died out.
Divers are aquatic birds the size of a large duck, to which they are unrelated. They swim well, and fly adequately but, because their legs are placed towards the rear of the body, are almost hopeless on land. They feed on fish and other aquatic animals. There are 5 species worldwide with 5 in Britain.
Grebes are small to medium-large diving birds with lobed toes and pointed bills. They are seen mainly on lowland waterbodies and coasts. They feed on aquatic animals and nest on a floating platform of vegetation. There are about 19 species worldwide with 6 in Britain.
The albatrosses are among the largest flying birds with long, narrow wings for gliding. The majority are found in the Southern Hemisphere with only vagrants occurring in the North Atlantic. There are at least 13 species worldwide with 2 in Britain.
These are highly pelagic birds with long, narrow wings and tube-shaped nostrils. They feed at sea on fish, squid and other marine life. They come to land to breed in colonies, nesting in burrows or on cliffs. There are about 77 species worldwide, 12 in Britain.
The storm-petrels are the smallest of seabirds, feeding on plankton and small fish picked from the surface, typically while hovering. They nest in colonies on the ground, most often in burrows. There are about 20 species worldwide, 6 in Britain.
One species in Britain, vagrant only
Gannets are large seabirds that plunge-dive for fish and nest in large colonies. They have a torpedo-shaped body, long, narrow, pointed wings and a fairly long tail. There are about 10 species worldwide with 2 in Britain.
Cormorants are medium to large aquatic birds with mainly dark plumage and areas of coloured skin on the face. The bill is long, thin, and sharply hooked for catching fish and aquatic invertebrates. They nest in colonies, usually by the sea. There are about 39 species worldwide, 3 in Britain.
2 species in Britain, both rarities.
Herons and egrets are medium to large wading birds with long necks and legs. Bitterns tend to be shorter-necked and more secretive. They all fly with their necks retracted. The sharp bill is used to catch fish, amphibians and other animals. Many species nest in colonies, often in trees. There are about 63 species worldwide, 15 in Britain.
Storks are large, heavy, long-legged, long-necked wading birds with long stout bills and wide wingspans. They fly with the neck extended. There are about 19 species worldwide with 2 occurring as vagrants in Britain.
A family of long-legged, long-necked wading birds. Ibises have long, curved bills. Spoonbils have a flattened bill, wider at the tip. There are about 33 species worldwide with 2 in Britain.
A family of birds of prey which includes hawks, buzzards, eagles, kites and harriers. These birds have very large powerful hooked beaks for tearing flesh from their prey, strong legs, powerful talons and keen eyesight. There are about 240 species worldwide, 20 in Britain.
A large fish-eating bird of prey belonging to a family of its own. It is mainly brown above and white below with long, angled wings.
A family of small to medium-sized, diurnal birds of prey with pointed wings. They do not build their own nests and mainly catch prey in the air. There are about 64 species worldwide, 10 in Britain.
These birds mainly occupy dense vegetation in damp environments near lakes, marshes, or rivers. Many are shy and secretive birds, difficult to observe. Most species have strong legs, and have long toes which are well adapted to soft, uneven surfaces. There are about 135 species worldwide, 13 in Britain.
Cranes are large, long-legged and long-necked birds. Unlike the similar-looking but unrelated herons, cranes fly with necks outstretched, not pulled back. Most have elaborate and noisy courting displays or "dances". There are about 15 species worldwide, 2 in Britain.
Large, sturdy birds of open plains with long legs and necks and strong feet. There are about 26 species worldwide, 3 in Britain. They are all rarities.
The oystercatchers are large, obvious and noisy wading birds with strong bills used for smashing or prising open molluscs. There are about 11 species worldwide with 1 in Britain.
A family of fairly large wading birds. The avocets have long legs and long up-curved bills. The stilts have extremely long legs and long, thin, straight bills. There are about 10 species worldwide with 2 in Britain.
A small family of medium to large waders with strong black bills, large yellow eyes and cryptic plumage. There are 9 species worldwide with 1 in Britain.
A family of slender, long-winged wading birds. There are 17 species worldwide, 4 in Britain.
Small to medium-sized wading birds with compact bodies, short, thick necks and long, usually pointed, wings. There are about 66 species worldwide, 16 in Britain.
A large, diverse family of wading birds. Different lengths of legs and bills enable different species to feed in the same habitat, particularly on the coast, without direct competition for food. There are about 89 species worldwide, 54 in Britain.
Medium to large seabirds with mainly grey or brown plumage, sharp claws and a hooked tip to the bill. They chase other seabirds to force them to drop their catches. There are about 7 species worldwide with 5 in Britain.
Black-headed Gull
Terns are slender seabirds with long, pointed wings, a pointed bill and a tail which is usually forked. There are about 44 species worldwide, 18 in Britain.
A family of seabirds which are superficially similar to penguins with their black-and-white colours, their upright posture and some of their habits but which are able to fly. There are about 23 species worldwide, 10 in Britain.
Sturdy, medium-sized birds with a small head and long, pointed wings. There are 16 species worldwide. 1 has occurred as a vagrant in Britain.
Pigeons and doves are stout-bodied birds with short necks and short slender bills with a fleshy cere. There are about 308 species worldwide, 7 in Britain.
Parrots are small to large birds with a characteristic curved beak shape. They are found mainly in areas with warm climates. There are about 347 species worldwide with 2 introduced species in Britain.
Birds of variable size with slender bodies and long tails. Some species are known for laying their eggs in the nests of other birds. There are about 141 species worldwide, 5 in Britain.
Barn owls are medium-sized to large owls with large heads and characteristic heart-shaped faces. They have long strong legs with powerful talons. There are about 16 species worldwide with 1 in Britain .
Typical owls are small to large solitary nocturnal birds of prey. They have large forward-facing eyes and ears, a hawk-like beak and a conspicuous circle of feathers around each eye called a facial disc. There are about 199 species worldwide, 9 in Britain.
Nightjars are medium-sized nocturnal birds with long wings, short legs and very short bills that usually nest on the ground. Their soft plumage is cryptically coloured to resemble bark or leaves. There are about 91 species worldwide, 4 in Britain.
The swifts are small aerial birds, spending the majority of their lives flying. These birds have very short legs and never settle voluntarily on the ground, perching instead only on vertical surfaces. There are about 100 species worldwide, 7 in Britain.
Kingfishers are medium sized birds with large heads, long pointed bills, short legs, and stubby tails. There are about 93 species worldwide, 2 in Britain.
A group of near-passerine birds characterised by richly-coloured plumage, slender bodies and usually elongated central tail-feathers. There are about 26 species worldwide, 2 in Britain.
A small family of colourful, medium-sized birds with a crow-like shape that feed mainly on insects. There are about 12 species worldwide with 1 in Britain and Wales.
A distinctive bird in its own family with a long curved bill, a crest and black-and-white striped wings and tail.
Woodpeckers are small to medium-sized birds with chisel-like beaks, short legs, stiff tails and long tongues used for capturing insects. Many woodpeckers have the habit of tapping noisily on tree trunks with their beaks. There are about 219 species worldwide, 5 in Britain.
A family from the Americas with 4 very rare vagrants recorded in Britain.
Larks are small terrestrial birds with often extravagant songs and display flights. Most larks are fairly dull in appearance. Their food is insects and seeds. There are about 96 species worldwide, 10 in Britain.
A group of passerines characterized by their adaptation to aerial feeding. Their adaptations include a slender streamlined body, long pointed wings and short bills with wide gape. There are about 83 species worldwide, 8 in Britain.
The Motacillidae are a family of small passerine birds with medium to long tails. They are slender, ground-feeding insectivores of open country. There are about 66 species worldwide, 15 in Britain.
The waxwings are a group of passerine birds characterised by soft, silky plumage and unique red tips to some of the wing feathers. There are 3 species worldwide, 2 in Britain.
Dark, dumpy, aquatic birds that are able to forage for food on the beds of rivers. There are 5 species worldwide with 1 in Britain.
Wrens are small and inconspicuous birds, except for their loud songs. They have short wings and a thin down-turned bill. There are about 80 species worldwide with one in Britain.
Wren at the nest.
Medium-sized passerine birds with long tails. Some are notable for their ability to mimic sounds such as other birds' songs. There are about 35 species worldwide. Three have occurred as vagrants in Britain.
A small family of drab, unobtrusive, insectivorous birds with thin, pointed bills. There are 13 species worldwide with two recorded in Britain.
The thrushes and chats are plump, soft-plumaged, small to medium-sized insectivores or sometimes omnivores, often feeding on the ground. Many have attractive songs. There are about 331 species worldwide including the chats, 44 in Britain.
A group of small, insectivorous passerine birds. Most are of generally undistinguished appearance, but many have distinctive songs. There are about 408 species worldwide, 50 in Britain.
A family of very small birds. There are 7 species worldwide with 2 in Britain.
The flycatchers are small birds that fly out from a perch to catch insects in the air. There are about 120 species worldwide, 6 in Britain.
Babblers are a large and varied group of small to medium-sized passerine birds. There are about 294 species worldwide including the parrotbills with 1 in Britain.
Small, long-tailed birds that typically live in flocks for much of the year. There are 8 species worldwide with 1 in Britain.
Small birds with finely-pointed bills that build purse-like nests hanging from a branch. There are about 13 species worldwide with 1 in Britain.
Tits are mainly small, stocky, woodland species with short stout bills. They are adaptable birds, with a mixed diet including seeds and insects. There are about 59 species worldwide, 6 in Britain.
One species, in its own family, a visitor to Britain.
Nuthatches are small woodland birds with the unusual ability to climb down trees head-first, unlike other birds which can only go upwards. There are about 24 species worldwide, 2 in Britain.
Treecreepers are small woodland birds, brown above and white below. They have thin, pointed, down-curved bills, which they use to extricate insects from bark. There are 7 species worldwide, 2 in Britain.
The orioles are medium-sized passerines, mostly with bright and showy plumage, the females often duller plumage than the males The beak is long, slightly curved and hooked. Orioles are arboreal and tend to feed in the canopy. There are 27 species worldwide, one of which has been recorded in Great Britain.
Shrikes are passerine birds known for their habit of catching other birds and small animals and impaling the uneaten portions of their bodies on thorns. A typical shrike's beak is hooked, like a bird of prey. There are about 30 species worldwide, 9 in Britain.
The crows and their relatives are fairly large birds with strong bills and are usually intelligent and adaptable. There are about 119 species worldwide with 9 in Britain.
Starlings are small to medium-sized passerine birds with strong feet. Their flight is strong and direct and most are very gregarious.There are about 114 species worldwide with two in Britain.
Sparrows tend to be small, plump, brownish or greyish birds with short tails and short, powerful beaks. They are seed-eaters and they also consume small insects. There are about 38 species worldwide, 4 in Britain.
The vireos are a group of small to medium sized passerine birds restricted to the New World. There are about 52 species worldwide. 3 have occurred as vagrants in Britain.
Seed-eating passerine birds that are small to moderately large and have a strong beak, usually conical and in some species very large. There are about 176 species worldwide, 22 in Britain.
The tanagers are a large group of small to medium-sized passerine birds restricted to the New World, mainly in the tropics. Many species are brightly coloured. There are about 226 species worldwide. 2 have occurred as vagrants in Britain.
Common Yellowthroat
A group of small, often colourful passerine birds restricted to the New World. Most are arboreal and insectivorous. There are about 118 species worldwide. 18 have occurred as vagrants in Britain.
The Emberizidae are a large family of seed-eating passerine birds with a distinctively-shaped bill. There are about 372 species worldwide, 27 in Britain.
Three A rare vagrants.
The links above lead to family accounts and individual species. Taxonomy is very fluid in the age of DNA analysis, so other arrangements may be found, as in Sibley-Ahlquist taxonomy.
The BOU uses the following categories for British bird species:[2]
- A: species which have been recorded in an apparently natural state at least once since January 1, 1950.
- B: species which were recorded in an apparently natural state at least once up to December 31, 1949, but have not been recorded subsequently.
- C: species that, although originally introduced by man, either deliberately or accidentally, have established breeding populations derived from introduced stock, that maintain themselves without necessary recourse to further introduction.
- D: species that would otherwise appear in Categories A or B except that there is reasonable doubt that they have ever occurred in a natural state.
- E: species that have been recorded as introductions, transportees or escapees from captivity, and whose breeding populations (if any) are thought not to be self sustaining.
Species listed as rare here are those for a full description is required for acceptance of the record by the British Birds Rarities Committee. Other species have an indication of their breeding and wintering status in Great Britain.
Because of its mild winters, Great Britain has a considerable population of wintering species, particularly ducks, geese and swans. There are also a number of species, such as Oystercatcher, which are resident in this island, but migrants elsewhere. Also because of its position, Britain receives a number of vagrants from Asia and North America. Some American gulls, ducks and waders are regular enough not to be considered rare. These include Ring-billed Gull, Surf Scoter and Pectoral Sandpiper; 150 of the latter species were found in Britain in the record month of September 2003, with a further 40 in Ireland.
[edit] Ducks, geese and swans
Order: Anseriformes. Family: AnatidaeThe swans, ducks and geese are medium to large birds that are modified for an aquatic existence with webbed feet and bills which are flattened to a greater or lesser extent. In many ducks the male is colourful while the female is dull brown. The diet consists of a variety of animals and plants. The family is well-represented in Britain, especially in winter when large numbers visit from Greenland, Scandinavia and Russia. There are about 160 species worldwide with 57 in Britain.
| Common name | Binomial | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Mute Swan | Cygnus olor | A & C resident breeding species |
| Tundra Swan (Bewick's Swan) | Cygnus columbianus | A winter visitor |
| Whooper Swan | Cygnus cygnus | A winter visitor |
| Bean Goose | Anser fabalis | A winter visitor |
| Pink-footed Goose | Anser brachyrhynchus | A winter visitor |
| Greater White-fronted Goose | Anser albifrons | A winter visitor |
| Lesser White-fronted Goose | Anser erythropus | A rare vagrant |
| Greylag Goose | Anser anser | A & C resident wild and feral populations, winter visitor |
| Snow Goose | Anser caerulescens | A & C resident introduced population, some wild vagrants |
| Greater Canada Goose | Branta canadensis | A & C resident introduced population, some wild vagrants |
| Lesser Canada Goose | Branta hutchinsii | A rare vagrant |
| Barnacle Goose | Branta leucopsis | A winter visitor |
| Brent Goose | Branta bernicla | A winter visitor |
| Red-breasted Goose | Branta ruficollis | A rare vagrant |
| Egyptian Goose | Alopochen aegyptiaca | C resident introduced population |
| Ruddy Shelduck | Tadorna ferruginea | B Records since 1946 are presumed escapes from captivity |
| Common Shelduck | Tadorna tadorna | A resident breeder and winter visitor |
| Mandarin Duck | Aix galericulata | C resident introduced population |
| Eurasian Wigeon | Anas penelope | A resident breeder and winter visitor |
| American Wigeon | Anas americana | A rare vagrant |
| Gadwall | Anas strepera | A & C resident breeder and winter visitor |
| Baikal Teal | Anas formosa | A rare vagrant |
| Eurasian Teal | Anas crecca | A resident breeder and winter visitor |
| Green-winged Teal | Anas carolinensis | A scarce migrant |
| Falcated Teal | Anas falcata | A rare vagrant |
| Mallard | Anas platyrhynchos | A & C resident breeder, winter visitor, and naturalised releases |
| American Black Duck | Anas rubripes | A rare vagrant |
| Northern Pintail | Anas acuta | A resident breeder and winter visitor |
| Garganey | Anas querquedula | A breeding summer visitor |
| Blue-winged Teal | Anas discors | A rare vagrant |
| Northern Shoveler | Anas clypeata | A resident breeder and winter visitor |
| Red-crested Pochard | Netta rufina | A & C scarce migrant and introduced breeder |
| Common Pochard | Aythya ferina | A resident breeder and winter visitor |
| Redhead | Aythya americana | A rare vagrant |
| Canvasback | Aythya valisineria | A rare vagrant |
| Ring-necked Duck | Aythya collaris | A scarce migrant |
| Ferruginous Duck | Aythya nyroca | A scarce migrant |
| Tufted Duck | Aythya fuligula | A resident breeder and winter visitor |
| Greater Scaup | Aythya marila | A winter visitor and occasional breeder |
| Lesser Scaup | Aythya affinis | A rare vagrant |
| Common Eider | Somateria mollissima | A resident breeder and winter visitor |
| King Eider | Somateria spectabilis | A rare vagrant |
| Steller's Eider | Polysticta stelleri | A rare vagrant |
| Harlequin Duck | Histrionicus histrionicus | A rare vagrant |
| Long-tailed Duck | Clangula hyemalis | A winter visitor and occasional breeder |
| Common Scoter | Melanitta nigra | A resident breeder and winter visitor |
| Black Scoter | Melanitta americana | A rare vagrant |
| Surf Scoter | Melanitta perspicillata | A scarce migrant |
| Velvet Scoter | Melanitta fusca | A winter visitor |
| Bufflehead | Bucephala albeola | A rare vagrant |
| Barrow's Goldeneye | Bucephala islandica | A rare vagrant |
| Common Goldeneye | Bucephala clangula | A resident breeder and winter visitor |
| Smew | Mergellus albellus | A winter visitor |
| Hooded Merganser | Lophodytes cucullatus | A rare vagrant |
| Red-breasted Merganser | Mergus serrator | A resident breeder and winter visitor |
| Goosander | Mergus merganser | A resident breeder and winter visitor |
| Ruddy Duck | Oxyura jamaicensis | C: introduced species currently subject to an eradication programme |
[edit] Grouse
Order: Galliformes. Family: Tetraonidae
| Common name | Binomial | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Red Grouse | Lagopus lagopus | A resident breeding species |
| Ptarmigan | Lagopus muta | A resident breeding species |
| Black Grouse | Tetrao tetrix | A resident breeding species |
| Western Capercaillie | Tetrao urogallus | B & C resident reintroduced population |
[edit] Pheasants, partridges and quail
Order: Galliformes. Family: PhasianidaeThese are terrestrial species, feeding and nesting on the ground. They are variable in size but generally plump, with broad and relatively short wings. There are about 155 species worldwide with 6 in Britain. 4 of these were introduced for hunting or ornamental purposes but 2 have now apparently died out.
| Common name | Binomial | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Red-legged Partridge | Alectoris rufa | C resident introduced population |
| Grey Partridge | Perdix perdix | A & C resident breeder and introduction |
| Common Quail | Coturnix coturnix | A breeding summer visitor |
| Common Pheasant | Phasianus colchicus | C resident introduced population |
| Golden Pheasant | Chrysolophus pictus | C resident introduced population |
| Lady Amherst's Pheasant | Chrysolophus amherstiae | C resident introduced population |
[edit] Divers
Order: Gaviiformes. Family: GaviidaeDivers are aquatic birds the size of a large duck, to which they are unrelated. They swim well, and fly adequately but, because their legs are placed towards the rear of the body, are almost hopeless on land. They feed on fish and other aquatic animals. There are 5 species worldwide with 5 in Britain.
| Common name | Binomial | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Red-throated Diver | Gavia stellata | A resident breeder and winter visitor |
| Black-throated Diver | Gavia arctica | A resident breeder and winter visitor |
| Pacific Diver | Gavia pacifica | A rare vagrant |
| Great Northern Diver | Gavia immer | A winter visitor |
| Yellow-billed Diver | Gavia adamsii | A rare vagrant |
[edit] Grebes
Order: Podicipediformes. Family: PodicipedidaeGrebes are small to medium-large diving birds with lobed toes and pointed bills. They are seen mainly on lowland waterbodies and coasts. They feed on aquatic animals and nest on a floating platform of vegetation. There are about 19 species worldwide with 6 in Britain.
| Common name | Binomial | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Pied-billed Grebe | Podilymbus podiceps | A rare vagrant |
| Little Grebe | Tachybaptus ruficollis | A resident breeder and winter visitor |
| Great Crested Grebe | Podiceps cristatus | A resident breeder and winter visitor |
| Red-necked Grebe | Podiceps grisegena | A winter visitor, has bred |
| Slavonian Grebe | Podiceps auritus | A resident breeder and winter visitor |
| Black-necked Grebe | Podiceps nigricollis | A resident breeder and winter visitor |
[edit] Albatrosses
Order: Procellariiformes. Family: DiomedeidaeThe albatrosses are among the largest flying birds with long, narrow wings for gliding. The majority are found in the Southern Hemisphere with only vagrants occurring in the North Atlantic. There are at least 13 species worldwide with 2 in Britain.
| Common name | Binomial | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Black-browed Albatross | Thalassarche melanophris | A rare vagrant |
| Atlantic Yellow-nosed Albatross | Thalassarche chlororhynchos | A rare vagrant |
[edit] Shearwaters and petrels
Order: Procellariiformes. Family: ProcellariidaeThese are highly pelagic birds with long, narrow wings and tube-shaped nostrils. They feed at sea on fish, squid and other marine life. They come to land to breed in colonies, nesting in burrows or on cliffs. There are about 77 species worldwide, 12 in Britain.
| Common name | Binomial | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Northern Fulmar | Fulmarus glacialis | A resident and migrant breeder, passage migrant |
| Cape Petrel | Daption capense | A rare vagrant |
| Southern Giant Petrel | Macronectes giganteus | A rare vagrant |
| Fea's Petrel | Pterodroma feae | A rare vagrant |
| Capped Petrel | Pterodroma hasitata | B rare vagrant |
| Bulwer's Petrel | Bulweria bulwerii | A rare vagrant |
| Cory's Shearwater | Calonectis diomedea | A scarce migrant |
| Great Shearwater | Puffinus gravis | A passage migrant |
| Sooty Shearwater | Puffinus griseus | A passage migrant |
| Manx Shearwater | Puffinus puffinus | A breeding summer visitor |
| Balearic Shearwater | Puffinus mauretanicus | A passage migrant |
| Macaronesian Shearwater | Puffinus baroli | A rare vagran |
Storm petrels
Order: Procellariiformes. Family: HydrobatidaeThe storm-petrels are the smallest of seabirds, feeding on plankton and small fish picked from the surface, typically while hovering. They nest in colonies on the ground, most often in burrows. There are about 20 species worldwide, 6 in Britain.
| Common name | Binomial | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Wilson's Storm Petrel | Oceanites oceanicus | A rare vagrant, more regularly seen well offshore |
| White-faced Storm Petrel | Pelagodroma marina | B rare vagrant |
| European Storm Petrel | Hydrobates pelagicus | A breeding summer visitor |
| Leach's Storm Petrel | Oceanodroma leucorhea | A breeding summer visitor |
| Swinhoe's Storm Petrel | Oceanodroma monorhis | A rare vagrant |
| Band-rumped Storm Petrel | Oceanodromacastro | B rare vagrant |
Tropicbirds
Order: Pelecaniformes. Family: PhaethontidaeOne species in Britain, vagrant only
| Common name | Binomial | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Red-billed Tropicbird | Phaethon aethereus | A rare vagrant |
Gannets
Order: Pelecaniformes. Family: SulidaeGannets are large seabirds that plunge-dive for fish and nest in large colonies. They have a torpedo-shaped body, long, narrow, pointed wings and a fairly long tail. There are about 10 species worldwide with 2 in Britain.
| Common name | Binomial | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Northern Gannet | Morus bassanus | A breeding summer visitor and passage migrant |
| Cape Gannet | Morus capensis | A rare visitor |
Cormorants
Order: Pelecaniformes. Family: PhalacrocoracidaeCormorants are medium to large aquatic birds with mainly dark plumage and areas of coloured skin on the face. The bill is long, thin, and sharply hooked for catching fish and aquatic invertebrates. They nest in colonies, usually by the sea. There are about 39 species worldwide, 3 in Britain.
| Common name | Binomial | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Great Cormorant | Phalacrocorax carbo | A resident breeding species |
| Double-crested Cormorant | Phalacrocorax auritus | A rare vagrant |
| European Shag | Phalacrocorax aristotelis | A resident breeding species |
Frigatebirds
Order: Pelecaniformes. Family: Fregatidae2 species in Britain, both rarities.
| Common name | Binomial | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Ascension Frigatebird | Fregata aquila | A rare vagrant |
| Magnificent Frigatebird | Fregata magnificens | A rare vagrant |
Bitterns, herons and egrets
Order: Ciconiiformes. Family: ArdeidaeHerons and egrets are medium to large wading birds with long necks and legs. Bitterns tend to be shorter-necked and more secretive. They all fly with their necks retracted. The sharp bill is used to catch fish, amphibians and other animals. Many species nest in colonies, often in trees. There are about 63 species worldwide, 15 in Britain.
| Common name | Binomial | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Great Bittern | Botaurus stellata | A resident breeding species and winter migrant |
| American Bittern | Botaurus lentiginosa | A rare vagrant |
| Little Bittern | Ixobrychus minutus | A rare vagrant, recently bred |
| Least Bittern | Ixobrychus exilis | A rare vagrant |
| Black-crowned Night Heron | Nycticorax nycticorax | A rare vagrant |
| Green Heron | Butorides virescens | A rare vagrant |
| Striated Heron | Butorides striatus | A rare vagrant |
| Squacco Heron | Ardeola ralloides | A rare vagrant |
| Cattle Egret | Bubulcus ibis | A rare vagrant, recently bred |
| Little Egret | Egretta garzetta | A resident breeding species and passage migrant |
| Snowy Egret | Egretta thula | A rare vagrant |
| Great Egret | Ardea alba | A rare vagrant |
| Grey Heron | Ardea cinerea | A resident breeding species and winter migrant |
| Great Blue Heron | Ardea herodias | A rare vagrant |
| Purple Heron | Ardea purpurea | A scarce migrant, recently bred |
Storks
Order: Ciconiiformes. Family: CiconiidaeStorks are large, heavy, long-legged, long-necked wading birds with long stout bills and wide wingspans. They fly with the neck extended. There are about 19 species worldwide with 2 occurring as vagrants in Britain.
| Common name | Binomial | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Black Stork | Ciconia nigra | A rare vagrant |
| White Stork | Ciconia ciconia | A scarce migrant, formerly bred |
Ibises and spoonbills
Order: Ciconiiformes. Family: ThreskiornithidaeA family of long-legged, long-necked wading birds. Ibises have long, curved bills. Spoonbils have a flattened bill, wider at the tip. There are about 33 species worldwide with 2 in Britain.
| Common name | Binomial | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Glossy Ibis | Plegadis falcinellus | A rare vagrant |
| Common Spoonbill | Platalea leucorodia | A scarce migrant, recently bred |
Buzzards, kites and allies
Order: Falconiformes. Family: AccipitridaeA family of birds of prey which includes hawks, buzzards, eagles, kites and harriers. These birds have very large powerful hooked beaks for tearing flesh from their prey, strong legs, powerful talons and keen eyesight. There are about 240 species worldwide, 20 in Britain.
| Common name | Binomial | Status |
|---|---|---|
| European Honey-buzzard | Pernis apivorus | A breeding summer visitor and passage migrant |
| Black-winged Kite | Elanus caeruleus | A rare vagrant |
| Black Kite | Milvus migrans | A scarce migrant |
| Red Kite | Milvus milvus | A & C resident breeder and widespread introductions |
| White-tailed Eagle | Haliaeetus albicilla | A & C resident breeder and widespread introductions |
| Bald Eagle | Haliaeetus leucocephalus | A rare vagrant |
| Egyptian Vulture | Neophron percnopterus | B rare vagrant |
| Short-toed Snake Eagle | Circaetus gallicus | A rare vagrant |
| Western Marsh Harrier | Circus aeruginosus | A resident breeder and passage migrant |
| Hen Harrier | Circus cyaneus | A resident breeder, winter visitor and passage migrant |
| Northern Harrier | Circus hudsonius | A rare vagrant |
| Pallid Harrier | Circus macrourus | A rare vagrant |
| Montagu's Harrier | Circus pygargus | A breeding summer visitor and passage migrant |
| Northern Goshawk | Accipiter gentilis | A & C resident breeder and naturalised escapes |
| Eurasian Sparrowhawk | Accipiter nisus | A resident breeder and passage migrant |
| Common Buzzard | Buteo buteo | A resident breeder and passage migrant |
| Rough-legged Buzzard | Buteo lagopus | A winter visitor |
| Greater Spotted Eagle | Aquila clanga | B rare vagrant |
| Golden Eagle | Aquila chrysaetos | A resident breeding species |
Osprey
Order: Falconiformes. Family: PandionidaeA large fish-eating bird of prey belonging to a family of its own. It is mainly brown above and white below with long, angled wings.
| Common name | Binomial | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Osprey | Pandion haliaetus | A breeding summer visitor |
Falcons
Order: Falconiformes. Family: FalconidaeA family of small to medium-sized, diurnal birds of prey with pointed wings. They do not build their own nests and mainly catch prey in the air. There are about 64 species worldwide, 10 in Britain.
| Common name | Binomial | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Lesser Kestrel | Falco naumanni | A rare vagrant |
| Common Kestrel | Falco tinnunculus | A resident breeding species |
| American Kestrel | Falco sparverius | A rare vagrant |
| Red-footed Falcon | Falco vespertinus | A rare vagrant |
| Amur Falcon | Falco amurensis | A rare vagrant |
| Merlin | Falco columbarius | A resident breeding species |
| (Eurasian) Hobby | Falco subbuteo | A breeding summer visitor |
| Eleonora's Falcon | Falco eleonorae | A rare vagrant |
| Gyr Falcon | Falco rusticolus | A rare vagrant |
| Peregrine Falcon | Falco peregrinus | A resident breeding species |
Rails, crakes and coots
Order: Gruiformes. Family: RallidaeThese birds mainly occupy dense vegetation in damp environments near lakes, marshes, or rivers. Many are shy and secretive birds, difficult to observe. Most species have strong legs, and have long toes which are well adapted to soft, uneven surfaces. There are about 135 species worldwide, 13 in Britain.
| Common name | Binomial | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Water Rail | Rallus aquaticus | A resident breeding species |
| Virginia Rail | Rallus limicola | A rare vagrant |
| Striped Crake | Aenigmatolimnas marginalis | A rare vagrant |
| Spotted Crake | Porzana porzana | A scarce summer visitor |
| Sora | Porzana carolina | A rare vagrant |
| Little Crake | Porzana parva | A rare vagrant |
| Baillon's Crake | Porzana pusilla | A rare vagrant |
| Corn Crake | Crex crex | A breeding summer visitor |
| Common Moorhen | Gallinula chloropus | A resident breeding species |
| Allen's Gallinule | Porphyrio alleni | A rare vagrant |
| American Purple Gallinule | Porphyrio martinica | A rare vagrant |
| Coot | Fulica atra | A resident breeding species |
| American Coot | Fulica americana | A rare vagrant |
Cranes
Order: Gruiformes. Family: GruidaeCranes are large, long-legged and long-necked birds. Unlike the similar-looking but unrelated herons, cranes fly with necks outstretched, not pulled back. Most have elaborate and noisy courting displays or "dances". There are about 15 species worldwide, 2 in Britain.
| Common name | Binomial | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Common Crane | Grus grus | A resident breeding species and passage migrant |
| Sandhill Crane | Grus americana | A rare vagrant |
Bustards
Order: Gruiformes. Family: OtididaeLarge, sturdy birds of open plains with long legs and necks and strong feet. There are about 26 species worldwide, 3 in Britain. They are all rarities.
| Common name | Binomial | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Little Bustard | Tetrax tetrax | A rare vagrant |
| Macqueen's Bustard | Chlamydotis macqueenii | B rare vagrant |
| Great Bustard | Otis tarda | A rare vagrant and recently reintroduced species |
Oystercatchers
Order: Charadriiformes. Family: HaematopodidaeThe oystercatchers are large, obvious and noisy wading birds with strong bills used for smashing or prising open molluscs. There are about 11 species worldwide with 1 in Britain.
| Common name | Binomial | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Common Pied Oystercatcher | Haematopus ostralegus | A resident breeding species |
Avocets and stilts
Order: Charadriiformes. Family: RecurvirostridaeA family of fairly large wading birds. The avocets have long legs and long up-curved bills. The stilts have extremely long legs and long, thin, straight bills. There are about 10 species worldwide with 2 in Britain.
| Common name | Binomial | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Black-winged Stilt | Himantopus himantopus | A rare vagrant and occasional breeder |
| Avocet | Recurvirostra avosetta | A resident breeding species |
Thick-knees
Order: Charadriiformes. Family: BurhinidaeA small family of medium to large waders with strong black bills, large yellow eyes and cryptic plumage. There are 9 species worldwide with 1 in Britain.
| Common name | Binomial | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Stone Curlew | Burhinus oedicnemus | A breeding summer visitor |
Pratincoles and coursers
Order: Charadriiformes. Family: GlareolidaeA family of slender, long-winged wading birds. There are 17 species worldwide, 4 in Britain.
| Common name | Binomial | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Cream-coloured Courser | Cursorius cursor | A rare vagrant |
| Collared Pratincole | Glareola pratincola | A rare vagrant |
| Oriental Pratincole | Glareola maldivarum | A rare vagrant |
| Black-winged Pratincole | Glareola nordmanni | A rare vagrant |
Plovers and lapwings
Order: Charadriiformes. Family: CharadriidaeSmall to medium-sized wading birds with compact bodies, short, thick necks and long, usually pointed, wings. There are about 66 species worldwide, 16 in Britain.
| Common name | Binomial | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Little Ringed Plover | Charadrius dubius | A breeding summer visitor |
| Ringed Plover | Charadrius hiaticula | A resident breeding species and summer visitor |
| Semipalmated Plover | Charadrius semipalmatus | A rare vagrant |
| Killdeer | Charadrius vociferus | A rare vagrant |
| Kentish Plover | Charadrius alexandrinus | A rare passage migrant |
| Lesser Sand Plover | Charadrius mongolus | A rare vagrant |
| Greater Sand Plover | Charadrius leschenaultii | A rare vagrant |
| Caspian Plover | Charadrius asiaticus | A rare vagrant |
| Eurasian Dotterel | Charadrius morinellus | A breeding summer visitor |
| American Golden Plover | Pluvialis dominica | A rare vagrant |
| Pacific Golden Plover | Pluvialis fulva | A rare vagrant |
| European Golden Plover | Pluvialis apricaria | A winter visitor and passage migrant |
| Grey Plover | Pluvialis squatarola | A winter visitor and passage migrant |
| Sociable Lapwing | Vanellus gregarius | A rare vagrant |
| White-tailed Lapwing | Vanellus leucurus | A rare vagrant |
| Lapwing | Vanellus vanellus | A resident breeding species |
Sandpipers and allies
Order: Charadriiformes. Family: ScolopacidaeA large, diverse family of wading birds. Different lengths of legs and bills enable different species to feed in the same habitat, particularly on the coast, without direct competition for food. There are about 89 species worldwide, 54 in Britain.
| Common name | Binomial | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Great Knot | Calidris tenuirostris | A rare vagrant |
| Red Knot | Calidris canutus | A winter visitor and passage migrant |
| Sanderling | Calidris alba | A winter visitor & passage migrant |
| Semipalmated Sandpiper | Calidris pusilla | A rare vagrant |
| Western Sandpiper | Calidris mauri | A rare vagrant |
| Red-necked Stint | Calidris ruficollis | A rare vagrant |
| Little Stint | Calidris minuta | A winter visitor & passage migrant |
| Temminck's Stint | Calidris temminckii | A winter visitor & passage migrant |
| Long-toed Stint | Calidris subminuta | A rare vagrant |
| Least Sandpiper | Calidris minutilla | A rare vagrant |
| White-rumped Sandpiper | Calidris fuscicollis | A rare vagrant |
| Baird's Sandpiper | Calidris bairdii | A rare vagrant |
| Pectoral Sandpiper | Calidris melanotos | A winter visitor & passage migrant |
| Sharp-tailed Sandpiper | Calidris acuminata | A rare vagrant |
| Curlew Sandpiper | Calidris ferruginea | A winter visitor and passage migrant |
| Stilt Sandpiper | Calidris himantopus | A rare vagrant |
| Purple Sandpiper | Calidris maritima | A winter visitor & passage migrant |
| Dunlin | Calidris alpina | A winter visitor and passage migrant |
| Broad-billed Sandpiper | Limicola falcinellus | A rare vagrant |
| Buff-breasted Sandpiper | Tryngites subruficollis | A passage migrant |
| Ruff | Philomachus pugnax | A passage migrant and scarce breeding resident |
| Jack Snipe | Lymnocryptes minimus | A winter visitor & passage migrant |
| Common Snipe | Gallinago gallinago | A resident breeding species and summer visitor |
| Wilson's Snipe | Gallinago delicata | A rare vagrant |
| Great Snipe | Gallinago media | A rare vagrant |
| Short-billed Dowitcher | Limnodromus griseus | A rare vagrant |
| Long-billed Dowitcher | Limnodromus scolopaceus | A rare vagrant |
| Woodcock | Scolopax rusticola | A resident breeding species |
| Black-tailed Godwit | Limosa limosa | A winter visitor, passage migrant and scarce summer breeding species |
| Hudsonian Godwit | Limosa haemastica | A rare vagrant |
| Bar-tailed Godwit | Limosa lapponica | A winter visitor & passage migrant |
| Little Curlew | Numenius minutus | A rare vagrant |
| Eskimo Curlew | Numenius borealis | B (extinct) |
| Whimbrel | Numenius phaeopus | A breeding summer visitor |
| Slender-billed Curlew | Numenius tenuirostris | A rare vagrant |
| Curlew | Numenius arquata | A resident breeding species |
| Upland Sandpiper | Bartramia longicauda | A rare vagrant |
| Spotted Redshank | Tringa erythropus | A winter visitor and passage migrant |
| Common Redshank | Tringa totanus | A resident breeding species |
| Marsh Sandpiper | Tringa stagnatilis | A rare vagrant |
| Common Greenshank | Tringa nebularia | A resident breeding species and passage migrant |
| Greater Yellowlegs | Tringa melanoleuca | A rare vagrant |
| Lesser Yellowlegs | Tringa flavipes | A rare vagrant |
| Solitary Sandpiper | Tringa solitaria | A rare vagrant |
| Green Sandpiper | Tringa ochropus | A winter visitor & passage migrant |
| Wood Sandpiper | Tringa glareola | A passage migrant & rare localised breeder in far North |
| Terek Sandpiper | Xenus cinereus | A rare vagrant |
| Common Sandpiper | Actitis hypoleucos | A resident breeding species and passage migrant |
| Spotted Sandpiper | Actitis macularius | A rare vagrant |
| Grey-tailed Tattler | Heterosceles brevipes | A rare vagrant |
| Turnstone | Arenaria interpres | A resident breeding species |
| Wilson's Phalarope | Phalaropus tricolor | A rare vagrant |
| Red-necked Phalarope | Phalaropus lobatus | A winter visitor: scarce & localised summer breeding in far North |
| Grey Phalarope | Phalaropus fulicaria | A scarce winter visitor |
Skuas
Order: Charadriiformes. Family: StercorariidaeMedium to large seabirds with mainly grey or brown plumage, sharp claws and a hooked tip to the bill. They chase other seabirds to force them to drop their catches. There are about 7 species worldwide with 5 in Britain.
| Common name | Binomial | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Pomarine Skua | Stercorarius pomarinus | A passage migrant |
| Arctic Skua | Stercorarius parasiticus | A passage migrant and localised summer breeder |
| Long-tailed Skua | Stercorarius longicaudus | A passage migrant |
| South Polar Skua | Stercorarius maccormicki | A rare vagrant |
| Great Skua | Stercorarius skua | A passage migrant and localised summer breeder |
Gulls
Order: Charadriiformes. Family: Laridae Medium to large seabirds with grey, white and black plumage, webbed feet and strong bills. Many are opportunistic and adaptable feeders. There are about 56 species worldwide, 24 in Britain.
| Common name | Binomial | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Great Black-headed Gull | Larus ichthyaetus | B rare vagrant |
| Mediterranean Gull | Larus melanocephalus | A breeding summer visitor |
| Laughing Gull | Larus atricilla | A rare vagrant |
| Franklin's Gull | Larus pipixcan | A rare vagrant |
| Little Gull | Larus minutus | A winter visitor |
| Sabine's Gull | Larus sabini | A scarce winter visitor |
| Bonaparte's Gull | Larus philadelphia | A rare vagrant |
| Black-headed Gull | Larus ridibundus | A resident breeding species |
| Slender-billed Gull | Larus genei | A rare vagrant |
| Audouin's Gull | Larus audouinii | A rare vagrant |
| Ring-billed Gull | Larus delawarensis | A scarce winter visitor & passage migrant |
| Common Gull | Larus canus | A resident breeding species, winter visitor & passage migrant |
| Lesser Black-backed Gull | Larus fuscus | A resident breeding species and passage migrant |
| Yellow-legged Gull | Larus michahellis | A non-breeding late-summer visitor and passage migrant |
| European Herring Gull | Larus argentatus | A resident breeding species |
| Caspian Gull | Larus cachinnans | A rare winter visitor |
| American Herring Gull | Larus smithsonianus | A rare vagrant |
| Iceland Gull | Larus glaucoides | A rare winter visitor |
| Glaucous-winged Gull | Larus glaucescens | A rare vagrant |
| Glaucous Gull | Larus hyperboreus | A rare winter visitor |
| Great Black-backed Gull | Larus marinus | A resident breeding species and passage migrant |
| Ross's Gull | Rhodostethia rosea | A rare vagrant |
| Black-legged Kittiwake | Rissa tridactyla | A breeding summer visitor and resident species |
| Ivory Gull | Pagophila eburnea | A rare vagrant |
Terns
Order: Charadriiformes. Family: SternidaeTerns are slender seabirds with long, pointed wings, a pointed bill and a tail which is usually forked. There are about 44 species worldwide, 18 in Britain.
| Common name | Binomial | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Gull-billed Tern | Gelochelidon nilotica | A rare vagrant |
| Caspian Tern | Hydroprogne caspia | A rare vagrant |
| Royal Tern | Sterna maximus | A rare vagrant |
| Lesser Crested Tern | Sterna bengalensis | A rare vagrant |
| Sandwich Tern | Sterna sandvicensis | A breeding summer visitor |
| Elegant Tern | Sterna elegans | A rare vagrant |
| Roseate Tern | Sterna dougallii | A scarce breeding summer visitor |
| Common Tern | Sterna hirundo | A breeding summer visitor |
| Arctic Tern | Sterna paradisaea | A breeding summer visitor |
| Forster's Tern | Sterna forsteri | A rare vagrant |
| Aleutian Tern | Onychoprion aleutica | A rare vagrant |
| Bridled Tern | Onychoprion anaethetus | A rare vagrant |
| Sooty Tern | Onychoprion fuscata | A rare vagrant |
| Little Tern | Sternula albifrons | A breeding summer visitor |
| Least Tern | Sternula antillarum | A rare vagrant |
| Whiskered Tern | Chlidonias hybridus | A rare vagrant |
| Black Tern | Chlidonias niger | A rare vagrant |
| White-winged Tern | Chlidonias leucopterus | A rare vagrant |
Auks
Order: Charadriiformes. Family: AlcidaeA family of seabirds which are superficially similar to penguins with their black-and-white colours, their upright posture and some of their habits but which are able to fly. There are about 23 species worldwide, 10 in Britain.
| Common name | Binomial | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Common Guillemot | Uria aalge | A breeding summer visitor and resident species |
| Brunnich's Guillemot | Uria lomvia | A rare vagrant |
| Razorbill | Alca torda | A breeding summer visitor and resident species |
| Great Auk | Pinguinus impennis | B (extinct) |
| Black Guillemot | Cepphus grylle | A resident localised breeding species |
| Long-billed Murrelet | Brachyramphus perdix | A rare vagrant |
| Ancient Murrelet | Synthliboramphus antiquus | A rare vagrant |
| Little Auk | Alle alle | A rare winter visitor |
| Atlantic Puffin | Fratercula arctica | A breeding summer visitor |
| Tufted Puffin | Fratercula cirrhata | A rare vagrant |
Sandgrouse
Order: Pterocliformes. Family: PteroclididaeSturdy, medium-sized birds with a small head and long, pointed wings. There are 16 species worldwide. 1 has occurred as a vagrant in Britain.
| Common name | Binomial | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Pallas's Sandgrouse | Syrrhaptes paradoxus | A rare vagrant |
Pigeons and doves
Order: Columbiformes. Family: ColumbidaePigeons and doves are stout-bodied birds with short necks and short slender bills with a fleshy cere. There are about 308 species worldwide, 7 in Britain.
| Common name | Binomial | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Rock Pigeon or Feral Pigeon | Columba livia | A & C Resident, most birds are of feral origin |
| Stock Dove | Columba oenas | A resident breeding species |
| Wood Pigeon | Columba palumbus | A resident breeding species |
| Collared Dove | Streptopelia decaocto | A resident breeding species |
| Turtle Dove | Streptopelia turtur | A breeding summer visitor |
| Oriental Turtle Dove | Streptopelia orientalis | A rare vagrant |
| Mourning Dove | Zenaida macroura | A rare vagrant |
Parrots
Order: Psittaciformes. Family: PsittacidaeParrots are small to large birds with a characteristic curved beak shape. They are found mainly in areas with warm climates. There are about 347 species worldwide with 2 introduced species in Britain.
| Common name | Binomial | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Ring-necked Parakeet | Psittacula krameri | C resident introduced population |
| Monk Parakeet | Myiopsitta monachus | C resident introduced population planned eradication |
Cuckoos
Order: Cuculiformes. Family: CuculidaeBirds of variable size with slender bodies and long tails. Some species are known for laying their eggs in the nests of other birds. There are about 141 species worldwide, 5 in Britain.
| Common name | Binomial | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Great Spotted Cuckoo | Clamator glandarius | A rare vagrant |
| Common Cuckoo | Cuculus canorus | A breeding summer visitor |
| Oriental Cuckoo | Cuculus optatus | A rare vagrant |
| Black-billed Cuckoo | Coccyzus erythropthalmus | A rare vagrant |
| Yellow-billed Cuckoo | Coccyzus americanus | A rare vagrant |
Barn owls
Order: Strigiformes. Family: TytonidaeBarn owls are medium-sized to large owls with large heads and characteristic heart-shaped faces. They have long strong legs with powerful talons. There are about 16 species worldwide with 1 in Britain .
| Common name | Binomial | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Barn Owl | Tyto alba | A resident breeding species |
Typical owls
Order: Strigiformes. Family: StrigidaeTypical owls are small to large solitary nocturnal birds of prey. They have large forward-facing eyes and ears, a hawk-like beak and a conspicuous circle of feathers around each eye called a facial disc. There are about 199 species worldwide, 9 in Britain.
| Common name | Binomial | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Scops Owl | Otus scops | A rare vagrant |
| Eurasian Eagle Owl | Bubo bubo | A rare vagrant, recently bred |
| Snowy Owl | Bubo scandiacus | A rare vagrant, has bred Shetland Islands |
| Northern Hawk-Owl | Surnia ulula | A rare vagrant |
| Little Owl | Athene noctua | C resident introduced population |
| Tawny Owl | Strix aluco | A resident breeding species |
| Long-eared Owl | Asio otus | A scarce resident breeding species |
| Short-eared Owl | Asio flammeus | A resident breeding species or winter visitor |
| Tengmalm's Owl | Aegolius funereus | A rare vagrant |
Nightjars
Order: Caprimulgiformes. Family: CaprimulgidaeNightjars are medium-sized nocturnal birds with long wings, short legs and very short bills that usually nest on the ground. Their soft plumage is cryptically coloured to resemble bark or leaves. There are about 91 species worldwide, 4 in Britain.
| Common name | Binomial | Status |
|---|---|---|
| European Nightjar | Caprimulgus europaeus | A breeding summer visitor |
| Red-necked Nightjar | Caprimulgus ruficollis | A rare vagrant |
| Egyptian Nightjar | Caprimulgus aegyptius | A rare vagrant |
| Common Nighthawk | Chordeiles minor | A rare vagrant |
Swifts
Order: Apodiformes. Family: ApodidaeThe swifts are small aerial birds, spending the majority of their lives flying. These birds have very short legs and never settle voluntarily on the ground, perching instead only on vertical surfaces. There are about 100 species worldwide, 7 in Britain.
| Common name | Binomial | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Chimney Swift | Chaetura pelagica | A rare vagrant |
| Needle-tailed Swift | Hirundapus caudacutus | A rare vagrant |
| Common Swift | Apus apus | A breeding summer visitor |
| Pallid Swift | Apus pallidus | A rare vagrant |
| Pacific Swift | Apus pacificus | A rare vagrant |
| Alpine Swift | Apus melba | A rare vagrant |
| Little Swift | Apus affinis | A rare vagrant |
Kingfishers
Order: Coraciiformes. Family: AlcedinidaeKingfishers are medium sized birds with large heads, long pointed bills, short legs, and stubby tails. There are about 93 species worldwide, 2 in Britain.
| Common name | Binomial | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Common Kingfisher | Alcedo atthis | A resident breeding species |
| Belted Kingfisher | Ceryle alcyon | A rare vagrant |
Bee-eaters
Order: Coraciiformes. Family: MeropidaeA group of near-passerine birds characterised by richly-coloured plumage, slender bodies and usually elongated central tail-feathers. There are about 26 species worldwide, 2 in Britain.
| Common name | Binomial | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Blue-cheeked Bee-eater | Merops persicus | A rare vagrant |
| European Bee-eater | Merops apiaster | A scarce summer visitor - occasional breeder |
Rollers
Order: Coraciiformes. Family: CoraciidaeA small family of colourful, medium-sized birds with a crow-like shape that feed mainly on insects. There are about 12 species worldwide with 1 in Britain and Wales.
| Common name | Binomial | Status |
|---|---|---|
| European Roller | Coracias garrulus | A rare vagrant |
Hoopoe
Order: Coraciiformes. Family: UpupidaeA distinctive bird in its own family with a long curved bill, a crest and black-and-white striped wings and tail.
| Common name | Binomial | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Hoopoe | Upupa epops | A scarce summer visitor, occasional breeder |
Woodpeckers
Order: Piciformes. Family: PicidaeWoodpeckers are small to medium-sized birds with chisel-like beaks, short legs, stiff tails and long tongues used for capturing insects. Many woodpeckers have the habit of tapping noisily on tree trunks with their beaks. There are about 219 species worldwide, 5 in Britain.
| Common name | Binomial | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Eurasian Wryneck | Jynx torquilla | A rare passage migrant |
| Green Woodpecker | Picus viridis | A resident breeding species |
| Yellow-bellied Sapsucker | Sphyrapicus varius | A rare vagrant |
| Great Spotted Woodpecker | Dendrocopos major | A resident breeding species |
| Lesser Spotted Woodpecker | Dendrocopos minor | A resident breeding species |
Tyrant flycatchers
Order: Passeriformes Family: TyrannidaeA family from the Americas with 4 very rare vagrants recorded in Britain.
| Common name | Binomial | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Olive-sided Flycatcher | Contopus cooperi | A rare vagrant |
| Acadian Flycatcher | Empidonax virescens | A rare vagrant |
| Alder Flycatcher | Empidonax alnorum | A rare vagrant |
| Eastern Phoebe | Sayornis phoebe | A rare vagrant |
Larks
Order: Passeriformes. Family: AlaudidaeLarks are small terrestrial birds with often extravagant songs and display flights. Most larks are fairly dull in appearance. Their food is insects and seeds. There are about 96 species worldwide, 10 in Britain.
| Common name | Binomial | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Calandra Lark | Melanocorypha calandra | A rare vagrant |
| Bimaculated Lark | Melanocorypha bimaculata | A rare vagrant |
| White-winged Lark | Melanocorypha leucoptera | A rare vagrant |
| Black Lark | Melanocorypha yeltoniensis | A rare vagrant |
| Greater Short-toed Lark | Calandrella brachydactyla | A rare vagrant |
| Lesser Short-toed Lark | Calandrella rufescens | A rare vagrant |
| Crested Lark | Galerida cristata | A rare vagrant |
| Wood Lark | Lullula arborea | A scarce resident breeding species and summer migrant |
| Skylark | Alauda arvensis | A resident breeding species |
| Shore Lark | Eremophila alpestris | A scarce winter visitor and passage migrant |
Swallows and martins
Order: Passeriformes. Family: HirundinidaeA group of passerines characterized by their adaptation to aerial feeding. Their adaptations include a slender streamlined body, long pointed wings and short bills with wide gape. There are about 83 species worldwide, 8 in Britain.
| Common name | Binomial | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Tree Swallow | Tachycineta bicolor | A rare vagrant |
| Sand Martin | Riparia riparia | A breeding summer visitor |
| Crag Martin | Ptyonoprogne rupestris | A rare vagrant |
| Purple Martin | Progne subis | A rare vagrant |
| Barn Swallow | Hirundo rustica | A breeding summer visitor |
| Red-rumped Swallow | Hirundo daurica | A rare vagrant |
| Cliff Swallow | Hirundo pyrrhonota | A rare vagrant |
| House Martin | Delichon urbicum | A breeding summer visitor |
Wagtails and pipits
Order: Passeriformes. Family: MotacillidaeThe Motacillidae are a family of small passerine birds with medium to long tails. They are slender, ground-feeding insectivores of open country. There are about 66 species worldwide, 15 in Britain.
| Common name | Binomial | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Citrine Wagtail | Motacilla citreola | A rare vagrant |
| White Wagtail | Motacilla alba | A Two races
|
| Grey Wagtail | Motacilla cinerea | A resident breeding species |
| Blue-headed Wagtail | Motacilla flava | A two races
|
| Richard's Pipit | Anthus richardi | A vagrant |
| Tawny Pipit | Anthus campestris | A rare vagrant |
| Blyth's Pipit | Anthus godlewskii | A rare vagrant |
| Tree Pipit | Anthus trivialis | A breeding summer visitor |
| Olive-backed Pipit | Anthus hodgsoni | A rare vagrant |
| Pechora Pipit | Anthus gustavi | A rare vagrant |
| Meadow Pipit | Anthus pratensis | A resident breeding species |
| Red-throated Pipit | Anthus cervinus | A rare vagrant |
| Water Pipit | Anthus spinoletta | A winter visitor |
| Rock Pipit | Anthus petrosus | A resident breeding species |
| Buff-bellied Pipit | Anthus rubescens | A rare vagrant |
Waxwings
Order: Passeriformes. Family: BombycillidaeThe waxwings are a group of passerine birds characterised by soft, silky plumage and unique red tips to some of the wing feathers. There are 3 species worldwide, 2 in Britain.
| Common name | Binomial | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Bohemian Waxwing | Bombycilla garrulus | A winter visitor |
| Cedar Waxwing | Bombycilla cedrorum | A rare vagrant |
Dippers
Order: Passeriformes. Family: CinclidaeDark, dumpy, aquatic birds that are able to forage for food on the beds of rivers. There are 5 species worldwide with 1 in Britain.
| Common name | Binomial | Status |
|---|---|---|
| European Dipper | Cinclus cinclus | A resident breeding species |
Wrens
Order: Passeriformes. Family: TroglodytidaeWrens are small and inconspicuous birds, except for their loud songs. They have short wings and a thin down-turned bill. There are about 80 species worldwide with one in Britain.
| Common name | Binomial | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Wren | Troglodytes troglodytes | A resident breeding species |
Mockingbirds and allies
Order: Passeriformes. Family: MimidaeMedium-sized passerine birds with long tails. Some are notable for their ability to mimic sounds such as other birds' songs. There are about 35 species worldwide. Three have occurred as vagrants in Britain.
| Common name | Binomial | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Northern Mockingbird | Mimus polyglottos | A rare vagrant |
| Brown Thrasher | Toxostoma rufum | A rare vagrant one record |
| Gray Catbird | Dumetella carolinensis | A rare vagrant one record |
Accentors
Order: Passeriformes. Family: PrunellidaeA small family of drab, unobtrusive, insectivorous birds with thin, pointed bills. There are 13 species worldwide with two recorded in Britain.
| Common name | Binomial | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Dunnock | Prunella modularis | A resident breeding species |
| Alpine Accentor | Prunella collaris | A rare vagrant |
Thrushes
Order: Passeriformes. Family: TurdidaeThe thrushes and chats are plump, soft-plumaged, small to medium-sized insectivores or sometimes omnivores, often feeding on the ground. Many have attractive songs. There are about 331 species worldwide including the chats, 44 in Britain.
| Common name | Binomial | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Blackbird | Turdus merula | A resident breeding species |
| Ring Ouzel | Turdus torquatus | A breeding summer visitor |
| Eyebrowed Thrush | Turdus obscurus | A rare vagrant |
| Black-throated Thrush | T. atrogularis | A rare vagrant |
| Red-throated Thrush | T. ruficollis | A rare vagrant |
| Dusky Thrush | Turdus eunomus | A rare vagrant |
| Naumann's Thrush | T. naumanni | A rare vagrant |
| Fieldfare | Turdus pilaris | A winter visitor |
| Redwing | Turdus iliacus | A winter visitor |
| Song Thrush | Turdus philomelos | A resident breeding species |
| Mistle Thrush | Turdus viscivorus | A resident breeding species |
| American Robin | Turdus migratorius | A rare vagrant |
| Siberian Thrush | Zoothera sibirica | A rare vagrant |
| White's Thrush or Scaly Thrush | Zoothera dauma | A rare vagrant |
| Varied Thrush | Zoothera naevia | one record |
| Veery | Catharus fuscescens | A rare vagrant |
| Gray-cheeked Thrush | Catharus minimus | A rare vagrant |
| Swainson's Thrush | Catharus ustulatus | A rare vagrant |
| Hermit Thrush | Catharus guttatus | A rare vagrant |
| Wood Thrush | Hylocichla mustelina | A rare vagrant |
| Rock Thrush | Monticola saxatilis | A rare vagrant |
| Blue Rock Thrush | Monticola solitarius | A rare vagrant |
| Rufous Bush Robin | Cercotrichas galactotes | A rare vagrant |
| Bluethroat | Luscinia svecica | A rare vagrant |
| Siberian Rubythroat | Luscinia calliope | A rare vagrant |
| Rufous-tailed Robin | Luscinia sibilans | A rare vagrant |
| Thrush Nightingale | Luscinia luscinia | A rare vagrant |
| Nightingale | Luscinia megarhynchos | A breeding summer visitor |
| Siberian Blue Robin | Luscinia cyanea | A rare vagrant |
| Red-flanked Bluetail | Tarsiger cyanurus | A rare vagrant |
| European Robin | Erithacus rubecula | A resident breeding species |
| White-throated Robin | Irania gutturalis | A rare vagrant |
| European Stonechat | Saxicola rubicola | A resident breeding species |
| Siberian Stonechat | Saxicola maura | A rare vagrant |
| Whinchat | Saxicola rubetra | A breeding summer visitor & passage migrant |
| Northern Wheatear | Oenanthe oenanthe | A breeding summer visitor & passage migrant |
| Isabelline Wheatear | Oenanthe isabellina | A rare vagrant |
| Desert Wheatear | Oenanthe deserti | A rare vagrant |
| Black-eared Wheatear | Oenanthe hispanica | A rare vagrant |
| Pied Wheatear | Oenanthe pleschanka | A rare vagrant |
| White-crowned Wheatear | Oenanthe leucopyga | A rare vagrant |
| Black Redstart | Phoenicurus ochruros | A scarce breeding resident, passage migrant & winter visitor |
| Common Redstart | Phoenicurus phoenicurus | A breeding summer visitor |
| Moussier's Redstart | Phoenicurus moussieri | A rare vagrant |
Old World warblers
Order: Passeriformes. Family: SylviidaeA group of small, insectivorous passerine birds. Most are of generally undistinguished appearance, but many have distinctive songs. There are about 408 species worldwide, 50 in Britain.
| Common name | Binomial | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Cetti's Warbler | Cettia cetti | A resident breeding species |
| Lanceolated Warbler | Locustella lanceolata | A rare vagrant |
| Grasshopper Warbler | Locustella naevia | A breeding summer visitor |
| Pallas's Grasshopper Warbler | Locustella certhiola | A rare vagrant |
| River Warbler | Locustella fluviatilis | A rare vagrant |
| Savi's Warbler | Locustella luscinioides | A rare breeding summer visitor |
| Moustached Warbler | Acrocephalus melanopogon | A rare vagrant, has bred |
| Aquatic Warbler | Acrocephalus paludicola | A rare vagrant |
| Sedge Warbler | Acrocephalus schoenobaenus | A breeding summer visitor |
| Paddyfield Warbler | Acrocephalus agricola | A rare vagrant |
| Eurasian Reed Warbler | Acrocephalus scirpaceus | A breeding summer visitor |
| Blyth's Reed Warbler | Acrocephalus dumetorum | A rare vagrant |
| Marsh Warbler | Acrocephalus palustris | A breeding summer visitor |
| Great Reed Warbler | Acrocephalus arundinaceus | A rare vagrant |
| Thick-billed Warbler | Acrocephalus aedon | A rare vagrant |
| Eastern Olivaceous Warbler | Hippolais pallida | A rare vagrant |
| Booted Warbler | Hippolais caligata | A rare vagrant |
| Sykes' Warbler | Hippolais rama | A rare vagrant |
| Olive-tree Warbler | Hippolais olivetorum | A rare vagrant |
| Icterine Warbler | Hippolais icterina | A rare vagrant |
| Melodious Warbler | Hippolais polyglotta | A rare vagrant |
| Eastern Crowned Warbler | Phylloscopus coronatus | A rare vagrant |
| Willow Warbler | Phylloscopus trochilus | A breeding summer visitor |
| Common Chiffchaff | Phylloscopus collybita | A breeding summer visitor |
| Iberian Chiffchaff | Phylloscopus brehmii | A rare vagrant |
| Western Bonelli's Warbler | Phylloscopus bonelli | A rare vagrant |
| Eastern Bonelli's Warbler | Phylloscopus orientalis | A rare vagrant |
| Wood Warbler | Phylloscopus sibilatrix | A breeding summer visitor |
| Dusky Warbler | Phylloscopus fuscatus | A rare vagrant |
| Radde's Warbler | Phylloscopus schwarzi | A rare vagrant |
| Pallas's Warbler | Phylloscopus proregulus | A rare vagrant |
| Yellow-browed Warbler | Phylloscopus inornatus | A rare vagrant |
| Hume's Warbler | Phylloscopus humei | A rare vagrant |
| Arctic Warbler | Phylloscopus borealis | A rare vagrant |
| Greenish Warbler | Phylloscopus trochiloides | A rare vagrant |
| Green Warbler | Phylloscopus nitidus | A rare vagrant |
| Blackcap | Sylvia atricapilla | A resident breeding species & summer visitor |
| Garden Warbler | Sylvia borin | A breeding summer visitor |
| Whitethroat | Sylvia communis | A breeding summer visitor |
| Lesser Whitethroat | Sylvia curruca | A breeding summer visitor |
| Asian Desert Warbler | Sylvia nana | A rare vagrant |
| Barred Warbler | Sylvia nisoria | A rare vagrant |
| Orphean Warbler | Sylvia hortensis | A rare vagrant |
| Rüppell's Warbler | Sylvia rueppelli | A rare vagrant |
| Subalpine Warbler | Sylvia cantillans | A rare vagrant |
| Sardinian Warbler | Sylvia melanocephala | A rare vagrant |
| Spectacled Warbler | Sylvia conspicillata | A rare vagrant |
| Dartford Warbler | Sylvia undata | A resident breeding species |
| Marmora's Warbler | Sylvia sarda | A rare vagrant |
| Zitting Cisticola | Cisticola juncidis | A rare vagrant |
Kinglets
Order: Passeriformes. Family: RegulidaeA family of very small birds. There are 7 species worldwide with 2 in Britain.
| Common name | Binomial | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Goldcrest | Regulus regulus | A resident breeding species |
| Common Firecrest | Regulus ignicapillus | A scarce resident breeding species and passage migrant |
Old World flycatchers
Order: Passeriformes. Family: MuscicapidaeThe flycatchers are small birds that fly out from a perch to catch insects in the air. There are about 120 species worldwide, 6 in Britain.
| Common name | Binomial | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Asian Brown Flycatcher | Muscicapa dauurica | A rare vagrant |
| Spotted Flycatcher | Muscicapa striata | A breeding summer visitor |
| Pied Flycatcher | Ficedula hypoleuca | A breeding summer visitor |
| Collared Flycatcher | Ficedula albicollis | A rare vagrant |
| Red-breasted Flycatcher | Ficedula parva | A rare vagrant |
| Taiga Flycatcher | Ficedula albicilla | A rare vagrant |
Babblers
Order: Passeriformes. Family: TimaliidaeBabblers are a large and varied group of small to medium-sized passerine birds. There are about 294 species worldwide including the parrotbills with 1 in Britain.
| Common name | Binomial | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Bearded Tit | Panurus biarmicus | A resident breeding species |
Long-tailed tits
Order: Passeriformes. Family: AegithalidaeSmall, long-tailed birds that typically live in flocks for much of the year. There are 8 species worldwide with 1 in Britain.
| Common name | Binomial | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Long-tailed Tit | Aegithalos caudatus | A resident breeding species |
Penduline tits
Order: Passeriformes. Family: RemizidaeSmall birds with finely-pointed bills that build purse-like nests hanging from a branch. There are about 13 species worldwide with 1 in Britain.
| Common name | Binomial | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Penduline Tit | Remiz pendulinus | A rare vagrant |
Tits
Order: Passeriformes. Family: ParidaeTits are mainly small, stocky, woodland species with short stout bills. They are adaptable birds, with a mixed diet including seeds and insects. There are about 59 species worldwide, 6 in Britain.
| Common name | Binomial | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Marsh Tit | Parus palustris | A resident breeding species |
| Willow Tit | Parus montana | A resident breeding species |
| Coal Tit | Parus ater | A resident breeding species |
| Crested Tit | Parus cristatus | A resident breeding species |
| Great Tit | Parus major | A resident breeding species |
| Blue Tit | Parus caeruleus | A resident breeding species |
Wallcreeper
Order: Passeriformes. Family TichodromadidaeOne species, in its own family, a visitor to Britain.
| Common name | Binomial | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Wallcreeper | Tichodroma muraria | A rare vagrant |
Nuthatches
Order: Passeriformes. Family: SittidaeNuthatches are small woodland birds with the unusual ability to climb down trees head-first, unlike other birds which can only go upwards. There are about 24 species worldwide, 2 in Britain.
| Common name | Binomial | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Eurasian Nuthatch | Sitta europaea | A resident breeding species |
| Red-breasted Nuthatch | Sitta canadensis | A rare vagrant |
Treecreepers
Order: Passeriformes. Family: CerthiidaeTreecreepers are small woodland birds, brown above and white below. They have thin, pointed, down-curved bills, which they use to extricate insects from bark. There are 7 species worldwide, 2 in Britain.
| Common name | Binomial | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Common Treecreeper | Certhia familiaris | A resident breeding species |
| Short-toed Treecreeper | Certhia brachydactyla | A rare vagrant |
Old World orioles
Order: Passeriformes. Family: OriolidaeThe orioles are medium-sized passerines, mostly with bright and showy plumage, the females often duller plumage than the males The beak is long, slightly curved and hooked. Orioles are arboreal and tend to feed in the canopy. There are 27 species worldwide, one of which has been recorded in Great Britain.
| Common name | Binomial | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Eurasian Golden Oriole | Oriolus oriolus | A scarce breeding summer visitor |
Shrikes
Order: Passeriformes. Family: LaniidaeShrikes are passerine birds known for their habit of catching other birds and small animals and impaling the uneaten portions of their bodies on thorns. A typical shrike's beak is hooked, like a bird of prey. There are about 30 species worldwide, 9 in Britain.
| Common name | Binomial | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Great Grey Shrike | Lanius excubitor | A scarce winter visitor |
| Southern Grey Shrike | Lanius meridionalis | A rare vagrant |
| Lesser Grey Shrike | Lanius minor | A rare vagrant |
| Red-backed Shrike | Lanius collurio | A scarce passage migrant |
| Isabelline Shrike | Lanius isabellinus | A rare vagrant |
| Woodchat Shrike | Lanius senator | A rare vagrant |
| Masked Shrike | Lanius nubicus | A rare vagrant (one record) |
| Long-tailed Shrike | Lanius schach | A rare vagrant |
| Brown Shrike | Lanius cristatus | A rare vagrant |
Crows and allies
Order: Passeriformes. Family: CorvidaeThe crows and their relatives are fairly large birds with strong bills and are usually intelligent and adaptable. There are about 119 species worldwide with 9 in Britain.
| Common name | Binomial | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Carrion Crow | Corvus corone | A resident breeding species |
| Common Raven | Corvus corax | A resident breeding species |
| Hooded Crow | Corvus cornix | A resident breeding species |
| Jackdaw | Corvus monedula | A resident breeding species |
| Rook | Corvus frugilegus | A resident breeding species |
| Eurasian Jay | Garrulus glandarius | A resident breeding species |
| Red-billed Chough | Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax | A resident breeding species |
| European Magpie | Pica pica | A resident breeding species |
| Spotted Nutcracker | Nucifraga caryocatactes | A rare vagrant |
Starlings
Order: Passeriformes. Family: SturnidaeStarlings are small to medium-sized passerine birds with strong feet. Their flight is strong and direct and most are very gregarious.There are about 114 species worldwide with two in Britain.
| Common name | Binomial | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Rosy Starling | Sturnus roseus | A rare vagrant |
| Common Starling | Sturnus vulgaris | A resident breeding species and winter visitor |
Sparrows
Order: Passeriformes. Family: PasseridaeSparrows tend to be small, plump, brownish or greyish birds with short tails and short, powerful beaks. They are seed-eaters and they also consume small insects. There are about 38 species worldwide, 4 in Britain.
| Common name | Binomial | Status |
|---|---|---|
| House Sparrow | Passer domesticus | A resident breeding species |
| Spanish Sparrow | Passer hispaniolensis | A rare vagrant |
| Eurasian Tree Sparrow | Passer montanus | A resident breeding species |
| Rock Sparrow | Petronia petronia | A rare vagrant |
Vireos
Order: Passeriformes. Family: VireonidaeThe vireos are a group of small to medium sized passerine birds restricted to the New World. There are about 52 species worldwide. 3 have occurred as vagrants in Britain.
| Common name | Binomial | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Yellow-throated Vireo | Vireo flavifrons | A rare vagrant |
| Philadelphia Vireo | Vireo philadelphicus | A rare vagrant |
| Red-eyed Vireo | Vireo olivaceus | A rare vagrant |
Finches
Order: Passeriformes. Family: FringillidaeSeed-eating passerine birds that are small to moderately large and have a strong beak, usually conical and in some species very large. There are about 176 species worldwide, 22 in Britain.
| Common name | Binomial | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Chaffinch | Fringilla coelebs | A resident breeding species |
| Brambling | Fringilla montifringilla | A winter visitor, occasional breeder |
| Pine Grosbeak | Pinicola enucleator | A rare vagrant |
| Common Rosefinch | Carpodacus erythrinus | A rare vagrant, occasional breeder |
| Parrot Crossbill | Loxia pytyopsittacus | A rare vagrant, occasional breeder |
| Scottish Crossbill | Loxia scotica | A resident breeding species |
| Common Crossbill | Loxia curvirostra | A resident breeding species |
| Two-barred Crossbill | Loxia leucoptera | A rare vagrant |
| European Greenfinch | Carduelis chloris | A resident breeding species |
| Citril Finch | Carduelis citrinella | A rare vagrant |
| Mealy Redpoll | Carduelis flammea | A winter visitor and passage migrant |
| Lesser Redpoll | Carduelis cabaret | A resident breeding species |
| Arctic Redpoll | Carduelis hornemanni | A rare vagrant |
| Eurasian Siskin | Carduelis spinus | A resident breeding species and winter visitor |
| European Goldfinch | Carduelis carduelis | A resident breeding species |
| Twite | Carduelis flavirostris | A resident breeding species |
| Eurasian Linnet | Carduelis cannabina | A resident breeding species |
| European Serin | Serinus serinus | A rare passage migrant |
| Eurasian Bullfinch | Pyrrhula pyrrhula | A resident breeding species |
| Hawfinch | Coccothraustes coccothraustes | A scarce resident breeding species |
| Evening Grosbeak | Coccothraustes vespertinus | A rare vagrant |
| Trumpeter Finch | Rhodopechys githaginea | A rare vagrant |
Tanagers
Order: Passeriformes. Family: ThraupidaeThe tanagers are a large group of small to medium-sized passerine birds restricted to the New World, mainly in the tropics. Many species are brightly coloured. There are about 226 species worldwide. 2 have occurred as vagrants in Britain.
| Common name | Binomial | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Scarlet Tanager | Piranga olivacea | A rare vagrant |
| Summer Tanager | Piranga rubra | A rare vagrant |
New World warblers
Order: Passeriformes. Family: Parulidae
| Common name | Binomial | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Golden-winged Warbler | Vermivora chrysoptera | A rare vagrant |
| Tennessee Warbler | Vermivora peregrina | A rare vagrant |
| Northern Parula | Parula americana | A rare vagrant |
| Yellow Warbler | Dendroica petechia | A rare vagrant |
| Chestnut-sided Warbler | Dendroica pensylvanica | A rare vagrant |
| Magnolia Warbler | Dendroica magnolia | A rare vagrant |
| Cape May Warbler | Dendroica tigrina | A rare vagrant |
| Yellow-rumped Warbler | Dendroica coronata | A rare vagrant |
| Blackburnian Warbler | Dendroica fusca | A rare vagrant |
| Bay-breasted Warbler | Dendroica castanea | A rare vagrant |
| Blackpoll Warbler | Dendroica striata | A rare vagrant |
| Black-and-white Warbler | Mniotilta varia | A rare vagrant |
| American Redstart | Setophaga ruticilla | A rare vagrant |
| Ovenbird | Seiurus aurocapillus | A rare vagrant |
| Northern Waterthrush | Seiurus noveboracensis | A rare vagrant |
| Common Yellowthroat | Geothlypis trichas | A rare vagrant |
| Hooded Warbler | Wilsonia citrina | A rare vagrant |
| Wilson's Warbler | Wilsonia pusilla | A rare vagrant |
Buntings and American sparrows
Order: Passeriformes. Family: EmberizidaeThe Emberizidae are a large family of seed-eating passerine birds with a distinctively-shaped bill. There are about 372 species worldwide, 27 in Britain.
| Common name | Binomial | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Yellowhammer | Emberiza citrinella | A resident breeding species |
| Pine Bunting | Emberiza leucocephalos | A rare vagrant |
| Cirl Bunting | Emberiza cirlus | A resident breeding species |
| Rock Bunting | Emberiza cia | A rare vagrant |
| Ortolan Bunting | Emberiza hortulana | A rare vagrant |
| Cretzschmar's Bunting | Emberiza caesia | A rare vagrant |
| Chestnut-eared Bunting | Emberiza fucata | A rare vagrant |
| Little Bunting | Emberiza pusilla | A rare vagrant |
| Yellow-browed Bunting | Emberiza chrysophrys | A rare vagrant |
| Rustic Bunting | Emberiza rustica | A rare vagrant |
| Yellow-breasted Bunting | Emberiza aureola | A rare vagrant |
| Black-faced Bunting | Emberiza spodocephala | A rare vagrant |
| Black-headed Bunting | Emberiza melanocephala | A rare vagrant |
| Pallas' Reed Bunting | Emberiza pallasi | A rare vagrant |
| Reed Bunting | Emberiza schoeniclus | A resident breeding species |
| Corn Bunting | Miliaria calandra | A resident breeding species |
| Snow Bunting | Plectrophenax nivalis | A winter visitor & scarce breeder |
| Lapland Bunting | Calcarius lapponicus | A winter visitor, occasional breeder |
| Rufous-sided Towhee | Pipilo erythrophthalmus | A rare vagrant |
| Lark Sparrow | Chondestes grammacus | A rare vagrant |
| Song Sparrow | Melospiza melodia | A rare vagrant |
| White-crowned Sparrow | Zonotrichia leucophrys | A rare vagrant |
| White-throated Sparrow | Zonotrichia albicollis | A rare vagrant |
| Dark-eyed Junco | Junco hyemalis | A rare vagrant |
| Rose-breasted Grosbeak | Pheucticus ludovicianus | A rare vagrant |
| Indigo Bunting | Passerina cyanea | A rare vagrant |
| Savannah Sparrow | Passerculus sandwichensis | A rare vagrant |
Icterids
Order: Passeriformes IcteridaeThree A rare vagrants.
| Common name | Binomial | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Bobolink | Dolichonyx oryzivorus | A rare vagrant |
| Brown-headed Cowbird | Molothrus ater | A rare vagrant |
| Baltimore Oriole | Icterus galbula | A rare vagrant |
Species awaiting acceptance
The following species have been recorded recently and the British Ornithologists' Union Records Committee has not yet made a decision on whether to accept them onto the British List.[3]| Common name | Binomial | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Band-rumped Storm Petrel | Oceanodroma castro | |
| Elegant Tern | Sterna elegans | |
| Alder Flycatcher | Empidonax alnorum |
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