Birds are excellent adapters, allowing them to thrive in our urban environments. At various periods of the year, over 300 bird species have been documented in London.
The people of the city are treated with the view of these lovely tiny creatures and enjoy birdwatching throughout the year. Most birds observed are identical to the rest of the country.
In this article, I’ll take you through some of the most common birds found in London and some exciting facts about them
Most Common Birds In London
Robin
It is perhaps one of the simplest birds to identify, with its brilliant red breast revealing its identity to everyone who sees it.
The brilliant bird may be seen all year, but especially during the holiday season, which is why it has long been associated with Christmas.
Collared Dove
Collared doves are pale, pink-grey to brown in colour and have a characteristic black ‘collar’ around their necks that gives them their name and helps gardeners recognize them.
If you can get close enough, you can also notice their ruby eyes and feet. Otherwise, keep an ear out for their repetitive cooing sound which is a sure sign of their presence around.
Goldfinch
They have short, notched tails and bright yellow plumage. For finches, they have fairly delicate sharp-pointed beaks. Goldfinches eat weeds in fields and gardens in large flocks.
Keep an ear out for their tranquil twittering around the bird stand for a possible sighting.
Goldfinch is increasingly visiting UK garden feeders, but by winter they will have relocated to warmer regions as far away as Spain.
Great Tit
The biggest member of the UK tit family is the resident great tit. The great tit has a unique black head and neck, large white cheeks, olive upperparts, and yellow underparts.
A two-syllable tune is your giveaway if you’re listening with your ears. During the winter, the bird will form a flock with other tit breeds.
House Sparrow
In certain regions of the United Kingdom, the house sparrow is in significant decline. The bird is distinguished by its chestnut back and black markings.
Interestingly, the house sparrow’s beak is yellow-brown in the winter and black in the summer.
Woodpigeon
The wood pigeon is the biggest of the pigeon family and can be recognised mostly by its size. It has pale yellowish eyes set atop a reddish bill with a yellow tip and an off-white patch at the base.
During the mating season, they frequently utter a hollow, harsh “hoo-hoo.”
Starling
When seen from a distance, starlings appear black, but up close, you can see their purple overtones. They are slightly smaller in size than blackbirds and like to travel in groups.
They are loud and gregarious birds, so if you come across a flock travelling through your yard, you won’t be able to miss them.
Magpie
The Magpie is a loud bird distinguished by its monochrome plumage and distinctive long tail. A closer look reveals a purple-green colour to the black feathers on the tail and wings.
Carrion Crow
This bird has an all-black appearance and can appear as clever and fearless. The carrion crow, on the other hand, is wary of humans;
however, if they find a safe place to feed, they will almost certainly return to that location. They are solitary bird that is frequently seen alone or in pairs.
Jay
The jay is the most colourful member of the crow family and may be found all throughout the UK, with the exception of the extreme north.
These birds might be difficult to notice since they like the shelter of woods and prefer gardens with plenty of coniferous trees.
The jay is well-known for mostly eating on acorns, particularly in fall when it may be observed hiding them in preparation for winter.
Wren
Wrens are high-energy birds that fly quickly and close to the ground. They have loud and frequently intricate tunes, which are occasionally performed in duet by a duo.
The wren is the most frequent breeding bird in the United Kingdom.
Goldcrest
This is the smallest bird in the United Kingdom. They are grey-brown in colour with a light underbelly and a prominent black and yellow stripe across their head.
The gender of goldcrests may be determined by their colouring. Males have an orange middle stripe, whilst females are not.
Dunnock
The dunnock is brownish grey in colour and has a peaceful demeanour. The dunnock, a lone bird, is frequently seen hopping around a flower bed or shrubbery-heavy region.
Their actions reveal their species — watch for a tense shuffling movement on your lawn to identify a dunnock.
Coal Tit
The coal tit is darker in colour than its more colourful siblings. This breed has a white mark on the back of its neck, which aids in identification.
During the winter months, the coal tit will flock with other tits in quest of food. Coal tits are energetic feeders that forage for insects and spiders among the smaller branches and leaves of trees in forests.
Long-tailed Tit
With its distinctive colouring, the long-tailed tit is one of the most easily identified species.
The long-tailed tit, a fluffy and pinkish bird, is a sociable bird that can normally be seen in flocks of twenty or so. As the name implies, this breed has a big tail that dwarfs the size of its body.
Greenfinch
The greenfinch is another colourful bird that soars with flashes of green and yellow. They are frequently spotted in village gardens all year since they adore the countryside.
Most bird seeds and insects will attract these lovely birds, but sunflower seeds are a particular favourite.
Chaffinch
Another bird to keep an eye out for in your garden is the chaffinch. An excellent place to start is near the bird feeder.
Although they are unlikely to openly dine on the table, they can be seen hopping down below among the hedges and on the ground in search of food.
However, you’re more likely to notice this breed’s booming singing than you see its paired feathers that blend in so well with the soil.
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