List of birds of Great Britain
List of British Birds: List of British Birds provides an insight into the various types of birds that are found all over Great Britain. There are a total of 634 species of birds found in Great Britain as of 13th February 2024. The bird list in Britain is managed by the British Records Committee. In this article, we have provided the list of birds, their common and binomial names and their status. The list covers a list of British birds like Ducks, Geese and Allies, Nightjars, Swifts, Cuckoos, Bustards, Cranes, Grebes, Oystercatchers, Skuas, Gulls, Terns, Skimmers, Stilts and Avocets, Albatrosses name a few.
List of British Birds
Hereβs a table showcasing a selection of bird species commonly found across the United Kingdom:
Common Name | Scientific Name | Habitat |
---|---|---|
Robin | Erithacus rubecula | Woodlands, gardens, parks |
Blackbird | Turdus merula | Gardens, woodlands, parks |
House Sparrow | Passer domesticus | Urban areas, gardens |
Blue Tit | Cyanistes caeruleus | Woodlands, gardens, parks |
Great Tit | Parus major | Woodlands, gardens, parks |
Chaffinch | Fringilla coelebs | Gardens, woodlands, farmlands |
Wren | Troglodytes troglodytes | Woodlands, gardens, hedgerows |
European Goldfinch | Carduelis carduelis | Gardens, woodlands, farmlands |
Barn Owl | Tyto alba | Farmlands, woodlands, open fields |
Red Kite | Milvus milvus | Woodlands, open countryside |
Puffin | Fratercula arctica | Coastal cliffs, islands |
Kingfisher | Alcedo atthis | Rivers, lakes, wetlands |
Lapwing | Vanellus vanellus | Wetlands, farmlands, moorlands |
Skylark | Alauda arvensis | Farmlands, grasslands |
Common Buzzard | Buteo buteo | Woodlands, open countryside |
In Britain, there are various types of birds found. The official list in Great Britain records various wild birds. There are a total of 634 species of birds found in Great Britain as of 13th February 2024. This list is managed by the British Records Committee. A specific species category is assigned to each of the species on the list. Only those species in Categories A, B and C form the British List. We will now have a look at the list of various birds found in Britain.
Ducks, Geese & Swans
The swans, ducks and geese are medium to large birds. They survive in water. They are prominently found in Great Britain and many birds fly in from Greenland, Scandinavia and Russia.
Characteristics: 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.
Diet: Variety of animals and plants.
Order: Anseriformes
Family: Anatidae
Given below is a list of Ducks, Geese and Swans.
Serial no. |
Common name |
Binomial name |
Status |
---|---|---|---|
1. |
Brent goose |
Branta bernicla |
A β winter visitor |
2. |
Red-breasted goose |
Branta ruficollis |
A β rare vagrant |
3. |
Canada goose |
Branta canadensis |
A & C β resident introduced population, some wild vagrants |
4. |
Barnacle goose |
Branta leucopsis |
A & C β winter visitor and resident introduced population |
5. |
Cackling goose |
Branta hutchinsii |
A β rare vagrant |
6. |
Rossβs goose |
Anser rossii |
A β rare vagrant |
7. |
Snow goose |
Anser caerulescens |
A & C β resident introduced population, some wild vagrants |
8. |
Greylag goose |
Anser anser |
A & C β resident wild and feral populations, winter visitor |
9. |
Taiga bean goose |
Anser fabalis |
A β winter visitor |
10. |
Pink-footed goose |
Anser brachyrhynchus |
A β winter visitor |
11. |
Tundra bean goose |
Anser serrirostris |
A β winter visitor |
12. |
White-fronted goose |
Anser albifrons |
A β winter visitor |
13. |
Lesser white-fronted goose |
Anser erythropus |
A β rare vagrant |
14. |
Mute swan |
Cygnus olur |
A & C β resident breeding species |
15. |
Bewickβs swan |
Cygnus columbianus |
A β winter visitor |
16. |
Whooper swan |
Cygnus cygnus |
A β winter visitor and occasional breeder |
17. |
Egyptian goose |
Alopochen aegyptiaca |
C β resident introduced population |
18. |
Shelduck |
Tadorna tadorna |
A β resident breeder and winter visitor |
19. |
Ruddy shelduck |
Tadorna ferruginea |
B β Records since 1946 are presumed escapes from captivity |
20. |
Mandarin duck |
Aix galericulata |
C β resident introduced population |
21. |
Baikal teal |
Sibirionetta formosa |
A β rare vagrant |
22. |
Garganey |
Spatula querquedula |
A β breeding summer visitor |
23. |
Blue-winged teal |
Spatula discors |
A β rare vagrant |
24. |
Shoveler |
Spatula clypeata |
A β resident breeder and winter visitor |
25. |
Gadwall |
Mareca strepera |
A & C β resident breeder and winter visitor |
26. |
Falcated duck |
Mareca falcata |
A β rare vagrant |
27. |
Wigeon |
Mareca penelope |
A β resident breeder and winter visitor |
28. |
American wigeon |
Mareca americana |
A β scarce vagrant |
29. |
Mallard |
Anas platyrhynchos |
A & C β resident breeder, winter visitor and naturalised releases |
30. |
Black duck |
Anas rubripes |
A β rare vagrant |
31. |
Pin tail |
Anas acuta |
A β resident breeder and winter visitor |
32. |
Teal |
Anas crecca |
A β resident breeder and winter visitor |
33. |
Green-winged teal |
Anas carolinensis |
A β scarce migrant |
34. |
Red-crusted pochard |
Netta rufina |
A & C β scarce migrant and introduced breeder |
35. |
Canvasback |
Aythya valisineria |
A β rare vagrant |
36. |
Redhead |
Aythya americana |
A β rare vagrant |
37. |
Pochard |
Aythya ferina |
A β resident breeder and winter visitor |
38. |
Ferruginous duck |
Aythya nyroca |
A β scarce migrant |
39. |
Ring-necked duck |
Aythya collaris |
A β scarce migrant |
40. |
Tufted duck |
Aythya fuligula |
A β resident breeder and winter visitor |
41. |
Scaup |
Aythya marila |
A β winter visitor and occasional breeder |
42. |
Lesser scaup |
Aythya affinis |
A β rare vagrant |
43. |
Stellerβs eider |
Polysticta stelleri |
A β rare vagrant |
44. |
Kingβs eider |
Somateria spectabilis |
A β rare vagrant |
45. |
Eider |
Somateria mollissima |
A β resident breeder and winter visitor |
46. |
Harlequin duck |
Histrionicus histrionicus |
A β rare vagrant |
47. |
Surf scoter |
Melanitta perspicillata |
A β scarce migrant |
48. |
Velvet scoter |
Melanitta fusca |
A β winter visitor |
49. |
White-winged scoter |
Melanitta deglandi |
A β rare vagrant |
50. |
Stejnegerβs scoter |
Melanitta stejnegeri |
A β rare vagrant, first recorded 2022 |
51. |
Common scoter |
Melanitta nigra |
A β resident breeder and winter visitor |
52. |
Black scoter |
Melanitta americana |
A β rare vagrant |
53. |
Long-tailed duck |
Clangula hyemalis |
A β winter visitor and occasional breeder |
54. |
Bufflehead |
Bucephala albeola |
A β rare vagrant |
55. |
Goldeneye |
Bucephala clangula |
A β resident breeder and winter visitor |
56. |
Barrowβs goldeneye |
Bucephala islandica |
A β rare vagrant |
57. |
Smew |
Mergellus albellus |
A β winter visitor |
58. |
Hooded merganser |
Lophodytes cucullatus |
A β rare vagrant |
59. |
Goosander |
Mergus merganser |
A β resident breeder and winter visitor |
60. |
Red-breasted merganser |
Mergus serrator |
A β resident breeder and winter visitor |
61. |
Ruddy duck |
Oxyura jamaicensis |
C β introduced species currently subject to an eradication programme |
Pheasants, Grouse & Allies
Pheasants, Grouse and Allies are terrestrial species, which feed and nest on the ground. They vary in size.
Characteristics: Generally plump, with broad and relatively short wings.
Order: Galliformes
Family: Phasianidae
Given below is a list of Pheasants, Grouse and Allies.
Serial no. |
Common name |
Binomial name |
Status |
---|---|---|---|
1. |
Red grouse |
Lagopus lagopus |
A β resident breeding species |
2. |
Ptarmigan |
Lagopus muta |
A β resident breeding species |
3. |
Capercaillie |
Tetrao urogallus |
C β resident reintroduced population |
4. |
Black grouse |
Lyrurus tetrix |
Tetrao urogallus |
5. |
Grey patridge |
Perdix perdix |
A & C β resident breeder and introduced gamebird |
6. |
Golden pheasant |
Chrysolophus pictus |
C β resident introduced population |
7. |
Lady Amherstβs pheasant |
Chrysolophus amherstiae |
C β introduced population, now believed to be extirpated |
8. |
Pheasant |
Phasianus colchicus |
C β resident introduced population |
9. |
Quail |
Coturnix coturnix |
A β breeding summer visitor |
10. |
Red-legged patridge |
Alectoris rufa |
Cβ resident introduced population |
Nightjars & Allies
Nightjars are medium-sized nocturnal birds that usually nest on the ground.
Characteristics: Long wings, short legs and very short bills.
Their soft plumage is cryptically coloured to resemble bark or leaves.
Order: Caprimulgiformes
Family: Caprimulgidae
Given below is a list of Nightjars and Allies.
Serial No. |
Common name |
Binomial name |
Status |
---|---|---|---|
1. |
Common nighthawk |
Chordeiles minor |
A β rare vagrant |
2. |
Red-necked nightjar |
Caprimulgus ruficollis |
A β rare vagrant |
3. |
Nightjar |
A β breeding summer visitor |
A β breeding summer visitor |
4. |
Egyptian nightjar |
Caprimulgus aegyptius |
A β rare vagrant |
Swifts
The swifts are small birds who fly a lot.
Characteristics: Very short legs and never settle voluntarily on the ground, they perch only on vertical surfaces.
Order: Apodiformes
Family: Apodidae
Given below is a list of Swifts.
Serial no. |
Common name |
Binomial name |
Status |
---|---|---|---|
1. |
White-throated needletail |
Caprimulgus aegyptius |
A β rare vagrant |
2. |
Chimney swift |
Chaetura pelagica |
A β rare vagrant |
3. |
Alpine swift |
Apus melba |
A β scarce migrant |
4. |
Swift |
Apus apus |
A β breeding summer visitor |
5. |
Pallid swift |
Apus pallidus |
A β rare vagrant |
6. |
Pacific swift |
Apus pacificus |
A β rare vagrant |
7. |
Little swift |
Apus affinis |
A β rare vagrant |
8. |
White-rumped swift |
Apus caffer |
A β rare vagrant |
Bustards
Large, sturdy birds of open plains with long legs and necks and strong feet.
Order: Otidiformes
Family: Otididae
Given below is a list of Bustards.
Serial no. |
Common name |
Binomial name |
Status |
---|---|---|---|
1. |
Great bustard |
Otis tarda |
A β rare vagrant and recently reintroduced breeding resident species |
2. |
MacQueenβs bustard |
Chlamydotis macqueenii |
B β rare vagrant |
3. |
Little bustard |
Tetrax tetrax |
A β rare vagrant |
Cuckoos
Cuckoos are birds which vary in size.
Characteristics: Slender bodies and long tails.
Some species are known for laying their eggs in the nests of other birds.
Order: Cuculiformes
Family: Cuculidae
Given below is a list of Cuckoos.
Serial no. |
Common name |
Binomial name |
Status |
---|---|---|---|
1. |
Great spotted cuckoo |
Clamator glandarius |
A β rare vagrant |
2. |
Yellow-billed cuckoo |
Coccyzus americanus |
A β rare vagrant |
3. |
Black-billed cuckoo |
Coccyzus erythropthalmus |
A β rare vagrant |
4. |
Cuckoo |
Cuculus canorus |
A β breeding summer visitor |
Sandgrouse
Sandgrouse are sturdy, medium-sized birds.
Characteristics: A small head and long, pointed wings.
Order: Pterocliformes
Family: Pteroclidae
Serial no. |
Common name |
Binomial name |
Status |
---|---|---|---|
1. |
Pallasβs sandgrouse |
Syrrhaptes paradoxus |
A β rare vagrant; has bred |
Pigeons & Doves
Pigeons and doves are stout-bodied birds.
Characteristics: Short necks and short slender bills with a fleshy cere.
There are 344 species worldwide, out of which seven in Britain.
Order: Columbiformes
Family: Columbidae
Given below is a list of Pigeons and Doves.
Serial no. |
Common name |
Binomial name |
Status |
---|---|---|---|
1. |
Rock pigeon or feral pigeon |
Columba livia |
A & C β resident; most birds are of feral origin |
2. |
Stock dove |
Columba oenas |
A β resident breeding species |
3. |
Woodpigeon |
Columba palumbus |
A β resident breeding species |
4. |
Turtle dove |
Streptopelia turtur |
A β breeding summer visitor |
5. |
Oriental turtle dove |
Streptopelia orientalis |
A β rare vagrant |
6. |
Collared dove |
Streptopelia decaocto |
A β resident breeding species |
7. |
Mourning dove |
Zenaida macroura |
A β rare vagrant |
Rails, Gallinules & Coots
These birds mainly occupy dense vegetation in damp environments near lakes, marshes or rivers.
Many are shy and secretive birds, making them difficult to observe.
Characteristics: Most species have strong legs and long toes which are well adapted to soft uneven surfaces.
Order: Gruiformes
Family: Rallidae
Given below is a list of Rails, Gallinules, and Coots.
Serial no. |
Common name |
Binomial name |
Status |
---|---|---|---|
1. |
Water rail |
Rallus aquaticus |
A β resident breeding species |
2. |
Corncrake |
Crex crex |
A β breeding summer visitor |
3. |
Sorarail |
Porzana carolina |
A β rare vagrant |
4. |
Sported crake |
Porzana porzana |
A β scarce breeding summer visitor |
5. |
Moorhen |
A β resident breeding species |
A β resident breeding species |
6. |
Coot |
Fulica atra |
A β resident breeding species |
7. |
American coot |
Fulica americana |
A β rare vagrant |
8. |
Allenβs gallinule |
Porphyrio alleni |
A β rare vagrant |
9. |
American purple gallinule |
Porphyrio martinicus |
A β rare vagrant |
10. |
Western swamphen |
Porphyrio martinicus |
Porphyrio martinicus |
11. |
Baillonβs crake |
Zapornia pusilla |
A β rare vagrant, formerly bred |
12. |
Little crake |
Zapornia parva |
A β rare vagrant |
Cranes
Cranes are large, long-legged and long-necked birds. They fly with necks outstretched, not pulled back. Most have elaborate and noisy courting displays or βdancesβ.
Order: Gruiformes
Family: Gruidae
Serial no. |
Common name |
Binomial name |
Status |
---|---|---|---|
1. |
Sandhill crane |
Antigone canadensis |
A β rare vagrant |
2. |
Crane |
Grus grus |
A β resident breeding species and passage migrant |
Grebes
Grebes are small to medium-large diving birds.
Characteristics: Lobed toes and pointed bills.
They are seen mainly on lowland waters and coasts.
They feed on aquatic animals and nest on a floating platform of vegetation.
Order: Podicipediformes
Family: Podicipedidae
Given below is a list of Grebes.
Serial no. |
Common name |
Binomial name |
Status |
---|---|---|---|
1. |
Little grebe |
Tachybaptus ruficollis |
A β resident breeder and winter visitor |
2. |
Pied-billed grebe |
Podilymbus podiceps |
A β rare vagrant |
3. |
Red-necked grebe |
Podiceps grisegena |
A β winter visitor; has bred |
4. |
Great crested grebe |
Podiceps cristatus |
A β resident breeder and winter visitor |
5. |
Slavonian grebe |
Podiceps auritus |
A β resident breeder and winter visitor |
6. |
Black-necked grebe |
Podiceps nigricollis |
A β resident breeder and winter visitor |
Stone-curlews
A small family of medium to large waders with strong black bills, large yellow eyes and cryptic plumage.
Order: Charadriiformes
Family: Burhinidae
Serial no. |
Common name |
Binomial name |
Status |
---|---|---|---|
1. |
Stone curlew |
Burhinus oedicnemus |
A β breeding summer visitor |
Oystercatchers
The oystercatchers are large, obvious and noisy wading birds with strong bills used for smashing or prising open molluscs. There are eleven species worldwide with one in Britain.
Order: Charadriiformes
Family: Haematopodidae
Serial no. |
Common name |
Binomial name |
Status |
---|---|---|---|
1. |
Oystercatcher |
Haematopus ostralegus |
A β resident breeding species |
Stilts & Avocets
A family of fairly large wading birds. In Britain, there are 10 species worldwide out of which two are in Britain.
Characteristics of Stilts: Extremely long legs and long, thin, straight bills.
Characteristics of Avocets: Long legs and long up-curved bills.
Order: Charadriiformes
Family: Recurvirostridae
Serial no. |
Common name |
Binomial name |
Status |
---|---|---|---|
1. |
Black-winged stilt |
Himantopus himantopus |
A β scarce migrant and occasional breeder |
2. |
Avocet |
Recurvirostra avosetta |
A β resident breeding species |
Plovers and Lapwings
Plovers and Lapwings are small to medium-sized wading birds.
Characteristics: Compact bodies, short, thick necks and long, usually pointed, wings.
Order: Charadriiformes
Family: Charadriidae
Given below is a list of Plovers and Lapwings.
Serial no. |
Common name |
Binomial name |
Status |
---|---|---|---|
1. |
Lapwing |
Vanellus vanellus |
A β resident breeding species |
2. |
Sociable plover |
Vanellus gregarius |
A β rare vagrant |
3. |
White-tailed plover |
Vanellus leucurus |
A β rare vagrant |
4. |
Golden plover |
Pluvialis apricaria |
A β winter visitor and passage migrant, scarce breeder |
5. |
Pacific golden plover |
Pluvialis fulva |
A β rare vagrant |
6. |
American golden plover |
Pluvialis dominica |
A β rare vagrant |
7. |
Grey plover |
Pluvialis squatarola |
A β winter visitor and passage migrant |
8. |
Ringed plover |
Charadrius hiaticula |
A β resident breeding species and summer visitor |
9. |
Semipalmated plover |
Charadrius semipalmatus |
A β rare vagrant |
10. |
Little ringed plover |
Charadrius dubius |
A β breeding summer visitor |
11. |
Killdeer |
Charadrius vociferus |
A β rare vagrant |
12. |
Kentish plover |
Charadrius alexandrinus |
A β former breeder, now rare vagrant |
13. |
Lesser sand plover |
Charadrius mongolus |
A β rare vagrant |
14. |
Greater sand plover |
Charadrius leschenaultii |
A β rare vagrant |
15. |
Caspian plover |
Charadrius asiaticus |
A β rare vagrant |
16. |
Dotterel |
Charadrius morinellus |
A β breeding summer visitor |
Sandpipers & Allies
Sandpipers and Allies are large, diverse family of wading birds. Different lengths of legs and bills enable multiple species to feed in the same habitat, particularly on the coast, without direct competition for food.
Order: Charadriiformes
Family: Scolopacidae
Given below is a list of Sandpipers and Allies.
Serial no. |
Common name |
Binomial name |
Status |
---|---|---|---|
1. |
Upland sandpiper |
Bartramia longicauda |
A β rare vagrant |
2. |
Whimbrel |
Numenius phaeopus |
A β breeding summer visitor |
3. |
Hudsonian whimbrel |
Numenius hudsonicus |
A β rare vagrant |
4. |
Little whimbrel |
Numenius minutus |
A β rare vagrant |
5. |
Eskimo curlew |
Numenius borealis |
B β extinct |
6. |
Curlew |
Numenius arquata |
A β resident breeding species |
7. |
Bar-tailed godwit |
Limosa lapponica |
A β winter visitor and passage migrant |
8. |
Black-tailed godwit |
Limosa limosa) |
A β winter visitor, passage migrant and scarce summer breeding species |
9. |
Hudsonian godwit |
Limosa haemastica |
A β rare vagrant |
10. |
Turnstone |
Arenaria interpres |
A β resident breeding species |
11. |
Great knot |
Calidris tenuirostris |
A β rare vagrant |
12. |
Knot |
Calidris canutus |
A β winter visitor and passage migrant |
13. |
Ruff |
Calidris pugnax |
A β passage migrant and scarce breeding resident |
14. |
Broad-billed sandpiper |
Calidris falcinellus |
A β rare vagrant |
15. |
Sharp-tailed sandpiper |
Calidris acuminata |
A β rare vagrant |
16. |
Stilt sandpiper |
Calidris himantopus |
A β rare vagrant |
17. |
Curlew sandpiper |
Calidris ferruginea |
A β winter visitor and passage migrant |
18. |
Temminckβs stint |
Calidris temminckii |
A β winter visitor and passage migrant, occasional breeder |
19. |
Long-toed stint |
Calidris subminuta |
A β rare vagrant |
20. |
Red-nicked stint |
Calidris ruficollis |
A β rare vagrant |
21. |
Sanderling |
Calidris alba |
A β winter visitor and passage migrant |
22. |
Dunlin |
Calidris alpina |
A β winter visitor and passage migrant, scarce breeder |
23. |
Purple sandpiper |
Calidris maritima |
A β winter visitor and passage migrant, occasional breeder |
24. |
Bairdβs sandpiper |
Calidris bairdii |
A β rare vagrant |
25. |
Little stint |
Calidris minuta |
A β winter visitor and passage migrant |
26. |
Least sandpiper |
Calidris minutilla |
A β rare vagrant |
27. |
White-rumped sandpiper |
Calidris fuscicollis |
A β scarce migrant |
28. |
Buff-breasted sandpiper |
Calidris subruficollis |
A β passage migrant |
29. |
Pectoral sandpiper |
Calidris melanotos |
A β winter visitor and passage migrant |
30. |
Semipalmated sandpiper |
Calidris pusilla |
A β rare vagrant |
31. |
Western sandpiper |
Calidris mauri |
A β rare vagrant |
32. |
Long-billed dowitcher |
Limnodromus scolopaceus |
A β rare vagrant |
33. |
Short-billed dowitcher |
Limnodromus griseus |
A β rare vagrant |
34. |
Woodcock |
Scolopax rusticola |
A β resident breeding species |
35. |
Jack snipe |
Lymnocryptes minimus |
A β winter visitor and passage migrant |
36. |
Great snipe |
Gallinago media |
A- rare vagrant |
37. |
Snipe |
Gallinago gallinago |
A- resident breeding species and summer visitor |
38. |
Wilsonβs snipe |
Gallinago delicata |
A β rare vagrant |
39. |
Terek sandpiper |
Xenus cinereus |
A β rare vagrant |
40. |
Wilsonβs phalarope |
Phalaropus tricolor |
A β rare vagrant |
41. |
Red-necked phalarope |
Phalaropus lobatus |
A β winter visitor: scarce and localised summer breeding in far North |
42. |
Grey phalarope |
Phalaropus fulicaria |
A β scarce winter visitor |
43. |
Common sandpiper |
Actitis hypoleucos |
A β resident breeding species and passage migrant |
44. |
Spotted sandpiper |
Actitis macularius |
A β rare vagrant |
45. |
Green sandpiper |
Tringa ochropus |
A β winter visitor and passage migrant, occasional breeder |
46. |
Solitary sandpiper |
Tringa solitaria |
A β rare vagrant |
47. |
Grey-tailed tattler |
Tringa brevipes |
A β rare vagrant |
48. |
Lesser yellowlegs |
Tringa flavipes |
A β scarce migrant, formerly a rare vagrant |
49. |
Redshank |
Tringa totanus |
A β resident breeding species |
50. |
Marsh sandpiper |
Tringa stagnatilis |
A β rare vagrant |
51. |
Wood sandpiper |
Tringa glareola |
A β passage migrant and rare localised breeder in far North |
52. |
Spotted redshank |
Tringa erythropus |
A β winter visitor and passage migrant |
53. |
Greenshank |
Tringa nebularia |
A β resident breeding species and passage migrant |
54. |
Greater yellowlegs |
Tringa melanoleuca |
A β rare vagrant |
Pratincoles & Coursers
Pratincoles and Coursers is a family of slender, long-winged wading birds.
Order: Charadriiformes
Family: Glareolidae
Given below is a list of Pratincoles and Coursers.
Serial no. |
Common name |
Binomial name |
Status |
---|---|---|---|
1. |
Cream-colured cursor |
Cursorius cursor |
A β rare vagrant |
2. |
Collared pratincole |
Glareola pratincola |
A β rare vagrant |
3. |
Oriental pratincole |
Glareola maldivarum |
A β rare vagrant |
4. |
Black-winged pratincole |
Glareola nordmanni |
A β rare vagrant |
Gulls, Terns & Skimmers
Gulls, Terns, and Skimmers are medium to large seabirds with grey, white and black plumage.
Characteristics: Webbed feet and strong bills.
Many are opportunistic and adaptable feeders.
Order: Charadriiformes
Family: Laridae
Given below is a list of Gulls, Terns, and Skimmers.
Serial no. |
Common name |
Binomial name |
Status |
---|---|---|---|
1. |
Kittiwake |
Rissa tridactyla |
A β breeding summer visitor and resident species |
2. |
Ivory gull |
Pagophila eburnea |
A β rare vagrant |
3. |
Sabineβs gull |
Xema sabini |
A β scarce winter visitor |
4. |
Slender-billed gull |
Chroicocephalus genei |
A β rare vagrant |
5. |
Bonaparteβs gull |
Chroicocephalus philadelphia |
A β rare vagrant |
6. |
Black-headed gull |
Chroicocephalus ridibundus) |
A β resident breeding species |
7. |
Little gull |
Hydrocoloeus minutus |
A β winter visitor, occasional breeder |
8. |
Rossβs gull |
Rhodostethia rosea |
A β rare vagrant |
9. |
Laughing gull |
Leucophaeus atricilla |
A β rare vagrant |
10. |
Franklinβs gull |
Leucophaeus pipixcan |
A β rare vagrant |
11. |
Audouinβs gull |
Ichthyaetus audouinii |
A β rare vagrant |
12. |
Mediterranean gull |
Ichthyaetus melanocephalus |
A β breeding summer visitor, and resident in south. |
13. |
Great black-headed gull |
Ichthyaetus ichthyaetus |
B β rare vagrant |
14. |
Common gull |
Larus canus |
A β resident breeding species, winter visitor and passage migrant |
15. |
Ring-billed gull |
Larus delawarensis |
A β scarce winter visitor and passage migrant |
16. |
Great black-backed gull |
Larus marinus |
A β resident breeding species and passage migrant |
17. |
Kelp gull |
Larus dominicanus |
A β rare vagrant; first recorded 2022 |
18. |
Glaucous-winged gull |
Larus glaucescens |
A β rare vagrant |
19. |
Glaucous gull |
Larus hyperboreus |
A β winter visitor; has bred |
20. |
Iceland gull |
Larus glaucoides |
A β scarce winter visitor |
21. |
European herring gull |
Larus argentatus |
A β resident breeding species |
22. |
American herring gull |
Larus smithsonianus |
A β rare vagrant |
23. |
Caspian gull |
Larus cachinnans |
A β scarce migrant |
24. |
Yellow-legged gull |
Larus michahellis |
A β non-breeding late-summer visitor and passage migrant; has bred |
25. |
Slaty-backed gull |
Larus schistisagus |
A β rare vagrant |
26. |
Lesser black-backed gull |
Larus fuscus |
A β resident breeding species and passage migrant |
27. |
Gull-billed tern |
Gelochelidon nilotica |
A β rare vagrant; has bred |
28. |
Caspian tern |
Hydroprogne caspia |
A β rare vagrant |
29. |
Royal tern |
Thalasseus maximus |
A β rare vagrant |
30. |
Lesser crested tern |
Thalasseus bengalensis |
A β rare vagrant |
31. |
Sandwich tern |
Thalasseus sandvicensis |
A β breeding summer visitor |
32. |
Cabotβs tern |
Thalasseus acuflavida |
A β rare vagrant |
33. |
Elegant tern |
Thalasseus elegans |
A β rare vagrant |
34. |
Little tern |
Sternula albifrons |
A β breeding summer visitor |
35. |
Aleutian tern |
Onychoprion aleutica |
A β rare vagrant |
36. |
Bridled tern |
Onychoprion anaethetus |
A β rare vagrant |
37. |
Sooty tern |
Onychoprion fuscata |
A β rare vagrant |
38. |
Roseate tern |
Sterna dougallii |
A β rare vagrant |
39. |
Common tern |
Sterna hirundo |
A β breeding summer visitor |
40. |
Arctic tern |
Sterna paradisaea |
A β breeding summer visitor |
41. |
Forsterβs tern |
Sterna forsteri |
A β rare vagrant |
42. |
Whiskered tern |
Chlidonias hybridus |
A β rare vagrant |
43. |
White-winged black tern |
Chlidonias leucopterus |
A β scarce migrant |
44. |
Black tern |
Chlidonias niger |
A β passage migrant, occasional breeder |
Skuas
Skuas are 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.
Order: Charadriiformes
Family: Stercorariidae
Given below is a list of Skuas.
Serial no. |
Common name |
Binomial name |
Status |
---|---|---|---|
1. |
South Polar skua |
Stercorarius maccormicki |
A β rare vagrant |
2. |
Great skua |
Stercorarius skua |
A β passage migrant and localised summer breeder |
3. |
Pomarine skua |
Stercorarius pomarinus |
A β passage migrant |
4. |
Arctic skua |
Stercorarius parasiticus |
A β passage migrant and localised summer breeder |
5. |
Long-tailed skua |
Stercorarius longicaudus |
A β passage migrant |
Auks, Murres & Puffins
Auks, Murres and Puffins is a family of seabirds which are superficially similar to penguins.
They are found in with black and white colours.
Characteristics: Upright posture and some of their habits, but which are able to fly.
Order: Charadriiformes
Family: Alcidae
Given below is a list of Auks, Murres and Puffins.
Serial no. |
Common name |
Binomial name |
Status |
---|---|---|---|
1. |
Little auk |
Alle alle |
A β rare winter visitor |
2. |
Brunnichβs guillemot |
Uria lomvia |
A β rare vagrant |
3. |
Common guillemot |
Uria aalge |
A β breeding summer visitor and resident species |
4. |
Razorbill |
Alca torda |
A β breeding summer visitor and resident species |
5. |
Great auk |
Pinguinus impennis |
B β extinct |
6. |
Black guillemot |
Cepphus grylle |
A β resident localised breeding species |
7. |
Long-billed murrelet |
Brachyramphus perdix |
A β rare vagrant |
8. |
Ancient murrelet |
Synthliboramphus antiquus |
A β rare vagrant |
9. |
Puffin |
Fratercula arctica |
A β breeding summer visitor |
10. |
Tufted puffin |
Fratercula cirrhata |
A β rare vagrant |
Tropicbirds
Tropicbirds are slender white birds of tropical oceans.
Characteristics: Exceptionally long central tail feathers. Their heads and long wings have black markings.
Order: Phaethontiformes
Family: Phaethontidae
Serial no. |
Common name |
Binomial name |
Status |
---|---|---|---|
1. |
Red-billed tropicbird |
Phaethon aethereus |
A β rare vagrant |
Divers
Divers are aquatic birds the size of a large duck, to which they are unrelated. They swim well and fly adequately but are almost helpless on land, because their legs are placed towards the rear of the body. They feed on fish and other aquatic animals.
Order: Gaviiformes
Family: Gaviidae
Given below is a list of Divers.
Serial no. |
Common name |
Binomial name |
Status |
---|---|---|---|
1. |
Red-throated diver |
Gavia stellata |
A β resident breeder and winter visitor |
2. |
Black-throated diver |
Gavia arctica |
A β resident breeder and winter visitor |
3. |
Pacific diver |
Gavia pacifica |
A β rare vagrant |
4. |
Great northern diver |
Gavia immer |
A β winter visitor; has bred |
5. |
White-billed diver |
Gavia adamsii |
A β rare vagrant |
Southern Storm Petrels
The southern storm petrels are the smallest seabirds, which feed on plankton and small fish that they pick from the surface, typically while hovering.
They nest in colonies on the ground, most often in burrows.
Order: Procellariiformes
Family: Oceanitidae
Serial no. |
Common name |
Binomial name |
Status |
---|---|---|---|
1. |
Wilsonβs storm petrel |
Oceanites oceanicus |
A β rare vagrant, more regularly seen well offshore |
2. |
White-faced storm petrel |
Pelagodroma marina |
A β rare vagrant |
Albatrosses
The albatrosses are amongst the largest flying birds.
Characteristics: Long, narrow wings for gliding.
Majority of them are found in the Southern Hemisphere with only vagrants occurring in the North Atlantic.
Order: Procellariiformes
Family: Diomedeidae
Serial no. |
Common name |
Binomial name |
Status |
---|---|---|---|
1. |
Black-browed albatross |
Thalassarche melanophris |
A β rare vagrant |
2. |
Atlantic yellow-nosed albatross |
Thalassarche chlororhynchos |
A β rare vagrant |
Conclusion
In Britain, various types of wild birds are found which are categorised into Categories A, B and C. There are a total of 634 species of birds found in Great Britain as of 13th February 2024. The different types of birds found in Britain are: Geese and Allies, Nightjars, Swifts, Cuckoos, Bustards, Cranes, Grebes, Albatrosses, Divers, Tropicbirds, Oystercatchers, Skuas, Gulls to name a few. The list of birds in Britain is managed by the British Records Committee. Thus, we see how various birds in Britain have their own characteristics and are assigned a specific status. and category.
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FAQs on List of British Birds
How many species of birds are found in Britain?
There are a total of 634 species of birds found in Great Britain as of 13th February 2024.
What are the different types of birds found in Britain?
The different types of birds found in Britain are: Geese and Allies, Nightjars, Swifts, Cuckoos, Bastards, Cranes, Grebes, Oystercatchers, Skuas, Gulls to name a few.
Who manages the list of birds in Great Britain?
This list is managed by the British Records Committee.
How are the species of birds categorised in Britain?
A specific species category is assigned to each of the species on the list. Only those species in Categories A, B and C form the British List.
What is the most common British wild bird?
Wren is the most common wild bird found in Britain.
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