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British Birds

Species 51 - 91 of 91 [ previous ]

Magpie (Pica pica)
The common magpie is an unmistakable species with its black and white plumage, and iridescent green or blue glossy sheen. The tail... More	12 Images	10 Videos

Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos)
The familiar mallard is the most numerous duck in Britain, and is the ancestor of the domestic duck. Both male and female mallards... More	31 Images	0 Videos

Marsh harrier (Circus aeruginosus)
Marsh harriers are recognised as harriers by their long, narrow tails, long legs and wings held in a 'V' in flight. This species... More	14 Images	0 Videos

Marsh warbler (Acrocephalus palustris)
This rare summer migrant is olive green-brown in colour with a white throat, a pale stripe in front of the eye and pale legs. The... More	7 Images	0 Videos

Montagu's harrier (Circus pygargus)
Named after the early nineteenth century ornithologist Col. George Montagu, the Montagu's harrier is the smallest... More	13 Images	2 Videos

Mute swan (Cygnus olor)
The mute swan is Britain's largest bird, and one of the heaviest flying birds in the world; adults can weigh over 15 kg . The... More	36 Images	0 Videos

Nightjar (Caprimulgus europaeus)
This crepuscular bird has finely patterned tree-bark like cryptic plumage that provides excellent camouflage in the daytime when... More	13 Images	5 Videos

Oystercatcher (Haematopus ostralegus)
The oystercatcher is well known as a coastal species, and is easily recognised by virtue of its large size and combination of black... More	22 Images	0 Videos

Pheasant (Phasianus colchicus)
The pheasant was introduced to Britain by the Romans and Normans; further introductions of various races (or 'subspecies') have... More	19 Images	5 Videos

Pied flycatcher (Ficedula hypoleuca)
The pied flycatcher is a summer visitor to the UK. They are not easily seen as they tend to keep to the upper branches of trees.... More	9 Images	0 Videos

Pied wagtail (Motacilla alba )
The pied wagtail is instantly recognisable thanks to its distinctive black and white plumage, loud tsli-vitt call, and... More	14 Images	0 Videos

Ptarmigan (Lagopus mutus)
The Scottish race of the ptarmigan is found only in Scotland, and is the only bird in Britain to turn white during winter. This... More	16 Images	0 Videos

Puffin (Fratercula arctica)
The puffin is one of our most well-loved and easily recognised birds. It has a comical appearance, with its parrot-like, large... More	21 Images	11 Videos

Raven (Corvus corax)
The raven is a magnificent bird; bigger than a buzzard, it is the largest passerine (perching) bird in Europe, and is deeply... More	17 Images	0 Videos

Razorbill (Alca torda)
This handsome bird has a characteristic deep, flattened, wedge-shaped bill, which is black in colour with a white line. The... More	18 Images	7 Videos

Red grouse (Lagopus lagopus)
The red grouse Lagopus lagopus scoticus is the British race of the willow grouse (Lagopus l. lagopus), although it was once... More	21 Images	0 Videos

Red kite (Milvus milvus)
The red kite has been described as 'the most beautiful bird of prey in Britain'. The plumage is a wonderful mixture of black... More	18 Images	9 Videos

Red-backed shrike (Lanius collurio)
Measuring 17 cm in length, the red-backed shrike is slightly larger than a house sparrow. Males are easily recognisable by their... More	14 Images	3 Videos

Red-necked phalarope (Phalaropus lobatus)
Phalaropes are waders, and unusual amongst birds in that the female is more brightly coloured than the male. This is chiefly... More	17 Images	6 Videos

Reed bunting (Emberiza schoeniclus)
The reed bunting is a sparrow-sized bird with a long notched tail. Both sexes have reddish-brown upperparts with dark streaks, and... More	9 Images	4 Videos

Robin (Erithacus rubecula)
The Robin is undoubtedly one of Britain's most dearly loved birds. It is instantly recognisable due to the rusty-red breast; indeed... More	18 Images	11 Videos

Rook (Corvus frugilegus)
The rook is the same size as carrion and hooded crows (Corvus corone, and C. cornix respectively). It has black plumage with... More	18 Images	0 Videos

Roseate tern (Sterna dougallii)
The roseate tern was first identified in 1812 by Dr MacDougall of Glasgow, hence the specific name dougallii. Males and females are... More	8 Images	6 Videos

Shag (Phalacrocorax aristotelis)
This bird is very similar in general appearance to the cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo), but is smaller and slightly slimmer.... More	17 Images	0 Videos

Shoveler (Anas clypeata)
The shoveler is named for its extraordinary oversized bill, which has a broad spatula-shaped tip. Both sexes have this feature, but... More	13 Images	0 Videos

Skylark (Alauda Arvensis)
When the poet Percy Bysshe Shelley wrote of the skylark 'Hail to thee, blithe spirit, bird thou never were't', he may well have had... More	12 Images	5 Videos

Snow bunting (Plectrophenax nivalis)
Snow buntings are known locally as 'snowflakes', and the specific part of the scientific name nivalis means 'snowy'. They certainly... More	16 Images	0 Videos

Song thrush (Turdus philomelos)
Slightly smaller than the blackbird, the familiar song thrush has brown upperparts and creamy underparts with obvious dark brown... More	17 Images	7 Videos

Spotted flycatcher (Muscicapa striata)
Adult spotted flycatchers are ashy-brown with a softly streaked dullish white breast; the forehead is also streaked. Younger birds... More	10 Images	7 Videos

Stone curlew (Burhinus oedicnemus)
The specific name Oedicnemus derives from the Greek for 'swollen shinned', these birds are also known as 'thick knees' due to their... More	14 Images	10 Videos

Tawny owl (Strix aluco)
The tawny owl is the most common and widespread British owl. It is most often heard than seen; it produces a variety... More	12 Images	6 Videos

Teal (Anas crecca)
The teal is one of the smallest wild ducks in the UK. The drake (male) in breeding plumage is also one of the most handsome... More	13 Images	0 Videos

Tree sparrow (Passer montanus)
Similar to the house sparrow (Passer domesticus), the tree sparrow was not recognised as a separate species until 1713. Both sexes... More	10 Images	1 Video

Tufted duck (Aythya fuligula)
Tufted ducks are, indeed, tufted, although the drake has a more prominent crest than the female (duck). The specific scientific... More	15 Images	0 Videos

Turtle dove (Streptopelia turtur)
This small, delicate dove is slightly larger than a blackbird. It has dark black and chestnut upper parts with a white belly and... More	11 Images	2 Videos

Whooper swan (Cygnus cygnus)
The whooper swan is a winter visitor to Britain. Its common name refers to the loud whooping calls that it produces. This large... More	24 Images	0 Videos

Wigeon (Anas penelope)
The wigeon is a medium-sized duck with a well-known whistling call - wheeooo - familiar to all who have witnessed their huge winter... More	13 Images	0 Videos

Woodlark (Lullula arborea)
The woodlark is brown in colour, with a whitish eye stripe and an overall streaky appearance. The underparts are dull white and the... More	5 Images	2 Videos

Woodpigeon (Columba palumbus)
The woodpigeon is the largest and most common of Britain's doves and pigeons. It is grey in colour with a dusky pink breast and... More	20 Images	6 Videos

Wryneck (Jynx torquilla)
The wryneck is an unusual-looking bird, at times resembling both a large warbler and a small bird of prey. Both male and female... More	10 Images	3 Videos

Yellowhammer (Emberiza citrinella)
The yellowhammer is one of the brightest coloured of our native birds. It is a fairly large bunting, with a long tail, white outer... More	14 Images	7 Videos

Species 51 - 91 of 91 [ previous ]

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