Blackbird (Turdus merula) Expand Blackbird song by Anderson Saldanha Bueno, Xeno-canto Your browser does not support the audio element. Please click here to download the file Blackbird (Turdus merula) Alert Status: GreenIdentifying Features: Male: Black with yellow beak female: dark brownAverage Length: 24-25 cmAverage Lifespan: 3 YearsAverage Wingspan: 35 - 38 cmBeak type: GeneralistFeeding:Natural: Insects, worms, cotoneaster berries & windfall fruitHow to feed: Ground feeders & bird tablesWhat to feed: Peanuts, mealworms, berries, apples, raisinsNesting: Hedges & shrubsWhere to see: Widespread across the UK. Gardens, rural, lawns
Blue Tit (Cyanistes caeruleus) Expand Blue Tit song by Tony Whitehead, Xeno-canto Your browser does not support the audio element. Please click here to download the file Blue Tit (Cyanistes caeruleus) Alert Status: GreenIdentifying Features: Bight blue head cap and dark blue eye stripe with yellow bellyAverage Length: 11.5 cmAverage Lifespan: 3 YearsAverage Wingspan: 17.5-20 cmBeak type: Insects Feeding:Natural: Caterpillars and seeds. In springtime they feed also on pollen, nectar and sap, and in the autumn on berries.How to feed them: Hanging feedersWhat: Peanuts, suet cakes, seed mixes, sunflower hearts & seedsNesting: Small nest box with 25mm holeWhere to see: Widespread across the UK. Gardens, parks & woodland
Bullfinch (Pyrrhula pyrrhula) Expand Bullfinch song by david m, Xeno-canto Your browser does not support the audio element. Please click here to download the file Bullfinch (Pyrrhula pyrrhula) Alert Status: AmberIdentifying Features: Black bill, head & wings with a forked tail. Males have a reddish pinkish breast & cheeks with a blue greyish back. Females have a brownish back with a fawn breast. Average Length: 14 – 16 cmAverage Lifespan: 2 YearsAverage Wingspan: 22-29 cmBeak type: SeedsFeeding:Natural: Insects, berries, seeds & bugsHow to feed: Hanging feedersWhat to feed: Seed mixes, suet treatsNesting: Loose nest of twigs & moss lined with hair, usually in shrubs or bushes such as hawthornWhere to see: Widespread across the UK. Woodlands, orchards & hedgerows.
Chaffinch (Fringilla coelebs) Expand Chaffinch song by david m, Xeno-canto Your browser does not support the audio element. Please click here to download the file Chaffinch (Fringilla coelebs) Alert Status: GreenIdentifying Features: Double white wing bars; male has a pinkish-peach breast with a blue-grey crown & nape. Female has grey-brown underpartsAverage Length: 14.5 cmAverage Lifespan: 3 YearsAverage Wingspan: 24.5-28.5 cmBeak type: SeedsFeeding:Natural: Seeds, beech-masts & grainHow to feed: Ground feeders & bird tables What to feed: Mixed seeds, sunflower hearts, peanut granulesNesting: In a fork of trees or shrubs; cup nest made of moss, grass, feathers & hair bound with spiders' websWhere to see: Widespead across the UK; usually found in hedgerows, woodlands, fields & parks
Chiffchaff (Phylloscopus collybita) Expand Chiffchaff song by Martin Sutherland, Xeno-canto Your browser does not support the audio element. Please click here to download the file Chiffchaff (Phylloscopus collybita) Alert Status: GreenIdentifying Features: Brownish green in colour with a dark eye stripe. Average Length: 10 - 11 cmAverage Lifespan: 2 yearsAverage Wingspan: 15 - 21 cmBeak type: InsectsFeeding:Natural: Insects, such as midges and other flies, and caterpillars and mothsHow to feed: Ground feeders & bird tablesWhat to feed: Mixed seedsNesting: Domed in shape, on the ground or very close to it. Constructed with dead vegetation (stems & leaves) with a feather liningWhere to see: Most of UK apart from Highlands of Scotland. Lowland, woodlands, parks & large gardens
Coal Tit (Periparus ater) Expand Coal Tit song by david m, Xeno-canto Your browser does not support the audio element. Please click here to download the file Coal Tit (Periparus ater) Alert Status: GreenIdentifying Features: Smallest European tit; has a white patch on the nape.Average Length: 11.5 cmAverage Lifespan: 2 YearsAverage Wingspan: 17-21 cmBeak type: InsectsFeeding:Natural: Insects, seeds, black sunflower seeds & sunflower heartsHow to feed: Hanging feedersWhat to feed: Peanuts, suet treats, seed mixes, sunflower heartsNesting: Hollow trees or mouse holes; constructed of moss, wool, dead leaves & spider webs.Where to see: UK Wide. Woodlands; especially conifers, parks & gardens
Dunnock (Prunella modularis) Expand Dunnock song by Kieran Nixon, Xeno-canto Your browser does not support the audio element. Please click here to download the file Dunnock (Prunella modularis) Alert Status: AmberIdentifying Features: Also known as a hedge sparrow. Looks like a dull grey sparrow. The black beak is finer than a sparrow’s Average Length: 14.5cmAverage Lifespan: 2 YearsAverage Wingspan: 19 - 21cmBeak type: InsectsFeeding:Natural: Beetles and ants, and spiders, seeds and berriesHow to feed: Ground feedersWhat to feed: Sunflower hearts, mixed seeds, cheeseNesting: In dense shrubs & hedges; cup-shaped nest made of moss & twigs & lined with moss & hairWhere to see: Widespread across the UK. Woodland, farmland, parks & gardens. Usually seen on the ground close to cover.
Goldfinch (Carduelis carduelis) Expand Goldfinch song by david m, Xeno-canto Your browser does not support the audio element. Please click here to download the file Goldfinch (Carduelis carduelis) Alert Status: GreenIdentifying Features: Mixture of red, white & black on the head with a golden brown body & bright yellow wing bars.Average Length: 12 cmAverage Lifespan: 2 yearsAverage Wingspan: 21-25 cmBeak type: SeedsFeeding:Natural: Seeds, fruits & insectsHow to feed: Hanging feedersWhat to feed: Niger seeds, sunflower hearts, mixed seedsNesting: Usually constructed in a tree towards the branch. Made of moss, grass & lichen.Where to see: UK wide; often found by seeding plants in parks and gardens.
Great Tit (Parus major) Expand Great Tit song by david m, Xeno-canto Your browser does not support the audio element. Please click here to download the file Great Tit (Parus major) Alert Status: Green Identifying Features: Largest of the tit family, with a black crown, nape & throat. The belly is yellow with a black stripe. Males have a broader stripe on the belly than the femaleAverage Length: 14 cmAverage Lifespan: 3 YearsAverage Wingspan: 22-25 cmBeak type: InsectsFeeding:Natural: Caterpillars and spiders, seeds & berriesHow to feed: Hanging feedersWhat to feed: Peanuts, suet treats, mixed seeds, sunflower heartsNesting: Cup shaped nest made from moss, down & grass. Frequently use nest boxes with a larger hole.Where to see: Widespread across the UK; usually found in gardens, parks & woodland.
Green Woodpecker (Picus viridis) Expand Green Woodpecker by Paul Driver, Xeno-canto Your browser does not support the audio element. Please click here to download the file Green Woodpecker (Picus viridis) Alert Status: GreenIdentifying Features: Largest of the woodpeckers with green back & wings. The crown & nape are red and the male has a black moustache with a red centre; the female has a completely black one. Average Length: 30 - 33 cmAverage Lifespan: 5 YearsAverage Wingspan: 40-42 cmBeak type: Specialist Feeding:Natural: Ants, beetles, caterpillars and other insectsHow to feed: Ground feedersWhat to feed: Meal worms, fruitNesting: Built in a tree holeWhere to see: Widespread across the UK. Found on the ground of short grass in gardens & parklands
Greenfinch (Carduelis chloris) Expand Greenfinch by david m, Xeno-canto Your browser does not support the audio element. Please click here to download the file Greenfinch (Carduelis chloris) Alert Status: GreenIdentifying Features: Mostly olive green with a yellow tinge to the underbelly with yellow to the outer wings. Usually brighter in summer.Average Length: 15 cmAverage Lifespan: 2 YearsAverage Wingspan: 25-28 cmBeak type: SeedsFeeding:Natural: Seeds, wild fruit & berriesHow to feed: Hanging feeders & bird tablesWhat to feed: Sunflower hearts, black sunflower seeds, seed mixturesNesting: Usually in colonies in dense shrubs, constructed of twigs & grass lined with fine roots & hairWhere to see: Common UK species found in woodland, hedges and gardens.
House Sparrow (Passer domesticus) Expand House Sparrow song by david m, Xeno-canto Your browser does not support the audio element. Please click here to download the file House Sparrow (Passer domesticus) Alert Status: RedIdentifying Features: Male has a chestnut brown back with black streaks and a grey crown; female is paler and without the grey crown.Average Length: 14 - 15 cmAverage Lifespan: 3 YearsAverage Wingspan: 21 - 25 cmBeak type: SeedsFeeding:Natural: seeds, nuts, berries, buds, insects and scrapsHow to feed: Bird tablesWhat to feed: Sunflower hearts, black sunflower seeds & seed mixturesNesting: Untidy, domed or cup shaped, but will use next boxes with a hole or communal nestboxes as well.Where to see: Widespread across the UK. Towns, villages, farmland & countryside
Lesser Redpoll (Carduelis cabaret) Expand Please note we are unable to source the bird song. Lesser Redpoll (Carduelis cabaret) Alert Status: RedIdentifying Features: Grey-brown bird with dark streaks & dark brown forked tail. In summer the males' cheeks, throat, breast & rump are pink with the females' being a duller pink. Average Length: 11.5 - 14.5 cmAverage Lifespan: 2 yearsAverage Wingspan: 20 - 25 cmBeak type: SeedsFeeding:Natural: Very small seeds and insectsHow to feed: Hanging feedersWhat to feed: Niger seedsNesting: In a tree, untidy cup-shaped nest made of twigs & grass, lined with feathers.Where to see: Scotland, northern England & Wales. Mostly found in woodland but known to visit gardens.
Linnet (Carduelis cannabina) Expand Linnet by david m, Xeno-canto Your browser does not support the audio element. Please click here to download the file Linnet (Carduelis cannabina) Alert Status: RedIdentifying Features: Short tail with a fork; in summer the male has a crimson forehead & breast.Average Length: 13.5 cmAverage Lifespan: 2 YearsAverage Wingspan: 21 - 25 cmBeak type: SeedsFeeding:Natural: Small seeds and insectsHow to feed: Ground feedersWhat to feed: Mixed Seeds Nesting: Heaths, scrublands, hedgerows & gardens. Cup nest made of grass, moss & twigs lined with hair.Where to see: Commons, heathland, rough ground, farmland hedges and in parks and gardens; usually found on the east coast.
Long Tailed Tit (Aegithalos caudatus) Expand Long-tailed Tit song by david m, Xeno-canto Your browser does not support the audio element. Please click here to download the file Long Tailed Tit (Aegithalos caudatus) Alert Status: GreenIdentifying Features: Black & white with a pinkish underbelly; tail is very long (over half the length of the bird).Average Length: 15 cmAverage Lifespan: 2 YearsAverage Wingspan: 17-19 cmBeak type: Insects Feeding:Natural: Insects & their larvae, spiders & berriesHow to feed: Hanging feeders & bird tablesWhat to feed: Peanuts, peanut cakes, cheese, suet treatsNesting: Usually in hedges, bushes, trees & brambles, made of moss, feathers, hairs & spiders webs.Where to see: UK-wide apart from far North West Scotland. Usually found in farmland, shrub land, woodland and gardens
Mistle Thrush (Turdus viscivorus) Expand Mistle Thrush by david m, Xeno-canto Your browser does not support the audio element. Please click here to download the file Mistle Thrush (Turdus viscivorus) Alert Status: AmberIdentifying Features: Larger than a song thrush with rounded spots on its bellyAverage Length: 27 cmAverage Lifespan: 3 YearsAverage Wingspan: 42 - 48 cmBeak type: GeneralistFeeding:Natural: insects, worms, slugs (but rarely snails), berriesHow to feed them: Ground feedersWhat to feed: Raisins, peanuts granules, sunflower hearts, applesNesting: Large, messy nest often found in high woodlandWhere to see: Widespread across the UK. Woodland & gardens
Nuthatch (Sitta europaea) Expand Nuthatch by Tony Whitehead, Xeno-canto Your browser does not support the audio element. Please click here to download the file Nuthatch (Sitta europaea) Alert Status: GreenIdentifying Features: Blue grey neck, crown & back, with black stripe across eye. Climbing up and down tree trunks searching for insects in the barkAverage Length: 15 cmAverage Lifespan: 2 YearsAverage Wingspan: 20-25 cmBeak type: SpecialistFeeding:Natural: Hazel nuts, acorns & insectsHow to feed: Hanging feeders What to feed: Peanuts, mixed seeds, suet treats, sunflower heartsNesting: Usually a hole in a tree, like to use abandoned nests and will make the entrance smaller with mud. Will use a nest box with a 35mm holeWhere to see: Well established woods and parks in southern & central England & Wales
Robin (Erithacus rubecula) Expand Robin song by Tony Whitehead, Xeno-canto Your browser does not support the audio element. Please click here to download the file Robin (Erithacus rubecula) Alert Status: GreenIdentifying Features: Red breast, brown body. Voted UK’s favourite bird; SBS National Robin Day: 21st DecemberAverage Length: 13 - 14 cmAverage Lifespan: 2 YearsAverage Wingspan: 20 - 22 cmBeak type: InsectsFeeding: Natural: Insects and worms, meal wormsHow to feed: Ground feeders & bird tablesWhat to feed: Meal worms, peanut granules, suet treats & cheeseNesting: Open fronted nest boxesWhere to see: Widespread across the UK. Hedges, gardens, woodland & parks
Song Thrush (Turdus philomelos) Expand Song Thrush by Tony Whitehead, Xeno-canto Your browser does not support the audio element. Please click here to download the file Song Thrush (Turdus philomelos) Alert Status: RedIdentifying Features: Smaller than the mistle thrush and less upright when standing. The breast has arrow shaped spots.Average Length: 23 cmAverage Lifespan: 3 yearsAverage Wingspan: 33 - 36 cmBeak type: InsectsFeeding:Natural: Worms, insects, berries and snailsHow to feed: Ground feedersWhat to feed: Fruit, raisins & mealwormsNesting: Shady place in a bush or tree, constructed from grass, twigs & earth. Where to see: UK wide; woodlands, parks, hedgerows & gardens
Swallow (Hirundo rustica) Expand Swallow by Ashley Fisher, Xeno-canto Your browser does not support the audio element. Please click here to download the file Swallow (Hirundo rustica) Alert Status: GreenIdentifying Features: Long wings & tail streamers with royal blue upper partsAverage Length: 17-20 cmAverage Lifespan: 2 YearsAverage Wingspan: 30 - 35 cmBeak type: Flat & wideFeeding:Natural: InsectsHow to feed: Feed on the wing so do not take supplementary foodWhat to feed: Offer plenty of nectar-rich planting to encourage winged insectsNesting: Made from mud & plant fibres. Will use specialist nest boxesWhere to see: Widespread across the UK. Usually found around quiet farm buildings where they like to nest.
Tree Sparrow (Passer montanus) Expand Tree Sparrow by david m, Xeno-canto Your browser does not support the audio element. Please click here to download the file Tree Sparrow (Passer montanus) Alert Status: RedIdentifying Features: Smaller than the house sparrow. Both males and females have the chocolate brown head. Average Length: 14 cmAverage Lifespan: 2 yearsAverage Wingspan: 20 - 22 cmBeak type: SeedsFeeding:Natural: Aphids, caterpillars, flies, beetles and seedsHow to feed: Hanging feeders & bird tablesWhat to feed: Mixed seeds, linseeds, sunflower hearts, peanut granulesNesting: Tree sparrows will mate for life, nesting in a domed or cup shaped nest made of twigs & leaves and lined with down, moss and hair. Will use a nest box.Where to see: Main population can be found across the midlands, eastern & southern England. Usually found in hedgerows & edges of woodlands.
Willow Tit (Poecile montanus) Expand Willow Tit by Paul Driver, Xeno-canto Your browser does not support the audio element. Please click here to download the file Willow Tit (Poecile montanus) Alert Status: RedIdentifying Features: Black caps with sandy-brown upper parts. Willow Tit is scruffier looking than the Marsh Tit. Average Length: 12 cmAverage Lifespan: 2 YearsAverage Wingspan: 17-18 cm Beak type: InsectsFeeding:Natural: Insects, seeds berries & occasionally nutsHow to feed: Hanging feeders & bird tablesWhat to feed: Seeds, berries suet treats & peanut granulesNesting: Usually found in cavities in dead trees or stumps. Can nest in nest boxes but box needs to be filled with sawdust.Where to see: Usually found in damp places like willow thickets & edges of lowland peatbogs of England, Wales and South Scotland.
Wren (Troglodytes troglodytes) Expand Wren by Ashley Fisher, Xeno-canto Your browser does not support the audio element. Please click here to download the file Wren (Troglodytes troglodytes) Alert Status: GreenIdentifying Features: Rich brown in colour with a short cocked tail which they repeatedly flickAverage Length: 9 - 10 cmAverage Lifespan: 2 yearsAverage Wingspan: 13 - 17 cmBeak type: InsectsFeeding:Natural: Spiders and insects How to feed: Ground feeders & bird tablesWhat to feed: Cheese, mealworms, peanut granules, suet treatsNesting: Globe-shaped nests in walls, banks & trees. Will use open fronted nest boxes for nesting & roosting too.Where to see: UK wide found in woodlands & gardens.
Yellowhammer (Emberiza citronella) Expand Yellowhammer song by david m, Xeno-canto Your browser does not support the audio element. Please click here to download the file Yellowhammer (Emberiza citronella) Alert Status: RedIdentifying Features: Sparrow-sized bunting. Male is bright yellow with dark streaking. Females are not so bright and can be brown looking. Average Length: 16 cmAverage Lifespan: 3 YearsAverage Wingspan: 23-29 cmBeak type: SeedsFeeding:Natural: Seeds & grainsHow to feed: Hanging feedersWhat to feed: Sunflower hearts, raisins, corn & seedsNesting: Cup-shaped nest on the ground among hedgerows, grasses or shrubs. Where to see: Most of England and Wales, some of Scotland and Ireland. Open countryside, bushes & hedgerows.