Which Birds in the UK Have Red Heads? A Colourful Guide

With over 260 different types of birds in the UK, it can almost be impossible to identify every single species. There are still a fair few contenders to sift through when it comes to birds with red heads or red patches on their heads.

Luckily, we've put together this article with all the birds that may help you with your identification.

The most common birds with red heads

The birds below are the most likely birds to see in the UK that have red heads, as they are generally quite common. However, it can vary slightly depending on your location.

European Goldfinch

Carduelis carduelis

Length:

12cm to 13cm

Wingspan:

21cm to 25cm

Weight:

14g to 19g

Learn more about the European Goldfinch

Goldfinch

There is a large population of goldfinches in the UK, and they can be seen everywhere in the country - although they are more popular in Southern England. These birds will usually be around scattered bushes and trees, thistles and any rough ground.

Great Spotted Woodpecker

Dendrocopos major

Length:

23cm to 26cm

Wingspan:

38cm to 44cm

Weight:

70g to 98g

Learn more about the Great Spotted Woodpecker

Great Spotted Woodpecker

These woodpeckers are usually found in woodland, parks and large gardens. They like more mature, broad trees and conifers. They are much more common in England and Wales but can be seen throughout the country.

Great Spotted Woodpeckers are rather fond of peanut feeders and bird tables too.

European Green Woodpecker

Picus viridis

Length:

30cm to 36cm

Wingspan:

40cm to 42cm

Weight:

180g to 220g

Learn more about the European Green Woodpecker

European Green Woodpecker

These are the largest breeding woodpeckers in the UK, and you can usually see them on garden lawns and in parks. This is because they spend most of their time feeding on the ground, particularly hunting for ants.

Green Woodpeckers can generally be seen throughout the country but are absent from the far north and west and Ireland.

Lesser Redpoll

Acanthis cabaret

Length:

11cm to 13cm

Wingspan:

20cm to 22.5cm

Weight:

9g to 12g

Learn more about the Lesser Redpoll

Lesser Redpoll

You'd assume that the common redpoll would be more common than the lesser redpoll, but the lesser is much more abundant in the UK. These tiny finches were recently split into their own species from the common redpoll. They are only slightly bigger than a blue tit and can mainly be seen in woodland and gardens.

The lesser redpoll has a breeding population across Scotland, northern and eastern England and Wales. You're a lot less likely to see these birds in other parts of England, but sightings can happen during the winter months.

Linnet

Linaria cannabina

Length:

13cm to 14cm

Wingspan:

21cm to 25cm

Weight:

15g to 20g

Learn more about the Linnet

Linnet

Once a popular caged bird, these small, slender finches are residents over most of the UK and have a well-established population. Male linnets have reddish breasts and foreheads, with females being much browner all over.

Large numbers of these birds can usually be seen along the coast from Kent all the way up to Aberdeenshire. Usually, they can be found on parks, gardens, saltmarshes, farmland hedges and rough ground.

Common Pheasant

Phasianus colchicus

Length:

50cm to 90cm

Wingspan:

70cm to 90cm

Weight:

720g to 1.6kg

Learn more about the Common Pheasant

Pheasant

These large, vocal gamebirds can be seen almost everywhere across the country. Male pheasants are the more colourful out of the sexes, and they have dark green heads with red face markings.

European Robin

Erithacus rubecula

Length:

12.5cm to 14cm

Wingspan:

20cm to 22cm

Weight:

16g to 22g

Learn more about the European Robin

Robin

One of the UK's favourite birds, the robin has a distinctive red breast and can be seen all year round all over the country. Male and female robins look exactly the same, with juveniles having no red breasts; instead, it's a golden brown colour with spots.

Barn Swallow

Hirundo rustica

Length:

17cm to 19cm

Wingspan:

32cm to 34cm

Weight:

16g to 22g

Learn more about the Barn Swallow

Swallow

These small birds have reddish throats, glossy blue backs and distinctive long tail streamers. They arrive in the UK for summer and can be seen most of the time performing superb displays in the air. When winter comes, swallows migrate south.

Less common birds with red heads in the UK

The re headed birds below are fairly rare and much less common in the UK. However, it can vary slightly depending on your location.

Common Redpoll

Acanthis flammea

Length:

11.5cm to 14cm

Wingspan:

19cm to 22cm

Weight:

10g to 18g

Learn more about the Common Redpoll

Common Redpoll

Don't let the name fool you, as the Common Redpoll isn't actually that common at all here in the UK. With an estimated UK breeding of between 1-4 birds and 300 wintering, you'll have to be extremely lucky to see one of these.

In winter, you're most likely to see these birds on the east coast.

Common Crane

Grus grus

Length:

100cm to 130cm

Wingspan:

180cm to 240cm

Weight:

3kg to 6.1kg

Learn more about the Common Crane

Crane

These large, pleasant birds have a small breeding population in Norfolk and a re-introduced population in Somerset. In spring and autumn, small numbers can be found passing through Britain.

Cranes are predominately grey but have dark necks, with patches of white and a red mark.

Lesser Spotted Woodpecker

Dryobates minor

Length:

14cm to 16cm

Wingspan:

25cm to 27cm

Weight:

17g to 25g

Learn more about the Lesser Spotted Woodpecker

Lesser Spotted Woodpecker

Unlike the great spotted and green woodpeckers, these small resident woodpeckers are a lot less common. Males are the only sex to have a vibrant red crown.

These woodpeckers are generally much quieter with their tapping and will nest and feed higher up.

Little Grebe

Tachybaptus ruficollis

Length:

23cm to 29cm

Wingspan:

40cm to 45cm

Weight:

120g to 300g

Learn more about the Little Grebe

Little Grebe

In the summer months, the little grebe has bright reddish cheeks and throat. They are small and rather plump looking and can sometimes appear to have a fluffy rear end.

These birds can be seen in most parts of the UK, but not usually in upland areas.

Pochard

Aythya ferina

Length:

42cm to 49cm

Wingspan:

67cm to 75cm

Weight:

690g to 1.2kg

Learn more about the Pochard

Pochard

During the spring and winter months, it's quite straightforward to distinguish male pochards. Their heads are a reddish-brown colour, with dark breasts and light bodies. Female pochards are often mistaken with other species, as they are mostly brown with grey bodies and pale cheeks.

However, when pochards grow new feathers, males and females do look extremely similar.

Red-necked Grebe

Podiceps grisegena

Length:

40cm to 50cm

Wingspan:

77cm to 85cm

Weight:

750g to 1.6kg

Learn more about the Red-necked Grebe

Red-Necked Grebe

Red Grebes are rare in the UK, with less than 20 of these birds spending the summer here. During winter, the number of these birds increases slightly, but usually not by many.

In summer, these birds have red necks and chests.

Red-crested Pochard

Netta rufina

Length:

53cm to 57cm

Wingspan:

85cm to 100cm

Weight:

900g to 1.4kg

Learn more about the Red-crested Pochard

Red-Crested Pochard

Males have orange-brown heads, with pale flanks and red beaks. Females have pale cheeks and are brown all over.

Spain has a substantial population of red-crested pochards, but closer to the UK, France, Netherlands and Germany all have small but good populations of these birds.

This is where sometimes the occasional bird will come over to the UK. All of the breeding birds in the UK are said to come from escaped birds.

Bohemian Waxwing

Bombycilla garrulus

Length:

19cm to 23cm

Wingspan:

32cm to 35cm

Weight:

55g to 80g

Learn more about the Bohemian Waxwing

Waxwing

Waxwings are winter visitors to the UK and are slightly smaller than starlings in size. They don't breed in the UK but can be seen in large numbers during some winters.

They have a very distinctive crest, with reddish-brown bodies and black throats. They have a yellow tip on their tails, white and yellow on the wings and small black masks around their eyes.

What is the most common bird with a red head?

The most common bird you'll see in the UK with a red head, will probably be either a Robin or Goldfinch. This is because out of the red-headed birds they are by far the most popular and are much more likely to visit your garden than most of the others.