A-Z of birds in Asia

Swifts

Alpine Swift

Breeding throughout mountainous regions of southern Europe and across to the Himalayas these birds are migratory, overwintering in southern Africa or central India. Worldwide, there are a total of ten subspecies from the nominate species, apus melba.

Warblers

Aquatic Warbler

Aquatic Warblers are rare but regular passage migrants to northwest Europe in the autumn.

Skuas

Arctic Skua

The Arctic Skua, also known as the Parasitic Jaeger, is a medium-sized seabird well known for its aggressive nature.

Gulls and terns

Arctic Tern

Avian athletes that travel pole to pole.

Gulls and terns

Audouin’s Gull

Named in honour of the French naturalist and ornithologist, Jean Victor Audouin (1797 – 1841) the Audouin’s gull is one of the world’s rarest and is limited in the main to regions within and surrounding the Mediterranean Sea.

Avocets and stilts

Avocet

A conservation success story reintroduced this elegant wading bird back to our shores after the second World War.

Sandpipers, snipes and phalaropes

Bar-tailed Godwit

A large wading bird, notorious for the boldness of breeding individuals.

Owls

Barn Owl

Heart-shaped face and dark eyes belie a silent killer.

Ducks, geese and swans

Barnacle Goose

A highly sociable and unmistakable member of the goose family, often seen and heard flying in long, noisy packs and lines.