Birds in London
Explore 158 species found in this region.
London is home to a remarkable 156 bird species, thriving across the capital's diverse habitats — from the expansive wetlands of the Lee Valley and the Royal Parks to suburban gardens and the tidal Thames. Notable species include Mandarin Duck, Eurasian Woodcock, and Northern Lapwing, alongside familiar favourites like Great Tit, Magpie, and Common Starling. To discover which species you're most likely to encounter, explore our guide to the 20 Most Common Birds in London: Gardens, Parks & Urban Hotspots.
Visiting in April? Look out for Arctic Tern and Bar-tailed Godwit arriving this month, and Black Swan and Brambling depart for the season.
Showing 1–23 of 158 species
Arctic Tern
Sterna paradisaeaLC
A rare spring passage migrant, occasionally spotted over London's reservoirs in April and May en route to northern breeding grounds.
Apr–May
Avocet
Recurvirostra avosettaLC
A rare resident, occasionally breeding at London's wetland reserves. Most reliably seen at sites along the Thames estuary fringe.
Year-round
Bar-tailed Godwit
Limosa lapponicaNT
A rare spring passage migrant, occasionally stopping at London's wetlands in April en route to Arctic breeding grounds.
Apr
Barn Owl
Tyto albaLC
A rare non-breeding visitor to London's fringes, occasionally seen from autumn into winter. Favours rough grassland on the city's rural edges.
Sep–Jan
Barn Swallow
Hirundo rusticaLC
An uncommon summer breeder from April to October, more often seen over outer London's farmland and wetlands than the inner city.
Apr–Oct
Barnacle Goose
Branta leucopsisLC
A rare resident, with small feral populations found in London's parks. Most sightings likely involve escaped or established non-native birds.
Nov–Aug
Bearded Tit
Panurus biarmicusLC
A rare resident of extensive reedbeds, found at select sites such as those in the Lee Valley and Rainham Marshes.
Apr–Jan
Black Redstart
Phoenicurus ochrurosLC
A rare spring passage migrant with a special affinity for London's industrial sites and buildings. One of the city's most sought-after birds.
Apr–May
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Black Swan
Cygnus atratusLC
A rare and unexpected visitor, likely an escapee from collections. Occasionally reported on London's park lakes in late winter.
Feb–Mar
Black-necked Grebe
Podiceps nigricollisLC
A rare autumn passage visitor to London's reservoirs and gravel pits, most likely in October and November.
Oct–Nov
Black-tailed Godwit
Limosa limosaNT
A rare but year-round presence on London's reservoirs and wetlands. Numbers have increased nationally, with the Lee Valley a key site.
Jul–May
Blackbird
Turdus merulaLC
One of London's most familiar birds, abundant in gardens, parks, and hedgerows year-round. Its melodious song fills the city at dusk.
Year-round
Blackcap
Sylvia atricapillaLC
A common resident boosted in winter by continental migrants. Its rich song is heard in parks and gardens year-round.
Year-round
Blue Tit
Cyanistes caeruleusLC
A common and much-loved garden resident, readily visiting feeders year-round. One of London's most familiar and colourful small birds.
Year-round
Bohemian Waxwing
Bombycilla garrulusLC
A rare and irruptive winter visitor, occasionally descending on berry-laden trees in London suburbs during invasion years, mainly in January.
Jan
Brambling
Fringilla montifringillaLC
A rare passage visitor, sometimes joining Chaffinch flocks in parks and woodland edges during March and again in autumn.
Oct–Mar
Bullfinch
Pyrrhula pyrrhulaLC
A rare but year-round resident, quietly inhabiting wooded parks and larger gardens. Its soft, piping call is easily overlooked.
Year-round
Buzzard
Buteo buteoLC
An uncommon but increasing resident, now regularly seen soaring over London's outer suburbs, parks, and green corridors.
Year-round
Canada Goose
Branta canadensisLC
Abundant and resident year-round, found on almost every lake, reservoir, and park in the capital. Often forms large, noisy flocks.
Year-round
Carrion Crow
Corvus coroneLC
A common and intelligent resident, found throughout London from inner-city rooftops to suburban gardens. Often seen in large gatherings at dusk.
Year-round
Cattle Egret
Bubulcus ibisLC
A rare late-summer passage visitor, part of a species expanding northward into Britain. Occasionally noted at wetland sites and reservoirs.
Aug–Oct
Cetti's Warbler
Cettia cettiLC
A common year-round resident at London's wetland reserves, more often heard than seen. Its explosive song bursts from dense waterside cover.
Year-round
Chaffinch
Fringilla coelebsLC
A common year-round resident in parks, gardens, and woodland. Its cheerful descending song is a hallmark of spring across the capital.
Year-round