Birds in West Midlands
Explore 143 species found in this region.
The West Midlands county is home to an impressive 143 recorded bird species, offering surprisingly diverse birdlife for a predominantly urban region. Parks, reservoirs, canals, and green corridors provide vital habitats for species ranging from the familiar Great Tit and Magpie to less expected visitors such as the Common Merganser, Eurasian Woodcock, and Mandarin Duck. Whether you're exploring Sutton Park, Sandwell Valley, or local nature reserves, the West Midlands rewards birdwatchers with a rich variety of resident and migratory species throughout the year.
Visiting in April? Look out for Barn Swallow and Black-necked Grebe arriving this month, and Common Gull and Corn Bunting depart for the season.
Showing 1–23 of 143 species
Barn Swallow
Hirundo rusticaLC
A common summer visitor from April to October, nesting in barns and outbuildings. Gathers in large pre-migration roosts at reedbeds in autumn.
Apr–Oct
Barnacle Goose
Branta leucopsisLC
Uncommon year-round resident, mostly feral birds found on park lakes and reservoirs across the region.
Year-round
Black Redstart
Phoenicurus ochrurosLC
A rare passage visitor in late spring, occasionally found around industrial buildings and urban sites. Birmingham city centre has hosted records.
May–Jun
Black Tern
Chlidonias nigerLC
A rare spring passage migrant, occasionally dropping in at reservoirs and gravel pits during May. A prized find for local birders.
May
Black-necked Grebe
Podiceps nigricollisLC
A rare passage visitor in April, occasionally seen on larger pools and reservoirs. Has bred at select West Midlands sites in the past.
Apr
Black-tailed Godwit
Limosa limosaNT
A rare passage wader, occasionally stopping at reservoir margins and flooded fields in July.
Jul
Blackbird
Turdus merulaLC
One of the most abundant birds in the region, thriving in gardens, parks, and woodland. Sings prolifically from rooftops and hedges year-round.
Year-round
Blackcap
Sylvia atricapillaLC
A common resident found in woodlands, parks, and gardens throughout the year. Continental birds bolster numbers in winter, visiting berry bushes.
Year-round
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Blue Tit
Cyanistes caeruleusLC
One of the region's most familiar garden birds, present year-round. Readily uses nest boxes in parks and gardens across the West Midlands.
Year-round
Bohemian Waxwing
Bombycilla garrulusLC
A rare winter visitor, occasionally irrupting into the region in December and January to feed on berry-laden trees in parks and suburban gardens.
Dec–Jan
Brambling
Fringilla montifringillaLC
A rare winter visitor from Scandinavia, sometimes joining Chaffinch flocks at woodland edges and feeding stations from October to April.
Oct–Apr
Bullfinch
Pyrrhula pyrrhulaLC
An uncommon but year-round resident, quietly visiting hedgerows and garden shrubs. A UK priority species due to decline.
Year-round
Buzzard
Buteo buteoLC
A common resident soaring over farmland and woodland edges, having recolonised the region strongly since the late 20th century.
Year-round
Canada Goose
Branta canadensisLC
A common and familiar resident on lakes, canals, and parks throughout the region, breeding readily.
Year-round
Carrion Crow
Corvus coroneLC
One of the region's most familiar birds, common year-round in every habitat from city centres to farmland.
Year-round
Cetti's Warbler
Cettia cettiLC
An uncommon but increasing resident, more often heard than seen as it delivers explosive bursts of song from dense waterside vegetation.
Year-round
Chaffinch
Fringilla coelebsLC
A common resident found in woodland, hedgerows and gardens throughout the year. Its ringing song is a staple of spring.
Year-round
Chiffchaff
Phylloscopus collybitaLC
A common resident heard singing its repetitive song in woodlands and scrub year-round. Increasing numbers overwinter in the region.
Year-round
Coal Tit
Periparus aterLC
An uncommon resident of coniferous and mixed woodland, also visiting garden feeders in winter. Often detected by its high-pitched call.
Year-round
Common Gull
Larus canusLC
Uncommon but present most of the year, frequenting playing fields, reservoirs, and tips alongside other gulls.
Jun–Mar
Common Kingfisher
Alcedo atthisLC
An uncommon year-round resident found along canals, rivers and pools, often glimpsed as a flash of electric blue darting low over the water.
Year-round
Common Loon
Gavia immerLC
A rare December passage visitor, occasionally turning up on large reservoirs. A notable inland record for this primarily coastal diver.
Dec
Common Merganser
Mergus merganserLC
An uncommon resident of larger rivers and reservoirs, most conspicuous in winter when numbers are boosted by birds from further north.
Year-round