What is a garden bird?
A garden bird is a classification for any bird species that regularly visit our gardens for food and shelter. The types of shrubs, trees and plants you have in your garden, food sources, and water availability are all factors that can determine what different species of birds you'll attract and see in your garden.
What are the most common garden birds in the UK?
Depending on your garden's type of habitat, will determine the most common bird you'll see. Typically, you're more likely to see any of the following; House Sparrow, Starling, Blue Tit, Blackbird, Woodpigeon, Goldfinch, Chaffinch, Great Tit, Robin, Long-tailed Tit.
Other visitors to the garden include birds like; Coal Tits, Swifts, Green and Great Spotted Woodpeckers, House Martins, Song Thrushes, Dunnocks, Magpies, Carrion Crows, Jackdaws, Greenfinches and Collared Doves. This can vary across the country, though, as different parts of the UK will see even more species.
According to a recent study, the most common bird across the country is the wren, with an estimated 11 million breeding pairs.
What are some rarer garden birds to look out for?
It's not uncommon to get birds of prey to visit your garden from time to time. This can be quite a spectacular sight when it happens, as these birds can be quite large. Sparrowhawks, Buzzards, and Kestrels can all fairly common sights.
If you live in the countryside, you may get birds traditionally found in farm and woodland habitats. This is generally more common in the winter months when food is much harder to come by. Be on the lookout for birds like; Yellowhammers, Bullfinches, Nuthatches, Chiffchaffs, Tawny Owls, Siskins, Treecreepers and Goldcrests.
Goldcrest
Yellowhammer
How can I attract more garden birds?
Generally, there's always something you can do to encourage more birds into your garden, whether you're in the middle of a city, town or the countryside.
- Use different types of bird feeders - this is important as different birds find it easier on a bird table.
- Keep bird feeders clean and food fresh.
- Add a water supply or birdbath and keep the supply of water fresh and clean.
- Add some nest boxes to suitable high up places in your garden - high up in trees, for example.
- Plant suitable trees and shrubs.
For some more tips, view more of our top tips.
What do garden birds eat?
Because of the many different species that visit gardens in the UK, there's no one answer to this question. But the majority of the smaller garden birds will appreciate a high-quality seed mix, fat balls and suet blocks.
Using a mixture of the above can help attract different species and add variation to your garden's birds.