List of birds of Great Britain

List of British Birds: List of British Birds provides an insight into the various types of birds that are found all over Great Britain. There are a total of 634 species of birds found in Great Britain as of 13th February 2024. The bird list in Britain is managed by the British Records Committee. In this article, we have provided the list of birds, their common and binomial names and their status. The list covers a list of British birds like Ducks, Geese and Allies, Nightjars, Swifts, Cuckoos, Bustards, Cranes, Grebes, Oystercatchers, Skuas, Gulls, Terns, Skimmers, Stilts and Avocets, Albatrosses name a few.

List of British Birds

Here’s a table showcasing a selection of bird species commonly found across the United Kingdom:

Common Name	Scientific Name	Habitat
Robin	Erithacus rubecula	Woodlands, gardens, parks
Blackbird	Turdus merula	Gardens, woodlands, parks
House Sparrow	Passer domesticus	Urban areas, gardens
Blue Tit	Cyanistes caeruleus	Woodlands, gardens, parks
Great Tit	Parus major	Woodlands, gardens, parks
Chaffinch	Fringilla coelebs	Gardens, woodlands, farmlands
Wren	Troglodytes troglodytes	Woodlands, gardens, hedgerows
European Goldfinch	Carduelis carduelis	Gardens, woodlands, farmlands
Barn Owl	Tyto alba	Farmlands, woodlands, open fields
Red Kite	Milvus milvus	Woodlands, open countryside
Puffin	Fratercula arctica	Coastal cliffs, islands
Kingfisher	Alcedo atthis	Rivers, lakes, wetlands
Lapwing	Vanellus vanellus	Wetlands, farmlands, moorlands
Skylark	Alauda arvensis	Farmlands, grasslands
Common Buzzard	Buteo buteo	Woodlands, open countryside

In Britain, there are various types of birds found. The official list in Great Britain records various wild birds. There are a total of 634 species of birds found in Great Britain as of 13th February 2024. This list is managed by the British Records Committee. A specific species category is assigned to each of the species on the list. Only those species in Categories A, B and C form the British List. We will now have a look at the list of various birds found in Britain.

Ducks, Geese & Swans

The swans, ducks and geese are medium to large birds. They survive in water. They are prominently found in Great Britain and many birds fly in from Greenland, Scandinavia and Russia.

Characteristics: Webbed feet and bills which are flattened to a greater or lesser extent.

In many ducks the male is colourful while the female is dull brown.

Diet: Variety of animals and plants.

Order: Anseriformes

Family: Anatidae

Given below is a list of Ducks, Geese and Swans.

Serial no.	Common name	Binomial name	Status
1.	Brent goose	Branta bernicla	A – winter visitor
2.	Red-breasted goose	Branta ruficollis	A – rare vagrant
3.	Canada goose	Branta canadensis	A & C – resident introduced population, some wild vagrants
4.	Barnacle goose	Branta leucopsis	A & C – winter visitor and resident introduced population
5.	Cackling goose	Branta hutchinsii	A – rare vagrant
6.	Ross’s goose	Anser rossii	A – rare vagrant
7.	Snow goose	Anser caerulescens	A & C – resident introduced population, some wild vagrants
8.	Greylag goose	Anser anser	A & C – resident wild and feral populations, winter visitor
9.	Taiga bean goose	Anser fabalis	A – winter visitor
10.	Pink-footed goose	Anser brachyrhynchus	A – winter visitor
11.	Tundra bean goose	Anser serrirostris	A – winter visitor
12.	White-fronted goose	Anser albifrons	A – winter visitor
13.	Lesser white-fronted goose	Anser erythropus	A – rare vagrant
14.	Mute swan	Cygnus olur	A & C – resident breeding species
15.	Bewick’s swan	Cygnus columbianus	A – winter visitor
16.	Whooper swan	Cygnus cygnus	A – winter visitor and occasional breeder
17.	Egyptian goose	Alopochen aegyptiaca	C – resident introduced population
18.	Shelduck	Tadorna tadorna	A – resident breeder and winter visitor
19.	Ruddy shelduck	Tadorna ferruginea	B – Records since 1946 are presumed escapes from captivity
20.	Mandarin duck	Aix galericulata	C – resident introduced population
21.	Baikal teal	Sibirionetta formosa	A – rare vagrant
22.	Garganey	Spatula querquedula	A – breeding summer visitor
23.	Blue-winged teal	Spatula discors	A – rare vagrant
24.	Shoveler	Spatula clypeata	A – resident breeder and winter visitor
25.	Gadwall	Mareca strepera	A & C – resident breeder and winter visitor
26.	Falcated duck	Mareca falcata	A – rare vagrant
27.	Wigeon	Mareca penelope	A – resident breeder and winter visitor
28.	American wigeon	Mareca americana	A – scarce vagrant
29.	Mallard	Anas platyrhynchos	A & C – resident breeder, winter visitor and naturalised releases
30.	Black duck	Anas rubripes	A – rare vagrant
31.	Pin tail	Anas acuta	A – resident breeder and winter visitor
32.	Teal	Anas crecca	A – resident breeder and winter visitor
33.	Green-winged teal	Anas carolinensis	A – scarce migrant
34.	Red-crusted pochard	Netta rufina	A & C – scarce migrant and introduced breeder
35.	Canvasback	Aythya valisineria	A – rare vagrant
36.	Redhead	Aythya americana	A – rare vagrant
37.	Pochard	Aythya ferina	A – resident breeder and winter visitor
38.	Ferruginous duck	Aythya nyroca	A – scarce migrant
39.	Ring-necked duck	Aythya collaris	A – scarce migrant
40.	Tufted duck	Aythya fuligula	A – resident breeder and winter visitor
41.	Scaup	Aythya marila	A – winter visitor and occasional breeder
42.	Lesser scaup	Aythya affinis	A – rare vagrant
43.	Steller’s eider	Polysticta stelleri	A – rare vagrant
44.	King’s eider	Somateria spectabilis	A – rare vagrant
45.	Eider	Somateria mollissima	A – resident breeder and winter visitor
46.	Harlequin duck	Histrionicus histrionicus	A – rare vagrant
47.	Surf scoter	Melanitta perspicillata	A – scarce migrant
48.	Velvet scoter	Melanitta fusca	A – winter visitor
49.	White-winged scoter	Melanitta deglandi	A – rare vagrant
50.	Stejneger’s scoter	Melanitta stejnegeri	A – rare vagrant, first recorded 2022
51.	Common scoter	Melanitta nigra	A – resident breeder and winter visitor
52.	Black scoter	Melanitta americana	A – rare vagrant
53.	Long-tailed duck	Clangula hyemalis	A – winter visitor and occasional breeder
54.	Bufflehead	Bucephala albeola	A – rare vagrant
55.	Goldeneye	Bucephala clangula	A – resident breeder and winter visitor
56.	Barrow’s goldeneye	Bucephala islandica	A – rare vagrant
57.	Smew	Mergellus albellus	A – winter visitor
58.	Hooded merganser	Lophodytes cucullatus	A – rare vagrant
59.	Goosander	Mergus merganser	A – resident breeder and winter visitor
60.	Red-breasted merganser	Mergus serrator	A – resident breeder and winter visitor
61.	Ruddy duck	Oxyura jamaicensis	C – introduced species currently subject to an eradication programme

Pheasants, Grouse & Allies

Pheasants, Grouse and Allies are terrestrial species, which feed and nest on the ground. They vary in size.

Characteristics: Generally plump, with broad and relatively short wings.

Order: Galliformes 

Family: Phasianidae 

Given below is a list of Pheasants, Grouse and Allies.

Serial no.	Common name	Binomial name	Status
1.	Red grouse	Lagopus lagopus	A – resident breeding species
2.	Ptarmigan	Lagopus muta	A – resident breeding species
3.	Capercaillie	Tetrao urogallus	C – resident reintroduced population
4.	Black grouse	Lyrurus tetrix	Tetrao urogallus
5.	Grey patridge	Perdix perdix	A & C – resident breeder and introduced gamebird
6.	Golden pheasant	Chrysolophus pictus	C – resident introduced population
7.	Lady Amherst’s pheasant	Chrysolophus amherstiae	C – introduced population, now believed to be extirpated
8.	Pheasant	Phasianus colchicus	C – resident introduced population
9.	Quail	Coturnix coturnix	A – breeding summer visitor
10.	Red-legged patridge	Alectoris rufa	C– resident introduced population

Nightjars & Allies

Nightjars are medium-sized nocturnal birds that usually nest on the ground.

Characteristics: Long wings, short legs and very short bills.

Their soft plumage is cryptically coloured to resemble bark or leaves.

Order: Caprimulgiformes

Family: Caprimulgidae

Given below is a list of Nightjars and Allies.

Serial No.	Common name	Binomial name	Status
1.	Common nighthawk	Chordeiles minor	A – rare vagrant
2.	Red-necked nightjar	Caprimulgus ruficollis	A – rare vagrant
3.	Nightjar	A – breeding summer visitor	A – breeding summer visitor
4.	Egyptian nightjar	Caprimulgus aegyptius	A – rare vagrant

Swifts

The swifts are small birds who fly a lot.

Characteristics: Very short legs and never settle voluntarily on the ground, they perch only on vertical surfaces.

Order: Apodiformes

Family: Apodidae

Given below is a list of Swifts.

Serial no.	Common name	Binomial name	Status
1.	White-throated needletail	Caprimulgus aegyptius	A – rare vagrant
2.	Chimney swift	Chaetura pelagica	A – rare vagrant
3.	Alpine swift	Apus melba	A – scarce migrant
4.	Swift	Apus apus	A – breeding summer visitor
5.	Pallid swift	Apus pallidus	A – rare vagrant
6.	Pacific swift	Apus pacificus	A – rare vagrant
7.	Little swift	Apus affinis	A – rare vagrant
8.	White-rumped swift	Apus caffer	A – rare vagrant

Bustards

Large, sturdy birds of open plains with long legs and necks and strong feet.

Order: Otidiformes

Family: Otididae

Given below is a list of Bustards.

Serial no.	Common name	Binomial name	Status
1.	Great bustard	Otis tarda	A – rare vagrant and recently reintroduced breeding resident species
2.	MacQueen’s bustard	Chlamydotis macqueenii	B – rare vagrant
3.	Little bustard	Tetrax tetrax	A – rare vagrant

Cuckoos

Cuckoos are birds which vary in size.

Characteristics: Slender bodies and long tails.

Some species are known for laying their eggs in the nests of other birds.

Order: Cuculiformes

Family: Cuculidae

Given below is a list of Cuckoos.

Serial no.	Common name	Binomial name	Status
1.	Great spotted cuckoo	Clamator glandarius	A – rare vagrant
2.	Yellow-billed cuckoo	Coccyzus americanus	A – rare vagrant
3.	Black-billed cuckoo	Coccyzus erythropthalmus	A – rare vagrant
4.	Cuckoo	Cuculus canorus	A – breeding summer visitor

Sandgrouse

Sandgrouse are sturdy, medium-sized birds.

Characteristics: A small head and long, pointed wings.

Order: Pterocliformes 

Family: Pteroclidae

Serial no.	Common name	Binomial name	Status
1.	Pallas’s sandgrouse	Syrrhaptes paradoxus	A – rare vagrant; has bred

Pigeons & Doves

Pigeons and doves are stout-bodied birds.

Characteristics: Short necks and short slender bills with a fleshy cere.

There are 344 species worldwide, out of which seven in Britain.

Order: Columbiformes

Family: Columbidae

Given below is a list of Pigeons and Doves.

Serial no.	Common name	Binomial name	Status
1.	Rock pigeon or feral pigeon	Columba livia	A & C – resident; most birds are of feral origin
2.	Stock dove	Columba oenas	A – resident breeding species
3.	Woodpigeon	Columba palumbus	A – resident breeding species
4.	Turtle dove	Streptopelia turtur	A – breeding summer visitor
5.	Oriental turtle dove	Streptopelia orientalis	A – rare vagrant
6.	Collared dove	Streptopelia decaocto	A – resident breeding species
7.	Mourning dove	Zenaida macroura	A – rare vagrant

Rails, Gallinules & Coots

These birds mainly occupy dense vegetation in damp environments near lakes, marshes or rivers.

Many are shy and secretive birds, making them difficult to observe.

Characteristics: Most species have strong legs and long toes which are well adapted to soft uneven surfaces.

Order: Gruiformes

Family: Rallidae

Given below is a list of Rails, Gallinules, and Coots.

Serial no.	Common name	Binomial name	Status
1.	Water rail	Rallus aquaticus	A – resident breeding species
2.	Corncrake	Crex crex	A – breeding summer visitor
3.	Sorarail	Porzana carolina	A – rare vagrant
4.	Sported crake	Porzana porzana	A – scarce breeding summer visitor
5.	Moorhen	A – resident breeding species	A – resident breeding species
6.	Coot	Fulica atra	A – resident breeding species
7.	American coot	Fulica americana	A – rare vagrant
8.	Allen’s gallinule	Porphyrio alleni	A – rare vagrant
9.	American purple gallinule	Porphyrio martinicus	A – rare vagrant
10.	Western swamphen	Porphyrio martinicus	Porphyrio martinicus
11.	Baillon’s crake	Zapornia pusilla	A – rare vagrant, formerly bred
12.	Little crake	Zapornia parva	A – rare vagrant

Cranes

Cranes are large, long-legged and long-necked birds. They fly with necks outstretched, not pulled back. Most have elaborate and noisy courting displays or “dances”.

Order: Gruiformes

Family: Gruidae

Serial no.	Common name	Binomial name	Status
1.	Sandhill crane	Antigone canadensis	A – rare vagrant
2.	Crane	Grus grus	A – resident breeding species and passage migrant

Grebes

Grebes are small to medium-large diving birds.

Characteristics: Lobed toes and pointed bills.

They are seen mainly on lowland waters and coasts.

They feed on aquatic animals and nest on a floating platform of vegetation.

Order: Podicipediformes

Family: Podicipedidae

Given below is a list of Grebes.

Serial no.	Common name	Binomial name	Status
1.	Little grebe	Tachybaptus ruficollis	A – resident breeder and winter visitor
2.	Pied-billed grebe	Podilymbus podiceps	A – rare vagrant
3.	Red-necked grebe	Podiceps grisegena	A – winter visitor; has bred
4.	Great crested grebe	Podiceps cristatus	A – resident breeder and winter visitor
5.	Slavonian grebe	Podiceps auritus	A – resident breeder and winter visitor
6.	Black-necked grebe	Podiceps nigricollis	A – resident breeder and winter visitor

Stone-curlews

A small family of medium to large waders with strong black bills, large yellow eyes and cryptic plumage.

Order: Charadriiformes

Family: Burhinidae

Serial no.	Common name	Binomial name	Status
1.	Stone curlew	Burhinus oedicnemus	A – breeding summer visitor

Oystercatchers

The oystercatchers are large, obvious and noisy wading birds with strong bills used for smashing or prising open molluscs. There are eleven species worldwide with one in Britain.

Order: Charadriiformes

Family: Haematopodidae

Serial no.	Common name	Binomial name	Status
1.	Oystercatcher	Haematopus ostralegus	A – resident breeding species

Stilts & Avocets

A family of fairly large wading birds. In Britain, there are 10 species worldwide out of which two are in Britain.

Characteristics of Stilts: Extremely long legs and long, thin, straight bills.

Characteristics of Avocets: Long legs and long up-curved bills.

Order: Charadriiformes

Family: Recurvirostridae

Serial no.	Common name	Binomial name	Status
1.	Black-winged stilt	Himantopus himantopus	A – scarce migrant and occasional breeder
2.	Avocet	Recurvirostra avosetta	A – resident breeding species

Plovers and Lapwings

Plovers and Lapwings are small to medium-sized wading birds.

Characteristics: Compact bodies, short, thick necks and long, usually pointed, wings.

Order: Charadriiformes

Family: Charadriidae

Given below is a list of Plovers and Lapwings.

Serial no.	Common name	Binomial name	Status
1.	Lapwing	Vanellus vanellus	A – resident breeding species
2.	Sociable plover	Vanellus gregarius	A – rare vagrant
3.	White-tailed plover	Vanellus leucurus	A – rare vagrant
4.	Golden plover	Pluvialis apricaria	A – winter visitor and passage migrant, scarce breeder
5.	Pacific golden plover	Pluvialis fulva	A – rare vagrant
6.	American golden plover	Pluvialis dominica	A – rare vagrant
7.	Grey plover	Pluvialis squatarola	A – winter visitor and passage migrant
8.	Ringed plover	Charadrius hiaticula	A – resident breeding species and summer visitor
9.	Semipalmated plover	Charadrius semipalmatus	A – rare vagrant
10.	Little ringed plover	Charadrius dubius	A – breeding summer visitor
11.	Killdeer	Charadrius vociferus	A – rare vagrant
12.	Kentish plover	Charadrius alexandrinus	A – former breeder, now rare vagrant
13.	Lesser sand plover	Charadrius mongolus	A – rare vagrant
14.	Greater sand plover	Charadrius leschenaultii	A – rare vagrant
15.	Caspian plover	Charadrius asiaticus	A – rare vagrant
16.	Dotterel	Charadrius morinellus	A – breeding summer visitor

Sandpipers & Allies

Sandpipers and Allies are large, diverse family of wading birds. Different lengths of legs and bills enable multiple species to feed in the same habitat, particularly on the coast, without direct competition for food.

Order: Charadriiformes

Family: Scolopacidae

Given below is a list of Sandpipers and Allies.

Serial no.	Common name	Binomial name	Status
1.	Upland sandpiper	Bartramia longicauda	A – rare vagrant
2.	Whimbrel	Numenius phaeopus	A – breeding summer visitor
3.	Hudsonian whimbrel	Numenius hudsonicus	A – rare vagrant
4.	Little whimbrel	Numenius minutus	A – rare vagrant
5.	Eskimo curlew	Numenius borealis	B – extinct
6.	Curlew	Numenius arquata	A – resident breeding species
7.	Bar-tailed godwit	Limosa lapponica	A – winter visitor and passage migrant
8.	Black-tailed godwit	Limosa limosa)	A – winter visitor, passage migrant and scarce summer breeding species
9.	Hudsonian godwit	Limosa haemastica	A – rare vagrant
10.	Turnstone	Arenaria interpres	A – resident breeding species
11.	Great knot	Calidris tenuirostris	A – rare vagrant
12.	Knot	Calidris canutus	A – winter visitor and passage migrant
13.	Ruff	Calidris pugnax	A – passage migrant and scarce breeding resident
14.	Broad-billed sandpiper	Calidris falcinellus	A – rare vagrant
15.	Sharp-tailed sandpiper	Calidris acuminata	A – rare vagrant
16.	Stilt sandpiper	Calidris himantopus	A – rare vagrant
17.	Curlew sandpiper	Calidris ferruginea	A – winter visitor and passage migrant
18.	Temminck’s stint	Calidris temminckii	A – winter visitor and passage migrant, occasional breeder
19.	Long-toed stint	Calidris subminuta	A – rare vagrant
20.	Red-nicked stint	Calidris ruficollis	A – rare vagrant
21.	Sanderling	Calidris alba	A – winter visitor and passage migrant
22.	Dunlin	Calidris alpina	A – winter visitor and passage migrant, scarce breeder
23.	Purple sandpiper	Calidris maritima	A – winter visitor and passage migrant, occasional breeder
24.	Baird’s sandpiper	Calidris bairdii	A – rare vagrant
25.	Little stint	Calidris minuta	A – winter visitor and passage migrant
26.	Least sandpiper	Calidris minutilla	A – rare vagrant
27.	White-rumped sandpiper	Calidris fuscicollis	A – scarce migrant
28.	Buff-breasted sandpiper	Calidris subruficollis	A – passage migrant
29.	Pectoral sandpiper	Calidris melanotos	A – winter visitor and passage migrant
30.	Semipalmated sandpiper	Calidris pusilla	A – rare vagrant
31.	Western sandpiper	Calidris mauri	A – rare vagrant
32.	Long-billed dowitcher	Limnodromus scolopaceus	A – rare vagrant
33.	Short-billed dowitcher	Limnodromus griseus	A – rare vagrant
34.	Woodcock	Scolopax rusticola	A – resident breeding species
35.	Jack snipe	Lymnocryptes minimus	A – winter visitor and passage migrant
36.	Great snipe	Gallinago media	A- rare vagrant
37.	Snipe	Gallinago gallinago	A- resident breeding species and summer visitor
38.	Wilson’s snipe	Gallinago delicata	A – rare vagrant
39.	Terek sandpiper	Xenus cinereus	A – rare vagrant
40.	Wilson’s phalarope	Phalaropus tricolor	A – rare vagrant
41.	Red-necked phalarope	Phalaropus lobatus	A – winter visitor: scarce and localised summer breeding in far North
42.	Grey phalarope	Phalaropus fulicaria	A – scarce winter visitor
43.	Common sandpiper	Actitis hypoleucos	A – resident breeding species and passage migrant
44.	Spotted sandpiper	Actitis macularius	A – rare vagrant
45.	Green sandpiper	Tringa ochropus	A – winter visitor and passage migrant, occasional breeder
46.	Solitary sandpiper	Tringa solitaria	A – rare vagrant
47.	Grey-tailed tattler	Tringa brevipes	A – rare vagrant
48.	Lesser yellowlegs	Tringa flavipes	A – scarce migrant, formerly a rare vagrant
49.	Redshank	Tringa totanus	A – resident breeding species
50.	Marsh sandpiper	Tringa stagnatilis	A – rare vagrant
51.	Wood sandpiper	Tringa glareola	A – passage migrant and rare localised breeder in far North
52.	Spotted redshank	Tringa erythropus	A – winter visitor and passage migrant
53.	Greenshank	Tringa nebularia	A – resident breeding species and passage migrant
54.	Greater yellowlegs	Tringa melanoleuca	A – rare vagrant

Pratincoles & Coursers

Pratincoles and Coursers is a family of slender, long-winged wading birds.

Order: Charadriiformes

Family: Glareolidae

Given below is a list of Pratincoles and Coursers.

Serial no.	Common name	Binomial name	Status
1.	Cream-colured cursor	Cursorius cursor	A – rare vagrant
2.	Collared pratincole	Glareola pratincola	A – rare vagrant
3.	Oriental pratincole	Glareola maldivarum	A – rare vagrant
4.	Black-winged pratincole	Glareola nordmanni	A – rare vagrant

Gulls, Terns & Skimmers

Gulls, Terns, and Skimmers are medium to large seabirds with grey, white and black plumage.

Characteristics: Webbed feet and strong bills.

Many are opportunistic and adaptable feeders.

Order: Charadriiformes

Family: Laridae

Given below is a list of Gulls, Terns, and Skimmers.

Serial no.	Common name	Binomial name	Status
1.	Kittiwake	Rissa tridactyla	A – breeding summer visitor and resident species
2.	Ivory gull	Pagophila eburnea	A – rare vagrant
3.	Sabine’s gull	Xema sabini	A – scarce winter visitor
4.	Slender-billed gull	Chroicocephalus genei	A – rare vagrant
5.	Bonaparte’s gull	Chroicocephalus philadelphia	A – rare vagrant
6.	Black-headed gull	Chroicocephalus ridibundus)	A – resident breeding species
7.	Little gull	Hydrocoloeus minutus	A – winter visitor, occasional breeder
8.	Ross’s gull	Rhodostethia rosea	A – rare vagrant
9.	Laughing gull	Leucophaeus atricilla	A – rare vagrant
10.	Franklin’s gull	Leucophaeus pipixcan	A – rare vagrant
11.	Audouin’s gull	Ichthyaetus audouinii	A – rare vagrant
12.	Mediterranean gull	Ichthyaetus melanocephalus	A – breeding summer visitor, and resident in south.
13.	Great black-headed gull	Ichthyaetus ichthyaetus	B – rare vagrant
14.	Common gull	Larus canus	A – resident breeding species, winter visitor and passage migrant
15.	Ring-billed gull	Larus delawarensis	A – scarce winter visitor and passage migrant
16.	Great black-backed gull	Larus marinus	A – resident breeding species and passage migrant
17.	Kelp gull	Larus dominicanus	A – rare vagrant; first recorded 2022
18.	Glaucous-winged gull	Larus glaucescens	A – rare vagrant
19.	Glaucous gull	Larus hyperboreus	A – winter visitor; has bred
20.	Iceland gull	Larus glaucoides	A – scarce winter visitor
21.	European herring gull	Larus argentatus	A – resident breeding species
22.	American herring gull	Larus smithsonianus	A – rare vagrant
23.	Caspian gull	Larus cachinnans	A – scarce migrant
24.	Yellow-legged gull	Larus michahellis	A – non-breeding late-summer visitor and passage migrant; has bred
25.	Slaty-backed gull	Larus schistisagus	A – rare vagrant
26.	Lesser black-backed gull	Larus fuscus	A – resident breeding species and passage migrant
27.	Gull-billed tern	Gelochelidon nilotica	A – rare vagrant; has bred
28.	Caspian tern	Hydroprogne caspia	A – rare vagrant
29.	Royal tern	Thalasseus maximus	A – rare vagrant
30.	Lesser crested tern	Thalasseus bengalensis	A – rare vagrant
31.	Sandwich tern	Thalasseus sandvicensis	A – breeding summer visitor
32.	Cabot’s tern	Thalasseus acuflavida	A – rare vagrant
33.	Elegant tern	Thalasseus elegans	A – rare vagrant
34.	Little tern	Sternula albifrons	A – breeding summer visitor
35.	Aleutian tern	Onychoprion aleutica	A – rare vagrant
36.	Bridled tern	Onychoprion anaethetus	A – rare vagrant
37.	Sooty tern	Onychoprion fuscata	A – rare vagrant
38.	Roseate tern	Sterna dougallii	A – rare vagrant
39.	Common tern	Sterna hirundo	A – breeding summer visitor
40.	Arctic tern	Sterna paradisaea	A – breeding summer visitor
41.	Forster’s tern	Sterna forsteri	A – rare vagrant
42.	Whiskered tern	Chlidonias hybridus	A – rare vagrant
43.	White-winged black tern	Chlidonias leucopterus	A – scarce migrant
44.	Black tern	Chlidonias niger	A – passage migrant, occasional breeder

Skuas

Skuas are medium to large seabirds with mainly grey or brown plumage, sharp claws and a hooked tip to the bill. They chase other seabirds to force them to drop their catches.

Order: Charadriiformes

Family: Stercorariidae

Given below is a list of Skuas.

Serial no.	Common name	Binomial name	Status
1.	South Polar skua	Stercorarius maccormicki	A – rare vagrant
2.	Great skua	Stercorarius skua	A – passage migrant and localised summer breeder
3.	Pomarine skua	Stercorarius pomarinus	A – passage migrant
4.	Arctic skua	Stercorarius parasiticus	A – passage migrant and localised summer breeder
5.	Long-tailed skua	Stercorarius longicaudus	A – passage migrant

Auks, Murres & Puffins

Auks, Murres and Puffins is a family of seabirds which are superficially similar to penguins.

They are found in with black and white colours.

Characteristics: Upright posture and some of their habits, but which are able to fly.

Order: Charadriiformes

Family: Alcidae

Given below is a list of Auks, Murres and Puffins.

Serial no.	Common name	Binomial name	Status
1.	Little auk	Alle alle	A – rare winter visitor
2.	Brunnich’s guillemot	Uria lomvia	A – rare vagrant
3.	Common guillemot	Uria aalge	A – breeding summer visitor and resident species
4.	Razorbill	Alca torda	A – breeding summer visitor and resident species
5.	Great auk	Pinguinus impennis	B – extinct
6.	Black guillemot	Cepphus grylle	A – resident localised breeding species
7.	Long-billed murrelet	Brachyramphus perdix	A – rare vagrant
8.	Ancient murrelet	Synthliboramphus antiquus	A – rare vagrant
9.	Puffin	Fratercula arctica	A – breeding summer visitor
10.	Tufted puffin	Fratercula cirrhata	A – rare vagrant

Tropicbirds

Tropicbirds are slender white birds of tropical oceans.

Characteristics: Exceptionally long central tail feathers. Their heads and long wings have black markings.

Order: Phaethontiformes

Family: Phaethontidae

Serial no.	Common name	Binomial name	Status
1.	Red-billed tropicbird	Phaethon aethereus	A – rare vagrant

Divers

Divers are aquatic birds the size of a large duck, to which they are unrelated. They swim well and fly adequately but are almost helpless on land, because their legs are placed towards the rear of the body. They feed on fish and other aquatic animals.

Order: Gaviiformes

Family: Gaviidae

Given below is a list of Divers.

Serial no.	Common name	Binomial name	Status
1.	Red-throated diver	Gavia stellata	A – resident breeder and winter visitor
2.	Black-throated diver	Gavia arctica	A – resident breeder and winter visitor
3.	Pacific diver	Gavia pacifica	A – rare vagrant
4.	Great northern diver	Gavia immer	A – winter visitor; has bred
5.	White-billed diver	Gavia adamsii	A – rare vagrant

Southern Storm Petrels

The southern storm petrels are the smallest seabirds, which feed on plankton and small fish that they pick from the surface, typically while hovering.

They nest in colonies on the ground, most often in burrows.

Order: Procellariiformes

Family: Oceanitidae

Serial no.	Common name	Binomial name	Status
1.	Wilson’s storm petrel	Oceanites oceanicus	A – rare vagrant, more regularly seen well offshore
2.	White-faced storm petrel	Pelagodroma marina	A – rare vagrant

Albatrosses

The albatrosses are amongst the largest flying birds.

Characteristics: Long, narrow wings for gliding.

Majority of them are found in the Southern Hemisphere with only vagrants occurring in the North Atlantic.

Order: Procellariiformes

Family: Diomedeidae

Serial no.	Common name	Binomial name	Status
1.	Black-browed albatross	Thalassarche melanophris	A – rare vagrant
2.	Atlantic yellow-nosed albatross	Thalassarche chlororhynchos	A – rare vagrant

Conclusion

In Britain, various types of wild birds are found which are categorised into Categories A, B and C. There are a total of 634 species of birds found in Great Britain as of 13th February 2024. The different types of birds found in Britain are: Geese and Allies, Nightjars, Swifts, Cuckoos, Bustards, Cranes, Grebes, Albatrosses, Divers, Tropicbirds, Oystercatchers, Skuas, Gulls to name a few. The list of birds in Britain is managed by the British Records Committee. Thus, we see how various birds in Britain have their own characteristics and are assigned a specific status. and category.

People Also Read:

• Birds Name In English/ Hindi – List of 100 + Name of Birds

• Top 15+ Biggest Birds in The World (2024)

• List of British Empire Countries

• Best High Schools in UK

FAQs on List of British Birds

How many species of birds are found in Britain?

There are a total of 634 species of birds found in Great Britain as of 13th February 2024.

What are the different types of birds found in Britain?

The different types of birds found in Britain are: Geese and Allies, Nightjars, Swifts, Cuckoos, Bastards, Cranes, Grebes, Oystercatchers, Skuas, Gulls to name a few.

Who manages the list of birds in Great Britain?

This list is managed by the British Records Committee.

How are the species of birds categorised in Britain?

A specific species category is assigned to each of the species on the list. Only those species in Categories A, B and C form the British List.

What is the most common British wild bird?

Wren is the most common wild bird found in Britain.