Nature

You are in: Humber > Features > Nature > Know your birds

Know your birds

Can't tell you Chaffinch from your Greenfinch? We have an audio visual guide to the Top Ten most common UK birds.

House Sparrow

1. House sparrow

Passer domesticus
Found in all environments, from farmland to city gardens. The sparrow has seen a large decline in numbers over recent years. It stays in the UK year round and is a outgoing and noisy bird.

Listen: Sparrow's song >

Help playing audio/video

Starling

2. Starling

Sturnus vulgaris
Often seen in large flocks settling down to roost in the evening. The starling is known to mimic sounds it has heard into its birdsongs, including mobile phones and car alarms.

Listen: Starling's song >

Help playing audio/video

One of the finest songsters.

3. Blackbird

Turdus merula
Despite the name it is only the males who are black. Females and younger birds usually have brown plumage.

Listen: Blackbird's song >

Help playing audio/video

Blue Tit

4. Blue tit

Cyanistes caeruleus
Very agile they are often seen hanging upside down off feeders in our gardens. Clever and good learners they quickly picked-up the trick of drinking milk from the old style milk-bottles.

Listen: Blue Tit's song >

Help playing audio/video

Chaffinch

5. Chaffinch

Fringilla coelebs
Usually found in woodlands and rural areas. The male of the species has bright colouring. Has a strong song which echoes across the countryside.

Listen: Chaffinch's song >

Help playing audio/video

Wood Pigeon

6. Wood pidgeon

Columba palumbus
Largest member of the pigeon family. As the name suggests it is mostly found in woodland, although many have colonised urban parks and gardens.

Listen: Wood Pigeon's song >

Help playing audio/video

Collared Dove

7. Collared dove

Streptopelia decaocto
Originally a warm weather bird found in southern Europe and parts of Asia. The first Collared Doves in the UK were recorded in 1953.

Listen: Collared Dove's song >

Help playing audio/video

Robin

8. Robin

Erithacus rubecula
This Christmas card favourite is easily identified by its red chest. Highly territorial, the males will attack others birds that stray into its area.

Listen: Robin's song >

Help playing audio/video

Great Tit

9. Great tit

Parus major,
One of the few birds to see an increase in numbers in the last few years. Similar colouring to the smaller Blue Tit.

Listen: Great Tit's song >

Help playing audio/video

Greenfinch

10. Greenfinch

Carduelis chloris
Another birdfeeder favourite. Often found hopping about in hedgerows.

Listen: Greenfinch's song >

Help playing audio/video

Images and audio courtesy and copyright RSPB

last updated: 30/04/2008 at 12:48
created: 16/04/2008

Local BBC Sites

Neighbouring Sites

Related BBC Sites

Nature

Know your birds

1. House sparrow

2. Starling

3. Blackbird

4. Blue tit

5. Chaffinch

6. Wood pidgeon

7. Collared dove

8. Robin

9. Great tit

10. Greenfinch

SEE ALSO

	BBC Homepage
BBC Local Humberside Things to do People & Places Nature History Religion & Ethics Arts and Culture BBC Introducing TV & Radio Local BBC Sites News Sport Weather Travel Neighbouring Sites Bradford Leeds Lincolnshire North Yorkshire Nottingham South Yorkshire Related BBC Sites England

	Contact Us

Local BBC Sites

Neighbouring Sites

Related BBC Sites

Nature

Know your birds

1. House sparrow

2. Starling

3. Blackbird

4. Blue tit

5. Chaffinch

6. Wood pidgeon

7. Collared dove

8. Robin

9. Great tit

10. Greenfinch

SEE ALSO

See Also