Main content

Britain's National Bird

Hear the nominees in the vote for Britain's national bird

  • Robin

    Robins sing in spring but their autumn song is different.

  • Blue Tit

    The perky blue tit is a stalwart of garden bird-feeders.

  • Blackbird

    Large numbers of Continental blackbirds pour in to the UK each winter.

  • Mute Swan

    The Crown retains the rights of ownership of all unmarked mute swans in open water.

  • Kingfisher

    The Ancient Greeks knew the kingfisher as Halcyon.

  • Red Kite

    After centuries of persecution red kites were almost wiped out but in 1989 a project to restore the red kite back into the wild began.

  • Barn Owl

    Barn owls are mainly nocturnal hunters.

  • Puffin

    The puffin's nickname is "sea-parrot" or "clown of the sea".

  • Hen Harrier

    Hen harriers are long-winged, graceful birds of prey.

You can find out more about the vote here