British Garden Birds - Discover the Top 10 Garden Birds in the UK

Garden birds are some of the most fascinating and delightful creatures that grace our outdoor spaces. From the flamboyant and colourful goldfinch to the serene and contemplative robin, British garden birds add vibrancy and character to our surroundings. But what exactly are garden birds, and how do they differ from wild birds? In this blog post, we will explore the top 10 garden birds in the UK and give you a brief description of each one. So, sit back, relax and get ready to learn about some of the most beautiful and captivating garden birds in Britain!

1) The Great Spotted Woodpecker
The Great Spotted Woodpecker is a British garden bird that is instantly recognizable with its striking black and white plumage and its distinctive drumming sound. You can usually find them in woodland areas, but they have been known to visit gardens that have bird feeders. If you are lucky enough to spot one, you might be able to hear their loud bird song as they tap away at the tree trunks and branches looking for insects. These birds have a preference for insects but will also eat bird food, especially if it contains nuts. Their sharp beaks are designed to penetrate bark and extract insects from tree trunks and branches. The Great Spotted Woodpecker is a true British beauty and a must-see for any bird watcher.

2) The Blue Tit
The Blue Tit is a common sight in many UK gardens and is known for its beautiful blue and yellow plumage. Not only is it a visually striking bird, but it is also a lively and energetic species that flits around gardens and parks with ease. The Blue Tit is one of the smaller birds on our list but is nonetheless a popular and well-loved garden bird.

One of the best things about the Blue Tit is its lovely bird song. It has a wide repertoire of sounds and songs that can often be heard echoing throughout gardens and parks during the spring and summer months. Additionally, the Blue Tit is a bird that is easy to attract to your garden with bird feeders. They particularly enjoy peanuts, sunflower seeds, and suet balls, so be sure to have these readily available.

If you want to attract Blue Tits to your garden, make sure to offer them a variety of bird food to choose from. You could also consider investing in a bird box to give them a safe and cosy place to nest. By providing food, water, and shelter, you can help these beautiful birds thrive and enjoy the benefits of having them as part of your garden's ecosystem.

3) The Greenfinch
The Greenfinch is a medium-sized bird with a stocky build and a short tail. Its plumage is mostly green with yellow markings on the wings and tail. This bird is commonly found in gardens, parks, and woodland areas across the UK.
Greenfinches are known for their loud and melodic songs which they use to communicate with other birds in their vicinity. They have a unique call that sounds like "wheeze-wheeze" and can be heard from a distance.

This bird is known for its preference for seeds, especially those of thistles, teasels, and sunflowers. Greenfinches will also feed on fruits and insects during the summer months when food is plentiful.

During the breeding season, greenfinches build their nests in shrubs, hedges, and trees. They typically lay between 3-6 eggs, which are white or pale blue with brown spots. Both male and female greenfinches take turns incubating the eggs and feeding the chicks once they hatch.

Unfortunately, the Greenfinch population has declined significantly in recent years due to a disease called Trichomonosis. This disease affects the bird's ability to feed, causing weight loss and eventual death. Gardeners can help prevent the spread of this disease by cleaning their bird feeders and providing fresh food and water regularly.

Overall, the Greenfinch is a delightful bird to spot in your garden. Its vibrant green plumage and beautiful song make it a favourite among birdwatchers and nature lovers alike.

4) The Coal Tit
The Coal Tit is a small but striking bird that is common throughout the UK. It has a black cap, white cheeks and a buff-coloured body with a distinctive black stripe down the centre. They can be found in woodlands, parks, gardens, and hedgerows and are particularly fond of conifers. Coal Tits are highly active birds and can often be seen flitting from branch to branch in search of insects and spiders. They are also frequent visitors to garden bird feeders, where they prefer sunflower seeds, peanuts, and suet balls. Despite their diminutive size, Coal Tits have a loud and clear call that can be easily recognised. Listen out for their 'tee-cher' call which is often used as a contact call between members of a flock. If you're lucky enough to attract Coal Tits to your garden, be sure to provide plenty of cover and nesting opportunities, as they are known to breed in nest boxes or old tree stumps.

5) The Nuthatch
The nuthatch is a unique bird with its distinctive blue-grey upperparts and rusty-red underparts. It's also well-known for its habit of running headfirst down tree trunks. You may also recognize its call, a repetitive "chit-chit-chit" sound.
Nuthatches prefer woodlands, but they can also be found in gardens that have plenty of mature trees. They're particularly attracted to bird feeders that offer peanuts or suet balls. Like many other bird species, nuthatches are a great indicator of a healthy ecosystem.

Despite their small size, nuthatches are territorial and will defend their patch of woodland fiercely. During breeding season, they build nests in tree cavities or in abandoned bird nests. They may even line their nests with mud to make them more secure.

One interesting fact about nuthatches is that they're able to store nuts and seeds in crevices of trees or under bark for later use. They're also able to hammer open nuts with their sharp beaks.

Overall, the nuthatch is a fascinating and beautiful bird that's definitely worth watching out for in your garden. Just make sure to have some nuts and seeds handy to attract them to your feeder!

6) The Long-tailed Tit
The Long-tailed Tit is a delightful bird to watch in any garden. They are small and delicate with pinkish and white feathers, long tails and dark eyes. Long-tailed Tits move in flocks of up to 20 individuals, so if you spot one, it’s likely there are more close by. They can often be seen hopping from branch to branch, clinging to the underside of leaves and picking insects and spiders from between crevices.

One of the most endearing characteristics of the Long-tailed Tit is their soft calls and gentle song, which can be heard throughout the day. They build spherical nests made of cobwebs, moss and lichen in dense bushes or hedges. These nests are often quite large and contain several chambers, which the birds use to sleep, lay eggs and raise their chicks.

Despite being a common garden visitor, the Long-tailed Tit can be quite difficult to spot due to their small size and erratic movements. However, their bright pinkish and white plumage, distinctive long tail and charming vocalisations make them a wonderful bird to observe and listen to. Keep an eye out for these delightful birds flitting about your garden, and don't forget to provide them with plenty of food, as they love fat balls and suet.

7) The Goldcrest
The Goldcrest is the smallest bird in Europe, measuring just 8.5cm in length and weighing a mere 5 grams. Its name comes from the golden-orange crest on its head, which it often raises when agitated or during mating season.
This tiny bird has a greenish-grey back and wings and a white belly. It also has a black and white striped face and a short, pointed bill. The Goldcrest is a resident in the UK and can be found throughout the year in woodlands, parks, and gardens with dense shrubbery.

Despite its size, the Goldcrest has a loud and high-pitched song, which is a series of repeated notes. The male sings to attract a mate during breeding season, which is from March to July. They nest in coniferous trees, using spider webs to hold their tiny cup-shaped nests together.

The Goldcrest feeds on insects and spiders, and can often be seen flitting around in trees, hunting for food. During the winter months, they sometimes join mixed flocks of other small birds such as tits and warblers, foraging for food together.

8) The Goldfinch
The goldfinch is a vibrant and colourful bird that's a regular visitor to British gardens. These small birds have striking red, white and black markings on their faces, as well as a beautiful mix of gold, yellow and black feathers on their wings and back.

Goldfinches are a sociable species and often travel in flocks, especially during the winter months. They have a cheerful and lively nature, and are known for their melodic song, which is a series of high-pitched chirps and twitters.

In the UK, goldfinches are widespread, with populations found across most of England, Scotland and Wales. They are particularly attracted to thistle and teasel plants, as these provide them with their favourite food – seeds. If you want to attract goldfinches to your garden, consider planting some thistle or teasel and watch as these stunning birds flock to your feeders.

Overall, the goldfinch is a beautiful and charming bird that's always a delight to see. So if you're looking to add some colour and personality to your garden, be sure to keep an eye out for these lovely little birds!

9) The Wren
The Wren is the smallest bird in the UK, but what it lacks in size, it makes up for in vocal prowess. With a sharp, high-pitched song that is both loud and melodious, the Wren is a familiar sound in gardens across the country. Despite its diminutive size, the Wren is a plucky little bird that is known for its busy and active lifestyle. It has a round compact body, short tail, and a distinctive curved beak that is perfect for probing into nooks and crannies in search of insects and spiders to eat.

Wrens are highly territorial and can be fiercely protective of their chosen area. They are known to build several nests throughout their territory, and will defend them from any potential threats. Despite this, they are not particularly aggressive towards other bird species, and will often coexist peacefully with their feathered neighbours.

Wrens are also notable for their incredible agility and acrobatic abilities. They are able to navigate through tight spaces with ease, and are often seen flitting through hedges and shrubs in search of food. This, combined with their small size and stealthy nature, can make them quite difficult to spot in the garden. However, if you do manage to catch a glimpse of a Wren, it's definitely worth taking a moment to appreciate these charming little birds and their unique talents.

10) The Robin
The Robin is a bird that needs no introduction. It is probably the most well-known garden bird in the UK, thanks to its distinctive red breast and cheerful, melodic song. In fact, the Robin is so beloved that it has been voted Britain's national bird in several polls.

Robins are small birds, only about 14cm in length, with brownish-grey upperparts and a white belly. It is their bright red breast that makes them stand out, especially in winter when their colour contrasts sharply against the snow. Interestingly, only male Robins have the iconic red breast; females have a paler, more subdued hue.

In the wild, Robins feed on insects, worms, and other invertebrates. In gardens, they are known to be particularly fond of mealworms and fruit, but they will also eat seeds and nuts. You might even spot them following you around while you are gardening, hoping you will unearth some tasty bugs or grubs for them to snack on!

Robins are famously territorial and will defend their patch of the garden against all comers. But they are also known for their friendly, inquisitive nature, and many gardeners have formed special relationships with their local Robins. In fact, it is not uncommon for a Robin to approach a human and even eat from their hand, especially if they have been habituated to humans since they were young.

In folklore, Robins are often associated with Christmas, perhaps because of their red breast and their tendency to stick around during the winter months. They are also said to be the only bird that will sing while holding its head up high, as if it is looking up to heaven. In some cultures, the Robin is considered a symbol of hope, renewal, and new beginnings.

If you want to attract Robins to your garden, you can put out mealworms, raisins, or chopped fruit. You can also plant native shrubs and trees, such as holly and rowan, that produce berries that Robins love to eat. With a little effort, you can encourage these friendly little birds to make your garden their home.