Redwing (Turdus iliacus)

OTHER NAMES: N/A
Latin Etymology: Turdus ("thrush") iliacus ("of the flanks")

Adult Redwing (subspecies T. i. iliacus) at Geddington, Northants - December 2009

Featured Subspecies: Turdus iliacus iliacus

Weight: 50-75g  /  Length: 20-24cm  /  Wingspan: 33-34.5cm

UK RED LIST / IUCN Red List: Near Threatened

The smallest British Thrush - the redwing is primarily a winter visitor - it arrives in huge numbers at the end of the autumn and can often be seen in large noisy flocks trying feeding on berries, often mixed with fieldfares. The main issue with this species is that it can be very flighty, and so the best photographs will almost certainly be achieved when you see it without it seeing you.  

Related Species:
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Turdidae
Genus: Turdus
Subspecies: T. i. iliacus, T. i. coburni

- Sighting Locations -

UNITED KINGDOM - Very rare breeding resident (4-16 pairs) and common Winter visitor (690,000 birds)

 - Seen at sites including Rutland Water, Pitsford Reservoir, Ditchford Gravel Pits and Geddington.

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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Common Chaffinch (Fringilla coelebs)

OTHER NAMES: N/A

Latin Etymology: Fringilla ("finch") coelebs ("unmarried")

Top Left: Adult Male Chaffinch (subspecies F. c. gengleri) at Geddington, Northants - August 2013

Top Right: Adult Male Chaffinch (subspecies F. c. balearica) at Monfrague National Park, Spain - April 2016

Bottom: Adult Female Chaffinch (subspecies F. c. gengleri) at Geddington, Northants - September 2013

Featured Subspecies: Fringilla coelebs gengleri and Fringilla coelebs balearica

Weight: 18-29g  /  Length: 14.5cm  /  Wingspan: 24.5-28.5cm

UK GREEN LIST / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

By far the most common member of the finch family in the UK, The Chaffinch is very widely spread and very easily seen both in urban and rural settings. It is a very common bird-table species and comes readily to feeders. In some cafes I've been to it is bold enough to come and take crumbs off of plates when you sit outside. It can also sometimes be found in reasonably large flocks on fields, particularly during the Winter when it may associate with other seed eating birds.  In Spain it is less common than in the UK, but seemingly still widely spread.

Related Species: 
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Fringillidae
Genus: Fringilla
Subspecies: F. c. coelebs, F. c. gengleri, F. c. balearica, F. c. sarda, F. c. schiebeli, F. c. syriaca, F. c. solomkoi, F. c. alexandrovi, F. c. transcaspica, F. c. africana, F. c. spodiogenys, F. c. moreletti, F. c. maderensis, F. c. canariensis, F. c. ombriosa, F. c. palmae     

 - Sighting Locations -

UNITED KINGDOM - Abundant breeding species (6,200,000 territories)

 - Birds seen at many locations regularly, including but not limited to Geddington, Rutland Water, Pitsford Reservoir, Rainham Marshes, Regent's Park and Padstow. In Winter often particularly abundant with large flocks of hundreds on farmland.

SPAIN - Spanish - Pinzón Vulgar ("Common Finch")

 Breeding resident.  

 - SEVILLE 2011 TRIP: Seen at El Rocio (feeding with sparrows)      

 - MADRID 2016 TRIP: Seen at Monfrague National Park (one singing male)      

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto .

Carrion Crow (Corvus corone)

OTHER NAMES: Crow, Corbie, Gor Crow

Latin Etymology: Corvus ("raven") corone ("crow")

Left: Adult Carrion Crow (subspecies C. c. corone) at Regent's Park, London - April 2010

Right: Adult Carrion Crow (subspecies C. c. orientalis) at Akan Crane Centre, Hokkaido, Japan - December 2014

Featured Subspecies: Corvus corone corone AND Corvus corone orientalis
Weight: 370-650g  /  Length: 45-47cm  /  Wingspan: 93-104cm

UK GREEN LIST / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

The carrion crow is probably the most visible of the already (mostly) highly visibly crow family, it can be found across a wide number of habitats, but it probably most easily seen in parks and towns. In my experience, the best views are actually built up areas where the birds have become accustomed to scavenging from humans, for instance, the car parks of service stations. How approachable they are varies depending on population, with crows from more urban areas seeming less flighty than their more rural counterparts. The photo here was taken in London where I was able to get to within a few feet of the bird, whereas the previous photo taken in Bewick-Upon-Tweed was from a greater distance of a more flighty set of birds.  Internationally - in Austria they are at the edge of the Hooded and Carrion Crow range, so both are found, while in Japan it is less common in most places than the ubiquitous Large-billed Crow, but more common in Hokkaido.

Related Species:
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Corvidae
Genus: Corvus
Subspecies: C. c. corone, C. c orientalis

- Sighting Locations -

UNITED KINGDOM - Very common resident (1,000,000 territories)

 - Birds seen at most sites including but not limited to Rutland Water, Trevose Head, Rainham Marshes, Regent's Park,Kensington Gardens, Pitsford Reservoir and Geddington.

AUSTRIA - Common breeding resident

 - TOKYO/HOKKAIDO 2014 TRIP - STOPOVER: Several birds around Vienna Airport 

JAPAN - Japanese - ハシボソガラス  / Hashi-boso garasu ("Slender-billed Crow")

Locally common resident.

 - TOKYO/HOKKAIDO 2014 TRIP: A few seen around Hokkaido including Akan Crane Centre, Kushiro and Shiranuka

SPAIN - Spanish - Corneja negra ("Black crow")
A fairly common resident.

 - MADRID 2016 TRIP: A few seen around Monfrague National Park.

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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Common Wood Pigeon (Columba palumbus)

OTHER NAMES: Wood Pigeon
Latin Etymology: Columba ("pigeon/dove") palumbus ("wood pigeon")

Adult Common Wood Pigeon (subspecies C. p. palumbus) at Geddington, Northants - April 2026

Featured Subspecies: Columba palumbus palumbus

Weight: 490g  /  Length: 38-44cm  /  Wingspan: 75-80cm

UK GREEN LIST / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

One of the most widely spread species in the UK and the largest British pigeon. In cities it will probably be easier to approach closer for photography purpose, as, like with most species, it tends to be tamer in the city than countryside. They do sometimes frequent bird-tables, often shoving off every other bird, but really they are common and bold enough that you probably don't even need that to get good views.  In the winter, the may gather in large flocks on fields.

Related Species:
Order: Columbiformes
Family: Columbidae
Genus: Columba
Subspecies: C. p. azorica, C. p. maderensis, C. p. excelsa, C. p. palumbus, C. p. iranica, C. p. casiotis   

- Sighting Locations -

UNITED KINGDOM - Abundant breeding resident (5,400,000 pairs)

 - Seen in virtually every location including Rutland Water, Trevose Head, Rainham Marshes, Regent's Park, Kensington Gardens, Pitsford Reservoir, Ditchford Gravel Pits and Eyebrook Reservoir and Geddington.

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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European Robin (Erithacus rubecula)

OTHER NAMES: Robin, Redbreast

Latin Etymology: Erithacus (unidentified species) rubecula ("robin")

Adult Eurasian Robin (subspecies E. r. melophilus) at Gardens of Heligan, Cornwall - April 2015

Featured Subspecies: Erithacus rubecula melophilus
Weight: 16-22g  /  Length: 13-14cm  /  Wingspan: 20-22cm

UK GREEN LIST / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

By a long long way the most common and famous member of the chat group, robins are a garden regular but seem to find homes in all sorts of environments. Easy to spot and frequently easy to photograph - these bold little birds are quite possibly one of the easiest of all photographable species - in some places I've encountered them they have been bold enough to take the crumbs right off the plate on your table! 

Related Species: 
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Muscicapidae
Genus: Erithacus
Subspecies: E. r. melophilus, E. r. rubecula, E. r. superbus, E. r. witherbyi, E. r. balcanicus, E. r. valens, E. r. hyrcanus, E. r. tataricus     

- Sighting Locations -

UNITED KINGDOM - Abundant resident (6,700,000 territories)

 - Seen at a very large number of sites including but not limited to Rutland Water, Rainham Marshes, Regent's Park, Kensington Gardens, Pitsford Reservoir and Geddington.

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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Eurasian Magpie (Pica pica)

OTHER NAMES: Magpie, Chattermag, Margaret's Pie

Latin Etymology: Pica ("magpie") pica ("magpie")

Young Eurasian Magpie (subspecies P. p. pica) at Hampstead Heath, London - July 2011

Local Name (Spain): Urraca

Featured Subspecies: Pica pica pica

Weight: 180g

Length: 44-46cm

Wingspan: 60cm

UK GREEN LIST / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

The Magpie is a very common and distinctive member of the crow family - the only member in the UK to have a long tail and regularly any amount of white on its body. Found equally easy in city as countryside, it can however provide a slightly disproportionate challenge to photograph (although still very easily) as it can be a bit of a twitchy bird that will fly away when you get too close. Widely associated with folklore, it has an anecdotal reputation as a thief of jewelry and other shiny objects and in the United Kingdom is the subject of the superstition / nursery rhyme "one for sorrow, two for joy...". 

Related Species:
Order: Passeriformes 

Family: Corvidae

Genus: Pica 

Subspecies: P. p. pica, P. p. fennorum, P. p. galliae, P. p. melanotos, P. p. mauretanica, P. p. asirensis, P. p. bactriana, P. p. hemileucoptera, P. p. leucoptera, P. p. camtschatica, P. p. bottanensis, P. p. serica

- Sighting Locations -

UNITED KINGDOM - Abundant resident (600,000 territories)

 - Seen in many places including Rutland Water, Rainham Marshes, Regent's Park, Kensington Gardens, Pitsford Reservoir and Geddington.

SPAIN - Scarce and Local Resident

 - SEVILLE 2011 TRIP: A few birds seen at El Rocio          

Further Notes: Arkive, BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto .

Eurasian Jackdaw (Corvus monedula)

OTHER NAMES: Jackdaw, Western Jackdaw, European Jackdaw, Caddaw

Latin Etymology: Corvus ("raven") monedula ("money eater")

Adult Eurasian Jackdaw (subspecies C. m. spermologus) at Trevose Head, Cornwall - June 2011

Featured Subspecies: Corvus monedula spermologus
Weight: 250g  /  Length: 34-39cm  /  Wingspan: 67-74cm

UK GREEN LIST / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

One of the more common members of the crow family, the jackdaw is also perhaps the tamest, or at least boldest, when it comes to getting close. It is the smallest of the black members of the crow family with a distinctive grey head with dark forehead. It does seem easiest to photograph in touristy spots - presumably because it is scavenging off of dropped food, though it has adapted well to life in many urban areas in general.

Related Species:
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Corvidae
Genus: Corvus
Subspecies: C. m. monedula, C. m. spermologus, C. m. soemmerringii, C. m. cirtensis  

- Sighting Locations -

UNITED KINGDOM - Abundant resident (1,400,000 pairs)

 - Seen at many sites including Rutland Water, Trevose Head, Rainham Marshes, Pitsford Reservoirhford Gravel Pits and Geddington.

SPAIN - Spanish - Grajilla 

Resident

 - MADRID 2016 TRIP: Seen flying over Laguna Campillo. 

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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European Herring Gull (Larus argentatus)

OTHER NAMES: Herring Gull, Silverback
Latin Etymology: Larus ("gull") macularius ("ornamented with silver")

  Adult Herring Gull (subspecies L. a. argentatus) at Tintagel, Cornwall - June 2010

Featured Subspecies: Larus argentatus argentatus
Weight: 700-1500g  /  Length: 55-67cm  /  Wingspan: 135-145cm

UK RED LIST / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

After the Black Headed Gull, the Herring is almost certainly the most common of British Gulls. There isn't that much to say about seeing them as they literally are a bird many people will see on a daily basis. The best views of them are probably going to be at seaside towns where they can scavenge from tourists or at landfill sites.  Though a very familiar species, it is actually in decline in the UK - particularly along the coast where it suffers from changing fishing practises. Two other very similar species also exist in the UK and though most pale backed birds you see will be Herring Gull, Yellow-legged and Caspian Gulls can also be found.

Related Species:
Order: Charadriiformes
Family: Laridae
Genus: Larus
Subspecies: L. a. argentatus, L. a. argenteus

- Sighting Locations -

UNITED KINGDOM - A locally abundant breeding resident (140,000 pairs) and locally abundant Winter visitor (740,000 birds)

 - Birds seen at many sites including Rutland Water, Trevose Head, Rainham Marshes, Regent's Park, Pitsford Reservoir and Ditchford Gravel Pits. Occassional flyover in Geddington.

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, Wikipedia, RSPB, Xeno-canto

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Eurasian Blue Tit (Cyanistes caeruleus)

OTHER NAMES: Blue Tit, Tom Tit, Blue Spick
Latin Etymology: Cyanistes ("dark blue") caeruleus (cerulean)

Adult Eurasian Blue Tit (subspecies C. c. obscurus) at Kettering, Northants - January 2022

Featured Subspecies: Cyanistes caeruleus obscurus

Weight: 11g  /  Length: 12cm  /  Wingspan: 18cm

UK GREEN LIST / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

The commonest British tit, the blue tit is widely spread, numerous and one of the commonest bird feeder visitors. It is probably more numerous in the countryside but really anywhere with sufficient amount of vegetation could probably support some. Photographing it at bird tables is probably your best bet, and bird tables at nature reserves should be able to get you some great closeups.

Further Information:
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Paridae
Genus: Cyanistes
Subspecies: C. c. caeruleus, C. c.obscurus, C. c. ogliastrae, C. c. balearicus, C. c. satunini, C. c. calamensis, C. c. orientalis, C. c. raddei, C. c. persicus   

- Sighting Locations -

UNITED KINGDOM - Abundant resident (3,600,000 territories) and massively abundant Winter visitor (15,000,000 birds)

 - Seen at sites including Rutland Water,  Rainham Marshes, Regent's Park, Brigstock, Pitsford Reservoir and Geddington.    

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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