I.d.  Black plumage, plump body, long black tail, yellow bill and yellow ring around eyes, brown legs. Length 24-25cm.  Feeds on: Worms, insects, fruits and berries, fat cakes in winter.  Habitat: Woodland, heaths, gardens, farmland. UK Breeding estimate 4,700,00 pairs. UK wintering: 10-15 million birds.   Lifespan up to 20 years

I.d. Blue cap and tail, white cheeks, black eyestripe, yellow underparts. Length 11.5cm.  Feeds on: Insects, seed and nuts, fat cake in winter.  Habitat: Woodland, gardens, parkland, hedgerows  and conifers. UK breeding  estimate: 3,500,00pairs. UK wintering: 15 million birds.   Lifespan 1/2yrs, although one has been known to live for 21 years!

I.d. Adults Bright red breast, juveniles spotted brown body. Length 14cm.  Feeds on:  Insects, peanut granules, sunflower hearts and pinhead oats, cake in winter. Habitat: Woodlands, parks and gardens. UK breeding estimate 4.5 million territories. Lifespan up to 8 years

I.d. Brown streaked black above with grey face. Thin Bill. Shy, shuffling gait, often flicking its wings as it goes. Length 14cm.  Feeds on: Insects, seeds and nuts.  Habitat: thickets, brambles, hedges, woodland edges. Readily uses man-made habitats like parks, gardens and churchyards.   UK breeding  estimate: 2,100,000 territories. Lifespan up to 9 years

I.d. The largest UK tit - green and yellow with a striking glossy black head with white cheeks and a distinctive two-syllable song. Length 14cm.  Feeds on: Insects, seeds and nuts.  Habitat: deciduous woodland, conifer woodlands, hedgerow trees, parkland and gardens. UK breeding  estimate: 1,700,000 pairs. Lifespan up to 13 years

I.d. Male :Slate blue crown and nape. Pink below with 2 prominent wing bars. Female un-streaked olive brown above, pinkish buff below with 2 white wing bars. Length 14.5cm.  Feeds on: Insects, seeds and nuts.  Habitat: Woodlands, hedgerows, fields, parks and gardens anywhere. UK breeding  estimate: 5,800,000 pairs.  Lifespan up to 14 years

I.d. Distinctive with  grey-buff above, pinkish grey below. Black & white half neck collar. Length 31-33cm.  Feeds on: Insects, seeds and nuts.  Habitat: Found by farms, orchards, parks, gardens and churchyards. Rural and suburban gardens are preferred to city centres. UK breeding estimate: 210,000 territories. Lifespan up to 16 years

I.d. Males have a grey  cap edged rusty red/brown, black bib and brown upper body streaked with black, grey underneath; Females paler, yellower-brown streaked above, pale buff below,. broad pale stripe behind eye. Length 14-15cm.  Feeds on: Seed mixes, sunflower hearts, insects- vital in the breeding season (try mealworms).  Habitat: Towns, villages, parks, gardens and industrial areas - usually nests on buildings holes and crevices, in creepers, trees and bushes and also in nestboxes.  UK breeding  estimate: 2.8-4.9 million pairs.  Lifespan up to 12 years

I.d.  Distinctive grey back, buff white below, black cap, and white patch at the back of its neck, small slender bill. Length 11.5cm.  Feeds on: Insects, seed and nuts. Habitat:  Coniferous woodlands, sessile oak woods and northern birch woodlands. Parks and gardens with suitable conifers. UK breeding  estimate: 660,000 territories.  Lifespan up to 9 years

I.d. Smaller than blackbirds, with a short tail, pointed head, triangular wings, starlings look black at a distance but when seen closer they are very glossy with a sheen of purples and greens. White spots in winter, female has pinkish base to bill. Length 21.5cm.  Feeds on: Insects, snails, fruit, berries, kitchen scraps, fat cakes.  Habitat: wide range of habitats, from arable fields to pasture, in gardens and parks, and on the seashore, cliffs and buildings. UK breeding  estimate: 1.2 million territories Lifespan up to 22 years

I.d. A highly coloured finch with a bright red face, white & black head, yellow wing patch. Long fine beaks. Juvenile has buff brown head initially. Length 12cm. Feeds on: Seeds, particularly thistle/niger, Insects in summer.  Habitat: range over waste land, coastal fields, flats, and rough pasture. Woodland edges  heaths, commons with gorse and hawthorn. Likes trees and bushes with areas of tall weeds nearby. Breeds near man in parks, gardens, nurseries, orchards and churchyards. UK breeding  estimate: 230,000 territories. Lifespan up to 8 years

I.d. Tiny brown bird, although it is heavier, less slim, than the even smaller Goldcrest! Almost rounded, with a fine bill, quite long legs and toes, very short round wings and a short, narrow tail which is sometimes cocked up vertically. For such a small bird it has a remarkably loud voice. Length 9-10cm.  Feeds on: Insects & spiders, finely chopped fat cake and grated cheese.  Habitat : wide range of habitats - woodland, farmland, heathland, moorland, hedgerows, orchards, parks and gardens. UK breeding estimate 7.6 million territories.  Lifespan up to 9 years

I.d. Tiny, distinctive colouring, black & white with pink patches on shoulders, pink flush underbody. Tail is bigger than its body, blackish band over eye extending onto black back.  Length 11.5cm.  Feeds on: Insects, fat cakes in winter.  Habitat:  woodlands, woodland edges and hedgerows parks and gardens - anywhere with scrubby bushes. UK breeding  estimate: 220,000 territories. Lifespan up to 8 years

I.d. Smaller and browner than a Mistle thrush with smaller spotting. Olive brown above, pale buff with dark spots below, orange buff on underwing. Length 23cm.  Feeds on: Worms, snails and fruit, fat cakes in winter.  Habitat: Deciduous and coniferous woodland, hedgerows and bushes. Readily breeds in gardens with suitable cover.  UK breeding  estimate: 1.1 million pairs. Lifespan up to 13 years

I.d. Cleverest, most adaptable of our birds. Appears black but close up can appear glossy purple or greenish-blue. Low crown makes head look flat capped.  Length 11.5cm.  Feeds on: Worms, insects, mice, frogs, snails, carrion, fruits and refuse.  Habitat:  Found almost everywhere, from the centre of cities to upland moorlands, and from woodlands to seashore. UK breeding  estimate: 790,000 territories. Lifespan up to 19 years

I.d. Smaller than a Greenfinch. It has a distinctly forked tail and a long sharp pointed bill. The male has a streaky yellow-green body and a black crown and bib. There are yellow patches in the wings and tail. Length 12cm.  Feeds on: Variety of Seeds, especially of conifers, alders and birch, and some insects and nuts.  Habitat: Woodland, mainly coniferous, also birch and mixed woods .Migrant birds are sometimes found in gardens. UK breeding  estimate: 310,000 pairs. Lifespan up to 10 years.

I.d. Small black crow with a grey neck and pale staring eyes, both walks and hops. Length 33-34cm. Feeds on: Worms, insects, eggs, frogs, snails, fruits and young birds. Habitat: Woodland, Gardens, parkland, hedgerows and conifers.    UK breeding: 430,000 territories. Lifespan up to 14 years

I.d.  Variable plumage but basic pattern grey with 2 black wing bars and white rump Length 33cm.  Feeds on: Seed, cereals and food scraps.  Habitat: Woodland, Gardens, parkland, hedgerows and  conifers. UK breeding  estimate: At least 200,000 pairs. Lifespan up to 20 years

I.d. Striking black and white plumage with large white shoulder patches. Red on back of head  and under tail. Its presence is often announced by its loud 'kik kik' call or by its distinctive spring  'drumming' display.. Length 22-23cm.  Feeds on: Insects, seed and nuts. Habitat: Woodlands, especially with mature broad-leaved trees. Parks, large gardens, will come to peanut feeders and birdtables.  UK breeding  estimate: 25,000-30,000 pairs
Lifespan up to 10 years.

I.d. The male is unmistakable with his bright rose pink breast and cheeks, grey back, black cap and tail, and bright white rump and single white wing bar.  Length 14.5-16.5cm.  Feeds voraciously of the buds of various trees in spring, seeds and insects for young.  Habitat: Woodlands, orchards, hedgerows, mature gardens, thickets and scrub. UK breeding: 200,000 pairs.         Lifespan up to 17 years

I.d.  A plump bird about the size of a great tit that resembles a small woodpecker. Blue grey above, orange -brown below with paler throat. It has a black stripe on its head, a long black pointed bill, and short legs Length 14 cm.  Feeds on: Insects, seed and nuts.  Habitat: Woodland, gardens, parkland, hedgerows and conifers. UK breeding  estimate:130,000 territories. Lifespan up to 11 years

I.d.  The 'northern nightingale' Grey brown above, pale grey below. Black cap confined to crown and forehead. (Female chestnut cap) Grey chin.  Length 13cm.  Feeds on: Insects & berries, fat cakes in winter.  Habitat: Mixed and deciduous woodland with tall trees, shrubs; parks , mature gardens. Regularly visits suburban and rural gardens.   UK breeding  estimate: 590,000 territories. UK wintering: 3,000 birds.  Lifespan up to 10 years

I.d. Blue grey above, white with fine orange barring, grey tail has 4-5 dark bars. Females are larger, with brown upperparts, a white stripe over the eye and dark barring underneath. Length 28-38cm.  Feeds on: Small birds. Habitat: It is found in broad-leaved woodlands, along hedgerows, and  in parks and gardens. Usually seen flying fast and low in pursuit of prey.  UK breeding  estimate: 34,500 pairs. Lifespan up to 11 years

I.d. The most colourful members of the crow family, Pinkish grey-brown with black, white and blue on wings, black tail with white rump. The screaming call usually lets you know a jay is about. Length 34-35cm.  Feeds on: Acorns, nuts, seeds and insects.  Habitat: Broad-leaved and coniferous woodland, Suburban areas where there are mature trees - parks, cemeteries and gardens. Likes oak trees in autumn when there are plenty of acorns. UK breeding  estimate: 160,000 pairs. Lifespan up to 17 years

I.d. The Goldcrest is the UK's smallest songbird and is dull green above and buff white below with a distinctive black -edged  yellow crown stripe-flares orange when excited.. Length 9cm.  Feeds on: Insects, fat cakes in winter.  Habitat:  Coniferous forest, spruce and silver fir. Broadleaf woodland, suburban parks and large gardens where there are conifers nearby.  Large numbers of migrants can be found in east& south coast. UK breeding  estimate: 610,000 territories,  UK wintering: 3-5 million birds. Lifespan up to 7 years.

I.d. Large, aggressive and powerful. Greyish-brown above, dull whitish with bold dark spots below. White flash on underwing and edge of tail. Length 27cm.  Feeds on: Worms, slugs, insects and berries.  Habitat:  open woodland, moorland, orchards, gardens and parkland,    UK breeding  estimate: 250,000 territories. Lifespan up to 11 years.

I.d. Smaller than a house sparrow and more active, with its tail almost permanently cocked. Chestnut brown head and nape (rather than grey), and white cheeks and collar with a contrasting black cheek-spot. Length 14cm  Habitat: Open farmland with hedgerows and free-standing trees, small isolated woods, disused quarries, coastal cliffs with ivy, or large gardens (Main populations are now found across the Midlands, southern and eastern England)  Feeds on: Seeds and insects. UK breeding: 110,000 territories Lifespan up to 12 years

I.d. Sociable, quarrelsome and, noisy. Pale grey above, white below. Dark brown hood in summer. Dark smudge behind eye in winter. It is most definitely not a ‘seagull’ as it is found commonly almost anywhere inland. Length 34-37cm.  Feeds on: Worms, insects, fish and carrion. Habitat: Coastal marshes, freshwater marshes, gravel pits, lakes, moorland pools, estuaries, inland wetlands, reservoirs, ploughed fields, pasture, playing fields and rubbish tips! UK breeding  estimate: 190,000 pairs. UK wintering: 2,000,000 birds. Lifespan up to 32 yrs

I.d. Very sociable birds, often seen together with jackdaws. Appears black but close up is a glossy purple. Bare, greyish-white face, thinner beak than crow. Pale Bill and patch at base. High crown makes head look 'bowler hatted'  Length 44-46cm. Feeds on: Worms, grain and insects. Habitat:  Lowland farmland - open fields, and plenty of tall trees for their rookery. Will feed, along  roadsides. They will come into town parks and villages not big towns and cities. UK breeding estimate: 940,000-950,000 pairs. Lifespan up to 20 years.

I.d. Small, long-tailed and rather sprightly black and white bird.  Black and white overall with black back and rump, chin and throat black in summer. Frantically wags its tail up and down, dashing about in search of food. It frequently calls when in its undulating flight.  Length 18cm. Feeds on: Insects. Habitat:  near water - river bank, lake edges with a stony or gravelly shore. Pasture, moorland, farmland -  areas of mixed farming - coasts and estuaries, parks, gardens and at sewage works. UK breeding  estimate: 320,000 pairs. Lifespan up to 11 years

I.d. Nocturnal so it is often heard calling at night, but much less often seen Rufous brown (sometimes greyer) with dark streak above. It has a rounded body and head, with a ring of dark feathers around its face surrounding the dark eyes. White edges to face and wing feathers. Length 37-39cm. Feeds on: Small mammals and rodents, small birds, frogs, fish, insects and worms. Habitat:  Deciduous and coniferous woodland, but will also live in farmland and gardens, parks and churchyards where there are suitable nest sites in large trees. UK breeding  estimate: 20,000 pairs. Lifespan up to 23  years.

I.d. Male :Sparrow-sized, slim and with a long, deeply notched tail, the male has a black head, white collar and a drooping moustache, Females heavily streaked - rich brown above and dirty white below. Length 15-16.5cm. Feeds on: Insects, snails and seed. Habitat: Reedbeds, but also occurs in wet vegetation, hedgerows, scrub and young coniferous plantations, farmland and gardens. UK breeding: 240,000 territories.   Lifespan up to 10 years

I.d.  A winter bird, the UK’s smallest true thrush.  Dark olive brown above, distinctive creamy stripe above the eye and rusty red flash on flanks extends to underwings and is visible in flight. Length 21cm. Feeds on: Berries and worms. Habitat:  Hedges, especially hawthorn and orchards are a favourite. Short pasture, ploughed fields and playing fields later in the winter. Parks and large gardens only in the coldest weather when snow covers the fields. UK breeding: 30-50 pairs. UK wintering: 750,000 birds. Lifespan up to 18 years

I.d. Small and very active, Speckled, Streaked brown buff and black above. Flared pale stripe over eye. Mainly white below. Thin long downcurved bill. Length 12.5cm. Feeds on: Insects, spiders, and some seed. Habitat: Coniferous and deciduous woods, small copses, parks and gardens with mature trees. UK breeding  estimate: 210,000 territories. Lifespan up to 8 years

I.d. Big, sociable, colourful thrushes, much like a Mistle thrush. Stands upright and moves forward with purposeful hops. Grey head-brown back-grey rump-black tail. Striking white flash on underwing, white throat and belly. Breast yellow buff to orange. Flanks spotted black. Length 25.5cm.  Feeds on: Insects, worms and berries. Habitat:  Open countryside with grass fields, and berry-bearing hedgerows, especially hawthorn. Orchards and gardens with apple trees. They will come into town parks and playing fields : UK breeding: 1-5 pairs. UK wintering: 750,000 birds. Lifespan up to 18 years.

I.d  See descriptions at 41 & 43.

I.d. Similar in size and shape to the chaffinch, the male has a black head in summer, and an orange breast with white belly. In flight it shows a long white rump. Length 14cm. Feeds on: Insects, seed and nuts.  Habitat: Birch woodland and mixed birch and conifer forests. Farmland fields, woodland edges, beech woods, parks and gardens. UK breeding  estimate: 0-8 pairs. UK wintering: 50,000-2 million birds. Lifespan up to 14 years.

I.d. Small, neat bird with a well defined black bib and glossy black cap down to eye level and onto hindneck, whitish cheek. Grey brown back, grey buff underside, less warm than willow tit. Length 11.5cm. Feeds on: Insects, larvae, spiders and seeds.  Habitat: Deciduous woodland especially beech and oakwoods, also copses, parks and mature gardens, but it is quite scarce in urban areas.  UK breeding  estimate: 60,000 territories.  Lifespan up to 10 years

I.d. Males are unmistakeable with a bright yellow head and underparts, brown back streaked with black, and chestnut rump. Length 16-16.5cm. Feeds on: Spiders, insects, seed and grain. Habitat: open country - farmland with hedgerows and bushes, gorse, heaths, commons and in areas of scrubland. UK breeding  estimate: 1.2 million territories  Lifespan up to 11 years

I.d. Willow Tits have a large rounded head, appears to have no neck. The long, dull black cap stretches back to the mantle and sits above the white cheeks. The upperparts are a uniform brown, darker on the wings, pale edges of the flight feathers produce a pale wing panel. Pale buff-grey underparts. The black bib is slightly larger than in the Marsh Tit and is less neatly defined. Length 11.5cm.  Feeds on: Insects, larvae, spiders seeds and berries.  Habitat: damp stands of trees close to rivers, streams and gravel pits, preferring willows, birch and alder, as well as conifers. UK breeding  estimate: 25,000 territories. Lifespan up to 10 years.

I.d. Small, round headed warbler. Dull  brownish-olive green above, yellowish buff below. Shortish wings, small fine bill. Dark legs (Willow warbler pale legs). Weaker eyestripe than W warbler. Length 10-11cm. Feeds on: Insects.  Habitat: deciduous and mixed woodland, stands of trees, parks and mature gardens where there is thick undergrowth. UK breeding: 690,000 territories. UK wintering: 500-1,000 birds. Lifespan up to 6 years.

I.d. Elegant Aerial  feeder. Glossy blue black above. Dark reddish forehead and throat above blue breastband. Underside pale to orange-buff. Tail feathers extend as streamers, deeply forked. Broad white band across tail. Length 17-19cm. Feeds on: Small invertebrates. Habitat:  open pasture; nests in buildings, common in farmland - especially near cattle& with access to water .Perches on aerials and telephone wires. UK breeding  estimate: 375,000 pairs. Lifespan up to 16 years 

I.d. Small and stocky. Glossy blue black above, pure white underparts and distinctive white rump with a forked tail. Length 12.5cm.  Feeds on: Flying Insects. Habitat: Summer migrant common in and around villages and towns nesting on buildings or cliffs. Feeding over areas of mixed agriculture, near water or woodland. UK breeding  estimate: 270,000-530,000 pairs.  Lifespan up to 14 yrs.

I.d. Superb medium-sized aerial flier. Appears black all over, closer views show blackish - brown with paler chin. Scythe - shaped wings, forked tail. Length 16-17cm. Feeds on: Flying insects and airborne spiders.  Habitat: In the sky in summer, breeding across the UK, never perches, even sleeps on the wing. UK breeding  estimate: 85,000 pairs. Lifespan up to 21 years.

I.d. Similar in plumage and size to rock doves/feral pigeons. Blue-Grey with black line on trailing edge of wings. Iridescent bottle green band on the back of the neck, pink chest. Two short dark bars on wing .No white patches. Length 30-33cm. Feeds on: Seeds.  Habitat: parkland, along woodland edges,  quarries and cliffs, farmland stubbles.  UK breeding  estimate: 240,000 pairs. Lifespan up to 13 years. 

I.d. Smaller and darker than the collared dove. Patterned mottled chestnut brown and black above, pinkish grey below. Black tail with sharp, wedge shaped white edge. Grey head. Black and white neck striped. Bluish black striped neck patch. Orange eye with red ring. Length 26-28cm. Feeds on: Grass seeds, fruits and herbs.  Habitat: Copses, commons, heaths, parkland, woodland edges, hedgerows and open land with scattered bushes. UK breeding  estimate:75,000 territories. Lifespan up to 16 years.

I.d.  Largest of the three woodpeckers that breed in Britain. Solid - long bodied, short tail and a strong, long bill. Apple green upperparts and bright yellow rump. Red crown, black face ,dark moustache, male has red flash in moustache. White eye.  Length 31–33cm.  Feeds on: Insects, especially ants. Habitat: open broad-leaved (deciduous) woodland, parks, orchards and farmland. UK breeding  estimate: 15,000 pairs.  Lifespan up to 15 years.