Garden Birds – Everything You Need to Know

There are so many kinds of wild garden birds that sometimes it can all get quite confusing. We’ve put together this handy blog post so that you can find basic information on all common wild garden birds from Blue tits to Starlings. Click one of the links below to be taken to the bird’s information: Tits – Blue Tit   Coal Tit   Long-Tailed Tit   Marsh Tit   Great Tit Thrushes – Blackbird   Robin   Mistle Thrush   Redwing   Song Thrush Crows – Carrion Crow   Jackdaw   Jay   Magpie   Rook   Raven Pigeons & Doves – Collared Dove   Rock Dove   Wood Pigeon Finches – Bullfinch   Brambling   Chaffinch   Goldfinch   Greenfinch   Siskin Sparrows – Tree Sparrow   House Sparrow Other – Starling   Dunnock   Wren   Nuthatch   Treecreeper   Great Spotted Woodpecker   Skylark

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Tits

Blue Tit
	One of the most well known garden birds. It’s easily spotted due to it’s colourful blue, yellow and white plumage. The blue tit is also famed for it’s skills when clinging onto branches or feeders.
	Active:	All year around.
	Distribution:	UK wide.
	Where to see them:	Gardens, parks, hedgerows and woodland.
	What they eat:	Peanuts, Black Sunflower Seeds, Nyger seeds, Mealworms, Insects, Sunflower Hearts and Suet.
	How they eat:	Hanging feeders and table feeder.
	Size:	12cm long, 18cm wingspan.
	Nestbox:	March – June, 25mm hole, 1 – 5m from the ground in plain sight.

 

Coal Tit
	The coal tit is named so due to it’s monochrome colouring, a distinctive grey back, black cap and white patches. It also features a more slender beak than many of it’s Tit relatives.
	Active:	All year around.
	Distribution:	UK wide.
	Where to see them:	Gardens, parks and woodland.
	What they eat:	Peanuts, Sunflower Hearts, Black Sunflower Seeds, Insects and Suet.
	How they eat:	Hanging feeders and table feeder.
	Size:	11cm long.
	Nestbox:	March – June, 25mm hole, less than 1m from the ground.

 

Long-Tailed Tit
	Rightfully named the long-tailed tit due to a long tail that’s even longer than it’s body! They’re very social birds that are usually found in flocks of around 20.
	Active:	All year around.
	Distribution:	UK wide.
	Where to see them:	Gardens, parks, hedgerows and woodland.
	What they eat:	Suet, Sunflower Hearts, Peanuts, Mealworms and Nyger Seed.
	How they eat:	Hanging feeders and table feeder.
	Size:	14cm long.
	Nestbox:	Prefer making their own nests.

 

Marsh Tit
	Notoriously hard to identify due to their similarity to the Willow Tit, the Marsh Tit has a black cap, pale belly but is mainly brown. They love gardens with plenty of places to hide such as hedges and shrubs.
	Active:	All year around.
	Distribution:	England and Wales.
	Where to see them:	Gardens, parks and woodland.
	What they eat:	Sunflower Hearts, Chopped Peanuts and Insects.
	How they eat:	Hanging feeders and table feeder.
	Size:	12cm long, 19cm wingspan.
	Nestbox:	April – June, 25mm hole, less than 1m from the ground.

 

Great Tit
	The Great Tit is the largest bird in the UK Tit family. They’re green and yellow in colour with a black head and white cheeks. They’re also known to be quite aggressive with other Tits when there is food around!
	Active:	All year around.
	Distribution:	UK wide.
	Where to see them:	Gardens, parks and woodland.
	What they eat:	Suet, Sunflower Hearts, Peanuts, Black Sunflower Seeds, Mealworms and Nyger Seed.
	How they eat:	Hanging feeders and table feeder.
	Size:	13cm long.
	Nestbox:	March – July, 28mm hole, 1 – 5m from the ground in plain sight.

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Thrushes

Blackbird
	Although named Blackbird, it’s only the males who live up tot his name. The females are brown with spots on their breast. Their bright orange beak and eye ring distinguish them from other dark coloured birds like crows.
	Active:	All year around.
	Distribution:	UK wide.
	Where to see them:	Gardens, parks and countryside.
	What they eat:	Sunflower Hearts, Oats, Suet, Mealworms and Chopped Peanuts.
	How they eat:	Ground feeder and table feeder.
	Size:	26cm long.
	Nestbox:	March – July, large open fronted, over 1.5m  from the ground hidden away.

 

Robin
	Often thought to be the UK’s most well known garden bird, the Robin’s red breast is easily spotted. They’re affectionately associated with Christmas, however they are also known to be very territorial of their environments!
	Active:	All year around.
	Distribution:	UK wide.
	Where to see them:	Gardens, parks, hedgerows and woodland.
	What they eat:	Sunflower Hearts, Oats, Suet and Mealworms.
	How they eat:	Ground feeder, table feeder and hanging feeders.
	Size:	13cm long, 21cm wingspan.
	Nestbox:	April – August, small open fronted, less than 2m from the ground hidden away.

 

Mistle Thursh
	Large, pale and black spotted, the Mistle Thrush is also known to be quite aggressive. They stand and hold their head up proudly and boldly upright.
	Active:	All year around.
	Distribution:	UK wide.
	Where to see them:	Gardens, parks and woodland.
	What they eat:	Insects, Berries, Mealworms, Suet and Chopped Peanuts.
	How they eat:	Ground feeder.
	Size:	27cm long, 45cm wingspan.
	Nestbox:	Prefer making their own nests.

 

Redwing
	Only really spotted generally during the colder months, it’s the UK’s smallest thrush. The Redwing has vibrant orangey red patches below it’s wings.
	Active:	Winter
	Distribution:	UK wide.
	Where to see them:	Gardens, parks, hedgerows and open fields.
	What they eat:	Berries and Mealworms.
	How they eat:	Ground feeder.
	Size:	22cm long, 34cm wingspan.
	Nestbox:	Don’t nest in the UK.

 

Song Thrush
	The Song Thrush is similar to the Mistle Thrush but is smaller and browner. It’s numbers have dwindles in the past few years. They’re known for smashing snail shells against stones to get inside and eat them.
	Active:	All year round.
	Distribution:	UK wide.
	Where to see them:	Gardens, parks, hedgerows and woodland.
	What they eat:	Berries, Insects and Mealworms.
	How they eat:	Ground feeder.
	Size:	22cm long.
	Nestbox:	Prefer making their own nests.

 

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Crows

 

Carrion Crow
	The Carrion Crow is one of the most intelligent garden birds. All black, they’re quite fearless and will remember where is safe to eat and often return there repeatedly.
	Active:	All year around
	Distribution:	UK wide
	Where to see them:	Gardens, parks, city centres, seashores and woodland.
	What they eat:	Insects, Mealworms, Peanuts, Maize, Red Dari, Striped Sunflower Seeds and Berries.
	How they eat:	Ground feeder and table feeder.
	Size:	50cm long.
	Nestbox:	Prefer making their own nests.

   

Jackdaw
	Easily identified by the silvery coloured back of it’s head and pale, striking eyes. The Jackdaw is the smallest UK Crow.
	Active:	All year around
	Distribution:	UK wide
	Where to see them:	Gardens, parks, fields and woodland.
	What they eat:	Insects, Berries, Peanuts, Maize, Red Dari, Striped Sunflower Seeds and Mealworms.
	How they eat:	Ground feeder and table feeder.
	Size:	36cm long.
	Nestbox:	April – May, large nestbox, over 5m from the ground.

   

Jay
	Very different from most other kinds of Crows, Jays are a more colourful light brown colour with blue tops to their wings. They’re very shy birds and are known for burying acorns for later retrieval in Winter.
	Active:	All year around
	Distribution:	UK wide
	Where to see them:	Gardens, parks and woodland.
	What they eat:	Peanuts, Maize, Red Dari, Striped Sunflower Seeds and Insects.
	How they eat:	Ground feeder and table feeder.
	Size:	35cm long, 54cm wingspan.
	Nestbox:	Prefer making their own nests.

   

Magpie
	Known for being quite noisy and arrogant, but Magpies are beautiful to look at with their blue wings and green tail. One of the most intelligent animals in the world, it is one of very few birds able to recognise itself in a mirror test.
	Active:	All year around
	Distribution:	UK wide
	Where to see them:	Gardens, parks, fields and woodland.
	What they eat:	Insects, Mealworms, Peanuts, Maize, Red Dari, Striped Sunflower Seeds and Berries.
	How they eat:	Ground feeder.
	Size:	25cm long.
	Nestbox:	Prefer making their own nests.

 

Rook
	Distinguished from Carrion crows by their longer, slender beaks. Rooks are rarely seen alone and are usually found in small groups, sometimes including jackdaws!
	Active:	All year around
	Distribution:	UK wide
	Where to see them:	Gardens, parks and open fields.
	What they eat:	Insects, Peanuts, Maize, Red Dari, Striped Sunflower Seeds and Mealorms.
	How they eat:	Ground feeder.
	Size:	46cm long.
	Nestbox:	Prefer making their own nests.

 

Raven
	The largest member of the Crow family, a big, black bird with a large bill. It’s often been the subject of folklore, mythology and art, and in some cultures it was considered a spiritual or god like figure.
	Active:	All year around.
	Distribution:	Western UK.
	Where to see them:	Gardens, parks and open fields.
	What they eat:	Insects, Mealworms, Peanuts, Maize, Red Dari, Striped Sunflower Seeds and Berries.
	How they eat:	Ground feeder.
	Size:	62cm long, 125cm wingspan.
	Nestbox:	Prefer making their own nests.

 

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Pigeons & Doves

Collared Dove
	Collared doves get their name from the black coloured strip that goes around the back of their neck. They’re well known for their repetitive, monotonous cooing.
	Active:	All year around
	Distribution:	UK wide
	Where to see them:	Gardens, parks, towns and villages.
	What they eat:	Wheat, Berries, Barley, Peanuts, Millet, Red Dari, Sunflower Hearts, Black Sunflower Seeds, Oats, Rapeseed, Nyger Seed and Mealworms.
	How they eat:	Ground feeder and table feeder.
	Size:	32cm long, 50cm wingspan.
	Nestbox:	Prefer making their own nests.

 

Rock Dove
	The Rock Dove is the wild ancestor of common domestic pigeons found worldwide, and usually treated as pests in city centres. They’re usually grey with purple and green plumage around the neck, however they vary greatly due to their massive population.
	Active:	All year around
	Distribution:	UK wide
	Where to see them:	Gardens, parks and city centres.
	What they eat:	Wheat, Berries, Barley, Peanuts, Millet, Red Dari, Sunflower Hearts, Black Sunflower Seeds, Oats, Rapeseed, Nyger Seed and Mealworms.
	How they eat:	Ground feeder and table feeder.
	Size:	32cm long, 65cm wingspan.
	Nestbox:	Prefer making their own nests.

 

Wood Pigeon
	The biggest and most common pigeon in the UK. It’s usually pretty fearless when found in towns and cities but more careful when found in the countryside. The wood pigeon usually has a white patch on it’s neck.
	Active:	All year around.
	Distribution:	UK wide.
	Where to see them:	Gardens, parks, woodland and open fields.
	What they eat:	Wheat, Berries, Barley, Peanuts, Millet, Red Dari, Sunflower Hearts, Rapeseed, Nyger Seed and Mealworms.
	How they eat:	Ground feeder and table feeder.
	Size:	42cm long, 72cm wingspan.
	Nestbox:	Prefer making their own nests.

 

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Finches

 

Bullfinch
	The Bullfinch is the redish pink coloured bird of the Finch family. They are known for being quiet, secretive but heavily built as their name suggests.
	Active:	All year around
	Distribution:	UK wide
	Where to see them:	Gardens, parks, hedgerows and woodlands.
	What they eat:	Insects, Mealworms, Sunflower Hearts, Nyger Seed, Black Sunflower Seeds, Peanuts, Millet, Red Dari, Rapeseed, Hempseed and Suet.
	How they eat:	Ground feeder, table feeder and hanging feeders.
	Size:	15cm long, 24cm wingspan
	Nestbox:	Prefer making their own nests.

 

Brambling
	Usually only found in the UK in Winter, Brambling have an orange breast and white belly. However it’s plumage changes slightly between Summer and Winter. They can usually be found in large flocks of Chaffinches.
	Active:	Winter
	Distribution:	UK wide
	Where to see them:	Gardens, parks, farmland fields and woodlands
	What they eat:	Insects, Mealworms, Sunflower Hearts, Nyger Seed, Black Sunflower Seeds, Peanuts, Millet, Red Dari, Rapeseed, Hempseed and Suet.
	How they eat:	Ground feeder, table feeder and hanging feeders.
	Size:	14cm long, 25cm wingspan
	Nestbox:	Don’t nest in the UK.

 

Chaffinch
	The most common Finch in the UK, the Chaffinch can be spotted by it’s white wing bars. It has perhaps the most colours in it’s plumage than any other British bird.
	Active:	All year around
	Distribution:	UK wide
	Where to see them:	Gardens, parks, hedgerows, fields and woodlands
	What they eat:	Insects, Mealworms, Sunflower Hearts, Nyger Seed, Black Sunflower Seeds, Peanuts, Millet, Red Dari, Rapeseed, Hempseed and Suet.
	How they eat:	Ground feeder and table feeder.
	Size:	14.5cm long, 26cm wingspan
	Nestbox:	Prefer making their own nests.

 

Goldfinch
	Easily noticed by it’s bright red face and yellow wing patches, the Goldfinch is a very sociable bird. In the Winter, many Golfinches migrate south as far as Spain.
	Active:	All year around
	Distribution:	UK wide
	Where to see them:	Gardens, parks, hedgerows and woodlands
	What they eat:	Insects, Mealworms, Sunflower Hearts, Nyger Seed, Black Sunflower Seeds, Peanuts, Millet, Red Dari, Rapeseed, Hempseed and Suet.
	How they eat:	Ground feeder, table feeder and hanging feeders.
	Size:	12cm long, 23cm wingspan.
	Nestbox:	Prefer making their own nests.

 

Greenfinch
	Clearly named after it’s green plumage, the Greenfinch is usually quite sociable but may squabble with other birds when it comes to food. There has been a recent decline in their numbers due to a parasite-induced disease called trichomonosis which stops them from feeding properly.
	Active:	All year around
	Distribution:	UK wide
	Where to see them:	Gardens, parks, hedgerows and woodlands
	What they eat:	Insects, Mealworms, Sunflower Hearts, Nyger Seed, Black Sunflower Seeds, Peanuts, Millet, Red Dari, Rapeseed, Hempseed and Suet.
	How they eat:	Ground feeder, table feeder and hanging feeders.
	Size:	15cm long, 26cm wingspan
	Nestbox:	Prefer making their own nests.

 

Siskin
	The Siskin is easily spotted due to it’s mainly yellow and black plumage. It is one of the smallest Finches, and much like a Blue tit of which it’s a similar size, it is quite acrobatic and agile when feeding.
	Active:	All year around
	Distribution:	UK wide
	Where to see them:	Gardens, parks, hedgerows and woodlands
	What they eat:	Insects, Mealworms, Sunflower Hearts, Nyger Seed, Black Sunflower Seeds, Peanuts, Millet, Red Dari, Rapeseed, Hempseed and Suet.
	How they eat:	Ground feeder, table feeder and hanging feeders.
	Size:	12cm long, 21cm wingspan.
	Nestbox:	Prefer making their own nests.

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Sparrows

 

Tree Sparrow
	Smaller than a House Sparrow, the Tree Sparrow is much more active though a lot shyer. Their population has declined greatly in the past few decades.
	Active:	All year round.
	Distribution:	North England, South East England, Midland England and South Scotland.
	Where to see them:	Gardens, parks, hedgerows and woodlands
	What they eat:	Sunflower Hearts, Black Sunflower Seeds, Wheat, Mealworms, Peanuts, Nyger Seed and Millet.
	How they eat:	Ground feeder, table feeder and hanging feeders.
	Size:	14cm long, 21cm wingspan.
	Nestbox:	April – August, 28mm hole, over 2m from the ground.

     

House Sparrow
	Well known for being noisy and opportunistic, they’ve colonised most of the world. Much like the Tree Sparrow, the House Sparrow’s numbers have heavily declined in the last few decades.
	Active:	All year round
	Distribution:	UK wide
	Where to see them:	Gardens, parks, hedgerows, fields and woodlands.
	What they eat:	Sunflower Hearts, Black Sunflower Seeds, Wheat, Mealworms, Peanuts, Nyger Seed and Millet.
	How they eat:	Ground feeder, table feeder and hanging feeders.
	Size:	16cm long, 23cm wingspan
	Nestbox:	March – August, 32mm hole, over 2m from the ground.

 

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Other

 

Starling
	At first Starlings appear to be black, but on closer inspection their plumage is glossy with sheens of purple and green. It has a reputation for being one of the noisiest garden birds.
	Active:	All year round.
	Distribution:	UK wide.
	Where to see them:	Gardens, parks and city centres.
	What they eat:	Insects, Suet, Mealworms, Peanuts and Oats.
	How they eat:	Ground feeder, table feeder and hanging feeders.
	Size:	22cm long, 40cm wingspan
	Nestbox:	April – June, 45mm hole, over 2.5m from the ground.

 

Dunnock
	Dunnocks are small grey and brown birds that are quite solitary and quiet. They often seem nervous and agitated with lots of flicking of the tail and wings. When two males meet they usually become very animated with loud calling and wing flicking.
	Active:	All year round.
	Distribution:	UK wide.
	Where to see them:	Gardens, parks, hedgerows and woodlands.
	What they eat:	Chopped Peanuts, Mealworms, Suet, Insects, Millet, Black Sunflower Seeds and Sunflower Hearts.
	How they eat:	Ground feeder and table feeder.
	Size:	14.5cm long, 20cm wingspan.
	Nestbox:	Prefer making their own nests.

 

Wren
	The Wren is a small brown bird with a distinctive light brown patch that goes extends over the top of the eye. They are quite stocky and restless, flicking their tail often.
	Active:	All year round.
	Distribution:	UK wide.
	Where to see them:	Gardens, parks, hedgerows, farmland and woodlands.
	What they eat:	Mealworms, Suet, Chopped Peanuts and Insects.
	How they eat:	Ground feeder and table feeder.
	Size:	10cm long, 15cm wingspan.
	Nestbox:	Prefer making their own nests.

 

Nuthatch
	A very plump bird, the Nuthatch is recognisable from it’s blue plumage, orange belly and black stripe that runs through it’s eye. They aren’t seen often in garden and instead prefer staying near wooded areas.
	Active:	All year round.
	Distribution:	Wales and England.
	Where to see them:	Gardens, parks and woodlands.
	What they eat:	Peanuts, Sunflower Hearts, Suet and Insects.
	How they eat:	Hanging feeders and table feeder.
	Size:	15cm long, 22cm wingspan
	Nestbox:	April – June, 32mm hole, over 3m from the ground in plain sight.

 

Treecreeper
	The Treecreeper is so named as it likes to live inside trees. It’s beak is long, slender and has a downward curve and has mainly brown plumage. They often climb trees from the bottom, working there way upwards in a spiraling motion.
	Active:	All year round.
	Distribution:	UK wide.
	Where to see them:	Gardens, parks and woodlands.
	What they eat:	Insects, Mealworms and Suet.
	How they eat:	Hanging feeders and table feeder.
	Size:	12.5cm long, 19cm wingspan
	Nestbox:	Prefer making their own nests.

 

Great Spotted Woodpecker
	Around the size of a Blackbird and easily identified by it’s striking black and white plumage with a red patch on the back of the head. It usually taps on the loose bark of a tree with it’s beak to reveal the delicious insects hiding beneath.
	Active:	All year round.
	Distribution:	UK wide.
	Where to see them:	Gardens, parks and woodlands.
	What they eat:	Peanuts, Sunflower Hearts, Suet and Insects.
	How they eat:	Hanging feeders.
	Size:	22cm long, 36cm wingspan
	Nestbox:	Prefer making their own nests.

 

Spotted Flycatcher
	Although they look largely plain and boring at first glance, the Spotted Flycatcher’s feeding habits are far more interesting. They will often swoop down to catch a flying insect in mid air and then fly back up and eat it in the same place it dived from.
	Active:	Summer.
	Distribution:	UK wide.
	Where to see them:	Gardens, parks and woodlands.
	What they eat:	Insects, Mealworms and Suet.
	How they eat:	Table feeder.
	Size:	15cm long, 24cm wingspan
	Nestbox:	May – August, open fronted, 2 – 4m from the ground in plain sight.

 

Skylark
	Slitghly smaller than a Starling, the Skylark is a plump brown bird with a small crest. It is well known for it’s vertical flying style.
	Active:	All year round.
	Distribution:	UK wide.
	Where to see them:	Gardens, parks, open fields and farmland
	What they eat:	Insects, Sunflower Hearts, Black Sunflower Seeds, Suet and Mealworms.
	How they eat:	Table feeder and ground feeder.
	Size:	19cm long, 34cm wingspan
	Nestbox:	Prefer making their own nests.

  We offer a full range of wild garden birds supplies online, why not try using the info above to see how many garden birds you can attract!  ]]>