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This bird was naturalized in Great Britain around the 10th century AD. Do you know what it is?

British Birds - Garden Birds 03 - Not Uncommon

Some garden birds are not uncommon, just a bit trickier to spot. Learn to use calls, feeding behaviour and seasonal changes to identify them.

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Fascinating Fact:

Siskins are small finches that often appear in gardens in winter, especially where there are sunflower hearts or nyjer seed.

In Specialist Nature, “not uncommon” garden birds are species you might see regularly, but not necessarily every day. They can be fast-moving, partly hidden in foliage, or easy to confuse with similar birds. A handy approach is to note three clues at once: where the bird is feeding (ground, shrubs, feeder, treetops), how it moves (hops, clings, darts), and any sound it makes. Season matters too, because some birds become more noticeable in colder months when natural food is scarce and gardens offer reliable feeding spots.

Key Terms

Irruption: A sudden movement of birds into new areas when food is limited elsewhere, often causing bigger winter numbers in some places.
Mixed flock: A group made up of different bird species feeding or travelling together, which can improve safety and help them find food.
Field marks: Small identifying features such as wing bars, streaking, an eye stripe, or tail shape that help you tell similar birds apart.

Frequently Asked Questions (Click to see answers)

What is a siskin in the UK?

A siskin is a small finch found in the UK. It is usually greenish with darker streaks, and it often has a noticeably forked tail. You may see them in flocks, especially near seed-rich trees and in gardens.

Why do some garden birds appear more in winter?

Winter can reduce natural food like insects and soft fruits, so birds search more widely for reliable seeds and shelter. Weather and changing seed crops can also shift where birds spend the season, making some species more noticeable.

How can I attract finches to my garden safely?

Provide fresh water, offer good-quality seeds, and place feeders near cover so birds can retreat quickly. Clean feeders regularly and remove old or damp food, because mould and bacteria can make birds ill.

Try These Related Quizzes

To see a larger image, click on the picture.

1 .

What is the name of this bird?

Photograph courtesy of http://piqs.de/user/Geli/

Chaffinch

Eurasian Siskin

Eurasian Bullfinch

Common Crossbill

Group: Finches
Binomial: Pyrrhula pyrrhula
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Fringillidae
Status: Resident Breeding Species
It is a quiet, secretive but heavily built bird.
In keeping with its quiet nature, the song is a quiet warble.
Its call is a piped 'phew'.
Look for at woodland edges.

2 .

What is the name of this bird?

Photograph courtesy of Stawek Staszczuk

Eurasian Bullfinch

Eurasian Linnet

European Goldfinch

Eurasian Siskin

Group: Finches
Binomial: Carduelis spinus
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Fringillidae
Status: Resident Breeding Species And Winter Visitor
It has a bounding flight pattern.
This bird has two calls, both powerful but conflicting.
On occasions they also issue a harsh rattling chirrup.

3 .

What is the name of this bird?

Photograph courtesy of http://photo-natur.de/

Sand Martin

Water Pipit

Pied Wagtail

Grey Wagtail

Group: Wagtails and Pipits
Binomial: Motacilla alba yarrelli
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Motacillidae
Status: Breeding Summer Visitor
The most distinctive feature is its wagging tail - it never stops!
Can be seen dashing about over lawns or car parks in search of food.
Often gathers at dusk to form large roosts in city centres.

4 .

What is the name of this bird?

Photograph courtesy of Lukasz Lukasik

Grey Partridge

Red Grouse

Common Pheasant

Golden Pheasant

Group: Pheasants, Partridges and Quail
Binomial: Phasianus colchicus
Order: Galliformes
Family: Phasianidae
Status: Resident Introduced Population
The bird was naturalized in Great Britain around the 10th century AD.
Around 30 million birds are released each year on shooting estates.
Usually seen in the open countryside near woodland edges and copses.

5 .

What is the name of this bird?

Photograph courtesy of http://www.laitche.com/

House Sparrow

Common Starling

Eurasian Tree Sparrow

Lapland Bunting

Group: Sparrows
Binomial: Passer montanus
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Passeridae
Status: Resident Breeding Species
The UK population has suffered a severe decline, estimated at 93 per cent between 1970 and 2008.
Untidy nest usually built in a natural cavity.
Shy and not associated with man.

6 .

What is the name of this bird?

Photograph courtesy of Brian Snelson

Carrion Crow

European Magpie

Rook

Eurasian Jay

Group: Crows and allies
Binomial: Corvus frugilegus
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Corvidae
Status: Resident Breeding Species
Untidy appearance arising from the slightly peaked head and the thigh feathers, which look like baggy trousers.
Rarely alone and so their raucous caws can become overwhelming.

7 .

What is the name of this bird?

Photograph courtesy of http://www.fws.gov/

Great Cormorant

Common Gull

Little Gull

Great Black-backed Gull

Group: Gulls
Binomial: Larus canus
Order: Charadriiformes
Family: Laridae
Status: Resident Breeding Species, Winter Visitor & Passage Migrant
Now seen more often in towns and on housing estates in winter.
An old historical name is sea mew.
Global population is estimated to be about one million pairs.

8 .

What is the name of this bird?

Photograph courtesy of http://www.lucnix.be/main.php

Eurasian Nuthatch

Common Spoonbill

Bohemian Waxwing

Common Treecreeper

Group: Nuthatches
Binomial: Sitta europaea
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Sittidae
Status: Resident Breeding Species
This bird climbs up, down and around the tree trunk and branches using its powerful toes.
Best looked for in mature woods and established parkland.
Occasional sightings in Scotland.

9 .

What is the name of this bird?

Photograph courtesy of Steffen Hannert

Coal Tit

Great Spotted Woodpecker

Crested Tit

Green Woodpecker

Group: Woodpeckers
Binomial: Dendrocopos major
Order: Piciformes
Family: Picidae
Status: Resident Breeding Species
It has a very distinctive bouncing flight.
The species has recently recolonized Ireland.
Spends most of its time clinging to tree trunks and branches.
Distinctive spring 'drumming' display.

10 .

What is the name of this bird?

Photograph courtesy of Kosmonaut41

Fieldfare

Mistle Thrush

Common Redstart

European Robin

Group: Thrushes
Binomial: Turdus pilaris
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Turdidae
Status: Winter Visitor
They stand very upright and move forward with purposeful hops.
Very social birds, spending the winter in flocks of anything from a dozen or two to several hundred strong.
Diet is insects, worms and berries.