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In Europe, this bird forms large flocks in the winter, sometimes with thousands or even millions of birds in a single flock.

British Birds - Garden Birds 04 - Uncommon

Uncommon garden birds might only appear at certain times of year or in harsh weather. This quiz helps you spot clues and identify them with confidence.

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Fascinating Fact:

Redwings are usually winter visitors, and they rarely visit gardens except in the coldest weather, such as when snow covers fields.

In Specialist Nature, uncommon garden birds are species you might not see often, even if you watch feeders regularly. Some only show up during migration or winter, while others keep to hedgerows, orchards, woodland edges, or open fields and only visit gardens when food is scarce. Identification is easier if you combine shape and behaviour with habitat. For example, thrush-like birds often feed on lawns for worms, while finches may cling to feeders or perch high before dropping down. Keeping note of the month, the weather, and what the bird is eating can turn a “mystery visitor” into a confident ID.

Key Terms

Migrant: A bird that travels between breeding and wintering areas at different times of year.
Fieldfare/thrush family: A group of birds known for foraging on the ground and eating worms, insects and berries, often with strong seasonal movement.
Foraging: Searching for and collecting food, such as probing soil for worms or picking berries from bushes.

Frequently Asked Questions (Click to see answers)

What is a redwing bird in the UK?

A redwing is a small thrush that visits the UK mainly in winter. It has a pale stripe above the eye and warm reddish colouring on its flanks under the wings, often seen in flocks.

When do redwings come to the UK?

Redwings are mostly winter visitors, arriving in autumn and leaving in spring. Exact timing varies, but they are most likely to be seen during the colder months when they feed on berries and insects.

How do I encourage winter thrushes to visit my garden?

Plant or protect berry-bearing shrubs, leave windfall fruit where it is safe, and provide fresh water. Keep the garden calm and avoid sudden disturbances, as thrushes can be wary visitors.

Try These Related Quizzes

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1 .

What is the name of this bird?

Photograph courtesy of J M Garg

Common Moorhen

Lapwing

Coot

Little Ringed Plover

Group: Rails, Crakes and Coots
Binomial: Gallinula chloropus
Order: Gruiformes
Family: Rallidae
Status: Resident Breeding Species
Tend to be solitary.
Though they appear placid, fighting is common and often prolonged.
Each bird strikes the other violently with the feet and even attempts to push or drag them underwater.

2 .

What is the name of this bird?

Photograph courtesy of Lawrie Phipps

Brambling

Eurasian Linnet

European Goldfinch

Lesser Redpoll

Group: Finches
Binomial: Carduelis cabaret
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Fringillidae
Status: Resident Breeding Species
It is a sociable bird which usually forages in flocks.
Breeding pairs form in late winter. The breeding territory and several pairs will often nest close together in a loose colony.

3 .

What is the name of this bird?

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

Mistle Thrush

Redwing

European Robin

Northern Wheatear

Group: Thrushes
Binomial: Turdus iliacus
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Turdidae
Status: Winter Visitor
They roam across the UK's countryside, feeding in fields and hedgerows.
Rarely visit gardens, except in the coldest weather when snow covers the fields.
Only a few pairs nest in the UK.

4 .

What is the name of this bird?

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

Eurasian Jay

Rook

Common Raven

Hooded Crow

Group: Crows and allies
Binomial: Garrulus glandarius
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Corvidae
Status: Resident Breeding Species
Shy woodland birds, rarely moving far from cover.
Famous for their acorn feeding habits and in the autumn you may see them burying acorns for retrieving later in the winter.

5 .

What is the name of this bird?

Photograph courtesy of Jakub Stanco

Blackcap

Cetti's Warbler

Wood Warbler

Eurasian Reed Warbler

Group: Old World Warblers
Binomial: Sylvia atricapilla
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Sylviidae
Status: Resident Breeding Species & Summer Visitor
The alarm call, 'tacc', sounds like two pebbles striking one another.
Its song is a rich and varied warble, starting with a chattering and finishing with a flourish of flute-like notes.

6 .

What is the name of this bird?

Photograph courtesy of Kurt Kulac

European Herring Gull

Black-headed Gull

Lesser Black-backed Gull

European Shag

Group: Gulls
Binomial: Larus argentatus
Order: Charadriiformes
Family: Laridae
Status: Resident Breeding Species
The most abundant and best known of its kind along the shores of western Europe.
Also abundant around inland garbage dumps, and some have even adapted to life in inland cities.

7 .

What is the name of this bird?

Photograph courtesy of Richard Bartz

Mallard

Red-breasted Merganser

Common Eider

Common Pochard

Group: Ducks, Geese and Swans
Binomial: Anas platyrhynchos
Order: Anseriformes
Family: Anatidae
Status: Resident Breeder, Winter Visitor, And Naturalised Releases
The commonest and most widespread duck.
Seen even in urban areas.
Is the ancestor of almost all of the varieties of domestic ducks.

8 .

What is the name of this bird?

Photograph courtesy of Hans Hillewaert

Great Cormorant

Great Black-backed Gull

Black-headed Gull

Common Gull

Group: Gulls
Binomial: Larus ridibundus
Order: Charadriiformes
Family: Laridae
Status: Resident Breeding Species
Sociable, quarrelsome, noisy birds, usually seen in small groups or flocks.
The eggs are considered a delicacy and eaten hard boiled.
The character 'Kehaar' in Watership Down is this bird.

9 .

What is the name of this bird?

Photograph courtesy of http://www.marekszczepanek.pl/

Brambling

European Goldfinch

Lesser Redpoll

European Greenfinch

Group: Finches
Binomial: Fringilla montifringilla
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Fringillidae
Status: Winter Visitor
This species is almost entirely migratory.
In Europe, it forms large flocks in the winter, sometimes with thousands or even millions of birds in a single flock.
It has been called Cock o' the North.

10 .

What is the name of this bird?

Photograph courtesy of Christian Knoch

Hen Harrier

Red Kite

Western Marsh Harrier

Eurasian Sparrowhawk

Group: Buzzards, Kites and allies
Binomial: Accipiter nisus
Order: Falconiformes
Family: Accipitridae
Status: Resident Breeder And Passage Migrant
The female is up to 25% larger than the male – one of the largest differences between the sexes in any bird species.
The species features in Teutonic mythology.