A to Z of British Birds by Scientific Name

A B C D E F G H J L M N O P R S T U V
Scientific Name sort icon Primary Image Common Name Description
Accipiter gentilis Goshawk
Accipiter nisus Sparrowhawk The sparrowhawk is an expert predator that is especially adept at high-speed flight weaving through dense woodland. The male is considerably smaller than female and amongst the smallest of all of...
Acrocephalus paludicola Aquatic Warbler
Acrocephalus palustris Marsh Warbler
Acrocephalus schoenobaenus Sedge Warbler
Acrocephalus scirpaceus Reed Warbler
Actitis hypoleucos Sandpiper
Aix galericulata Mandarin Duck
Alauda arvensis Sky Lark
Alca torda Razorbill
Alcedo atthis Kingfisher It is a small, plump bird with a short tail and disproportionately large head and a long dagger like bill. The plumage is beautfully bright: the back and tail are an iridescent "elctric" blue, the...
Alectoris rufa Red-legged Partridge
Alopochen aegyptiacus Egyptian Goose
Anas acuta Pintail
Anas clypeata Shoveler
Anas crecca Teal The male Teal is most striking with a vibrant chestnut and bottle-green striped head, grey flecked flanks and a black and pale yellow tail. In contrast, females carry the familiar mottled brown...
Anas penelope Wigeon
Anas platyrhynchos Mallard
Anas querquedula Garganey
Anas strepera Gadwall
Anser albifrons White-fronted Goose
Anser anser Greylag Goose
Anser brachyrhynchus Pink-footed Goose
Anthus petrosus Rock Pipit
Anthus pratensis Meadow Pipit Both sexes have olive brown upper parts and pale heavily streaked underparts, similar to a thrush.
Anthus spinoletta Water Pipit
Anthus trivialis Tree Pipit
Apus apus Swift The swift is nearly uniformly a sooty-brown colour apart from the whitish throat. The bill is small but the gape is very wide, making it perfect for catching flying insect. There is a forked tail but...
Aquila chrysaetos Golden Eagle
Ardea cinerea Grey Heron The Grey Heron is a tall, stately bird with long legs and neck It's upperparts are grey with the head, belly and neck being white. The crest is black with black marking continuing down the throat...
Arenaria interpres Turnstone
Asio flammeus Short-eared Owl
Athene noctua Little Owl Small with large rounded head and short tail. Brown above with speckled brown and white breast.
Aythya ferina Pochard
Aythya fuligula Tufted Duck A distinctive medium-sized duck with clean lines separating the purplish black of the head, black breast and back from the pure white sides of the bird. The male has a longer tuft of feathers down...
Aythya marila Scaup