List of birds of Wales

Red Kite, often considered to be the national bird of Wales.

This list of birds of Wales includes every species of bird that has been recorded in a wild state in Wales. Compared to the avifauna of Britain as a whole, Wales has fewer breeding species but these include a number of moorland species such as Red Grouse and Black Grouse, large numbers of seabirds (particularly on offshore islands such as Skomer, Grassholm and Bardsey) and good populations of several species typical of Welsh Oak woods including Redstart, Pied Flycatcher and Wood Warbler. Among the birds of prey is the Red Kite which had become extinct in other parts of Britain until being reintroduced recently. In winter many wildfowl and waders are found around the coast, attracted by the mild temperatures. In spring and autumn a variety of migrant and vagrant birds can be seen, particularly on headlands and islands.

The list is based on Birds in Wales (Lovegrove et al. 1994), Birds in Wales 1992-2000 (Green 2002) and the list of the Welsh Ornithological Society (Prater & Thorpe 2006) with updates from the Welsh Records Panel's annual reports. The taxonomy and scientific names follow the official list of the British Ornithologists' Union (BOU). The English names are the vernacular names used in the 7th edition of the BOU list with the standardized names from that list given in brackets where they differ. The family introductions are based on The New Encyclopedia of Birds (Perrins 2004) except where otherwise stated. The number of species in each family is approximate due to differing opinions on classification; the numbers given in the list are based on The Clements Checklist of Birds of the World (Clements 2007).

Certain categories of birds are noted with the following tags:

• BR - British Rarity. A species which occurs only as a rare visitor to Great Britain with fewer than 100 records in the last 10 years or less than 200 records ever. Records of these species are adjudicated by the British Birds Rarities Committee (BBRC).
• WR - Welsh Rarity. A species which occurs, on average, 5 times or less each year in Wales and is not considered by the BBRC. Records of these species are adjudicated by the Welsh Records Panel of the Welsh Ornithological Society.
• I - Introduced. A non-native species whose presence in Wales is a result of accidental or deliberate release of birds into the wild by humans. They have either formed an established, self-sustaining breeding population in the country or have wandered from established populations in England.

The total number of species on the list is 435 including 133 British rarities, 65 Welsh rarities and 10 introduced species. About 150 species breed annually.

Ducks, geese, and swans

A pair of Mute Swans, a resident bird of lowland waters.

Brent Goose of the dark-bellied race B. b. bernicla, a winter visitor mainly to the Burry Inlet.

Mallard, the commonest and most widespread duck.

Eider, small numbers winter around the coast and breeding was recorded for the first time in 1997.

Order: Anseriformes. Family: Anatidae

The swans, ducks and geese are medium to large birds that are modified for an aquatic existence with webbed feet and bills which are flattened to a greater or lesser extent. In many ducks the male is colourful while the female is dull brown. The diet consists of a variety of animals and plants. The family is well-represented in Wales, especially in winter when large numbers visit from Greenland, Scandinavia and Russia. There are about 160 species worldwide, 53 in Britain and 47 in Wales.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Mute Swan	Cygnus olor
Bewick's Swan	Cygnus columbianus
Whooper Swan	Cygnus cygnus
Bean Goose	Anser fabalis	WR
Pink-footed Goose	Anser brachyrhynchus
(Greater) White-fronted Goose	Anser albifrons
Lesser White-fronted Goose	Anser erythropus	BR
Greylag Goose	Anser anser
(Greater) Canada Goose	Branta canadensis	I
Barnacle Goose	Branta leucopsis
Brent Goose	Branta bernicla
Red-breasted Goose	Branta ruficollis
Egyptian Goose	Alopochen aegyptiacus	I
Ruddy Shelduck	Tadorna ferruginea	BR
(Common) Shelduck	Tadorna tadorna
Mandarin Duck	Aix galericulata	I
(Eurasian) Wigeon	Anas penelope
American Wigeon	Anas americana	WR
Gadwall	Anas strepera
(Eurasian) Teal	Anas crecca
Green-winged Teal	Anas carolinensis	WR
Mallard	Anas platyrhynchos
American Black Duck	Anas rubripes	BR
(Northern) Pintail	Anas acuta
Garganey	Anas querquedula
Blue-winged Teal	Anas discors	BR
(Northern) Shoveler	Anas clypeata
Red-crested Pochard	Netta rufina
(Common) Pochard	Aythya ferina
Redhead	Aythya americana	BR
Ring-necked Duck	Aythya collaris	WR
Ferruginous Duck	Aythya nyroca	WR
Tufted Duck	Aythya fuligula
(Greater) Scaup	Aythya marila
Lesser Scaup	Aythya affinis	BR
(Common) Eider	Somateria mollissima
King Eider	Somateria spectabilis	BR
Long-tailed Duck	Clangula hyemalis
Common Scoter	Melanitta nigra
Black Scoter	Melanitta americana	BR
Surf Scoter	Melanitta perspicillata	WR
Velvet Scoter	Melanitta fusca
(Common) Goldeneye	Bucephala clangula
Smew	Mergellus albellus
Red-breasted Merganser	Mergus serrator
Goosander	Mergus merganser
Ruddy Duck	Oxyura jamaicensis	I

Grouse

Red Grouse, a rapidly declining resident of heather moorland.

Order: Galliformes. Family: Tetraonidae

Grouse are sturdy, medium-sized terrestrial birds of the Northern Hemisphere. They have feathered feet and nostrils and short, rounded wings. They feed mainly on plant material and lay their eggs in a simple scrape on the ground. They are gamebirds and large numbers were shot in the past in moorland areas. There are about 19 species worldwide, 4 in Britain and 2 in Wales.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Red Grouse	Lagopus lagopus
Black Grouse	Tetrao tetrix

Pheasants and partridges

Order: Galliformes. Family: Phasianidae

These are terrestrial species, feeding and nesting on the ground. They are variable in size but generally plump, with broad and relatively short wings. There are about 155 species worldwide with 6 in Britain and Wales. 4 of these were introduced for hunting or ornamental purposes but 2 have now apparently died out.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Red-legged Partridge	Alectorix rufa	I
Grey Partridge	Perdix perdix
(Common) Quail	Coturnix coturnix
(Common) Pheasant	Phasianus colchicus	I
Golden Pheasant	Chrysolophus pictus	I
Lady Amherst's Pheasant	Chrysolophus amherstiae	I

Divers

Order: Gaviiformes. Family: Gaviidae

Divers are aquatic birds the size of a large duck, to which they are unrelated. They swim well, and fly adequately but, because their legs are placed towards the rear of the body, are almost hopeless on land. They feed on fish and other aquatic animals. There are 5 species worldwide with 4 in Britain and Wales. They are all non-breeding visitors in Wales.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Red-throated Diver	Gavia stellata
Black-throated Diver	Gavia arctica
Great Northern Diver	Gavia immer
White-billed Diver	Gavia adamsii	BR

Grebes

Little Grebe, breeds locally on well-vegetated water bodies.

Order: Podicipediformes. Family: Podicipedidae

Grebes are small to medium-large diving birds with lobed toes and pointed bills. They are seen mainly on lowland waterbodies and coasts. They feed on aquatic animals and nest on a floating platform of vegetation. There are about 19 species worldwide with 6 in Britain and Wales.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Pied-billed Grebe	Podilymbus podiceps	BR
Little Grebe	Tachybaptus ruficollis
Great Crested Grebe	Podiceps cristatus
Red-necked Grebe	Podiceps grisegena
Slavonian Grebe	Podiceps auritus
Black-necked Grebe	Podiceps nigricollis

Albatrosses

Order: Procellariiformes. Family: Diomedeidae

The albatrosses are among the largest flying birds with long, narrow wings for gliding. The majority are found in the Southern Hemisphere with only vagrants occurring in the North Atlantic. There are at least 13 species worldwide with 1 in Britain and Wales.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Black-browed Albatross	Thalassarche melanophris	BR

Petrels and shearwaters

The Fulmar first bred in Wales in the 1940s and is now common on sea cliffs.

Order: Procellariiformes. Family: Procellariidae

These are highly pelagic birds with long, narrow wings and tube-shaped nostrils. They feed at sea on fish, squid and other marine life. They come to land to breed in colonies, nesting in burrows or on cliffs. There are about 77 species worldwide, 9 in Britain and 7 in Wales.

Common name	Binomial	Status
(Northern) Fulmar	Fulmarus glacialis
Cory's Shearwater	Calonectris diomedea	WR
Great Shearwater	Puffinus gravis	WR
Sooty Shearwater	Puffinus griseus
Manx Shearwater	Puffinus puffinus
Balearic Shearwater	Puffinus mauretanicus
Macaronesian Shearwater	Puffinus baroli	BR

Storm-petrels

Order: Procellariiformes. Family: Hydrobatidae

The storm-petrels are the smallest of seabirds, feeding on plankton and small fish picked from the surface, typically while hovering. They nest in colonies on the ground, most often in burrows. There are about 20 species worldwide, 6 in Britain and 3 in Wales.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Wilson's Storm Petrel	Oceanites oceanicus	WR
(European) Storm Petrel	Hydrobates pelagicus
Leach's Storm Petrel	Oceanodroma leucorrhoa

Gannets

The Gannet has a single major Welsh colony at Grassholm island, now with over 30,000 pairs.

Order: Pelecaniformes. Family: Pelecanidae

Gannets are large seabirds that plunge-dive for fish and nest in large colonies. They have a torpedo-shaped body, long, narrow, pointed wings and a fairly long tail. There are about 10 species worldwide with 1 in Britain and Wales.

Common name	Binomial	Status
(Northern) Gannet	Morus bassanus

Cormorants

Order: Pelecaniformes. Family: Phalacrocoracidae

Cormorants are medium to large aquatic birds with mainly dark plumage and areas of coloured skin on the face. The bill is long, thin, and sharply hooked for catching fish and aquatic invertebrates. They nest in colonies, usually by the sea. There are about 39 species worldwide, 3 in Britain and 2 in Wales.

Common name	Binomial	Status
(Great) Cormorant	Phalacrocorax carbo
(European) Shag	Phalacrocorax aristotelis

Herons and bitterns

The Little Egret is a recent colonist that first bred in 2001.

Order: Ciconiiformes. Family: Ardeidae

Herons and egrets are medium to large wading birds with long necks and legs. Bitterns tend to be shorter-necked and more secretive. They all fly with their necks retracted. The sharp bill is used to catch fish, amphibians and other animals. Many species nest in colonies, often in trees. There are about 63 species worldwide, 12 in Britain and 11 in Wales.

Common name	Binomial	Status
(Great) Bittern	Botaurus stellaris
American Bittern	Botaurus lentiginosus	BR
Little Bittern	Ixobrychus minutus	BR
(Black-crowned) Night Heron	Nycticorax nycticorax	WR
Green Heron	Butorides virescens	BR
Squacco Heron	Ardeola ralloides	BR
Cattle Egret	Bubulcus ibis	BR
Little Egret	Egretta garzetta
Great White Egret	Ardea alba	WR
Grey Heron	Ardea cinerea
Purple Heron	Ardea purpurea	WR

Storks

Order: Ciconiiformes. Family: Ciconiidae

Storks are large, heavy, long-legged, long-necked wading birds with long stout bills and wide wingspans. They fly with the neck extended. There are about 19 species worldwide with 2 occurring as vagrants in Britain and Wales.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Black Stork	Ciconia nigra	BR
White Stork	Ciconia ciconia	WR

Ibises and spoonbills

Order: Ciconiiformes. Family: Threskiornithidae

A family of long-legged, long-necked wading birds. Ibises have long, curved bills. Spoonbils have a flattened bill, wider at the tip. There are about 33 species worldwide with 2 in Britain and Wales.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Glossy Ibis	Plegadis falcinellus	BR
(Eurasian) Spoonbill	Platalea leucorodia

Hawks and eagles

Buzzard, a common bird of prey which reaches high population densities in some areas.

Order: Accipitriformes. Family: Accipitridae

A family of birds of prey which includes hawks, buzzards, eagles, kites and harriers. These birds have very large powerful hooked beaks for tearing flesh from their prey, strong legs, powerful talons and keen eyesight. There are about 240 species worldwide, 16 in Britain and 12 in Wales.

Common name	Binomial	Status
(European) Honey Buzzard	Pernis apivorus
Black Kite	Milvus migrans	WR
Red Kite	Milvus milvus
White-tailed Eagle	Haliaaetus albicilla	WR
(Eurasian) Marsh Harrier	Circus aeruginosus
Hen Harrier	Circus cyaneus
Montagu's Harrier	Circus pygargus	WR
(Northern) Goshawk	Accipiter gentilis
(Eurasian) Sparrowhawk	Accipiter nisus
(Common) Buzzard	Buteo buteo
Rough-legged Buzzard	Buteo lagopus	WR
Golden Eagle	Aquila chrysaetos	WR

Osprey

Order: Accipitriformes. Family: Pandionidae

A large fish-eating bird of prey belonging to a family of its own. It is mainly brown above and white below with long, angled wings. It is mainly a passage migrant in Wales but has recently begun to breed.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Osprey	Pandion haliaetus

Falcons

Peregrine Falcons from Wales have been used in falconry since Medieval times.

Order: Falconiformes. Family: Falconidae

A family of small to medium-sized, diurnal birds of prey with pointed wings. They do not build their own nests and mainly catch prey in the air. There are about 64 species worldwide, 9 in Britain and 6 in Wales.

Common name	Binomial	Status
(Common) Kestrel	Falco tinnunculus
Red-footed Falcon	Falco vespertinus	WR
Merlin	Falco columbarius
(Eurasian) Hobby	Falco subbuteo
Gyr Falcon	Falco rusticolus	BR
Peregrine Falcon	Falco peregrinus

Rails

Order: Gruiformes. Family: Rallidae

These birds mainly occupy dense vegetation in damp environments near lakes, marshes, or rivers. Many are shy and secretive birds, difficult to observe. Most species have strong legs, and have long toes which are well adapted to soft, uneven surfaces. There are about 135 species worldwide, 11 in Britain and 8 in Wales.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Water Rail	Rallus aquaticus
Spotted Crake	Porzana porzana	WR
Sora	Porzana carolina	BR
Little Crake	Porzana parva	BR
Baillon's Crake	Porzana pusilla	BR
Corn Crake	Crex crex	WR
(Common) Moorhen	Gallinula chloropus
(Common) Coot	Fulica atra

Cranes

Order: Gruiformes. Family: Gruidae

Cranes are large, long-legged and long-necked birds. Unlike the similar-looking but unrelated herons, cranes fly with necks outstretched, not pulled back. Most have elaborate and noisy courting displays or "dances". There are about 15 species worldwide, 2 in Britain and 1 in Wales.

Common name	Binomial	Status
(Common) Crane	Grus grus	WR

Bustards

Order: Gruiformes. Family: Otididae

Large, sturdy birds of open plains with long legs and necks and strong feet. There are about 26 species worldwide, 3 in Britain and 2 in Wales.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Little Bustard	Tetrax tetrax	BR
Great Bustard	Otis tarda	BR

Oystercatchers

Oystercatcher, common in coastal areas.

Order: Charadriiformes. Family: Haematopodidae

The oystercatchers are large, obvious and noisy wading birds with strong bills used for smashing or prising open molluscs. There are about 11 species worldwide with 1 in Britain and Wales.

Common name	Binomial	Status
(Eurasian) Oystercatcher	Haematopus ostralegus

Avocets and stilts

Order: Charadriiformes. Family: Recurvirostridae

A family of fairly large wading birds. The avocets have long legs and long up-curved bills. The stilts have extremely long legs and long, thin, straight bills. There are about 10 species worldwide with 2 in Britain and Wales.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Black-winged Stilt	Himantopus himantopus	BR
(Pied) Avocet	Recurvirostra avosetta

Stone-curlews

Order: Charadriiformes. Family: Burhinidae

A small family of medium to large waders with strong black bills, large yellow eyes and cryptic plumage. There are 9 species worldwide with 1 in Britain and Wales.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Stone Curlew	Burhinus oedicnemus	WR

Pratincoles and coursers

Order: Charadriiformes. Family: Glareolidae

A family of slender, long-winged wading birds. There are 17 species worldwide, 4 in Britain and 3 in Wales.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Cream-coloured Courser	Cursorius cursor	BR
Collared Pratincole	Glareola pratincola	BR
Black-winged Pratincole	Glareola nordmanni	BR

Plovers

Lapwing, seriously declining as a breeding species.

Order: Charadriiformes. Family: Charadriidae

Small to medium-sized wading birds with compact bodies, short, thick necks and long, usually pointed, wings. There are about 66 species worldwide, 16 in Britain and 12 in Wales.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Little Ringed Plover	Charadrius dubius
Ringed Plover	Charadrius hiaticula
Killdeer	Charadrius vociferus	BR
Kentish Plover	Charadrius alexandrinus	WR
Greater Sand Plover	Charadrius leschenaultii	BR
(Eurasian) Dotterel	Charadrius morinellus
American Golden Plover	Pluvialis dominica	WR
Pacific Golden Plover	Pluvialis fulva	BR
(European) Golden Plover	Pluvialis apricaria
Grey Plover	Pluvialis squatarola
Sociable Lapwing	Vanellus gregarius	BR
(Northern) Lapwing	Vanellus vanellus

Sandpipers, snipe and phalaropes

Sanderling, a winter visitor and passage migrant, mainly on sandy shores.

Snipe, declining like many breeding waders.

Turnstone, a non-breeding species but some are present on rocky coasts all year round.

Order: Charadriiformes. Family: Scolopacidae

A large, diverse family of wading birds. Different lengths of legs and bills enable different species to feed in the same habitat, particularly on the coast, without direct competition for food. There are about 89 species worldwide, 53 in Britain and 44 in Wales.

Common name	Binomial	Status
(Red) Knot	Calidris canutus
Sanderling	Calidris alba
Semipalmated Sandpiper	Calidris pusilla	BR
Little Stint	Calidris minuta
Temminck's Stint	Calidris temminckii	WR
Least Sandpiper	Calidris minutilla	BR
White-rumped Sandpiper	Calidris fuscicollis	WR
Baird's Sandpiper	Calidris bairdii	BR
Pectoral Sandpiper	Calidris melanotos	WR
Sharp-tailed Sandpiper	Calidris acuminata	BR
Curlew Sandpiper	Calidris ferruginea
Stilt Sandpiper	Calidris himantopus	BR
Purple Sandpiper	Calidris maritima
Dunlin	Calidris alpina
Broad-billed Sandpiper	Limicola falcinellus	BR
Buff-breasted Sandpiper	Tryngites subruficollis	WR
Ruff	Philomachus pugnax
Jack Snipe	Lymnocryptes minimus
(Common) Snipe	Gallinago gallinago
Great Snipe	Gallinago minima	BR
Long-billed Dowitcher	Limnodromus scolopaceus	BR
(Eurasian) Woodcock	Scolopax rusticola
Black-tailed Godwit	Limosa limosa
Bar-tailed Godwit	Limosa lapponica
Little Curlew	Numenius minutus	BR
Whimbrel	Numenius phaeopus
(Eurasian) Curlew	Numenius arquata
Upland Sandpiper	Bartramia longicauda	BR
Terek Sandpiper	Xenus cinerea	BR
Common Sandpiper	Actitis hypoleucos
Spotted Sandpiper	Tringa macularius	BR
Green Sandpiper	Tringa ochropus
Grey-tailed Tattler	Heteroscelus brevipes	BR
Spotted Redshank	Tringa erythropus
Greater Yellowlegs	Tringa melanoleuca	BR
(Common) Greenshank	Tringa nebularia
Lesser Yellowlegs	Tringa flavipes	BR
Marsh Sandpiper	Tringa stagnatilis	BR
Wood Sandpiper	Tringa glareola
(Common) Redshank	Tringa totanus
(Ruddy) Turnstone	Arenaria interpres
Wilson's Phalarope	Phalaropus tricolor	BR
Red-necked Phalarope	Phalaropus lobatus	WR
Grey Phalarope	Phalaropus fulicarius

Skuas

Order: Charadriiformes. Family: Stercorariidae

Medium to large seabirds with mainly grey or brown plumage, sharp claws and a hooked tip to the bill. They chase other seabirds to force them to drop their catches. There are about 7 species worldwide with 4 in Britain and Wales.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Pomarine Skua	Stercorarius pomarinus
Arctic Skua	Stercorarius parasiticus
Long-tailed Skua	Stercorarius longicaudus
Great Skua	Stercorarius skua

Gulls

Ring-billed Gull, the first British record of this American species was in Wales in 1973. It now occurs annually.

Order: Charadriiformes. Family: Laridae

Medium to large seabirds with grey, white and black plumage, webbed feet and strong bills. Many are opportunistic and adaptable feeders. There are about 56 species worldwide, 23 in Britain and 18 in Wales.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Ivory Gull	Pagophila eburnea	BR
Sabine's Gull	Larus sabini
(Black-legged) Kittiwake	Rissa tridactyla
Bonaparte's Gull	Larus philadelphia	BR
Black-headed Gull	Larus ridibundus
Little Gull	Larus minutus
Ross's Gull	Rhodostethia rosea	BR
Laughing Gull	Larus atricilla	BR
Franklin's Gull	Larus pipixcan	BR
Mediterranean Gull	Larus melanocephalus
Common Gull	Larus canus
Ring-billed Gull	Larus delawarensis
Lesser Black-backed Gull	Larus fuscus
Herring Gull	Larus argentatus
Yellow-legged Gull	Larus michahellis
Iceland Gull	Larus glaucoides
Glaucous Gull	Larus hyperboreus
Great Black-backed Gull	Larus marinus

Terns

Little Tern, only a single colony remains in Wales at Gronant in the north-east.

Order: Charadriiformes. Family: Sternidae

Terns are slender seabirds with long, pointed wings, a pointed bill and a tail which is usually forked. There are about 44 species worldwide, 16 in Britain and 15 in Wales.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Sooty Tern	Onychoprion fuscata	BR
Bridled Tern	Onychoprion anaethetus	BR
Little Tern	Sternula albifrons
Gull-billed Tern	Gelochelidon nilotica	BR
Caspian Tern	Hydroprogne caspia	BR
Whiskered Tern	Chlidonias hybrida
Black Tern	Chlidonias niger
White-winged Black Tern	Chlidonias leucoptera	WR
Sandwich Tern	Sterna sandvicensis
Royal Tern	Sterna maxima	BR
Lesser Crested Tern	Sterna bengalensis	BR
Forster's Tern	Sterna forsteri	BR
Common Tern	Sterna hirundo
Roseate Tern	Sterna dougallii
Arctic Tern	Sterna paradisaea

Auks

Puffin, breeds on islands and headlands. The largest colonies are on Skomer and Skokholm.

Order: Charadriiformes. Family: Alcidae

A family of seabirds which are superficially similar to penguins with their black-and-white colours, their upright posture and some of their habits but which are able to fly . There are about 23 species worldwide, 9 in Britain and 5 in Wales.

Common name	Binomial	Status
(Common) Guillemot	Uria aalge
Razorbill	Alca torda
Black Guillemot	Cepphus grylle
Little Auk	Alle alle
(Atlantic) Puffin	Fratercula arctica

Sandgrouse

Order: Pteroclidiformes. Family: Pteroclididae

Sturdy, medium-sized birds with a small head and long, pointed wings. There are 16 species worldwide. 1 has occurred as a vagrant in Britain and Wales.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Pallas's Sandgrouse	Syrrhaptes paradoxus	BR

Pigeons and doves

Collared Dove, first recorded in 1959 and now a common resident.

Order: Columbiformes. Family: Columbidae

Pigeons and doves are stout-bodied birds with short necks and short slender bills with a fleshy cere. There are about 308 species worldwide, 7 in Britain and 5 in Wales.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Rock Dove	Columba livia
Stock Dove	Columba oenas
(Common) Woodpigeon	Columba palumbus
(Eurasian) Collared Dove	Streptopelia decaocto
(European) Turtle Dove	Streptopelia turtur

Parrots

Order: Psittaciformes. Family: Psittacidae

Parrots are small to large birds with a characteristic curved beak shape. They are found mainly in areas with warm climates. There are about 347 species worldwide with 1 introduced species in Britain and Wales.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Ring-necked Parakeet (Rose-ringed Parakeet)	Psittacula krameri	I

Cuckoos

Order: Cuculiformes. Family: Cuculidae

Birds of variable size with slender bodies and long tails. Some species are known for laying their eggs in the nests of other birds. There are about 141 species worldwide, 4 in Britain and 3 in Wales.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Great Spotted Cuckoo	Clamator glandarius	BR
(Common) Cuckoo	Cuculus canorus
Yellow-billed Cuckoo	Coccyzus americanus	BR

Barn owls

Barn Owl, a scarce bird of farmland.

Order: Strigiformes. Family: Tytonidae

Barn owls are medium-sized to large owls with large heads and characteristic heart-shaped faces. They have long strong legs with powerful talons. There are about 16 species worldwide with 1 in Britain and Wales.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Barn Owl	Tyto alba

Typical owls

Order: Strigiformes. Family: Strigidae

Typical owls are small to large solitary nocturnal birds of prey. They have large forward-facing eyes and ears, a hawk-like beak and a conspicuous circle of feathers around each eye called a facial disc. There are about 199 species worldwide, 8 in Britain and 6 in Wales.

Common name	Binomial	Status
(Eurasian) Scops Owl	Otus scops	BR
Snowy Owl	Bubo scandiaca	BR
Little Owl	Athene noctua	I
Tawny Owl	Strix aluco
Long-eared Owl	Asio otus
Short-eared Owl	Asio flammeus

Nightjars

Order: Caprimulgiformes. Family: Caprimulgidae

Nightjars are medium-sized nocturnal birds with long wings, short legs and very short bills that usually nest on the ground. Their soft plumage is cryptically coloured to resemble bark or leaves. There are about 91 species worldwide, 4 in Britain and 2 in Wales.

Common name	Binomial	Status
(European) Nightjar	Caprimulgus europaeus
Common Nighthawk	Chordeiles minor	BR

Swifts

Order: Apodiformes. Family: Apodidae

The swifts are small aerial birds, spending the majority of their lives flying. These birds have very short legs and never settle voluntarily on the ground, perching instead only on vertical surfaces. There are about 100 species worldwide, 7 in Britain and 5 in Wales.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Chimney Swift	Chaetura pelagica	BR
(Common) Swift	Apus apus
Pallid Swift	Apus pallidus	BR
Alpine Swift	Apus melba	WR
Little Swift	Apus affinis	BR

Kingfishers

Kingfisher, a colourful inhabitant of lowland waters.

Order: Coraciiformes. Family: Alcedinidae

Kingfishers are medium sized birds with large heads, long pointed bills, short legs, and stubby tails. There are about 93 species worldwide, 2 in Britain and 1 in Wales.

Common name	Binomial	Status
(Common) Kingfisher	Alcedo atthis

Bee-eaters

Order: Coraciiformes. Family: Meropidae

A group of near-passerine birds characterised by richly-coloured plumage, slender bodies and usually elongated central tail-feathers. There are about 26 species worldwide, 2 in Britain and 1 in Wales.

Common name	Binomial	Status
(European) Bee-eater	Merops apiaster	WR

Rollers

Order: Coraciiformes. Family: Coraciidae

A small family of colourful, medium-sized birds with a crow-like shape that feed mainly on insects. There are about 12 species worldwide with 1 in Britain and Wales.

Common name	Binomial	Status
(European) Roller	Coracias garrulus	BR

Hoopoe

Order: Coraciiformes. Family: Upupidae

A distinctive bird in its own family with a long curved bill, a crest and black-and-white striped wings and tail.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Hoopoe	Upupa epops

Woodpeckers

A young European Green Woodpecker, declining in many western areas.

Order: Piciformes. Family: Picidae

Woodpeckers are small to medium-sized birds with chisel-like beaks, short legs, stiff tails and long tongues used for capturing insects. Many woodpeckers have the habit of tapping noisily on tree trunks with their beaks. There are about 219 species worldwide, 5 in Britain and 4 in Wales.

Common name	Binomial	Status
(Eurasian) Wryneck	Jynx tranquila
European Green Woodpecker	Picus viridis
Great Spotted Woodpecker	Dendrocopos major
Lesser Spotted Woodpecker	Dendrocopos minor

Larks

Order: Passeriformes. Family: Alaudidae

Larks are small terrestrial birds with often extravagant songs and display flights. Most larks are fairly dull in appearance. Their food is insects and seeds. There are about 96 species worldwide, 10 in Britain and 6 in Wales.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Black Lark	Melanocorypha yeltoniensis	BR
(Greater) Short-toed Lark	Calandrella brachydactyla	WR
Crested Lark	Galerida cristata	BR
Woodlark	Lullula arborea	WR
Skylark	Alauda arvensis
Shore Lark	Eremophila alpestris	WR

Swallows and martins

Swallow, a very widespread summer visitor breeding in every 10km square in Wales.

Order: Passeriformes. Family: Hirundinidae

A group of passerines characterized by their adaptation to aerial feeding. Their adaptations include a slender streamlined body, long pointed wings and short bills with wide gape. There are about 83 species worldwide, 8 in Britain and 5 in Wales.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Sand Martin	Riparia riparia
(Eurasian) Crag Martin	Ptyonoprogne rupestris	BR
(Barn) Swallow	Hirundo rustica
House Martin	Delichon urbicum
Red-rumped Swallow	Cecropis daurica	WR

Wagtails and pipits

Tree Pipit, widely distributed across the country in summer.

Order: Passeriformes. Family: Motacillidae

The Motacillidae are a family of small passerine birds with medium to long tails. They are slender, ground-feeding insectivores of open country. There are about 66 species worldwide, 15 in Britain and 13 in Wales.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Richard's Pipit	Anthus richardi
Blyth's Pipit	Anthus godlewskii	BR
Tawny Pipit	Anthus campestris	WR
Olive-backed Pipit	Anthus hodgsoni	BR
Tree Pipit	Anthus trivialis
Meadow Pipit	Anthus pratensis
Red-throated Pipit	Anthus cervinus	WR
Rock Pipit	Anthus petrosus
Water Pipit	Anthus spinoletta
Yellow Wagtail	Motacilla flava
Citrine Wagtail	Motacilla citreola	BR
Grey Wagtail	Motacilla cinerea
Pied Wagtail	Motacilla alba

Waxwings

Order: Passeriformes. Family: Bombycillidae

The waxwings are a group of passerine birds characterised by soft, silky plumage and unique red tips to some of the wing feathers. There are 3 species worldwide, 2 in Britain and 1 in Wales.

Common name	Binomial	Status
(Bohemian) Waxwing	Bombycilla garrulus

Dippers

Order: Passeriformes. Family: Cinclidae

Dark, dumpy, aquatic birds that are able to forage for food on the beds of rivers. There are 5 species worldwide with 1 in Britain and Wales.

Common name	Binomial	Status
(White-throated) Dipper	Cinclus cinclus

Wrens

A Wren at the nest. It is one of Wales' commonest birds, occurring in a wide variety of habitats.

Order: Passeriformes. Family: Troglodytidae

Wrens are small and inconspicuous birds, except for their loud songs. They have short wings and a thin down-turned bill. There are about 80 species worldwide with 1 in Britain and Wales.

Common name	Binomial	Status
(Winter) Wren	Troglodytes troglodytes

Mockingbirds

Order: Passeriformes. Family: Mimidae

Medium-sized passerine birds with long tails. Some are notable for their ability to mimic sounds such as other birds' songs. There are about 35 species worldwide. 3 have occurred as vagrants in Britain and 1 in Wales.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Grey Catbird	Dumetella carolinensis	BR

Accentors

Order: Passeriformes. Family: Prunellidae

A small family of drab, unobtrusive, insectivorous birds with thin, pointed bills. There are 13 species worldwide with 2 in Britain and Wales.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Dunnock	Prunella modularis
Alpine Accentor	Prunella collaris	BR

Thrushes and chats

Redstart, a common summer migrant in upland woods and scrub.

Ring Ouzel, a scarce breeder in rocky upland areas.

Order: Passeriformes. Family: Turdidae

The thrushes and chats are plump, soft-plumaged, small to medium-sized insectivores or sometimes omnivores, often feeding on the ground. Many have attractive songs. There are about 331 species worldwide including the chats, 42 in Britain and 29 in Wales.

Common name	Binomial	Status
(European) Robin	Erithacus rubecula
Thrush Nightingale	Luscinia luscinia	BR
(Common) Nightingale	Luscinia megarhynchos	WR
Bluethroat	Luscinia svecica	WR
White-throated Robin	Irania gutturalis	BR
Black Redstart	Phoenicurus ochruros
(Common) Redstart	Phoenicurus phoenicurus
Moussier's Redstart	Phoenicurus moussieri	BR
Whinchat	Saxicola rubetra
Stonechat	Saxicola torquata
Isabelline Wheatear	Oenanthe isabellina	BR
(Northern) Wheatear	Oenanthe oenanthe
Pied Wheatear	Oenanthe pleschanka	BR
Black-eared Wheatear	Oenanthe hispanica	BR
Desert Wheatear	Oenanthe deserti	BR
(Rufous-tailed) Rock Thrush	Monticola saxatilis	BR
Blue Rock Thrush	Monticola solitarius	BR
Swainson's Thrush	Catharus ustulatus	BR
Grey-cheeked Thrush	Catharus minimus	BR
Ring Ouzel	Turdus torquatus
Common Blackbird	Turdus merula
Eyebrowed Thrush	Turdus obscurus	BR
Dusky Thrush	Turdus naumanni	BR
Dark-throated Thrush	Turdus ruficollis	BR
Fieldfare	Turdus pilaris
Song Thrush	Turdus philomelos
Redwing	Turdus iliacus
Mistle Thrush	Turdus viscivorus
American Robin	Turdus viscivorus	BR

Old World warblers

Sedge Warbler, a summer migrant to wetland areas.

Wood Warbler, this species is local in most of Britain but widespread in Wales.,

Order: Passeriformes. Family: Sylviidae

A group of small, insectivorous passerine birds. Most are of generally undistinguished appearance, but many have distinctive songs. There are about 408 species worldwide, 49 in Britain and 37 in Wales.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Cetti's Warbler	Cettia cetti
Lanceolated Warbler	Locustella lanceolata	BR
(Common) Grasshopper Warbler	Locustella naevia
River Warbler	Locustella fluviatilis	BR
Savi's Warbler	Locustella luscinioides	BR
Aquatic Warbler	Acrocephalus paludicola	WR
Sedge Warbler	Acrocephalus schoenobaenus
Paddyfield Warbler	Acrocephalus agricola	BR
Blyth's Reed Warbler	Acrocephalus dumetorum	BR
Marsh Warbler	Acrocephalus palustris	WR
(Eurasian) Reed Warbler	Acrocephalus scirpaceus
Great Reed Warbler	Acrocephalus arundinaceus	BR
Booted Warbler	Hippolais caligata	BR
Icterine Warbler	Hippolais icterina	WR
Melodious Warbler	Hippolais polyglotta	WR
Blackcap	Sylvia atricapilla
Garden Warbler	Sylvia borin
Barred Warbler	Sylvia nisoria	WR
Lesser Whitethroat	Sylvia curruca
(Common) Whitethroat	Sylvia communis
Dartford Warbler	Sylvia undata
Rüppell's Warbler	Sylvia rueppelli	BR
Subalpine Warbler	Sylvia cantillans	WR
Sardinian Warbler	Sylvia melanocephala	BR
Greenish Warbler	Phylloscopus trochiloides	WR
Arctic Warbler	Phylloscopus borealis	BR
Pallas's Warbler	Phylloscopus proregulus	WR
Yellow-browed Warbler	Phylloscopus inornatus
Hume's Leaf Warbler	Phylloscopus humei	BR
Radde's Warbler	Phylloscopus schwarzi	WR
Dusky Warbler	Phylloscopus fuscatus	WR
Western Bonelli's Warbler	Phylloscopus bonelli	BR
Wood Warbler	Phylloscopus sibalatrix
(Common) Chiffchaff	Phylloscopus collybita
Willow Warbler	Phylloscopus trochilus
Goldcrest	Regulus regulus
Common Firecrest	Regulus ignicapilla

Old World flycatchers

Pied Flycatcher, a characteristic bird of sessile oak woods.

Order: Passeriformes. Family: Muscicapidae

The flycatchers are small birds that fly out from a perch to catch insects in the air. There are about 120 species worldwide, 5 in Britain and 4 in Wales.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Spotted Flycatcher	Muscicapa striata
Red-breasted Flycatcher	Ficedula parva	WR
Collared Flycatcher	Ficedula albicollis	BR
Pied Flycatcher	Ficedula hypoleuca

Babblers

Order: Passeriformes. Family: Timaliidae

Babblers are a large and varied group of small to medium-sized passerine birds. There are about 294 species worldwide including the parrotbills with 1 in Britain and Wales.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Bearded Tit	Panurus biarmicus	WR

Long-tailed tits

Order: Passeriformes. Family: Aegithalidae

Small, long-tailed birds that typically live in flocks for much of the year. There are 8 species worldwide with 1 in Britain and Wales.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Long-tailed Tit	Aegithalos caudatus

Tits

Blue Tit, a common woodland bird which easily adapts to parks and gardens.

Order: Passeriformes. Family: Paridae

Tits are mainly small, stocky, woodland species with short stout bills. They are adaptable birds, with a mixed diet including seeds and insects. There are about 59 species worldwide, 6 in Britain and 5 in Wales.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Blue Tit	Cyanistes caeruleus
Great Tit	Parus major
Coal Tit	Periparus ater
Willow Tit	Poecile montana
Marsh Tit	Poecile palustris

Nuthatches

Order: Passeriformes. Family: Sittidae

Nuthatches are small woodland birds with the unusual ability to climb down trees head-first, unlike other birds which can only go upwards. There are about 24 species worldwide, 2 in Britain and 1 in Wales.

Common name	Binomial	Status
(Wood) Nuthatch	Sitta europaea

Treecreepers

Treecreeper, a common but elusive bird of woodlands.

Order: Passeriformes. Family: Certhiidae

Treecreepers are small woodland birds, brown above and white below. They have thin, pointed, down-curved bills, which they use to extricate insects from bark. There are 7 species worldwide, 2 in Britain and 1 in Wales.

Common name	Binomial	Status
(Eurasian) Treecreeper	Certhia familiaris

Penduline tits

Order: Passeriformes. Family: Remizidae

Small birds with finely-pointed bills that build purse-like nests hanging from a branch. There are about 13 species worldwide with 1 in Britain and Wales.

Common name	Binomial	Status
(Eurasian) Penduline Tit	Remiz pendulinus	BR

Orioles

Order: Passeriformes. Family: Oriolidae

Orioles are colourful, medium-sized passerine birds with far-carrying, fluting songs. There are about 30 species worldwide with 1 in Britain and Wales.

Common name	Binomial	Status
(Eurasian) Golden Oriole	Oriolus oriolus	WR

Shrikes

Order: Passeriformes. Family: Laniidae

Shrikes are passerine birds known for their habit of catching other birds and small animals and impaling the uneaten portions of their bodies on thorns. A typical shrike's beak is hooked, like a bird of prey. There are about 30 species worldwide, 9 in Britain and 5 in Wales.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Isabelline Shrike	Lanius isabellinus	BR
Red-backed Shrike	Lanius collurio	WR
Lesser Grey Shrike	Lanius minor	BR
Great Grey Shrike	Lanius excubitor
Woodchat Shrike	Lanius senator	WR

Crows

Raven, Wales has some of the highest densities of this species in the world.

Order: Passeriformes. Family: Corvidae

The crows and their relatives are fairly large birds with strong bills and are usually intelligent and adaptable. There are about 119 species worldwide with 9 in Britain and Wales.

Common name	Binomial	Status
(Eurasian) Jay	Garrulus glandarius
(Black-billed) Magpie	Pica pica
(Spotted) Nutcracker	Nucifraga caryocatactes	BR
(Red-billed) Chough	Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax
(Eurasian) Jackdaw	Corvus monedula
Rook	Corvus frugilegus
Carrion Crow	Corvus corone
Hooded Crow	Corvus cornix
(Common) Raven	Corvus corax

Starlings

Order: Passeriformes. Family: Sturnidae

Starlings are small to medium-sized passerine birds with strong feet. Their flight is strong and direct and most are very gregarious.There are about 114 species worldwide with 2 in Britain and Wales.

Common name	Binomial	Status
(Common) Starling	Sturnus vulgaris
Rosy Starling	Sturnus roseus	WR

Sparrows

House Sparrow, strongly associated with human habitation.

Order: Passeriformes. Family: Passeridae

Sparrows tend to be small, plump, brownish or greyish birds with short tails and short, powerful beaks. They are seed-eaters and they also consume small insects. There are about 38 species worldwide, 4 in Britain and 3 in Wales.

Common name	Binomial	Status
House Sparrow	Passer domesticus
Spanish Sparrow	Passer hispaniolensis	BR
(Eurasian) Tree Sparrow	Passer montanus

Vireos

Order: Passeriformes. Family: Vireonidae

The vireos are a group of small to medium sized passerine birds restricted to the New World. There are about 52 species worldwide. 3 have occurred as vagrants in Britain and 1 in Wales.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Red-eyed Vireo	Vireo olivaceus	BR

Finches

Chaffinch, one of the commonest and most widespread species in Wales.

Order: Passeriformes. Family: Fringillidae

Seed-eating passerine birds that are small to moderately large and have a strong beak, usually conical and in some species very large. There are about 176 species worldwide, 21 in Britain and 16 in Wales.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Chaffinch	Fringilla coelebs
Brambling	Fringilla montifringilla
(European) Serin	Serinus serinus	WR
(European) Greenfinch	Carduelis chloris
(European) Goldfinch	Carduelis carduelis
(Eurasian) Siskin	Carduelis spinus
(Common) Linnet	Carduelis cannabina
Twite	Carduelis flavirostris
Lesser Redpoll	Carduelis cabaret
Common Redpoll	Carduelis flammea	WR
Arctic Redpoll	Carduelis hornemanni	WR
Two-barred Crossbill	Loxia leucoptera	BR
(Common) Crossbill	Loxia curvirostris
Common Rosefinch	Carpodacus erythrinus	WR
(Common) Bullfinch	Pyrrhula pyrrhula
Hawfinch	Coccothraustes coccothraustes

New World warblers

Yellow Warbler, one on Bardsey Island in 1964 was the first European record of this North American species.

Order: Passeriformes. Family: Panuridae

A group of small, often colourful passerine birds restricted to the New World. Most are arboreal and insectivorous. There are about 118 species worldwide. 18 have occurred as vagrants in Britain and 6 in Wales.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Black-and-white Warbler	Mniotilta varia	BR
Yellow Warbler	Dendroica petechia	BR
Blackburnian Warbler	Dendroica fusca	BR
Yellow-rumped Warbler	Dendroica coronata	BR
Blackpoll Warbler	Dendroica striata	BR
Common Yellowthroat	Geothlypas trichas	BR

Tanagers

Order: Passeriformes. Family: Thraupidae

The tanagers are a large group of small to medium-sized passerine birds restricted to the New World, mainly in the tropics. Many species are brightly coloured. There are about 226 species worldwide. 2 have occurred as vagrants in Britain and 1 in Wales.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Summer Tanager	Piranga rubra	BR

Buntings and New World sparrows

Yellowhammer, a declining species but still the commonest bunting in Wales.

Order: Passeriformes. Family: Emberizidae

The Emberizidae are a large family of seed-eating passerine birds with a distinctively-shaped bill. There are about 372 species worldwide, 27 in Britain and 18 in Wales.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Song Sparrow	Melospiza melodia	BR
White-throated Sparrow	Zonotrichia albicollis	BR
Dark-eyed Junco	Junco hyemalis	BR
Lapland Bunting	Calcarius lapponicus
Snow Bunting	Plectrophenax nivalis
Pine Bunting	Emberiza leucocephalos	BR
Yellowhammer	Emberiza citrinella
Cirl Bunting	Emberiza cirlus	WR
Rock Bunting	Emberiza cia	BR
Ortolan Bunting	Emberiza hortulana	WR
Rustic Bunting	Emberiza rustica	WR
Little Bunting	Emberiza pusilla	WR
Yellow-breasted Bunting	Emberiza aureola	BR
Reed Bunting	Emberiza schoeniclus
Black-headed Bunting	Emberiza melanocephala	BR
Corn Bunting	Emberiza calandra	WR
Rose-breasted Grosbeak	Pheucticus ludovicianus	BR
Indigo Bunting	Passerina cyanea	BR

New World orioles and New World blackbirds

Order: Passeriformes. Family: Icteridae

A group of small to medium, often colourful passerine birds restricted to the New World. There are about 101 species worldwide. 3 have occurred as vagrants in Britain and 2 in Wales.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Bobolink	Dolichonyx oryzivorus	BR
Baltimore Oriole	Icterus galbula	BR

See also

• List of birds of Great Britain
• British avifauna
• Lists of birds by region

References

• British Birds Rarities Committee (2006) BBRC says goodbye to birders favourites. Accessed 22/04/08.
• British Ornithologists' Union (2008) The British List: the official list of bird species recorded in Great Britain.. Accessed 22/04/08.
• Clements, James F. (2007) The Clements Checklist of Birds of the World, 6th ed., Cornell University Press, Ithaca, New York.
• Dudley, Steve P.; Mike Gee; Chris Kehoe; Tim M. Melling; The British Ornithologists' Union Records Committee (BOURC) (2006) The British List: A Checklist of Birds of Britain (7th edition), Ibis, 148 (3): 526–563.
• Evans, Ceri (2003) Introduction to the species audit for Wales (phase 2) and species groups. Accessed 22/04/08.
• Green, Jonathan (2002) Birds in Wales 1992-2000, Welsh Ornithological Society.
• Lovegrove, Roger; Graham Williams & Iolo Williams (1994) Birds in Wales, T & AD Poyser Ltd, London.
• O'Shea, Brian (2000) In Search of Birds in Wales, Skylark Books, Aberystwyth.
• Perrins, Christopher, ed. (2004) The New Encyclopedia of Birds, Oxford University Press, Oxford.
• Prater & Thorpe (2006) Welsh Species List. Accessed 22/04/08.
• Pugh, Elfyn (2005) The Red Kite, Birds of Britain. Accessed 22/04/08.
• Rogers, M. J. & the British Birds Rarities Committee (2004) Report on Rare birds in Great Britain in 2003, British Birds, 97:564.
• Snow, D. W. & Perrins, C. M. (1998) Birds of the Western Palearctic: Concise Edition, Vol. 2, Oxford University Press, Oxford.
• Tipling, David (1996) Top Birding Spots in Britain & Ireland, HarperCollins, London.
• Welsh Records Panel (2006) Scarce and rare birds in Wales 2005. Accessed 22/04/08.
• Welsh Records Panel (2007) Scarce and rare birds in Wales 2006. Accessed 22/04/08.