Common Garden Birds: Ultimate Guide (2020 update)

Being a conservatory owner is one of the most blissful feelings one can think of. The diverse collection of flora in the conservatories is usually inclusive of unique conservatory flowering plants which brighten your world every day with their gorgeous colours.

The herbs that are commonly used in your household also find their way into your conservatory, making it more rooted to nature as common garden birds also find their way to your conservatory. Though caring for your lawn can be difficult task if you don’t have a suitable weed killer for the unwanted plants, or a moss killer if you find your roof panels are covered in it.

If you are a conservatory owner, you’ll know that the English garden birds are a beautiful addition to your belvedere. All that you have to do is build a bird table in your garden and enjoy the beauty of nature while sipping on a hot cup of tea from within the walls of your exquisite conservatory. During the summer months, you may wish to invest in a garden storage bench and enjoy the beauty from outside the confines of the inside. If you’re having an issue with birds coming into the garden, then it may be a wire bird net that you need to keep them out.

But have you ever thought of the different kinds of lives that you reach through the small natural heaven you have built? You might not have given much thought to this, but your conservatory is a safe haven to so many creatures that seek solitude and peace.

The frisky little squirrels are forever playful as they run around and create a joyous ambience to your belvedere. Similarly, the common garden birds that are your frequent visitors add life to the conservatory with their melodious chirping. You can often find them perched on a retractable washing line if there’s nowhere else for them to go. These garden birds are an indispensable aspect of your greenhouse because they establish the most coveted tropical aura which is something you have always been craving for.

If you are a conservatory owner in the UK, you must be aware of the most common garden birds that add to the scenic appeal of the locale. Not only are they a major contributor to the process of pollination for the flora, they help maintain cleanliness around the area.

Due to the constant visitations of these birds, your garden will always remain tidy and you will hardly find any unwanted twigs, dead leaves or even worms in the vicinity of your conservatory.

While you were snug and warm in your enchanting conservatory, did you ever think that these common garden birds were the primary recipients of your appreciation? All that you have to do is get a hold of attractive bird feeders and place them all around the garden and conservatory area.

Most British birds are happy with Niger Seeds and they have a high nutritional content as well. What is truly brilliant about these black seeds is that they will bloom into lovely flowers in case any bird dropped them on the flowering bed.

A British garden can be an extraordinary place and you will be shocked to know the different kinds of birds that come in there regularly. If you feel you do not know much about the English garden birds, the following is a detailed description of the most common types so that you can recognise all the winged visitors that come to your conservatory.

Robin

How often have you spotted the red breast robin in your garden? This is indisputably one of the most common garden birds in Britain as they fly around the entire year. They easy to distinguish between other garden birds, even if you are a brand new to bird watching.

The red breast, the melodious tunes and the brazen attitude that the Robin has is quite uncommon in all other birds. Apart from having a divine connotation, the Robin is also associated with Christmas cheer.

This is because the postmen who used to deliver Christmas cards wore a scarlet hued jacket, quite similar to the bright red colour of the robin’s chest. Although they are spotted throughout the year, it is the winter months that see the most of this winged beauty. Keep your bird feeders stocked with fruits, raisins, crushed peanuts or sunflower hearts as they are the main attractions for robins.

Collared Dove

Doves are not bright coloured, they are always pale, either pinkish grey or sandy brown in appearance. What is significant about their mien is the black half collar that is distinctly visible around their necks.

This English garden bird is traditionally seen as being symbolic of ultimate peace and the highest levels of faith. If you can ever get close enough to a dove, you will notice the reddish eyes along with their red feet.

Since they are quite coy by nature, it becomes difficult to observe them at such close distance. One of the major giveaways of the collared dove is their pattern of cooing. They usually make three long and monotonous tweets, which is enough to spot them, even by a novice.

They are one of the most graceful British birds you can see in your garden but they are mostly useless when it comes to maintaining cleanliness as they are not known for their skills in building nests.

Magpie

Another common garden bird seen across Britain is the clamorous and monochromatic Magpie. The most distinguishable feature of this bird is the long tail which is most often a rich combination of blue and green colours.

The noisy, clattering call of magpies is another of their trademarks, which can become excessively harsh and irksome at times. They have a consistent plumage inclusive of shades of white, black, blue and green.

It has been observed in many superstitions that the number of magpies seen together determine the kind of luck an individual is about to have. Initially written by John brand and later by M. A. Denham, a poem about magpies exists which narrates that “One for sorrow, Two for Joy, Three for a Girl, Four for a Boy.”

These superstitious beliefs are still widely accepted, especially here in the UK. This bird serves multiple roles, like being a vegetarian during the winter months, a scavenger for insects during the summer and a predator during spring as it feeds its younglings.

Goldfinch

You must have heard the sweet twittering call of this vibrant British bird around your garden. It is an amalgamation of a variety of colours, like the rich vermilion hue on its facial region along with a brilliant yellow dispersed on the wings.

This bird looks one of a kind and it is nearly impossible to not notice it sitting perched in the garden area. One thing is absolutely clear about the Goldfinch; it loves to visit the bird feeders.

All kinds of seeds are consumed by this bird, but some are more preferable than others. Niger seeds, thistle seeds and asters are some of the favourites of the goldfinches. But if you have stocked your bird feeders with sunflower hearts bird food, this bird is sure to frequent your garden.

More often than not, the Goldfinch is seen as being symbolic of prosperity, peace, happiness, abundance and the harbinger of optimism. It is seen fluttering around the garden in the UK during the entire year, barring the winter months because that is the time the goldfinch takes to warmer climates in countries like Spain.

Wood Pigeon

We are aware that beauty comes in a variety of sizes, and the wood pigeon fits this profile in the most appropriate manner. It is one of the largest common garden birds that can be seen flapping its wings around the UK.

There are three prominent colours visible on this bird: white, grey and pink. This group of pigeon have a greyish body with a patch of white around the neck, which is apparently more voluminous than other English garden birds.

There is an abundantly clear pink shade on the breast of the wood pigeon which looks quite captivating while the bird is in flight. It remains an undeniable fact that this garden bird is one of the most widely spotted in the UK.

Have you ever spent a day in your conservatory or the garden area without listening to the mundane cooing of the wood pigeon? That does sound slightly impossible because they are literally always around because they are not picky eaters.

They will unquestioningly eat whatever you keep in the bird feeders; seldom do they spare the worms crawling around the garden space. Considering the burly size of the bird, they easily nudge away smaller birds with the flapping of their wings.

Blackbird

The colour black invokes a sense of forbidden beauty, an air of sophistication which can be associated with all things exceptional. The blackbird is one of the most common garden birds that is seen hovering over the gardens and conservatries in Britain.

In order to preserve the genuineness to its name, the male birds are completely black in colour with a distinctively rich orange beak and ring around the eyes. This combination of predominantly black tint with a pop of cantaloupe orange makes the male birds a beautiful sight for sore eyes.

However, the female birds have a rather earthy shade on them, chiefly brown. The females are quite often seen with spotted patterns on their breast. Their eating habits are as varied as their genders because during the summer months, the blackbird consumes insects and worms while winter calls for a diet based on fruits.

They are generally emblematic of knowledge, quick wit and intelligence. Some folks are right to think that this British bird is representative of magic because their beauty is quite spectral to behold.

Wren

It has been observed by philosophers and poets that it is the small things that radiate the maximum strength. Wren is one such common garden bird which should not be underestimated because of its petite size.

These birds are usually auburn brown in colour and have a characteristically round shaped body. One of the most interesting features of this English garden bird is that its tail remains erect, almost vertical at times.

The circular body of wren balances on a rather long pair of legs while the wings are a bit tiny. The unique body structure of this bird enables it to remain extremely swift and nimble in its flight. You can spot wrens flying around the corners of your garden area in search for insects and spiders.

They have a blaring tone which is in sharp contrast to their dinky size. The wren is a busy bird and is known for its accuracy, energy, enthusiasm and the eagerness to remain actively in flight. This garden bird is hardly seen resting on a tree branch as it is too full of life to actually spare a moment for idleness.

Starling

Helen Keller had said the words, “Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.” Starlings are the embodiment of unity and they definitely play it to their strengths. They are smaller in size when compared to blackbirds and are easily recognizable as they flutter around in flocks together.

It is the colour combination on this common garden bird’s exterior that grabs the attention of all people. What seems like a glossy black body is actually quite multi-layered. If you look at this garden bird from a distance, you will surely see spots all over the body.

At a closer look, these are undertones of purple, blue, yellow and white on the feathers which appear as spots. This British bird does mimicry of other garden birds very well, and often will you hear those making sounds that come out of machines and other gadgets used in gardening.

Sitting inside your conservatory, you must have heard this noisy bird chattering away with its fellow mates. The confidence with which the starlings make their flight is usually unmatched among other garden birds. One of the major reasons why they travel in flocks is because that provides them with a sense of safety against other larger birds and predators.

Dunnock

How frequently have you located a bird in your garden that is always near the bushes, alone and hardly visible unless you carefully follow its trail? There is a good chance you have already made acquaintance with one of the most common garden birds, the timid and coy dunnock.

This garden bird can easily be missed because of its small stature, earthy colours and quiet nature. Dunnock’s have a brown and grey combination of fur all over with no pop of vibrant colours, making them nearly unnoticeable. They have a lean beak, coupled with a striped back while the legs are a mixture of orange and brown.

The only sure way of spotting a Dunnock in your garden is through its solitary nature and peculiar movements. It shuffles round the bushes and shrubberies in a seemingly nervous manner, in search for insects, small worms and spiders.

During the winter months, this common garden bird has diet based mainly on seeds. If you have a properly stocked bird feeder when it snows, this bird will definitely visit your garden. There is one additional peculiar quality of the Dunnock, they move around in groups of three. One female Dunnock is usually accompanied by two male Dunnock, making it easier to get food for the hatchlings.

Bullfinch

The American singer Frank Sinatra had once said that “Orange is the happiest colour” and it sure is true because spotting this gorgeous bird is one of the happiest feelings a bird lover can have.

It is quite rare to see the Bullfinch chirping on your garden fence or conservatory roof because this British bird prioritizes its privacy above all else. With a vibrant orange bill which is round in shape, this bird has greyish back with black fluttering wings and a whitish rump.

The only way you can distinguish the male bullfinches from the female ones are through colour of their under parts. The males have a bright reddish pink under part while the females have a grey and pink under part. 

This bird usually takes to solitary areas with a thick covering and likes to feed on all kinds of buds from a variety of trees. In the Native American culture, the Bullfinch is seen as a spiritual emblem which brings in tides of happiness and jubilation.

Most of the time, you might have seen only the noticeable white rump of the Bullfinch receding into the thick undergrowth of woodland areas. You can still catch a glimpse of this beautiful bird if you calmly move around the woodland areas and keep a look out for the bright orange sitting still on the trees.

Blue Tit

Staying true its name, this bird is colourful and sprightly with an alluring combination of blue, yellow and green on its body. The blue tit is undoubtedly one of the most captivating and common garden birds that you will observe around your garden.

They are known for travelling together in flocks as they search for food on bird tables and feeders. If you want to welcome this azure hued beauty into your garden, keep lots of food out for the birds, preferably some fatty nuts and seeds.

The Blue Tits also have large families which demands for them to fly together in search for sustenance. This English garden bird is seen as a figure of nobility, honour, faith and love. In most popular cultures, the Blue Tit is always regarded as a harbinger of positivity.

When English sailors spot this bird flying around the coasts, they appreciate it as a symbol of luck and loyalty. If you ever see this bird shuffling around in your garden, make sure you capture an image on your camera because the magnificent appearance of the blue tit has a soothing effect on the mind.

Greenfinch

In the words of Pedro Calderon de la Barca, “Green is the prime colour of the world, and that from which its loveliness arises.” The Greenfinch is another lively common garden bird that you find flying around the gardens in village areas.

This bird likes to remain connected to nature as is obvious from the bright green colour on its body and that is why it is most commonly seen nestling in the countryside. The feathers on this garden bird are an amalgamation of yellow and green which makes them a really colourful garden visitor.

The female greenfinches have a tawny shade on their body which the males do not have. Both the genders are seen with streaks of yellow on their feather when they fly. These birds are quite easily attracted with almost all seeds but Niger seeds, peanuts and sunflower hearts are a real treat for them.

They are more social than other British birds but it is also predictable for them to get into a tussle with other garden birds over feeders and seeds. Many people believe that the Greenfinch is symbolic of action, liveliness and enthusiasm making them one of the most vivacious garden birds in the UK.

Long-tailed Tit

The Long-tailed Tit is an adorable little bird has the most endearing blend of colours on its body. This particular bird can be located without much difficulty because of the rarity of its appearance.

Its distinguishable feature is already popular through its name, the long tail, which resembles a stick, is black in colour. The rest of the body of the Long-tailed Tit is like a small ball of fur which is has the shades of pink and white all throughout.

They like to travel in flocks of twenty from shrub to bird feeders to various bird tables in search of food. They mostly eat insects all year round, which make them the ideal British bird that will keep your garden clean and free of insects.

They appear to be really fluffy and have a typical white patch on the crown. You will spot them hovering over your garden in search of spider egg cocoons, feathers, moss and lichen which they use to build nests.

They provide stability to their nests through the silk from spiders and moss. The Long-tailed tit has a very peculiar call which grows louder as soon as they are in proximity of an open area or if a member gets separated from the rest of the flock.

Goldcrest

If you’re a conservatory owner, you ought to have heard about the Goldcrest. They are predominantly grey and brown in their appearance with a relatively pale and faded underbelly region.

What gives them their name are the prominent stripes of yellow and black on their heads. This shade appears golden to anyone who sees the bird from a distance. The male Goldcrest has an orange stripe on the crown which is not found on their female counterparts.

This bird is an exceedingly common English garden bird and is an insectivore by nature, feeding mostly on spiders. The Goldcrest has a very light and sweet voice which makes it tedious for the people with a hearing impairment to be able to hear them. Since this bird is of the migratory classification, they are believed to be a symbol of pilgrimage.

Now that you are well-versed about the common garden birds that are found here in Britain, you should also know how to attract them to your garden. Keep your lawn well fertilized with an appropriate lawn spreader, and make it a welcome spot for garden birds. Keep stock of the various kinds of seeds that these birds eat.

Most of these birds are also attracted to a variety of plants and that makes them visit the place on a more frequent basis. If you wish to know more about this, you should take a look at the conservatory plants guide. This will help you get a wide range of plants for your garden which will enrich your garden while maintaining a tranquil atmosphere.

You can also think of opening a café for birds which will enable other people to put some food out for these English garden birds. Not only will multiple varieties of garden birds visit this place, the people who visit will also get an opportunity to take beautiful snaps of these winged guests.

The kitchen scraps you throw out can become food for the birds that visit your garden. You should keep providing water to these lovely creatures and try keeping your garden birds healthy, lest they carry any unwanted worms or insects with them to your grounds. Keep some scraps of dead leaves in your garden so that these common garden birds do not stop coming to your conservatory.