A Guide: Bird Nest Identification UK

From neat cup-shaped nests hidden in hedgerows to floating platforms on a late, bird nests come in an incredible variety of shapes and sizes! But whose nest is whose?!

During the breeding season, gardens, woodlands, wetlands and coastal cliffs become busy with nest-building, egg-laying and chick-rearing. Each species selects specific nesting sites and materials suited to its surrounding habitat, whether that’s dense vegetation, tree branches, rabbit burrows or even nest boxes in our own gardens.

In this guide, we’ll explore some of the most common bird nests found across the UK, common nest shapes, nesting materials, and what the law says about disturbing nesting birds.

Common Bird Nests (UK Birds)

Blackbird Nests (Turdus merula)

Blackbird nests are built by the female bird. The nests are a classic nest cup shape and are made with small twigs, grasses, and mud.

Blackbirds tend to nest in hedges, shrubs, low tree branches and dense vegetation. Their eggs are a pale green colour with reddish-brown speckles. Per season, Blackbirds can have 2 to 3 broods. Unlike some other bird species, Blackbirds rarely reuse the same nest.

Goldfinch Nests

As nesting birds, Goldfinches build a deep, neat nest cup that is made from thin twigs, moss, lichens and soft materials.

They are usually found high in trees, dense vegetation, camouflaged into their surrounding habitats. The nest is built by the female, but the male assists.

Long-tailed Tit Nests

The long-tailed tit builds one of the most recognisable bird nests in the UK. This bird's nest is a domed, enclosed structure that is made from moss, spider silk, lichens and lots of feathers. These nests are elastic, and as the chicks grow, they expand.

These nests are usually found hidden in climbing plants, hedgerows or thick shrubs, and before choosing the final one, the female will usually build several nests!

Blue Tits & Nest Boxes

Blue Tits are common cavity nesters, which means they will nest in tree cavities, holes in walls, and are frequently found using nest boxes.

Inside the cavity, they add moss, dead leaves and feathers. Their eggs are white with reddish speckles.

House Sparrows

House Sparrows are colonial nesters, which means they nest in proximity to other birds of the same species.

They build messy nests using twigs, grass and feathers. They choose to nest in crevices, gaps in brickwork, and eaves in buildings (hence their name!).

They do also use nest boxes; if you want to encourage them to nest in your garden, we recommend installing more than one, as they prefer to nest in small colonies.

Song Thrush

A Song Thrushes nest is similar to that of the Blackbird, however, it's more compact and has a thick mud lined interior.

These nests are found in shrubs and trees. When eggs are laid, they are bright blue with dark speckles.

Wren

Differing from other bird species, the male wren builds several nests, and then the female chooses which one she prefers. The nests are dome shaped and built in dense vegetation, climbing plants and tree roots.

Robin

Robins are adaptable nesting birds and are known for choosing unusual nesting sites. They make a neat cup shaped nest made from moss, dead leaves, grasses and other soft materials.

Robins prefer well hiden nesting areas, so they like dense vegetation, ivy and climbing roots, tree roots and sheds or out buildings.

Great Crested Grebe (Podiceps cristatus)

Unlike many nesting birds that choose trees or hedgerows, this species creates a floating nest anchored to surrounding vegetation in lakes, reservoirs, and slow-moving rivers.

The nest is built from reeds, aquatic plants, weeks and other vegetation that they pull from the water. At first glance, it may just look like a pule of weeds drifiting on the surface, this camouflage helps to protect the eggs.

Atlantic Puffin (Fratercula arctica)

Atlantic puffins nest underground in empty rabbit burrows and lay one egg per brood. The burrows protect from predators.

They nest along coastal cliffs in the North of the UK.

Golden Eagle

Constructed from large twigs and branches, the nest forms a substantial platform. Unlike many small birds that create a new nest each year, Golden Eagles often reuse the same nest for many years.

Each breeding season, they add more material, meaning the nest grows larger over time. Some historic eyries have become enormous as a result.

Golden Eagles are extremely sensitive to disturbance during the breeding season. Human interference can cause a breeding attempt to fail, which is why these nests are strictly protected.

Common Nest Shapes

• Cup nest

• Domed nest

• Platform nest

• Burrow nest

• Floating nest

Common Nesting Material

• Twigs / small twigs

• Thin twigs

• Moss

• Mud

• Feathers

• Grasses

• Dead leaves

• Pine needles

• Soft materials

Can You Move a Bird Nest?

No, under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, it is illegal to disturb nesting birds, regardless of where they are located.

Once the nest is full and abandoned (no eggs or chicks), removal may be legal.

How to Support Nesting Birds in Your Garden

During the UK breeding season, gardens can become vital safe havens for nesting birds. You can support them by installing suitable nest boxes in quiet, sheltered areas, maintaining dense vegetation and mature trees for natural cover, and avoiding hedge cutting or heavy pruning between March and August.

Providing fresh water and appropriate bird food helps parent birds conserve energy while feeding their chicks, and leaving out natural materials like moss, twigs and grasses can assist with nest building. Most importantly, always observe from a safe distance and avoid disturbing active nests. For more detailed guidance, you can read our full guide on supporting nesting birds.