A Guide: Rarest Birds in the UK
The UK is home to many weird and wonderful things, including some incredible species of birds; and as a nation of nature lovers, nothing brings us quite as much joy as spotting the species that are few and far between.
When bird watching, seeing Blue Tits, Robins and Chaffinches is amazing, but nothing beats spotting some of the rarest birds in the UK. This can be tricky, though, as these birds tend to live in very specific habitats, and are sometimes quite shy (so a lot of patience comes in handy!).
We’ve pulled together a guide of the rare birds of Britain and where you can find them!
Rare British Birds
Nightingale
Famous for its bird song, the Nightingale is a rare bird with brown feathers, a red hue on its tail and a white underside and it is slightly larger than a Robin.
Across the UK, the Nightingale is a Spring migrant, travelling from their wintering grounds in sub-Saharan Africa.
Unfortunately, in recent years the breeding population has declined, this can be put down to loss of habitat and changes in climate across the breeding and wintering grounds.
Where to Find Them?
In the UK, the Nightingale is a woodland bird, favouring thick vegetation and coppiced woodland. It’s most likely to breed in the south east in places like Essex, Sussex, Suffolk, Kent, and Lincolnshire.
Lesser Redpoll
The Lesser Redpoll is a streaky brown colour, with a red forehead and black bib, and in recent years, numbers of this little finch have declined.
Often, the Lesser Redpoll will be spotted doing acrobatics whilst feeding, so if you spot them hanging upside down from trees, they are probably hunting insects.
Where to Find Them?
The Lesser Redpoll can be found across the UK in mixed woodlands, with birch scrub and wet woodlands; sometimes, they visit gardens too.
Their strongholds, however, are in Scotland, Wales, and Northern England.
Hawfinch
This stocky finch with a powerful bill (strong enough to split open cherry stones!) is one of the UK’s largest finches, despite this, it’s one of the hardest birds to spot.
The rarity of this bird is down to a decline of the species in many areas, as well as its shy and elusive nature. In woodlands, they spend their time in the canopies of trees, away from human eyesight.
Where to Find Them?
In the UK, they are spread out across the country, but they are absent from Northern Ireland. When looking for this bird, it’s best to head for mature broadleaved and coniferous woodlands.
Willow Tit
Since 1970, Willow Tit numbers have declined by 91%, so they are absent across most parts of the UK.
Identified by its black cap, white neck and sooty-coloured body, the Willow Tit is a wonderful species. When nesting, they will find dead trees and dig into them themselves, adding fur, feathers, and hair to build the most perfect, secluded nest that is out of sight and reach of predators.
Where to Find Them?
Typically, you find Willow Tits in wet woodlands and the willow carr, often areas where there is old, dead wood.
Although very rare, key locations to spot this species include Tame Valley, Fairburn Ings, and Consall Woods.
Goshawks
In the late 19th century, Goshawks nearly became extinct due to excessive persecution and habitat loss. Due to a great recovery programme, Goshawks are still about, but they are still a very rare sight.
They are predator birds who are known for performing acrobatics mid-flight whilst hunting, so if you’re hoping to spot one, look for them flying high over the trees.
Where to Find Them?
They opt for habitats with dense woodlands and forests, especially if there are conifers. They are secretive birds, so even if you’re looking in the right place, they might still be a hard spot.
Found across the UK, they have strongholds in Wales, Northern England, and the New Forest.
Pied Flycatcher
Since 1995, the number of Pied Flycatchers has halved, making them a rare bird in the UK.
They are a summer migrant in the UK, recognised for their striking black and white colouring, and for catching insects mid-air.
Where to Find Them?
They are primarily found in mature, damp woodlands across the UK, but they tend to be more popular in the West and North of the UK.
Capercaillie
A native to Scotland and part of the Grouse family, the Capercaillie is one of the rarest birds across the UK, with there believed to be only 2,000 individuals in the Strathspey area.
Males of this species are dark brown with metallic green feathers on their breast. Females are much smaller and have brown tones with silver and yellow feathers on their breasts.
Where to Find Them?
As a species, Capercaillies have very specific habitat needs: they look for native pine wood of different ages, open areas for courtship displays, and boggy areas that have lots of insects. For this reason, they are limited to small areas of Scotland, as many places cannot meet these needs.
Nightjar
The Nightjar is a nocturnal species, known for its plumage that camouflages perfectly into bark, making it hard to spot during the day. In the UK, the population is starting to increase, but they are still on the Amber conservation concern list.
Where to Spot Them?
Nightjars live in open woodlands alongside heathlands and moorland habitats. They are largely confined to Southern England.
Wood Warbler
As a summer visitor to the UK, the Wood Warbler and its bright green feathers add some fun to the UK landscape, they also bring with them a trilling, distinctive song.
They are becoming increasingly rare and are on the UK red list due to their declining numbers.
Where to Find Them?
Habitats for the Wood Warbler include deciduous woodlands with beech and oak trees. Across the UK, they are mostly found upland in the North and West, and most of the population is found in Wales.
Lesser Spotted Woodpecker
Since the 1970s, 3 out of 4 pairs of the Lesser Spotted Woodpecker have been lost, and many have disappeared from local areas, making them one of the rarest birds in the UK.
They are the smallest out of the three woodpecker species in Britain and have a distinctive black and white body, and males have a red cap too.
Where to Find Them?
As a species, their favourite habitat is deciduous, mature woodland with old, dead, and decaying trees with plenty of beetle larvae and moths for them to eat.
They are most commonly spotted in the South of England but are also found in Wales and Northern England.
Cackling Goose
A rare visitor to the UK, the Cackling Goose is often mistaken for the more familiar Canada Goose due to its similar markings. However, it is noticeably smaller, with a stubbier bill and shorter neck. This North American species occasionally turns up in the UK, typically among flocks of Canada Geese during the winter months.
Where to Find Them?
Most sightings occur in coastal areas or near large inland lakes, particularly in Scotland, Northern Ireland, and occasionally in England. They are usually seen during migration periods or in winter, often keeping close to Canada Geese flocks, which makes spotting one a real treat for eagle-eyed birders.
Black Winged Pratincole
An elegant and agile flyer, the Black-winged Pratincole is an extremely rare summer visitor to the UK. With its pointed wings, long legs, and graceful gliding flight, this bird is more reminiscent of a swallow than a wader. Its black underwings and chestnut-toned body give it a striking appearance in flight.
Where to Find Them?
Sightings in the UK are very uncommon and typically occur in the spring or summer months, often after strong southerly winds. They are most likely to be spotted in open wetlands, marshes, or airfields, usually in the southeast of England or East Anglia. Spotting one is considered a red-letter day for birdwatchers.
