Birds Beginning With H in The UK

Birds are among the most diverse species on Earth - their evolutionary history dates back 150 million years which is incredible!

Around the world, from Central and South America to the UK, there are many bird species that start with H as the first letter of their name. For most of the birds that start with H, this is one of the only things they have in common.

From breeding season to the winter months, you'll see many of these birds hanging around the UK.

Birds In the UK

Hawfinch

The Hawfinch s a distinctive medium sized bird with a powerful beak, which it uses to crack open hard seeds.

Native to Europe and parts of Asia, this finch typically breeds in deciduous forests and wooded parks. Its striking appearance includes a robust build and, in males, bright orange underparts.

The breeding season usually begins in late spring and continues through early summer. As part of the finch family, the Hawfinch is closely related to other finches but is notable for its specialised diet and strong bill, which sets it apart from its relatives

Hen Harrier

The Hen Harrier is a rare raptor in the UK, predominantly found in upland moorlands and heathlands. Males are grey with black wing tips, while females are brown with streaked underparts.

The Hen Harrier's breeding season runs from late spring to summer. Conservation efforts are ongoing due to their status as a threatened species, with habitat preservation being crucial for their survival.

Herring Gull

Commonly seen along the UK’s coasts and in urban areas, the Herring Gull is easily recognized by its light grey body, white head, and yellow beak with a red spot.

In the UK, these gulls are often found in coastal towns and cities, where they scavenge for food. They breed in colonies on coastal cliffs or flat rooftops, with the breeding season beginning in late spring.

Hobby

The Hobby is a summer visitor to the UK, arriving from April to May and leaving in September. This small, agile falcon is found in open country and woodlands where it preys on insects and small birds.

Its aerial hunting skills are impressive, and during the breeding season, it nests in trees or on buildings, with chicks hatching in late summer

Honey Buzzard

Although less common in the UK compared to other parts of Europe, the Honey Buzzard occasionally migrates through or breeds in southern parts.

It prefers wooded habitats and feeds on wasp and bee larvae. The breeding season in the UK is typically from late spring to early summer, with the Honey Buzzard nesting in mature forests.

Hooded Crow

The Hooded Crow is found in the UK, particularly in Scotland and northern England. It is distinguished by its grey body and black head, wings, and tail.

This crow is highly adaptable, living in urban, rural, and coastal areas. The breeding season starts in late spring, and Hooded Crows are known for their intelligence and resourcefulness in finding food.

Hoopoe

The Hoopoe is a rare visitor to the UK, usually found in the southern regions during migration periods in spring and autumn. Known for its distinctive crest and striking plumage, the Hoopoe prefers open woodlands and heathlands.

Its diet consists mainly of insects, and it breeds in tree cavities or buildings. The UK sightings are sporadic, making it a notable find for bird enthusiasts.

House Martin

It nests in colonies under eaves of buildings and in other sheltered spots. The House Martin feeds on flying insects, catching them in mid-air.

The breeding season in the UK starts in late spring, with the birds often returning to the same nesting sites each year.

House Sparrow

One of the most familiar birds in the UK, the House Sparrow thrives in urban and suburban environments. Characterised by its stout build and the males' chestnut-brown backs with grey underparts, it is often seen in parks, gardens, and city centres.

The House Sparrow's breeding season begins in late spring, with nests built in sheltered locations such as building eaves.

Around the World

Harris's Hawk

The Harris's Hawk (Parabuteo unicinctus) is a medium-large raptor, easily recognised by its dark brown plumage, chestnut shoulders, and white-tipped tail.

This striking bird, with its yellow legs and curved beak, thrives in semi-desert, savannah, and scrubland regions from the southwestern United States through Central America and South America.

Unlike many other birds and raptors, this Hawk hunts in groups, working together to catch prey.

Hairy Woodpecker

Hairy Woodpeckers are medium sized birds found across North America, in woodlands, forests and sometimes urban and suburban areas.

It sports a white back, black wings with white spots, and a long, sharp beak. Males have a distinctive small red patch on the back of their heads.

This species is a persistent forager, often heard before it’s seen, as it pecks at tree bark to extract insects, much like its smaller lookalike, the Downy Woodpecker.

Harlequin Duck

The Harlequin Duck (Histrionicus histrionicus) is a small, sea-loving duck renowned for its vivid, bold patterns. Males are particularly eye-catching with their slate-blue plumage and striking white markings, accented with chestnut patches.

These ducks inhabit fast-moving streams during breeding season and rocky coastlines in winter, primarily in northern North America and Greenland. They are agile swimmers, diving to catch mollusks and crustaceans, showcasing their adaptability to harsh environments.

Hooded Oriole

Bright and vibrant, the Hooded Oriole (Icterus cucullatus) is a small songbird native to the southwestern United States and Mexico. Males are adorned with a bright yellow body and a black hood, while females are more subdued in olive-yellow.

This species is often found in open woodlands, palm groves, and suburban areas, where it feeds on nectar and insects, frequently visiting flowering trees.

Hooded Merganser

The Hooded Merganser (Lophodytes cucullatus) is a small diving duck distinguished by its unique crest that can be raised or lowered. Males are particularly striking, with a large white patch on the crest and a contrasting black-and-white pattern, while females are brownish with a smaller crest. Preferring freshwater habitats like ponds, rivers, and marshes across North America, Hooded Mergansers are skilled divers, hunting for fish, crustaceans, and aquatic insects beneath the water’s surface.

Hook-billed Kite

The Hook-billed Kite (Chondrohierax uncinatus) is a medium-sized raptor noted for its distinctive hooked beak, which is perfectly adapted for feeding on snails. Its plumage is a mix of gray, brown, and white, with the latter often barred. This species is found in tropical and subtropical forests from Mexico to South America. Their specialized diet of snails makes them particularly interesting, as they use their curved beaks to expertly extract their prey from shells.

Hook-billed Kingfisher

The Hook-billed Kingfisher (Melidora macrorrhina) is a rare and unusual bird with a large, hooked bill that sets it apart from other kingfishers. It has a brownish head and a blue-gray body, with the distinctive bill being its most defining feature. Native to the lowland forests of New Guinea, this kingfisher is secretive and primarily feeds on insects and small vertebrates. Its elusive nature means that much about its behavior remains unknown.

Hawaiian Hawk

The Hawaiian Hawk (Buteo solitarius), also known as the ‘Io, is a medium-sized bird of prey that is endemic to the Hawaiian Islands, particularly the Big Island. It has a variable plumage, ranging from dark brown to white, broad wings, and a short tail. The Hawaiian Hawk is a top predator in its range, feeding on birds, small mammals, and insects. It holds cultural significance in Hawaii, symbolising royalty and being deeply embedded in local traditions.

Hermit Warbler

The Hermit Warbler (Setophaga occidentalis) is a small, brightly colored songbird found in the coniferous forests along the western coast of North America. Males are distinguished by their bright yellow heads, gray backs, and white underparts, with black throats being a characteristic of males. These warblers are insectivores, typically foraging high in the forest canopy. They are migratory, spending their winters in Central America.

Lastly, the Harlequin Quail (Coturnix delegorguei) is a small, ground-dwelling bird native to the grasslands and savannas of sub-Saharan Africa. Males are particularly striking with their bold patterns of black, white, and chestnut, while females are more subtly colored. These quails feed on seeds and insects and are known for their loud, whistling calls that echo across their habitats.

House Finch

The House Finch (Haemorhous mexicanus) is a small, colourful songbird native to North America. The male House Finch is particularly striking, with bright red plumage on its head, throat, and chest, which contrasts with its brown-streaked back and wings. The intensity of the red color can vary depending on diet, with some males appearing more orange or yellowish. Females, in contrast, are more subdued in appearance, with brown and white streaks and no red coloration.