SONGBIRDS OF THE UK

THE PROJECT

For the Canticle of the Birds exhibition, presented from 5 December 2025 to 31 May 2026 at the Aga Khan Centre Gallery, London, Esen Kaya, Gallery Curator, invited Drawing for the Planet and the UK charity SongBird Survival to design an educational project for Kings Cross Academy, London, focused on the conservation and protection of the United Kingdom’s songbird species.  Drawing for the Planet was commissioned by the Aga Khan Centre Gallery to produce an artwork— Gathering of the Songbirds (above)—for the exhibition in response to this educational collaboration. 

Explore this page to learn about the artworks, the exhibition and about each of the UK's songbird species, illustrated by pupils from Kings Cross Academy—scroll down to view the sections below:

• Gathering of Songbirds
• The Exhibition
• UK Songbirds
• Project Partners

GATHERING OF SONGBIRDS

Gathering of Songbirds, 2025, mural at the Aga Khan Centre Gallery, London - image courtesy of Jon Goldberg

Gathering of Songbirds artwork was created by Jane Lee McCracken, Founder of Drawing for the Planet. The piece features drawings by Year 5 pupils from Kings Cross Academy, London. The work constitutes a key component of the Canticle of the Birds exhibition. 

Through workshops facilitated by Susan Morgan (Chief Executive Officer, SongBird Survival), Jane Lee McCracken, and Esen Kaya, pupils engaged in learning about the ecology, diversity, and conservation challenges faced by UK songbirds. In response, they produced Biro drawings inspired by Jane’s artistic practice, and the work of Drawing for the Planet, collectively representing eighty-four species all of which breed in the UK.

Kings Cross Academy students with their drawings

The children’s enthusiasm, inspired by what they learned from Susan about UK songbirds and the vital roles they play within their ecosystems, carried through into the drawing workshops. There, Jane encouraged them to form emotional connections with each bird they drew and to remember that the world is richer because of their presence. With this in mind, each young artist worked diligently to represent their chosen species through their remarkable drawings. The finished mural proudly features a contribution from every participating artist.

Left: Gathering of Songbirds, 2025, mural and key panel, the Aga Khan Centre Gallery; right: Tracey Spensley and Susan Morgan (SongBird Survival), and Jane Lee McCracken

Following the exhibition, the mural will be presented to Kings Cross Academy to display in the school.

Jane said:

"It was a privilege to work with Esen Kaya, Tracey Spensley and the SongBird Survival team, Caroline Shield, and the Year 5 students at Kings Cross Academy on this meaningful project. We hope it shines a light on the UK’s precious songbirds and the urgent need to protect them."

THE EXHIBITION

Canticle of the Birds exhibition, Aga Khan Centre Gallery - image courtesy of Jon Goldberg 

The Canticle of the Birds is a mixed-media exhibition inspired by the Sufi poet Farid ud-Din Attar, bringing together artists from the UK and beyond with artisans and young people in creative collaboration. Curated by Esen Kaya, the exhibition is in partnership with the Kings Foundation School of Traditional Arts, Royal School of Needlework, Drawing for the Planet, Songbird Survival and Kings Cross Academy.

 

Canticle of the Birds exhibition, Aga Khan Centre Gallery - image courtesy of Jon Goldberg

 

Exhibiting artists include: Farkhondeh Ahmadzadeh, Veeda Ahmed, Amaan Khalid Aslam, Delfina Bottesini, Samantha Buckley, Jung Byun, Mike Collier, Antje Damm, Aurélie Gérardin, Jenni Hawkins, Richard Henry, Anne Kelly, Amber Khokhar, Corina Lozovan, Jane Lee McCracken, Michaela McMillan, Annabelle Lucilla, Halleh Mortazavi, Sobia Naz, Kate Pankhurst, Amaranta Peña, Olga Prinku, Louise Saxton, Geoff Sample, Sana Sanjrani, Sangeeta Singh, Kat Thomas, Stephen Turner, Xia Xia, Karim Wadhwani, and Karen Williams.

 

The Conference of the Birds, 2025, ceramic tile panel featuring original blue Biro drawing, Jane Lee McCracken

 

"The Conference of the Birds or Speech of the Birds (Arabic: منطق الطیر, Manṭiq-uṭ-Ṭayr, also known as مقامات الطیور Maqāmāt-uṭ-Ṭuyūr; 1177)  is a Persian poem by Sufi poet Farid ud-Din Attar, commonly known as Attar of Nishapur. It is one of Attar’s masterpieces, that has long inspired writers, poets, artists, and historians for centuries."

 

Left: Peacebird Seeks the Light, 2025, recycled mixed media and decoupage, Michaela McMillan; right: Canticle of the Birds, Seven Valleys (detail), 2025, hand ground natural pigments, Farkhondeh Ahmadzadeh

 

"At its core, the poem employs the allegory of birds embarking on a journey to explore spiritual enlightenment and the search for the Divine. The hoopoe, a wise and eloquent guide, leads the other birds—each symbolising a distinct human flaw or attachment—on a quest to find the mythical Simorgh, their ideal king. Through seven arduous valleys, they endure trials and revelations, ultimately realising that the Simorgh is not a separate being but a reflection of their collective selves. The poem’s enduring message captures the essence of Sufi philosophy: the journey of self-discovery and the pursuit of divine truth."

 

Left: Parrot - The Seeker, 2025, soot and walnut ink on paper, Sangeeta Singh; right: Swan, 2025, irredescent oil and metal leaf on panel, Jenni Hawkins

 

"The exhibition features a breadth of artistic media, spanning classical Persian miniature painting, contemporary animation, crochet, ceramics, and an evocative soundscape capturing the songs of bird species increasingly absent from the natural environment. 

 

Left: Canticle of the Birds, 1-7, 2025, digital prints, Mike Collier in collaboration with Tom Jordan and Geoff Sample; right: Canticle of the Birds, Debating Journey and Canticle of the Birds, Seven Valleys, 2025, hand ground natural pigments, Farkhondeh Ahmadzadeh

 

"In dialogue with Attar’s timeless meditation on the spiritual journey, the exhibition also reflects on urgent contemporary concerns—particularly the decline of the UK’s songbird population and the broader environmental impacts of climate change. By bringing together the mystical and the material, The Conference of the Birds invites audiences of all ages to contemplate the interconnectedness of life, the natural world, and the enduring human quest for transcendence."

 

The Conference of the Birds 

 

The Conference of the Birds 2025, Jane Lee McCracken, blue Biro drawing

 

In response to Attar's poem The Conference of the Birds Biro drawing—which features on a ceramic tile panel in the exhibition—Jane took inspiration from Mughal painter Miskin's The Crow Addresses the Animals. She reimagines that the birds who originally refused the spiritual quest from Attar's poem—including the peacock and parrot—have found the courage to do so.

 

The Conference of the Birds (detail of the hoopoe and parrot) 2025, Jane Lee McCracken, blue Biro drawing

 

The scene depicts the climactic moment when the birds finally encounter the Simorgh, flying toward it in a frenzy. All thirty species portrayed occur in Iran except the Indian peafowl. A break in the Islamic pattern at the bottom symbolises the birds' breakthrough in achieving inner enlightenment and their realisation that the Simorgh is a mirror of themselves. Read more about this piece here.

 

UK SONGBIRDS

Image: Goldfinch by JacekBen from Pixabay

About the UK's Songbirds

Songbirds have captivated our hearts for centuries. They delight and inspire us, nourishing our health and well-being. All while being an essential part of our ecosystem by dispersing seeds, helping plants grow, controlling pests and helping keep nature healthy. As sensitive indicators of environmental change, they also act as nature’s early warning system, alerting us when something’s going wrong.

Our UK songbirds are facing unprecedented threats. Over the last 50 years, populations have fallen by 50% and continue to decline. Once common species – such as the nightingale and willow tit – have become rare sights and sounds. We live in an era of mass species extinction, driven by threats such as climate change, insect decline, pollution, predation and landscape changes. 

It’s up to us all to ensure that songbirds can live and thrive in their natural habitats. There is still time to change the story for UK songbirds and give them the future they deserve, keeping our dawn chorus alive for future generations — Songbird Survival

Identification Key

An identification key accompanies the Gathering of SongBirds artwork, detailing each species’ scientific name, conservation status, population data, and the corresponding young artist from Kings Cross Academy. CLICK on the images above to download the key.

Identification Key Explanation:

Each bird species in the identification key is colour coded in relation to its conservation listing status.  It acts like a traffic light system with birds in RED being of the highest concern with population declines over 50% in recent years, AMBER coloured birds show a more moderate decline, and birds in GREEN have relatively stable/increasing numbers.

In bird conservation, population estimates originate from a wide variety of sources. Species are monitored either by territories or pairs depending on their behaviour and survey methods. Territorial birds, such as the wren are often counted by mapping singing males during breeding season, which indicates occupied territories. Other species, such as blackbirds, are listed as pairs because both male and female of the breeding pairs are usually visible and are the key unit for estimating population size and reproductive potential. Researchers choose the best method for each species to get accurate population estimates and understand their breeding success. 

Sources: Woodward, I., Aebischer, N., Burnell, D., Eaton, M., Frost, T., Hall, C., Stroud, D.A. & Noble, D. (2020). Population estimates of birds in Great Britain and the United Kingdom. British Birds 113: 69-104.

Explore the UK's 84 breeding songbird species beautifully illustrated by Kings Cross Academy's Year 5 artists, with excerpts from SongBird Survival's species information pages:

 

CIRL BUNTING

Drawing: Leo

SongBird Survival/Cirl Bunting:

Description

"Adult male Cirl buntings change plumage throughout the year. In the breeding season, they have yellow underparts with rusty-brown patches on the breast and a green upper breast and throat."

Diet

"In the summer cirl buntings are mainly insectivorous and feed on caterpillars, flies, beetles, and spiders. In the winter they switch their diet to consist of seeds, mainly from herbs and grasses."

Threats

"Cirl Bunting are red-listed in the UK due to their small population and very limited range. Changing and intensifying farming practices in the 20^th century reduced the mosaic of farmland and small woodlands which this bird requires and nearly lead to their extinction in the UK."

Read the complete description: songbird-survival.org.uk/songbirds/cirl-bunting

 

CORN BUNTING

Drawing: Oliver

SongBird Survival/Corn Bunting:

Description

"The Corn bunting [is a] streaky brown bunting about the size of a sparrow, making it larger than other buntings. It is often likened to a Skylark but with a thicker bill and no crest. Male and female Corn bunting looks the same, with the only difference being that the males are around 20% larger."

Diet

"Corn buntings eat mainly seeds and invertebrates that can be found near open grassland or farmland."

Threats

"The Corn Bunting has undergone drastic declines in the UK since 1967, and while the population has stabilised recently, it shows no signs of recovery. As with other buntings, the main driver of their decline is the intensification of agriculture. This has led to the loss of suitable nesting sites through the removal or intense management of hedgerows..."

Read the complete description: songbird-survival.org.uk/songbirds/corn-bunting

 

GRASSHOPPER WARBLER

Drawing: Cora

SongBird Survival/Grasshopper Warbler:

Description

"[The grasshopper warbler] has brown upper parts with a darker brown/black streak on each feather, while its underparts and throat are cream-coloured."

Diet

"Their diet mainly consists of insects but spiders and small molluscs may be eaten as well if the environment is right."

Threats

"This species underwent severe declines between the 1960s and 1980s and while the UK population has remained somewhat stable since then, European populations have continued to decline. As with many of our visiting warblers, droughts driven by climate change in their overwintering areas are likely to impact the population..."

Read the complete description: songbird-survival.org.uk/songbirds/grasshopper-warbler

 

GREENFINCH

Drawing: Louie

SongBird Survival/Greenfinch:

Description

"The greenfinch is a stocky finch, with a distinctly forked tail and a chunky flesh-coloured bill. Males are an apple green with a yellow rump and a flash of yellow on the wings and tail, and a small dark patch between the eye and bill."

Diet

"The diet of a greenfinch is varied. They will eat various seeds, flower buds, nyger seed, insects, berries, and nuts."

Threats

"One of the largest driving factors in the recent declines of greenfinch is the trichomonosis outbreaks that have been occurring since 2005. This disease can be spread through close contact with other birds and sharing food and water sources and so keeping garden feeders clean is of upmost importance..."

Read the complete description: songbird-survival.org.uk/songbirds/greenfinch

 

HAWFINCH

Drawing: Sophie

SongBird Survival/Hawfinch:

Description

"The best identifier of this finch is its size, which is significantly larger than any other finch. It has a top-heavy figure due to its large neck, head, and bill. Its large bill used for breaking open seeds and fruit stones is a distinguishing feature."

Diet

"Their diet mainly consists of fruit stones and large hard seeds which their bill has adapted perfectly to crack open."

Threats

"Tracking Hawfinch populations is difficult due to their elusive behaviour and the influx of individuals during winter. The threats to Hawfinches are not well known but their use of broadleaf woodlands with open areas suggests that habitat loss could be driving changes in adult and fledgling survival. Hawfinches also have a relatively high number of blood parasites which could be driving decreases in the breeding success of these birds."

Read the complete description: songbird-survival.org.uk/songbirds/hawfinch

 

HOUSE MARTIN

Drawing: Deen

SongBird Survival/House Martin:

Description

"The house martin is a small bird with almost metallic, glossy blue-black cap and back and pure white underside with a white throat. It has a distinctive white rump with a forked tail and, on close inspection, white feathers covering its legs and toes."

Diet

"The house martin has a flat and wide beak, perfect for catching insects like flies, beetles, and aphids."

Threats

"Possible causes of the decline of house martins include less insect availability during breeding season, restricted nest site availability, limited access to mud for nest building and adverse weather conditions during migration."

Read the complete description: songbird-survival.org.uk/songbirds/house-martin

 

HOUSE SPARROW

Drawing: Isabella

SongBird Survival/House Sparrow:

Description

"The house sparrow looks similar to the tree sparrow, but for the slightly smaller stature of the tree sparrow and for the chestnut brown patch on their cheek. Male house sparrows have a light grey crown, a red-brown back, white wingbar and grey underside and rump."

Diet

"House sparrows are opportunists and will feed on seeds, berries, buds and insects, but are just as happy to take scraps off picnic benches and bins. You will often see them hopping along the ground and foraging."

Threats

"The absolute reason for the decline of house sparrows is unknown, but it is thought to be due to a combination of climate change, habitat loss, agricultural intensification, reduction in food availability (due to pesticide use and general insect decline among other issues), predation and increased levels of disease."

Read the complete description: songbird-survival.org.uk/songbirds/house-sparrow

 

REDPOLL

Drawing: Iqra

SongBird Survival/Redpoll:

Description

"As the name suggests this relatively small finch has a red poll which is a small patch of feathers on their head. A slightly lighter red colour can be seen on their breast...Telling them apart from common redpolls is tricky, while they are smaller this can be hard to see."

Diet

"They mostly feed on seeds, particularly from birch and alder, and small invertebrates. They have become more common in gardens across the UK and will visit feeders."

Threats

"While overall the populations in the UK have remained the same, some areas have seen declines leading to them no longer being resident in central England. The causes of these declines are not well known. One of the main factors thought to be impacting the population is the reduction of young woodland. This habitat provides the lesser redpoll with its favoured tree species, birch. However, the general loss of woodland throughout the UK could also be driving this decline."

Read the complete description: songbird-survival.org.uk/songbirds/redpoll

 

LINNET

Drawing: Keanu

SongBird Survival/Linnet:

Description

"One of the smaller finches, linnets sport a reddish brown back, with a greyish head and short bill. During the summer, males have distinctive red foreheads and breasts, which is much duller in winter (more pink in colour), and reduced in size."

Diet

"Linnets feed in small flocks year-round, and feed mainly on seeds, though they do catch insects for their young. They feed on farmland stubbles and weeds, choosing areas that have higher seed densities than other seed-eating birds."

Threats

"One of the major drivers of decline in the linnet is nest failure and a drop in breeding performance. It is believed that this change in performance may be in part due to changes in agricultural practices, and land use changes. The loss of areas of farmland stubble is most detrimental to the linnet, as this is their preferred foraging ground."

Read the complete description: songbird-survival.org.uk/songbirds/linnet

 

MARSH TIT

Drawing: Keanu

SongBird Survival/Marsh Tit:

Description

"Marsh tits have grey/brown upperparts and wings with the tail slightly darker as well as a black cap and bib and white cheeks that spread onto their nape. While they look very similar to the willow tit, there are a few features that allow us to tell them apart. Marsh tits have a glossier cap and a tidier bib under their bill, a white edge to their bill which can only be seen very close up..."

Diet

"Their diet mainly consists of insects and seeds, and if they find a good supply of food then they have been known to store food for later."

Threats

"Widespread population declines in this species have led to it being red-listed in 2022. Marsh tits have suffered from habitat loss caused by urbanisation and the reduction in woodland quality caused by the replacement of deciduous forests with conifer. As they have large territories that they defend year-round, they require large areas of woodland which are rare due to fragmentation and habitat loss...One of the most worrying factors is their extremely slow colonisation rate and short-distance dispersal."

Read the complete description: songbird-survival.org.uk/songbirds/marsh-tit

 

MARSH WARBLER

Drawing: Nyasia

SongBird Survival/Marsh Warbler:

Description

"Marsh warbler adults have green/brown upperparts with black tips to the wing feathers. The head and cheeks are the same colour as the back with an almost yellow eye stripe sometimes visible. Their underparts are a lighter buff colour with an almost white throat."

Diet

"Their diet is nearly exclusively insects, but they occasionally eat berries in the autumn. They usually pick insects off vegetation but can be seen taking insects in the air or on the ground."

Threats

"The reasons for the steep declines in this species are not well understood, however historical disturbance by bird watchers and egg collectors likely had a significant effect on the already small population. The loss and fragmentation of suitable habitat is one of the reasons this species has become so scarce. Furthermore, climate change is thought to have driven declines in this population by causing drought and food shortages in their over-wintering grounds..."

Read the complete description: songbird-survival.org.uk/songbirds/marsh-warbler

 

MISTLE THRUSH

Drawing: Antoni

SongBird Survival/Mistle Thrush:

Description

"Though the mistle thrush can often be confused with other members of the thrush family, it is much larger than any other thrush in the UK.  Adults have grey-brown colouration on their back and neck, with white underwings, a long tail, and a spotted underside. The spots are more rounded than those seen on the song thrush (which are more arrow-shaped), and more evenly distributed across the chest, and mistle thrushes frequently have a small darker patch on their chests."

Diet

"The mistle thrush is often seen hopping about on the ground, foraging for insects and worms in the soil. They also eat seeds, fruit, and berries, having been names after their love for mistletoe berries."

Threats

"It is believed that mistle thrushes decline is due to reduced survival in juveniles, fledglings, and chicks, as is the case with many other thrush species here in the UK. There has also been a marked decline in their populations in farmland areas, likely due to the removal of hedgerows and agricultural intensification, reducing the amount of invertebrate prey."

Read the complete description: songbird-survival.org.uk/songbirds/mistle-thrush

 

NIGHTINGALE

Drawing: Eliora

SongBird Survival/Nightingale:

Description

"The nightingale is plain looking (compared to their song that is anything but!), with dull grey-brown underparts and red-brown back and rump. They have a pale ring around their eye, and paler grey neck. Their tail is longish and when perched often appears raised."

Diet

"Nightingales mostly feed on invertebrates, grubs, and berries. They are normally seen eating within deep cover of hedges or shrubs, foraging on the ground."

Threats

"One of the major threats to nightingales is believed to be due to habitat loss, where there is a need for very dense and low vegetation as well as scrubland to keep the nightingale protected from predation."

Read the complete description: songbird-survival.org.uk/songbirds/nightingale

 

RED-BACKED SHRIKE

Drawing: Hermon

SongBird Survival/Red-backed Shrike:

Description

"Red-backed shrikes are slightly larger than house sparrows. Males have a chestnut brown back and black feathers on the tips of their wings. Their head is grey with a characteristic black mask across their eyes. Their underparts are pale pink with a white/pale grey undertail."

Diet

"Red-backed Shrikes are opportunistic feeders and have a broad diet mainly consisting of invertebrates, but also including small mammals, birds, amphibians, and reptiles."

Threats

"Once a common breeding bird in the UK, red-backed shrikes have undergone significant declines. In the UK the declines are thought to be driven by intensification of agriculture which has led to a reduction in available prey and loss of suitable scrubby habitat. Afforestation has also led to a decrease in suitable habitat which highlights the importance of taking a wide view when undertaking conservation action..."

Read the complete description: songbird-survival.org.uk/songbirds/red-backed-shrike

 

RING OUZEL

Drawing: Eliora

SongBird Survival/Ring Ouzel:

Description

"These birds are about the same size and shape as a black bird but they can be told apart relatively easily. Male ring ouzels have black plumage with some white feathers around their body and wings which can give them a scaly look and at the top of their breast they have a white crescent."

Diet

"Ring Ouzel mainly eat invertebrates and berries and have been known to visit gardens."

Threats

"While there are clear declines in ring ouzel populations, the reasons for this are not well understood. One suggestion is that increased use of upland areas and therefore increased disturbance could be driving losses during the breeding season. Furthermore, over-grazing of upland areas causes a decrease in cover for nesting sites but also causes direct damage to active nests. Climate change is also thought to have impacted this species with decreased numbers seen after particularly warm summers in their breeding grounds or high rainfall in their wintering grounds..."

Read the complete description: songbird-survival.org.uk/songbirds/ring-ouzel

 

SAVI'S WARBLER

Drawing: Aiden

SongBird Survival:

Description

"Both male and female Savi’s warblers are rather plain birds, with warm brown upperparts and a pale breast. They are often seen clinging to reeds from where they make their insect-like call."

Diet

"Savi’s warblers feed primarily on insects but will also eat spiders and molluscs."

Threats

"Savi’s warblers are migratory birds that travel between Europe and Africa, only occasionally seen in the UK. They are reliant on wetland habitats like marshes and reedbeds that are vulnerable to human disturbance like drainage, as well as weather events like drought due to climate change."

 

SKYLARK

Drawing: Franca Vera

SongBird Survival/Skylark:

Description

"Skylarks have streaky brown upperparts, dark brown forked tails, and brown heads with pale buff eyebrows and big dark eyes. The most recognisable feature is the brown crest on the top of their head. They have light brown breasts, pale buff belly and throat. It is larger than the woodlark with a longer tail. Males and females look the same but males are slightly larger."

Diet

"Skylarks mainly eat invertebrates such as worms but will also eat seeds and grain. They are usually seen foraging on farmland or grassland but will sometimes catch insects in the air."

Threats

"As skylarks are common on farmland, the main threat to skylarks is the changing and intensification of agriculture. Changes in crops have led to decreases in their preferred crops and increases in crops that create unsuitable habitats, such as winter cereals and heavily grazed grassland. The change from spring sowing the autumn sowing has also decreased the opportunities for producing multiple broods which exacerbates any nest failures from disturbance or predation. Furthermore, the increased use of pesticides and weed killers has decreased the available food for this bird. Finally, grazing of grassland habitats and direct disturbance or predation from increased raptor populations have decreased nest success."

Read the complete description: songbird-survival.org.uk/songbirds/skylark

 

SPOTTED FLYCATCHER

Drawing: Jessica

SongBird Survival/Spotted Flycatcher:

Description

"Spotted flycatchers...have grey/brown upper parts and head with dark brown streaking on their crown and dark brown wings. Their underparts are a pale buff/white colour with brown streaking from the belly up to the throat/bib. Males and females look the same."

Diet

"Spotted flycatchers feed on flying insects by sitting on a perch and darting towards insects that fly past. When flying insects are scarce they will also forage for invertebrates in the vegetation and fruit is eaten during their large migration."

Threats

"Deterioration of habitat, including the loss of dead trees in which these birds nest, is thought to be one of the main drivers of declines in this species. Gardens have become important habitats for this species and nest failures are lowest in healthy garden habitats. Invasive predators such as grey squirrels have a significant negative impact on nest success in this species and are likely to drive further declines and make conservation efforts tricky. Increasing use of pesticides has also decreased the UK’s flying insect populations, reducing the available food for this species."

Read the complete description: songbird-survival.org.uk/songbirds/spotted-flycatcher

 

STARLING

Drawing: Niyall

SongBird Survival/Starling:

Description

"Starlings have glossy black feathers which have a green and blue-purple sheen in the sunlight. They have whitish spots in their plumage, a short tail and red-brown legs. Males have a blue base to their yellow, pointed bills, where females have a pink-based bill..."

Diet

"Starlings are generalists and eat a wide range of foods, including insects, fruits, and seeds. As their bills are pointed, they are skilled at probing the ground for earthworms and leatherjackets."

Threats

"It is hypothesised that reductions in insect availability may be proving challenging for starlings and reducing their first year, and adult survival. Insect declines are thought to be caused by pesticide use, land-use change and other agricultural practices along with climate change. More research is needed to ascertain the full picture for the reasons of the decline in starling populations."

Read the complete description: songbird-survival.org.uk/songbirds/starling

 

TREE PIPIT

Drawing: Nathan

SongBird Survival/Tree Pipit:

Description

"Tree pipits have sandy brown upperparts with dark streaks running down it, especially visible on the upper back. Its breast is buff with dark brown/black streaks while its belly is white with no clear streaking. They look very similar to meadow pipits but they have shorter hind claws and less clear streaking. The most effective way to tell pipits apart is by their calls with the meadow pipit giving a buzzy ‘spihz’ call."

Diet

"Tree Pipits mainly feed on invertebrates such as spiders but they will supplement their diet with fruit and seeds during the winter."

Threats

"Declines in the species have been attributed to changes in its preferred habitat. While plantations provide important habitats, tree pipits require varied ages of trees which are not provided by plantation woodlands. Tree pipits prefer mosaic woodlands with clearings and edge habitats that many plantations don’t provide. In upland areas decreases are thought to be caused by overgrazing and lack of woodland management..."

Read the complete description: songbird-survival.org.uk/songbirds/tree-pipit

 

TREE SPARROW

Drawing: Maddie

SongBird Survival/Tree Sparrow:

Description

"Telling the difference between tree and house sparrows can be tricky, one of the best things to remember is that tree sparrows are not present in UK urban areas. So if you see a sparrow in a city it is likely a house sparrow. Tree sparrows are also smaller than house sparrows and slightly more active, they have brown upper parts and light brown flanks, a white belly and breast, and black throat. They have a chestnut brown head and nape with a white collar and white cheeks with a visible black spot compared to the house sparrows' grey head and lack of black cheek spot."

Diet

"Tree sparrows eat mainly seeds and insects."

Threats

"The decline of tree sparrows in the UK has been attributed to the intensification of agriculture. The loss of winter stubble and the increased use of pesticides have caused a decrease in available food for tree sparrows. The loss of hedgerows and woodland edge habitat around UK farmland has caused further decreases by reducing available nesting sites. Pollution of the environment with heavy metals has also been shown to decrease nesting success."

Read the complete description: songbird-survival.org.uk/songbirds/tree-sparrow

 

TWITE

Drawing: Blanche

SongBird Survival/Twite:

Description

"The twite is a small brown finch about the size and shape of a linnet. They have brown backs with lots of lighter brown and dark streaking. They have a pale buff breast and belly with the streaking continuing on the breast, flanks, and throat...While males and females look very similar, the males can be identified by their pink rump."

Diet

"Twites only feed on seeds such as dandelion seeds, however, they are not known to use bird feeders."

Threats

"The twite has been red-listed since 1996, declines in Scotland and Ireland have been driven by overgrazing and changes in agricultural practices which reduce food availability and degrade their habitat. As they nest low to the ground, direct damage to active nests can also occur from grazing animals, humans, and pets. Climate-driven changes in the weather such as drier and warmer summers are also thought to be decreasing the populations."

Read the complete description: songbird-survival.org.uk/songbirds/twite

 

WHINCHAT

Drawing: Sophie

SongBird Survival/Whinchat:

Description

"Male whinchats have mottled brown upperparts and crowns with some white streaking and a short black tail. Their belly is pale buff with orange flanks, throat, and bib. Their heads are mottled brown with a white collar, white eyebrows, and black cheeks..."

Diet

"Whinchats mainly eat invertebrates such as spiders, dragonflies, and worms. In autumn they will supplement their diet with seeds and berries."

Threats

"Declines in whinchat populations are attributed to changes in agricultural practices. The main driver is earlier mowing dates of grassland areas. This not only causes the direct destruction of active nests but makes the nests more visible to predators. Furthermore, the young take a while to fly and avoid predators by sitting still in long grass and so they will likely be caught by early mowing. Damage to grassland habitats through the reduction in vegetation diversity and application of pesticides is also likely to decrease this population..."

Read the complete description: songbird-survival.org.uk/songbirds/whinchat

 

WILLOW TIT

Drawing: Deen

SongBird Survival/Willow Tit:

Description

"Willow tits are between blue tits and great tits in size and have grey upperparts tails and wings with lighter grey/buff underparts. They have black caps on their heads and white cheeks. Males and females look the same and they look very similar to Marsh tits...Willow tits have a pale panel on their wings which marsh tits do not have..."

Diet

"Willow tits primarily eat invertebrates but when invertebrate numbers drop in autumn and winter they will eat berries and seeds."

Threats

"Willow tits are declining more than any other resident bird species in the UK. The main driver of this decline is habitat loss and habitat change. These changes include management changes involving the removal of dead wood and the drying of our woodlands caused by changes in weather. Further declines are caused by competition with other tits that force willow tits out of their nest holes and increased predation by Greater Spotted Woodpeckers. The small range and dispersal distance of willow tits make these issues even more significant."

Read the complete description: songbird-survival.org.uk/songbirds/willow-tit

 

WOOD WARBLER

Drawing: Sofia

SongBird Survival/Wood Warbler:

Description

"Wood warblers are one of the largest leaf warblers in the UK, with olive-green upperparts and heads with black tips on the wing and tail feathers. They have bright yellow flanks and breasts which stand out against their white bellies. They have yellow bibs and cheeks and a yellow eyebrow stripe (or supercilium)..."

Diet

"Wood warblers primarily eat invertebrates such as flies, beetles, and spiders and forage from the forest floor to the tops of the trees. They will also eat berries and fruit when invertebrate numbers decline."

Threats

"The reasons for the long-term declines in wood warbler numbers are not well understood at all. Generic factors that impact similar birds such as droughts and habitat changes in the wintering grounds and loss of invertebrate prey due to increased pesticide use could be key drivers. While the loss of oak woodlands and reduction in oak health are thought to be important drivers of decline, little evidence has been found to support this. Changing management of oak woodlands over recent decades has been found to impact the populations of this species..."

Read the complete description: songbird-survival.org.uk/songbirds/wood-warbler

 

YELLOW WAGTAIL

Drawing: Furkan

SongBird Survival/Yellow Wagtail:

Description

"Yellow wagtails have olive-green upperparts and heads with black and white wing and tail feathers. Their underparts are a striking yellow colour which contrasts sharply with the wing feathers. They have a yellow throat and bib with a clear yellow eyebrow (or supercilium). The males are slightly brighter than the females and this species has shorter tails than the other two wagtail species in the UK."

Diet

"Yellow wagtails primarily eat small invertebrates such as flies and beetles but will sometimes eat seeds. They can be seen chasing insects that are kicked up by cattle."

Threats

"Due to their chosen food and the association with farmland, the declines in this species are thought to be strongly linked with agricultural intensification. The increased use of pesticides has driven a decline in available invertebrate prey, and changes in soil and farmland quality have reduced nesting sites and food availability. The draining of wetland sites to be used for farmland and the loss of large grass fields have also driven declines in this species. Furthermore, climate-driven droughts and habitat degradation in their wintering grounds are driving declines in this migratory species."

Read the complete description: songbird-survival.org.uk/songbirds/yellow-wagtail

 

YELLOWHAMMER

Drawing: Leo

SongBird Survival/Yellowhammer:

Description

"Yellowhammers are polymorphic, which means they have different plumages, with the male having the most colourful in the breeding season. Males feature bright yellow colouring on their heads, with small dark streaks. The birds' underparts have a dark-streaked red-brown colouration amongst their characteristic bright yellow and is another feature well worth looking out for."

Diet

"Their diet mostly consists of insects and invertebrates. In winter, seeds attract large numbers of yellowhammers, where they feed in flocks."

Threats

"The loss of hedgerows in agricultural landscapes has been a large contributor to the decline of this species, and a reduction in insect prey for feeding chicks. Pesticide use is thought to be responsible for much of this insect decline."

Read the complete description: songbird-survival.org.uk/songbirds/yellowhammer

 

FIELDFARE

Drawing: Mohammed

SongBird Survival/Fieldfare:

Description

"They are often seen in large feeding flocks of more than 200 individuals. The fieldfare has a chestnut brown back and wings with grey edges to the feathers, a black tail, and a blue/grey nape and head. Their belly is white and their breast is a light orange with black speckling on their flanks and breast. A white eyebrow stripe is sometimes visible."

Diet

"While wintering in the UK, their diet consists mainly of berries, such as holly and hawthorn, and fallen fruit. When they return to their breeding grounds their diet switches to invertebrates. "

Threats

"Conservation concerns surrounding fieldfares are not well understood at all, and while the population fluctuates annually, updated population estimates are needed. One of the only known drivers of population change is winter severity with extremely severe winters thought to be the reason this species went extinct in Greenland in the 1960s. Loss of suitable habitat containing healthy winter berry populations or change in berry crop is also likely to drive population declines in the future as it already drives annual variation."

Read the complete description: songbird-survival.org.uk/songbirds/fieldfare

 

BLACK REDSTART

Drawing: Bettie

SongBird Survival/Black Redstart:

Description

"The black redstart is a similar size to a robin, with a longer quivering tail. Males have a light grey body with a black face, throat and bill, and white streaks on the wing. They differ from common redstarts in that they have a grey breast compared to the red breast of a redstart...Both sexes sport a bright red tail with a single black band down the middle."

Diet

"Black redstarts are mainly insectivorous and feed on a variety of invertebrates but will occasionally eat seeds and berries."

Threats

"The biggest threat to the black redstart is the development of our cities, which leads to the loss of cavities and imperfections in which they nest. As they nest in industrial areas, such as along railways and quarries, they are also at risk of accidental removal or damage. Due to the low breeding numbers in the UK, any loss through development could be detrimental to the UK’s population. To help maintain breeding sites in London roofs made from crushed concrete and brick have been installed to provide nesting sites."

Read the complete description: songbird-survival.org.uk/songbirds/black-redstart

 

BULLFINCH

Drawing: Antoni

SongBird Survival/Bullfinch:

Description

"Bullfinches are one of the easier birds to identify in the UK, with their characteristic red-pink breast and cheeks. The name is said to describe the bull-like appearance of the bird with its compact, neck-less body shape and short, deep bill. Males sport this plumage in the brightest of reds, whereas females are duller in comparison with a grey-pink breast, brown back, and cheeks. Both sexes have the distinctive black cap, white rump, and black tail. The tail is slightly forked, and the legs are brown."

Diet

"Bullfinches have a changeable diet along with the seasons.  Its round bill is used to eat flowers, buds and shoots when they first appear in spring. Flower buds are their favourite as they are more nutritious and can eat up to 30 a minute! In summertime into winter, they tend to eat more seeds and berries..."

Threats

"The destruction of our native woodland and hedgerows has no doubt contributed to the population decline seen in bullfinches over the last 50 years. The intensification and improvement of agricultural practices may also have a knock-on effect, with less seed available during the colder months."

Read the complete description: songbird-survival.org.uk/songbirds/bullfinch

 

DARTFORD WARBLER

Drawing: Eliora

SongBird Survival/Dartford Warbler:

Description

"The Dartford warbler is a small, long-tailed bird with a grey head and upper parts and red breast. It has a distinctive red ring around its eyes and white streaking can sometimes be seen on the throat. It blends in well with heathland vegetation but can be spotted at the top of gorse bushes while it sings during the breeding season. Males and females of this species look alike."

Diet

"Dartford warblers eat mainly invertebrates but will eat berries outside of the breeding season when insect numbers are low..."

Threats

"Dartford warblers are very susceptible to cold weather and cold winters and low temperatures in 2009, 2010, and 2018 dramatically reduced the population. Climate change and unpredictable weather patterns could be detrimental to these birds as successive cold winters could lead to their extinction in the UK...While wildfires create an ideal habitat for this species, the increased frequency and intensity of these fires, due to climate change, could have detrimental impacts on the population. Large continuous areas of heathland are essential for the survival of this species and the loss of this heathland to fire and human expansion not only directly reduces the population but impacts its ability to recover. This species, as with many ground-nesting birds, is also negatively affected by disturbance, especially from walkers and their dogs."

Read the complete description: songbird-survival.org.uk/songbirds/dartford-warbler

 

DIPPER

Drawing: Jessica

SongBird Survival/Dipper:

Description

"The dipper is a short-tailed and compact bird which is built for the waterways. Their tail is often cocked, and their upper body is a very dark brown, almost black looking in some lights.  The dipper has a rusty brown head and underbelly, with a large stark white bib in contrast..."

Diet

"Dippers forage in freshwater streams and rivers, feeding on an array of small invertebrate prey."

Threats

"Research has shown that dippers are particularly sensitive to the pH levels in water environments, and more acidic streams can cause issues in reproduction and survival. These vast changes in acidity are often related to high levels of pollution in these stream environments. Other studies have found that dippers are also sensitive to fluctuations water levels and in temperature, as in harsh and cold winters the waterways may freeze, limiting their ability to forage."

Read the complete description: songbird-survival.org.uk/songbirds/dipper

 

DUNNOCK

Drawing: Antoni

SongBird Survival/Dunnock:

Description

"The dunnock is more often referred to as a ‘hedge sparrow’. Both adult sexes look alike, with heavily streaked back and cap with grey face, throat, and breast. They sport thin dark bills, and orange brown legs, with rich black streaks on their wings..."

Diet

"Dunnocks can be found foraging on the ground, hopping about close to bushes due to their shy nature. They eat mainly insects and seeds, with a preference for beetles..."

Threats

"Dunnocks are amber listed on the birds of conservation concern and, although their population showed recovery between 2005 and 2015, dunnocks have since experienced consistent declines, returning to their 1995 numbers. Though the causes of decline are not known, it is thought to be due to changes in agriculture and the loss of hedgerows in some parts of the country. The move from over-winter stubbles has left many birds with a lack of food for the winter months, causing declines in farmland bird species. Furthermore, predation may be an issue as a European ringing study has found that dunnocks have some of the highest rates of predation by domestic cats, with over 36% of dunnocks ringed predated by cats."

Read the complete description: songbird-survival.org.uk/songbirds/dunnock

 

GREY WAGTAIL

Drawing: Jessica

SongBird Survival/Grey Wagtail:

Description

"During the breeding season, males have grey upperparts, a yellow rump, and black wings with white streaks. They have a black tail with white streaks which is noticeably longer than that of its close relative the yellow wagtail. They have a bright yellow breast and undertail. The head is mostly grey with a white/yellow eyebrow, a black bill, and a black bib. Outside of the breeding season, the yellow colours are lighter..."

Diet

"Grey wagtails eat insects that they can catch near the water sources where they breed but will also eat spiders and small crustaceans..."

Threats

"While the population of Grey wagtails has not reduced over the last 25 years they are not showing any signs of population increases. As with other birds that rely on river bank habitats, the loss and reduction in quality of these habitats may threaten the grey wagtail. However, it has been that the quality of the water has not severely impacted the population. They are very vulnerable to severe winters so increasingly unpredictable weather may drive short-term but significant population declines."

Read the complete description: songbird-survival.org.uk/songbirds/grey-wagtail

 

MEADOW PIPIT

Drawing: Raheem

SongBird Survival/Meadow Pipit:

Description

"Meadow pipits...plumage allows them to blend in with the surrounding vegetation. They have brown upperparts with black streaks on their head and back. Their underparts are white with the brown streaking continuing to the underwing. The meadow pipit has pale pinkish legs with a large hind claw, which can set them apart from the rock pipits’ black legs. It has a slightly smaller, less sturdy bill than the tree pipit, but these species can be hard to tell apart..."

Diet

"The meadow pipit diet is nearly exclusively invertebrates such as flies, beetles, and moths, but they sometimes supplement their diet with seeds."

Threats

"Meadow pipits face several threats in the UK, mainly the intensification of agriculture, which includes an increase in pesticide use and the removal of insect populations on which this bird feeds. The intensity of sheep grazing on open grassland also has a clear effect on their population. Conservation efforts that involve the expansion of woodland have also driven declines in meadow pipit populations through the loss of open grassland...Climate change is also likely to drive the decline of this partial migrant due to droughts and a lack of food at their wintering grounds as well as increasing wildfires in UK upland areas..."

Read the complete description: songbird-survival.org.uk/songbirds/meadow-pipit

 

PARROT CROSSBILL

Drawing: Jimena

SongBird Survival/Parrot Crossbill:

Description

"Female and male parrot crossbills do not look alike, they share a thick, strong, blunt-looking bill that crosses over at the tip and a forked tail. Males have brick-red upperparts and heads, with some black markings on their cheeks, and black wings while their underparts are a light red/orange colour. Females are olive-green with black wings and a grey head, their tail is a slightly more grey colour compared to the males' black tail."

Diet

"They mainly eat conifer seeds, such as pine, which their bill has adapted perfectly for. During the breeding season, they will also eat insects and feed invertebrates to their young..."

Threats

"Assessing the population of parrot crossbills can be difficult due to the irruptive migration of individuals depending on food availability, so not a lot is known about their population change. As with other crossbill species, the parrot crossbill relies on conifer woodland, so the loss of mature conifer forests is likely the main driver of any declines. Climate change may also drive a reduction of pine cones, reducing the available food."

Read the complete description: songbird-survival.org.uk/songbirds/parrot-crossbill

 

PIED FLYCATCHER

Drawing: Isabell

SongBird Survival/Pied Flycatcher:

Description

"Pied flycatchers are slightly smaller than house sparrows and relatively easy to identify. Male pied flycatchers have mostly black backs and heads, except for large white spots on the wings and two small white spots on their foreheads. Females have mottled brown backs with the same white wing spots and forehead spots. Both the males and females have white underparts."

Diet

"During the breeding season, pied flycatchers eat invertebrates such as caterpillars and flying insects, which they hunt skilfully from a perch..."

Threats

"Pied Flycatchers underwent declines in the early 2000s and while this levelled out they are not recovering at a high rate. They face a number of threats such as climate-driven droughts in the wintering grounds and the loss of invertebrates through pesticide use. The main concern for this species is climate change which affects this species in a very specific way. Warmer temperatures have caused their favoured prey (caterpillars) to come out earlier in the year. The timing of the pied flycatcher’s migration has not responded to this and therefore there is not sufficient food for both the adults and the young. This has increased nest failures and reduced the number of successful fledglings."

Read the complete description: songbird-survival.org.uk/songbirds/pied-flycatcher

 

REDSTART

Drawing: Nathan

SongBird Survival/Redstart:

Description

"Redstarts are identifiable by their quivering bright orange tails, which both males and females have, and their robin-like motion. Males also have a rich red breast and grey back as well as a black face which contrasts their white forehead...They look similar to the black redstart but only redstarts have bright red breast feathers."

Diet

"Their diet mainly consists of invertebrates such as spiders and worms but they will supplement it with berries..."

Threats

"Redstarts underwent severe declines during the 1960s, which was thought to be caused by droughts in their wintering grounds. With climate-driven droughts continuing in areas of trans-Saharan Africa, the population could undergo sharp declines in the near future. The use of pesticides and loss of suitable habitat may also drive decreases in this population through the loss of invertebrate prey and suitable nesting holes. However, there is little evidence to suggest that this will cause large-scale declines. The loss of suitable habitat due to changes in forestry management, especially the removal of ground vegetation, could lead to a reduction in nesting sites and food sources."

Read the complete description: songbird-survival.org.uk/songbirds/redstart

 

REDWING

Drawing: Blanche

SongBird Survival/Redwing:

Description

"The redwing is the UK’s smallest thrush and can be easily mistaken for a fieldfare, which it often feeds with. Redwings can be identified by its characteristic red underwing and clear white eyebrow stripe (or supercilium). They have chestnut-brown upperparts and cream/white underparts with brown streaking that runs along the belly, breast, and throat. Male and female redwings look the same."

Diet

"They feed mainly on berries, fruits, and worms. If food is scarce or conditions harsh then they will venture into gardens to look for food..."

Threats

"Not a lot is known about the threats that Redwings face, especially in the UK where population estimates are difficult. Populations are known to fluctuate based on harsh winter conditions and berry crops. Increasingly unpredictable weather caused by climate change may negatively impact this population. Loss of low dense vegetation caused by habitat loss and over-grazing may also reduce the already small breeding population in Scotland. Redwing is also illegally trapped in the Mediterranean."

Read the complete description: songbird-survival.org.uk/songbirds/redwing

 

REED BUNTING

Drawing: Sophie

SongBird Survival/Reed Bunting:

Description

"These birds are about the size of sparrows but slimmer with a clearly forked tail. The males have streaky brown and black upper parts and wings, dark brown tails with white edges, a white nape, a black head, and a white moustache..."

Diet

"Their diet mainly consists of seeds and insects..."

Threats

"Previous declines have been attributed to changes in agricultural practices which significantly reduced food availability during the winter months. The reduction in spring tillage and the increased application of pesticides have greatly reduced the available insect prey during the early breeding season. The loss and fragmentation of wetland habitats have been shown to decrease suitable nesting sites and increase the risk of nest predation due to a decrease in dense coverage..."

Read the complete description: songbird-survival.org.uk/songbirds/reed-bunting

 

ROOK

Drawing: Aiden

SongBird Survival/Rook:

Description

"Rooks are quite easily distinguished from the similar carrion crow, they both have full coverage of black plumage, however, the rook has a pale bill and a bare grey face at the base of their bill. They also have a more cone-shaped head and feathers on their legs which look like a pair of trousers, which no other UK corvids have."

Diet

"Similar to other corvids, rooks are not fussy eaters, they will eat almost anything from worms to small mammals, birds, eggs, and carrion."

Threats

"While rook populations have decreased since 2000, the causes of this decline are not well understood. Licenced killing of rooks is legal in the UK, however, this alone is unlikely to significantly impact their population. However, when combined with changes in agricultural practices such as the application of pesticides and seed dressings (treating seeds with antibacterial substances before sowing) could be enough to drive the decreases seen."

Read the complete description: songbird-survival.org.uk/songbirds/rook

 

SCOTTISH CROSSBILL

Drawing: Eliora

SongBird Survival:

Description

"Male Scottish crossbills are brick red with black wings and tails and white undertail. Contrastingly, the females have green plumage with the same black wings and tail and white undertail."

Diet

"Scottish crossbill feed on seeds from conifer cones, mainly pinecones, to which their bill has perfectly adapted. They can be seen acrobatically hanging from branches as they pick pine seeds from the cones. They may visit feeders that are filled with pine seeds."

Threats

"Scottish crossbills are reliant on healthy mature conifer forests which provide their preferred food source. The decline of suitable conifer forests has reduced their available nesting and feeding sites."

 

SEDGE WARBLER

Drawing: Blanche

SongBird Survival/Sedge Warbler:

Description

"Sedge warblers have brown upperparts with some dark brown streaking, black wings with light brown edges to the feathers, a cinnamon-coloured rump and a dark brown tail. Their head is the same brown colour as their back, with a white stripe above their eye. Their underwing is a pale yellow colour and their breast and throat are white."

Diet

"Sedge warblers will primarily eat invertebrates such as moths, beetles and worms but they will supplement their diet with berries in autumn and winter."

Threats

"Sedge warbler populations fluctuate year to year, this is mainly driven by changes in rainfall in their overwintering sites. Climate-driven droughts or heavy rainfall decrease survival by reducing the supply of food available before their migration. Changes in their preferred wetland and waterside habitats in the UK through habitat loss and degradation are also likely to drive population declines."

Read the complete description: songbird-survival.org.uk/songbirds/sedge-warbler

 

SNOW BUNTING

Drawing: Noah

SongBird Survival/Snow Bunting:

Description

"During the breeding season, males have white underparts and neck which starkly contrasts their black wings and black markings on the crown. Outside of the breeding season, the contrast becomes less obvious with brown feathers appearing between the areas of black and white..."

Diet

"Snow buntings have varied diets including seeds, buds, invertebrates, and, if they are in coastal areas, small crustaceans."

Threats

"Breeding Snow Bunting populations have remained relatively stable since the 1990s but declines in coastal breeding populations in Europe have been driven by coastal projects. Future climate is also likely to decrease these populations through loss of suitable habitat, increased parasite intensity, and temperature increases. The Scottish breeding populations lie at the very south of the breeding range and so any temperature increases are likely to decrease the breeding populations in Scotland."

Read the complete description: songbird-survival.org.uk/songbirds/snow-bunting

 

SONG THRUSH

Drawing: Emily

SongBird Survival/Song Thrush:

Description

"Song thrushes have brown upperparts and heads which contrasts the pale underparts with brown specks, which sometimes look like upside-down hearts. The pale streaky colour continues on their throat and bib...It looks similar to the mistle thrush but is smaller and has a warmer brown colour."

Diet

"Song thrushes mainly worms and snails bit will eat fruit as well."

Threats

"Declines in song thrush populations have been widely attributed to changes in agricultural practices leading to a decrease in available food and loss of hedgerows. Drainage of farmland leads to a loss of topsoil full of earthworms. While song thrushes are one of the main carriers of B. garinii (one of the bacteria that causes Lyme disease), it has little impact on the bird. This species is also sensitive to adverse weather conditions, so increasingly unpredictable weather may adversely affect these birds."

Read the complete description: songbird-survival.org.uk/songbirds/song-thrush

 

WHEATEAR

Drawing: Tei

SongBird Survival/Wheatear:

Description

"Wheatears are about the size of a robin, mainly seen running or jumping along the ground. The male has a grey back which contrasts the black wings, they have pale buff breasts with some orange colouration on the throat and bib. The crown is grey and they sport a black eye stripe which looks like a bandit mask..."

Diet

"Wheatears primarily eat invertebrates such as beetles, ants, and worms but in autumn they will supplement their diet with berries."

Threats

"Wheatear populations have declined as a result of habitat change caused by agricultural intensification and urbanisation. This has reduced the suitable short vegetation on which the species relies. Further reductions have been seen in areas where populations of other grazing animals such as rabbits and sheep have reduced. Reduction in burrowing animals also drives decreases due to loss of nesting sites. As with many of our summer visitors who spend the winters in Africa, climate-driven droughts in these areas have driven population declines and will likely drive further declines in the future."

Read the complete description: songbird-survival.org.uk/songbirds/wheatear

 

WHITETHROAT

Drawing: Dua

SongBird Survival/Whitethroat:

Description

"Their whitethroat, which is more clear on males, is a distinguishing feature of this rather drab bird. They have brown upperparts, wings, and tail and a grey head, which again is more clear on the males. Their underside is a pale buff colour."

Diet

"Whitethroats primarily eat invertebrates such as caterpillars and beetles, especially during the breeding season. Outside of the breeding season, as invertebrate numbers decrease, they will supplement their diet with berries."

Threats

"The whitethroat is recovering in the UK but still faces threats that may be important in the future. The biggest declines in whitethroat populations have been caused by droughts in their wintering grounds. Future climate-driven droughts could cause another large-scale decline in the population. Loss of suitable habitat may also be limiting the recovery and potentially driving declines in this species. Agricultural intensification and loss of hedgerows have decreased the available suitable habitat and decreased food supply through the use of pesticides."

Read the complete description: songbird-survival.org.uk/songbirds/whitethroat

 

WILLOW WARBLER

Drawing: Alma

SongBird Survival/Willow Warbler:

Description

"Willow warblers are small warblers with green upperparts and heads and pale buff bellies. Their flanks, breast, and throat have yellow tinges to them and they have a yellow eyebrow stripe (also known as the supercilium)..."

Diet

"Willow Warblers eat a range of invertebrates but will also supplement their diet with berries and fruit."

Threats

"Population trends differ across the UK, with declines seen in England and Wales but increases seen in Scotland and Northern Ireland. It is thought that these populations migrate to different areas of Southern Africa which may be driving these differences. As with other migratory birds, climate-driven droughts in their winter grounds could be driving declines. Changing habitat and habitat loss are also driving declines in the UK, especially in southern regions..."

Read the complete description: songbird-survival.org.uk/songbirds/willow-warbler

 

WREN

Drawing: Jensila

SongBird Survival/Wren:

Description

"Wrens are small and look almost completely round, with short neck and their stout little tails often held completely vertically against their body. Their legs look especially thin and long against their rotund bodies, and they are warm brown in colouration, with a lighter eye stripe and pale underbelly. Wrens have barring across their body and a long thin bill..."

Diet

"The wrens diet is mainly insects and spiders, but they will eat a variety of foods, including seeds and berries during the autumn and winter months."

Threats

"Wrens are listed as amber species on the birds of conservation concern species list, however only particular subspecies are in decline, including many that reside in the outlying Scottish islands. Cold winter weather has been shown to reduce survival in wren populations, and so extreme weather events (such as cold snaps) may have long-lasting effects on these populations if they occur more frequently."

Read the complete description: songbird-survival.org.uk/songbirds/wren

 

BEARDED TIT

Drawing: Emily

SongBird Survival/Bearded Tit:

Description

"Male bearded tits are a cinnamon brown colour with a grey breast and head, with the characteristic black moustache and clear orange bill. Females and juveniles have cinnamon brown back and head with a grey breast. Both have black, white, and brown flight feathers on their upper wing and a long tail, which helps them balance as they perform their distinctive straddle. They are slightly bigger than a long-tailed tit."

Diet

"Bearded tits have an amazing ability to completely switch their diet between summer and winter. In summer they are insectivorous, eating the invertebrates that live in the reeds, however in winter, when insect numbers are low, their diet consists of seeds. "

Threats

"While the bearded tit’s UK conservation status is least concern, there are a relatively low number of breeding pairs in the UK, due to the limited available habitat. Bearded tits require reedbeds to survive meaning the loss of these habitats is detrimental. Reedbed fires on the Wirrel marshland and Dee estuary have caused largescale damage to these habitats which may take several years to recover..."

Read the complete description: songbird-survival.org.uk/songbirds/bearded-tit

 

BLACKBIRD

Drawing: Alma

SongBird Survival/Blackbird:

Description

"The blackbird is one of the most common UK birds and a very familiar sight in our parks and gardens. Male blackbirds have a glossy black plumage, a distinctive bright orange-yellow bill, and eye rings. Females share this yellow bill (but it is slightly duller than males) but their plumage is dark brown in colour, often with spotted underparts..."

Diet

"Blackbirds are soft-billed generalists, so struggle to deal with tough seeds and grain but will eat suet, insects, worms, raisins, and other kitchen scraps. They do eat more unusual food including tadpoles, newts, and small fish. In the autumn, they will often spend much of their time eating berries and windfall fruits, which they will aggressively defend from other birds."

Threats

"Though populations are increasing in other parts of the world, the decline in Britain is thought to be due to intensification of agricultural practices and loss of hedgerows, where they often nest. Blackbird lifespan is between 3 - 4 years, but the oldest blackbird ever recorded lived to the ripe old age of 20."

Read the complete description: songbird-survival.org.uk/songbirds/blackbird

 

BLACKCAP

Drawings: Mason and Ama

SongBird Survival/Blackcap:

Description

"This understated warbler is grey-brown with its distinctive black or red-brown cap (crown and forehead), and a little smaller than a house sparrow. The male has grey-brown upper parts, pale grey underparts and a grey face and throat, and a glossy black cap. The female is similar but has browner upperparts, buff underparts, and a red-brown cap..."

Diet

"During the breeding season, blackcaps take mostly insects from leaves and foliage to feed their young. However, in wintertime, they are particularly partial to fruits and berries, especially mistletoe berries."

Threats

"Blackcaps are listed as green under the birds of conservation concern and as least concern on the red list. No conservation actions are currently recommended for this species as populations are significantly increasing. Threats to them would likely be the same as many other species however, with factors such as climate change and habitat loss."

Read the complete description: songbird-survival.org.uk/songbirds/blackcap

 

BLUE TIT

Drawing: Dua

SongBird Survival/Blue Tit:

Description

"One of the easiest birds to identify in UK gardens, with delightful colours of blue, yellow, white, and green in their plumage, they rarely fail to make us smile. Blue tits sport bright blue caps with white cheeks and a dark line through their eye. Their tails and wing feathers are bright blue, with white wing bars. Both sexes are similar in appearance, both showcasing the yellow breast and underside, though the female is slightly paler."

Diet

"Blue tits are successful generalists and can eat a wide variety of foods including insects, seeds, berries, nuts, and pollen. They will use their strong legs and claws to hang at any angle and investigate clusters of buds or pick off a caterpillar from a leaf..."

Threats

"Blue tits are currently of least concern globally and ranked green on the birds of conservation concern here within the UK. The factors that may threaten this species are the same as many others, with climate change, agricultural intensification, and habitat loss at the forefront. European ringing recovery data also shows that the predation rate by cats of blue tits was approximately 32% over the years 2000-2015, so predation by domestic cats is also a concern. Our win-win solutions for how to prevent cat predation can provide guidance to cat owners and bird lovers alike."

Read the complete description: songbird-survival.org.uk/songbirds/blue-tit

 

CARRION CROW

Drawing: Clara

SongBird Survival/Carrion Crow:

Description

"These crows can often be mistaken for other members of the Corvidae family such as rooks and ravens. Carrion crows have glossy all-black feathers, and, unlike rooks, they have an all-black beak with no bare patches, and no visible feathers on their legs. They are smaller than ravens with a longer more slender beak and square tail compared to the ravens pointed...Carrion crows are monomorphic, meaning that the males and females look identical, and can only be sexed with highly accurate measures..."

Diet

"Carrion crows are scavengers and will eat almost anything they can get their beaks on from seeds to eggs, and as their names suggests, carrion. They are often disliked as they feed on carcasses, but they play a vital role in the removal of dead material from their habitats and our cities."

Threats

"Carrion crows are successful all over the UK and face few threats. However, carrion crows are often persecuted due to damage they can cause to livestock and crops. In the UK it is legal to trap and kill carrion crows with a licence. With the definition of livestock being expanded to include gamebirds, persecution of carrion crows is likely to increase. While evidence suggests that crows have a minor impact on prey populations there is some evidence that they can impact the productivity of prey species."

Read the complete description: songbird-survival.org.uk/songbirds/carrion-crow

 

CETTI'S WARBLER

Drawing: Ama

SongBird Survival/Cetti's Warbler:

Description

"The Cetti’s warbler is a small stocky bird with a chestnut brown back and head, a grey belly and breast, and a pale almost white throat. They have a relatively long tail which is often cocked upwards like that of a wren...While the male is slightly bigger, they are monomorphic, meaning males and females look almost identical and are difficult to tell apart."

Diet

"Cetti’s Warblers are insectivorous and feed mostly on insects and their larvae. They usually take these insects from the ground but can occasionally be seen taking them from the surface of the water or in flight..."

Threats

"While the Cetti’s Warbler is doing very well in the UK common threats such as habitat loss may drive a population decrease. Cetti’s Warblers inhabit very specific and relatively fragile ecosystems such as reedbeds and river bank (riparian) habitats. The loss of these habitats through development or fires, such as the Wirral reedbed fires, could endanger these small warblers."

Read the complete description: songbird-survival.org.uk/songbirds/cettis-warbler

 

CHAFFINCH

Drawing: Tei

SongBird Survival/Chaffinch:

Description

"The males are colourful with double white wing bars, a pinkish-peach breast with a blue-grey crown and nape. Our male chaffinch is cleverly adapted for camouflage whilst eating on the ground, only showing its green rump and brown back when looking from above. The flash of white on the underside of its wings add to its distinguishing features. The female however is rather dull in comparison, having an olive green back and grey underparts..."

Diet

"In summertime, like many songbirds, the chaffinch catches mainly insects, especially caterpillars to feed chicks.  Year round they also feed on seeds, beech-mast, grain, and berries..."

Threats

"Though chaffinches have had a long-term increase in their population numbers, recently they have undergone a decrease thought to be related to trichomonosis. Reduced adult survival has been as the source of this decline, and the transmission of disease has long been linked to supplementary feeding at garden feeding stations."

Read the complete description: songbird-survival.org.uk/songbirds/chaffinch

 

CHIFFCHAFF

Drawings: Dante and Haris

SongBird Survival/Chiffchaff:

Description

"The chiffchaff is one of the UK’s smallest birds. It has a brown/olive green back and wings, a whitish buff belly, and yellowish tinge on flanks and throat. The eye stripe of the chiffchaff is relatively muted compared to some other warbler species. They are often confused with willow warblers but there are a few ways to tell them apart. Chiffchaffs are smaller and have dark legs compared to the willow warblers’ lighter brown legs...Male and female chiffchaffs look the same."

Diet

"Chiffchaffs are insectivorous and eat mostly insects and spiders and can sometimes be seen catching prey on the wing..."

Threats

"Although chiffchaffs are doing well in the UK, common threats such as climate change and habitat loss can impact the population. Climate change has led to drought in the chiffchaffs' wintering ground in Northern Africa. This means that there is not enough food for them to recover from their migration or prepare for the next one. In the UK the loss of woodland habitats could drive a decrease in the population of chiffchaffs."

Read the complete description: songbird-survival.org.uk/songbirds/chiffchaff

 

CHOUGH

Drawing: Clara

SongBird Survival/Chough:

Description

"Choughs are a small black crow that are easily distinguished by their matching bright red legs and beak. If you get close enough you can see that the iris of the Chough is also red...Choughs are known for their aerial acrobatics and can often be seen somersaulting around cliff faces."

Diet

"Choughs use their long slender beak to probe for insects and larvae on heathlands or grazed grassland. Flocks can be seen feeding in these areas in autumn and winter."

Threats

"While Choughs are green listed, they still face several threats such as changes in grazing land. Choughs rely on grazing land to feed and the loss of this land to forestry makes it difficult to find enough food...Tourists have also been shown to have a significant effect on Chough populations, with juvenile survival being lowest during the peak tourist season. A final major concern for our Chough populations is their lack of genetic diversity which can have significant impacts on the population through disease and decreased adaptability. Due to historic persecution and hunting, many of the UK’s populations are isolated from each other which can lead to an inbreeding depression..."

Read the complete description: songbird-survival.org.uk/songbirds/chough

 

COAL TIT

Drawing: Jensila

SongBird Survival/Coal Tit:

Description

"Coal tits are the smallest of the British tits, and unlike the other common tits (blue tits, great tits), they support no distinctive bright blue, yellow or green in their plumage. Coal tits have a striking black head, with white cheek patches and a white patch on the nape of their neck. They have buff underparts, with an olive-greyish back and white bars on the wings. Males and females look alike..."

Diet

"Coal tits eat mainly insects in the summer months, with a particular love for small spiders and their eggs, but they will also feed on seeds and nuts."

Threats

"Coal tits are currently green listed and are not in decline in the UK. However, they do suffer from many of the same threats as our other songbirds. Climate change, and cold winters are thought to have some effect on coal tits and their ability to survive, and urbanisation may decrease available habitat. Although coal tits rarely feed on the ground, previous research has found that coal tits are also susceptible to predation by cats (up to 17% predated based on European ringing recovery data from 2000-2015)."

Read the complete description: songbird-survival.org.uk/songbirds/coal-tit

 

CRESTED TIT

Drawings: Yossi and Elisha

SongBird Survival/Crested Tit:

Description

"The crested tits’ body looks similar to that of other tits with brown/green back and white breast, but it can be easily distinguished from other tits by its head. It has a black collar that leads into a black throat and black eye stripes curve around each cheek. Finally, the characteristic black and white crest can either be upright on flattened on its head, either way, it is visible. Males and females of this species look identical."

Diet

"Like other tits, the crested tit feeds mainly on invertebrates and pine seeds. In winter they can be seen in mixed species flocks with other tits, during this time they will also store food which they will use in early spring."

Threats

"In the UK crested tits are only found in Northern Scotland, where during the 18^th Century they suffered significant losses due to the destruction of Caledonian pine forests. While this species is present in both natural Caledonian pine forests and plantations, the density in Caledonian forests is ten times higher than in the plantations..."

Read the complete description: songbird-survival.org.uk/songbirds/crested-tit

 

COMMON (RED) CROSSBILL

Drawing: Pelle

SongBird Survival/Common Crossbill:

Description

"...Male common crossbills have bright red heads and bodies with black wings and a black forked tail whereas the females are a yellowish colour with the same black wings and forked tail. Identifying crossbills is made easy by their characteristic crossed bill, however differentiating between the three UK species is very difficult. The parrot crossbill is slightly bigger with a chunkier bill but is only found in a few populations around the UK. The Scottish crossbill is smaller and is only found in Northern Scotland."

Diet

"Common Crossbills almost exclusively eat seeds from conifers, which their bill has adapted perfectly to. They undergo irruptive migrations if there is not a good enough supply of conifer seeds..."

Threats

"Assessing the population of common crossbills can be difficult due to the irruptive migration driven by food shortages on the continent which makes the population highly variable. This species relies on conifer forests and so the main threat to common crossbills is the loss of this habitat through deforestation or harvesting of plantations. The changing climate may also reduce the production of pine cones, forcing these irruptive migrations and reducing the available food."

Read the complete description: songbird-survival.org.uk/songbirds/common-crossbill

 

FIRECREST

Drawing: Noah

SongBird Survival/Firecrest:

Description

"Firecrests resemble goldcrests in size, sound, and appearance but there are a few ways to tell them apart. The firecrest has an olive green back with black and white streaks on the wings and a white belly. Males have a bright orange crown, hence the name, that is lined with black on either side, while the female crown is more yellow. These colours are more distinct on a firecrest than on a goldcrest. The easiest way to tell them apart is the white line above the eye that is only present on firecrests."

Diet

"Fire crests are insectivorous and eat mainly small invertebrates such as spiders and moth eggs."

Threats

"Firecrests are currently green-listed and so no conservation actions are currently undertaken for this species. Their populations are expanding and the breeding numbers in the UK are increasing. Threats to this species will likely come from the loss of suitable conifer habitats with which they are often associated."

Read the complete description: songbird-survival.org.uk/songbirds/firecrest

 

GARDEN WARBLER

Drawing: Moriah

SongBird Survival/Garden Warbler:

Description

"[Garden Warblers] are one of the UK’s most non-descript birds with brown upperparts, wings and head, beige underparts, and a black bill and eyes. This bird blends in well with its surroundings and is often heard and not seen. What they lack in appearance they make up for with their beautiful, whistling song..."

Diet

"During the breeding season, their diet mainly consists of invertebrates such as caterpillars and worms. Outside of the breeding season and during their migration they are frugivores meaning they eat mostly fruits and berries..."

Threats

"While the Garden Warbler is green-listed, studies indicate that it may be in long-term decline caused by several threats that may put it at risk in the future. Droughts in their over-wintering ground may lead to a reduction in the available food and reduce their energy stores for migration. In the UK the loss of suitable woodland and scrub habitat may reduce the available nesting areas for this bird and so reduce their productivity. The spread of invasive species, such as Japanese Knotweed, in Europe, has been shown to adversely affect this bird...Finally, garden warblers are particularly susceptible to damage caused by deer as they nest low to the ground."

Read the complete description: songbird-survival.org.uk/songbirds/garden-warbler

 

GOLDCREST

Drawing: Phoenix

SongBird Survival/Goldcrest:

Description

"Along with the firecrest, the goldcrest is Europe’s smallest bird. They are tiny, and almost look neckless with dull greyish-green backs. Goldcrests have a pale belly and a black and yellow stripe on their heads, which has an orange centre in males. They have broad white v-shaped bars on their wings which contrast with the darker black shade of the wing feathers. They look most similar to the firecrest, but lack the bright white stripe over their eye, and are duller in colouration."

Diet

"Goldcrests thin bills are ideal for eating tiny insects, spiders, and moth eggs as part of their diet. When food is plentiful, they often can be seen foraging whilst hovering to save time."

Threats

"Goldcrests are of green status here in the UK, and least concern globally.  Due to their small size, they can be affected by harsh winter weather as they struggle to stay warm and dry. Providing food, water and shelter during these times may help to maintain the populations."

Read the complete description: songbird-survival.org.uk/songbirds/goldcrest

 

GOLDFINCH

Drawing: Jake

SongBird Survival/Goldfinch:

Description

"Adult goldfinches have a distinctive red face with a black cap and black around the eyes.  Their pale sharp bill, perfectly suited to removing seeds from plants. Their backs are brown, with black wings with a striking broad yellow panel. The goldfinch’s breast is a light brown-grey..."

Diet

"The goldfinch is a specialist seed feeder. Its fine beak is perfectly adapted to extracting seeds from plants. They love to extract the seeds from thistles and teasels. They forage less frequently on the ground and normally concentrate on seeds that occur on medium height bushes and plants..."

Threats

"Goldfinches are of green status herein the UK, and of least concern globally. However, goldfinches have been hit by land use change and changes in agricultural practices. The seeds we provide at our feeding tables have somewhat marginally offset the reduction in weed seeds available in fields."

Read the complete description: songbird-survival.org.uk/songbirds/goldfinch

 

GREAT TIT

Drawing: Hana

SongBird Survival/Great Tit:

Description

"Larger than any of their relatives, the great tit is a familiar sight for most of us, not to be confused with the blue tit which is much smaller. Both great tit sexes have a glossy black head with white cheek patches, with a green back and yellowish underbelly with a black stripe down the middle. The wings are a pale grey-blue, as is the tail. Males have a broader black stripe on the belly than the female..."

Diet

"Great tits eat seeds, berries, insects, and nuts. They are frequent visitors to bird tables and hanging feeders, though they can be seen foraging on the ground more frequently than other tit species..."

Threats

"Great tits are of least concern globally and ranked green on the birds of conservation concern here within the UK. The factors that threaten this species are climate change, agricultural intensification, and habitat loss. Climate change is a particular issue as the warming spring temperatures have created a mismatch between peak breeding season and the emergence of caterpillars. In addition, European ringing recovery data shows that the predation rate by cats of great tits was ~27% over the years 2000-2015, so this is also a potential concern."

Read the complete description: songbird-survival.org.uk/songbirds/great-tit

 

HOODED CROW

Drawings: Clara and Eren

SongBird Survival/Hooded Crow:

Description

"The hooded crow is a similar size to the carrion crow but is easily distinguished due to its ash-grey body contrasting its black wings and head. Like other corvids, they have jet-black legs and can often be seen walking along the ground searching for food. The males and females look the same and can only be told apart by accurate measures. They are more sociable crows and can be seen feeding and roosting in groups."

Diet

"Like their cousins, the hooded crow is omnivorous feeding on carrion, eggs, insects, grain, and occasionally chicks."

Threats

"Hooded crows are common across their range and face few threats. However, as with many Corvids, the hooded crow has been persecuted heavily in the past due to the damage it can cause to livestock. It was especially damaging to gamekeepers as it raided nests. However, persecution has decreased allowing some recovery, but licenced killing is still legal. While evidence suggests that crows have a minor impact on prey populations there is some evidence that they can impact the productivity of prey species."

Read the complete description: songbird-survival.org.uk/songbirds/hooded-crow

 

JACKDAW

Drawing: Pelle

SongBird Survival/Jackdaw:

Description

"The Jackdaw is quite easily distinguished from other corvids. It is noticeably smaller than crows and rooks and is not black all over. The back of their head and neck are ash-grey and they have a short chunky bill. Adults have stunning silver eyes while the young have beautiful blue eyes. Large flocks can be identified by their loud ‘chack-chack’ call."

Diet

"Jackdaws are omnivorous and will eat a varied diet mainly including fruit, insects, and food scraps. They are mostly carnivorous during the breeding season, taking insects, and songbird fledglings and eggs."

Threats

"Jackdaws are green-listed and their ability to colonise almost every habitat in the UK means they face few threats so no direct conservation action is being taken. However, as with other corvids they face persecution due to the damage they cause to livestock and the disruption their nests can cause to homeowners. In Malta, this species was driven to extinction by persecution. The licenced killing of Jackdaws is legal in the UK due to the damage they can cause to crops and game bird populations."

Read the complete description: songbird-survival.org.uk/songbirds/jackdaw

 

JAY

Drawing: Ama

SongBird Survival/Jay:

Description

"The jay is a striking, unmistakable bird. It has a pinkish breast and back with black and white wings alongside beautiful blue wing feathers. Their white rump and throat can be seen as they fly purposefully between cover. They also sport a black moustache, white crown with black spots, light blue eyes and a strong black bill. Unlike other corvids, their legs are a pinkish-brown colour. Both males and females look the same..."

Diet

"Their diet mainly consists of acorns, seeds, nuts and insects which are often fed to their young. They are famous for burying acorns in the ground in autumn for eating during winter. They will sometimes eat nestlings and eggs of other birds as well as small mammals."

Threats

"Jays are doing well in the UK and recent evidence suggests that they are expanding their range further into northern Scotland. Historically they were persecuted for raiding the nests of game birds, but this is now much less widespread. In the early 20^th century, their blue wing feathers became very fashionable as a hat decoration and in making flies for fly fishing. This led to decreases in the population, but it has since recovered..."

Read the complete description: songbird-survival.org.uk/songbirds/jay

 

LESSER WHITETHROAT

Drawing: Rimas

SongBird Survival/Lesser Whitethroat:

Description

"Lesser whitethroats are smaller than their cousins the whitethroat, with shorter tails and plain wing edges. They have greyish brown upperparts and head and white/cream underparts and, unsurprisingly, a white throat. The most distinguishing feature is their black/grey cheeks which give them a Zorro-style mask, which suits their secretive nature well!"

Diet

"During the breeding season, their diet is made up of insects and other invertebrates. Before their migration, they change their diet to berries to build up fat stores for the long flight ahead."

Threats

"The limited population change since 1967 suggests that this bird is not facing many current threats in the UK. In Western Europe, the intensification and expansion of modern farming techniques leading to habitat and food loss have led to declines in this population. These techniques include the use of pesticides which impact the insect populations on which this bird relies. As with other warblers that over-winter in Africa, droughts and reduced food availability in these regions caused by climate change may reduce their winter and migratory survival."

Read the complete description: songbird-survival.org.uk/songbirds/lesser-whitethroat

 

LONG-TAILED TIT

Drawing: Ama

SongBird Survival/Long-tailed Tit:

Description

"Often referred to as fluffy, feathered lollipops, it’s not hard to see why when you look at the long-tailed tit. Both males and females have distinctive colours of black and white, with pink and dusky tones, on their backs, with white undersides. Their slim tails are over half their body length, with black feathers lined by white sides. They have black eye bands which stand in stark contrast to their pretty white crowns and tiny black bills..."

Diet

"Long-tailed tits mainly feed on insects and invertebrates in large flocks, following each other in single file picking up food. The eggs of moths and butterflies are commonly taken, as are caterpillars. The birds pluck their prey from tree branches and other vegetation..."

Threats

"Currently, long-tailed tit numbers are increasing and are doing well within the UK and are of least concern globally also. Due to their small size, they can be affected by harsh winters, so if you can provide food, shelter, and water especially during colder months, this may help."

Read the complete description: songbird-survival.org.uk/songbirds/long-tailed-tit

 

MAGPIE

Drawing: Yossi

SongBird Survival/Magpie:

Description

"From a distance, magpies can look rather drab, with a simple black-and-white colour scheme. However, when seen close-up, a blue-green iridescent sheen can be seen on the feathers. They have a noticeably long tail which helps with their agile flight."

Diet

"Magpies are omnivorous with their diet consisting of insects, fruits and nuts, carrion, songbird eggs, or anything they can scavenge."

Threats

"The UK has a very large population of magpies, and they face very few threats here in the UK. The populations are so large in some areas that they are still controlled. In the early 1900s, magpies were heavily controlled by gamekeepers, but the reduction in control since then has led to increases in the population. However, some think they have reached their carrying capacity, meaning the population cannot increase any further. Continuing dislike of these birds may drive population declines in the future with increased control, despite the minimal effect they have on songbird species."

Read the complete description: songbird-survival.org.uk/songbirds/magpie

 

NUTHATCH

Drawing: Hana

SongBird Survival/Nuthatch:

Description

"They are distinctive birds, with their blue grey neck, crown and back, with black stripe across eye. Their feet are large, perfect for gripping tree branches. Their underside is a rusty-chestnut colour for males, which blends into white under the bill, whereas for females it is slightly less rich in colour, though it can be difficult to distinguish. The bill itself is grey and almost dagger like and they have a short tail with a dark colouration with whitish edges."

Diet

"Nuthatches have quite a variable diet, feeding on invertebrates when they are plentiful, and focusing more on nuts (as the name would suggest!), berries, and seeds in the winter..."

Threats

"Currently nuthatch numbers are increasing and are doing well within the UK and are of least concern globally. The main threat to this species would be the destruction of habitat and suitable nesting spaces through deforestation and homogenisation of the environment."

Read the complete description: songbird-survival.org.uk/songbirds/nuthatch

 

PIED WAGTAIL

Drawing: Elisha

SongBird Survival/Pied Wagtail:

Description

"Pied wagtails are sweet little birds which have a distinctive appearance, with a sleek body of grey, black and white, and their black and white constantly bobbing long tail. Motacilla alba yarelli (the species most likely seen in Britain) adults have white chests, with dark grey and black feathers on their back with black legs, and a black pointed bill..."

Diet

"Pied wagtails are insectivorous and do feed on insects even in the wintertime. They feed on spiders, flies, beetles, and larvae, but will eat seeds and scraps if insects are in short supply. You will often see them feeding on the ground, with their long tail bobbing behind them."

Threats

"Pied wagtails are currently categorised as of green status according the Birds of Conservation Concern. There have been suggestions that climate change may possibly be playing a positive role in the long-term increases in this species."

Read the complete description: songbird-survival.org.uk/songbirds/pied-wagtail

 

RAVEN

Drawing: Haris

SongBird Survival/Raven:

Description

"Ravens are massive all-black crows with a strong heavy bill and a long tail that is diamond-shaped in flight. They are much larger than other crows and have a larger bill and a diamond tail compared to the crows’ square tail. Unlike rooks, they have no bare patches on their beak and no feathers on their legs."

Diet

"Ravens have a broad diet consisting of carrion, small mammals, small birds, and their eggs and invertebrates. They will occasionally visit bird feeders filled with large nuts or bird tables with food scraps."

Threats

"Persecution of ravens was widespread from the 1600s to the 1800s due to fear and superstition and possibly later due to interactions with landowners. The rise in population since then has allowed the raven to recolonise its former range which has increased conflict with humans. In the UK ravens are now fully protected by law, however there are concerns that illegal population control is occurring..."

Read the complete description: songbird-survival.org.uk/songbirds/raven

 

REED WARBLER

Drawing: Evie

SongBird Survival/Reed Warbler:

Description

"Reed warblers...have warm brown upperparts and tails, with darker brown feathers on the wing. Their underparts are a buff/white colour with a clearly paler throat. The head is the same warm brown as the back with a pale white eye stripe and the bill is dark grey on top and a pale yellow below."

Diet

"Reed warblers mainly eat invertebrates such as spiders and snails but will supplement their diet in autumn with berries."

Threats

"Reed warblers are doing well in the UK but in other areas, they have decreased due to the loss of reedbed habitats. Reedbed fires in the UK, such as Wirrel marshland and Dee estuary, could potentially drive decreases in their populations. Climate change has been shown to cause earlier breeding in reed warblers, which currently increases their productivity, but if their breeding season advances too far, they may breed before their chosen insect prey has come out for the spring..."

Read the complete description: songbird-survival.org.uk/songbirds/reed-warbler

 

ROBIN

Drawings: Tei and Evie

SongBird Survival/Robin:

Description

"Robins are well known for accompanying gardeners, perching on upturned fork handles or digging for worms from freshly turned soil. Every robin has a unique breast pattern, so it is possible to recognise individuals if you are interested in learning if the same birds are visiting your garden. However, it is very difficult to see these differences. Males and females look identical with the olive-brown upper parts and olive-buff coloured underside..."

Diet

"Robins have a varied diet and will eat spiders, beetles and other small insects, worms, berries, soft fruits, and seeds. Robins will also eat most kitchen scraps such as cakes, biscuits and cheese, as well as using bird tables and feeders."

Threats

"Robin populations are faring well in the UK, with increases over the last few years. Climate change could have a massive impact on robins, as they can lose up to 10% of their body weight in just one cold winters night, so providing food that is high in fat is a big help during the colder months. For more information on potential threats to robins, see our campaign for National Robin Day."

Read the complete description: songbird-survival.org.uk/songbirds/robin

 

ROCK PIPIT

Drawing: Clara

SongBird Survival/Rock Pipit:

Description

"This streaky brown bird is slightly smaller than a starling, with grey-brown upperparts and slightly darker brown wings and tails. Their heads are brown with some white streaking visible and pale breasts and bellies with the brown streaks continuing. They look similar to the meadow pipit but they have almost black legs compared to the meadow pipits' pale-coloured legs."

Diet

"Rock pipits feed on a range of invertebrates that they can find amongst the rocks such as beetles and small molluscs, as well as some small fish and seeds."

Threats

"Rock pipits don’t face many threats in the UK and the populations seem to be doing well here, however, the data on this is limited. Our coastlines have remained relatively unchanged over time, unlike some other habitats, which has allowed the population to stabilise. Future problems could come from the pollution of our shorelines with plastic and discarded fishing gear, extreme weather and storms during the breeding season that damage active nests and direct disturbance from humans..."

Read the complete description: songbird-survival.org.uk/songbirds/rock-pipit

 

SAND MARTIN

Drawing: Elisha

SongBird Survival/Sand Martin:

Description

"The smallest of our swallows, the sand martin is small and brown. They have dark brown upper parts and wings which contrast the white belly, breast, and throat. Sand martins have a brown band across their breast which is not present in house martins, they also do not have the noticeable white rump that house martins have."

Diet

"Sand martins feed on invertebrates, often taken on the wing over bodies of water..."

Threats

"Sand martins’ nesting sites are often lost to flooding and human activities which may be heightened by continuing human expansion and climate-driven extreme weather. Increased use of pesticides and other factors that drive a decrease in available invertebrate prey are also driving fluctuations in this population. Previous decreases have been caused by droughts in their wintering grounds in Africa, with climate change likely to make these droughts more common, populations may be under threat."

Read the complete description: songbird-survival.org.uk/songbirds/sand-martin

 

SISKIN

Drawing: Eren

SongBird Survival/Siskin:

Description

"These stunning birds are quite easy to differentiate from other finches with their bright yellow plumage. Male siskins have bright yellow breasts with some black streaking visible, yellow cheeks, and a black cap and bib. The females have similar colouration but are much paler with more streaking and no black cap or bib..."

Diet

"Siskins mainly eat seeds, especially from conifers, but they will supplement their diet with insects during the summer."

Threats

"Siskins are doing well in the UK and have increased over the last 25 years, however, they may still face threats in the future. The loss of conifer forests through plantation harvesting or deforestation can drive a decrease in available food. Climate change also drives changes in the crop of conifer cones which further reduces the food availability, however, the use of garden feeders by siskins may help them survive with a decreased natural food supply."

Read the complete description: songbird-survival.org.uk/songbirds/siskin

 

BARN SWALLOW

Drawing: Evie

SongBird Survival/Barn Swallow:

Description

"One of the most easily identifiable of the swallows and martins family, the barn swallow has a sleek and slender shape, with characteristic forked tail that can be seen in flight. Their back and cap is a very dark inky blue with a band that extends across the breast, with rusty coloured chin and forehead, contrasting beautifully with their peachy-white underbelly. Their tails are deeply forked, with thin tail ‘streamers’ on either side, dark in colour..."

Diet

"Swallows catch their food on the wing, specialising in catching insects, especially large flies..."

Threats

"Though the swallow has declined here in the UK, it is still of green status and is also of least concern globally. The intensification of agricultural practices is thought to have contributed towards the decline of the swallow, as less foraging habitat is available to them, the overall decline of insect species, and the modernisation of barn structures has removed many of their nesting spaces."

Read the complete description: songbird-survival.org.uk/songbirds/swallow

 

TREECREEPER

Drawings: Arden and Ama

SongBird Survival/Treecreeper:

Description

"Treecreepers are small and have mottled brown upperparts and heads with some light streaking and a white eyebrow stripe. They have white underparts and throat and a long downcurved bill. Their tail is often pressed against the tree they are climbing."

Diet

"Treecreepers mainly eat insects and spiders which they find in the bark of trees but will supplement their diet with seeds in winter when invertebrate numbers are low."

Threats

"While treecreepers are green-listed population declines in Europe may give an insight into future declines in the UK. Treecreepers rely heavily on mature trees full of cracks and crevices in which they can find insects. While fluctuations are common due to changes in food availability, European populations have declined due to habitat fragmentation and changes in forestry practices leading to the loss of mature trees. They are very susceptible to severe winter weather especially frost, which may make increasingly unpredictable weather damaging to the population. The continuing use of pesticides may also drive reductions in available food for this species."

Read the complete description: songbird-survival.org.uk/songbirds/treecreeper

 

WOODLARK

Drawing: Emily

SongBird Survival/Woodlark:

Description

"The woodlark is a streaky brown bird with a white belly and breast with some streaking continuing in the breast and throat. Their head is a streaky brown with a spikey crest which can be flat or raised, they are the only UK with an eyebrow stripe (supercilium) that connects at the back of their head. They have an oddly short tail which separates them from the larger skylarks which has a longer tail and prefers farmland and grassland habitat."

Diet

"During the winter months woodlarks mainly eat seeds and feeding flocks can be seen searching for food. They tend to eat more invertebrates such as spiders and caterpillars during the breeding season."

Threats

"Woodlarks have increased in the past due to increased habitat availability and ground disturbance which improved available nesting availability. However, while woodlarks are green-listed, their relatively small population in the UK makes them susceptible to future losses. The main concern for this species is habitat loss, degradation, and fragmentation. This species is a specialist in wooded heath and damage to these habitats will likely drive declines. In mainland Europe, afforestation is leading to losses of suitable habitat and driving population declines. As woodlarks are ground nesting, direct human disturbance or the loss of suitable vegetation cover can cause nest failures. Changes in winter weather are also thought to impact the population."

Read the complete description: songbird-survival.org.uk/songbirds/woodlark

PROJECT PARTNERS

AGA KHAN CENTRE GALLERY

Located at the heart of King’s Cross’ Knowledge Quarter, the Aga Khan Centre Gallery sits on the ground floor at the Aga Khan Centre, London. The Aga Khan Centre is a place of education, insight, and cultural exchange and is home for three organisations: Aga Khan Foundation (UK), Aga Khan University’s Institute for the Study of Muslim Civilisations, and The Institute of Ismaili Studies. The Aga Khan Centre Gallery is home to a changing programme of exhibitions and events that aim to create a better understanding of Islam and Muslim cultures, past and present.

The gallery programme will connect with the work of the three main organisations within the centre. It will also connect with the wider Aga Khan Development Network, Aga Khan Trust for Culture and Aga Khan Museum in Toronto. The Aga Khan Centre Gallery aims to significantly contribute to the cultural offer across London as well as nationally and internationally.

This project has been initiated by Esen Salma Kaya, Gallery Curator at the Aga Khan Centre Gallery and made possible with the support of the Aga Khan Development Network, Aga Khan Foundation UK, Aga Khan University’s Institute for the Study of Muslim Civilisations, and the Institute of Ismaili Studies.

For further details please visit:   agakhancentre.org.uk/gallery and  the.akdn/en/home

SONGBIRD SURVIVAL