SONG BIRDS OF THE UK
THE PROJECT
Drawing for the Planet and UK charity, SongBird Survival were invited by Esen Kaya, Gallery Curator at the Aga Khan Centre Gallery, London, to design an educational project focused on the conservation and protection of the United Kingdom’s songbird species for The Canticle of the Birds exhibition, presented from 5 December 2025 to 31 May 2026. Drawing for the Planet was commissioned by the Aga Khan Centre Gallery to produce an artwork for the exhibition in response to the educational collaboration.
GATHERING OF SONGBIRDS
Gathering of Songbirds artwork (above) 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.
Kings Cross Academy students with their drawings
In response, they produced Biro drawings inspired by McCracken’s artistic practice, and the work of Drawing for the Planet, collectively representing eighty-four species all of which breed in the UK. An identification key accompanies the work, detailing each species’ scientific name, conservation status, population data, and the corresponding young artist from Kings Cross Academy.
IDENTIFICATION 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.
THE EXHIBITION
The Canticle of the Birds exhibition, Aga Khan Centre Gallery
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
Explore the UK's 84 breeding songbird species with key excerpts from SongBird Survival's species information pages, beautifully illustrated by Kings Cross Academy's Year 5 artists:
CIRL BUNTING
Population: 1,100 territories
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 20th 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
Population: 11,000 territories
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
Population: 12,000 territories
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
Population: 785,000 breeding pairs
Drawing: Louie
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
Population: 750 breeding pairs
Drawing: Sophie
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
Population: 480,000 breeding pairs
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
Population: 5,300,000 breeding pairs
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
Population: 260,000 breeding pairs
Drawing: Iqra
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
Population: 560,000 territories
Drawing: Keanu
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
Population: 28,500 territories
Drawing: Keanu
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
Population: 8 pairs
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
Population: 165,000 territories
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
Population: 5,500 breeding males
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
Population: 3 breeding pairs
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
Population: 7,300 breeding pairs
Drawing: Eliora
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
Population: 5 breeding pairs
Drawing: Aiden
Description
Savi’s Warbler has warm, uniform brown upperparts that give it a smooth, unmarked appearance, while its underparts are pale buff to greyish with very subtle shading but no streaking. It has a slightly long, fine bill, a rounded tail that it often holds cocked, and an overall plain look that distinguishes it from more patterned warblers.
Diet
Savi’s Warbler feeds mainly on small invertebrates it finds within dense reedbeds. Its diet consists largely of insects such as beetles, flies, moths, caterpillars, and spiders, which it picks from reed stems and leaves. It may also take small snails or other soft-bodied invertebrates, especially when insect availability is low.
Threats
Savi’s Warbler faces several pressures in the UK, all linked mainly to the vulnerability of its wetland habitat and its already tiny population. The biggest threat is the loss or deterioration of large reedbeds, which are drained, polluted, or allowed to dry out or turn into scrub if not carefully managed. Climate change adds further stress by causing more frequent droughts, unseasonal flooding, and rising sea levels, all of which can alter or destroy the stable, wet reedbeds the species depends on.
SKYLARK
Population: 1,550,00 territories
Drawing: Franca Vera
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
Population: 41,000 territories
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
Population: 1,750,000 breeding pairs
Drawing: Niyall
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
Population: 105,000 breeding pairs
Drawing: Nathan
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
Population: 125,000 territories
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
Population: 7,850 breeding pairs
Drawing: Blanche
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
Population: 49,500 breeding pairs
Drawing: Sophie
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
Population: 2,750 breeding pairs
Drawing: Deen
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
Population: 6,500 males
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
Population: 19,500 breeding territories
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
Population: 700,000 breeding territories
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
Population: 720,000 UK wintering
Drawing: Mohammed
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
Population: 58 breeding pairs UK wintering
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
Population: 265,000 territories
Drawing: Antoni
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
Population: 2,200 breeding pairs
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
Population: 13,700 breeding pairs
Drawing: Jessica
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
Population: 2,500,000 territories
Drawing: Antoni
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
Population: 37,000 breeding pairs
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
Population: 2,450,000 breeding pairs
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
Population: 65 breeding pairs
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
Population: 23,500 breeding pairs
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
Population: 135,000 breeding pairs
Drawing: Nathan
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
Population: 24 breeding pairs
Drawing: Blanche
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
Population: 275,000 territories
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
Population: 980,000 breeding pairs
Drawing: Aiden
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
Population: 6,800 breeding pairs
Drawing: Eliora
Description
The Scottish Crossbill is a chunky, forest-dwelling finch with a heavy, crossed bill used to prise open conifer cones. Males are typically brick-red to orange, while females are olive-green to yellowish, and both sexes have dark wings and a slightly notched tail. Its call is one of the main ways it is distinguished from other crossbill species, as its appearance closely overlaps with Common and Parrot Crossbills.
Diet
The species feeds mainly on the seeds of Scots pine, but it also takes seeds from other conifers such as lodgepole pine and spruce when available. It uses its specialised crossed bill to lever apart cone scales and extract the seeds, and it occasionally supplements its diet with insects, especially when feeding chicks.
Threats
The Scottish Crossbill is threatened primarily by the loss and fragmentation of native Caledonian pine forests, which reduces the availability of mature Scots pine cones. Changes in forestry practices, including large-scale felling and the replacement of native pinewoods with non-native plantations, further affect suitable habitat. Climate change may also alter cone production and the timing of seed availability, which can influence breeding success. Because the species has a very restricted range and depends heavily on a specific forest type, it is particularly vulnerable to any long-term environmental changes.
SEDGE WARBLER
Population: 240,000 breeding pairs
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
Population: 60 territories
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
Population: 1,300,000 breeding territories
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
Population: 170,000 breeding pairs
Drawing: Tei
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
Population: 1,100,000 territories
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
Population: 2,300,000 breeding territories
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
Population: 11,000,000 territories
Drawing: Jensila
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
Population: 695 breeding pairs
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
BEARDED TIT
Population: 695 breeding pairs
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
Population: 5,050,000 breeding pairs
Drawing: Alma
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
Population: 1,650,000 territories
Drawings: Mason and Ama
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
Population: 3,400,000 territories
Drawing: Dua
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
Population: 1,050,000 territories
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
Population: 3,450 males
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
Population: 5,050,000 territories
Drawing: Tei
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
Population: 1,750,000 territories
Drawings: Dante and Haris
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
Population: 335 breeding pairs
Drawing: Clara
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
Population: 660,000 territories
Drawing: Jensila
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
Population: 1,500 breeding pairs
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 18th 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
RED CROSSBILL
Population: 26,000 breeding pairs
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
Population: 2,000 territories
Drawing: Noah
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
Population: 145,000 territories
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
Population: 790,000 territories
Drawing: Phoenix
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
Population: 1,650,000 breeding pairs
Drawing: Jake
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
Population: 2,350,000 territories
Drawing: Hana
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
SONGBIRD SURVIVAL
SongBird Survival is an independent charity that has been working since 2000 to solve the ecological crisis for songbirds. Our vision is to create rich, resilient and balanced songbird populations. We are the only national UK charity solely dedicated to changing the future for songbirds. We make an impact by driving conservation through scientific research, protecting songbirds by raising awareness and inspiring action, and safeguarding the most at-risk songbird species. Visit the website here: www.songbird-survival.org.uk