Garden Birds - Nuthatch to Sparrowhawk

Click the thumbnail to see the larger image - all the pictures expand to 1500 x 1000 pixels. On this page: Nuthatch, Ring-necked Parakeet, Pheasant, Pied Wagtail, Redpoll, Redwing, Robin, Siskin, Song Thrush and Sparrowhawk. The video links open in a separate window.

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Nuthatch - The Nuthatch, although a common bird, is perhaps not a frequent visitor to most gardens, but it will take to the garden feeder and usually feed inverted in a head down position. Nuthatches are known to sometimes use a small piece of wood or twig as a tool when searching for insects.

Nuthatch video

Ring-necked Parakeet on the garden fence

Ring-necked Parakeet - Ring-necked Parakeets, or Rose-ringed Parakeets as they are sometimes called, are an introduced species from escaped or released birds. They are fairly common in South-east England but scarcer elsewhere and are naturally cavity nesters taking old Woodpecker holes. Only the adult males have the distinctive neck ring. Ring-necked Parakeets will take seed or peanuts from feeders and also apple if offered it.

Parakeet video of nesting birds and video here of a bird taking sunflower sees from a feeder

Pheasant - The Pheasant is an introduced species (as a game bird) and originally from China. Although they prefer farmland or woodland they will sometimes venture into gardens on the edge of towns. The male is the more colourful bird with the female much plainer.

Pheasant video

Pied Wagtail Pied Wagtails are an occasional garden visitor but you're more likely to see them in a car park or on the High Street. They prefer open ground where their agility helps them to catch insects, but they will also search for crumbs on your patio. Juveniles are a much lighter grey.

Redpoll - The Redpoll is a finch and is present in Britain all year round but more likely to be seen in the South in the Winter and like Goldfinches and Siskins will come to the feeder for nyjer seeds. Both sexes have the red cap but only the adult males have the pinky red breast.

Redpoll video

Redwing The Redwing is a member of the thrush family and like its cousin the Fieldfare is a Winter visitor to the UK from the colder North. They're not a feeder bird but they will take berries from bushes and trees as well as foraging on the ground.

Robin - The Robin is one of our most common garden birds and is quite territorial. If you ever see two adults together they are most likely a breeding pair. Robins mainly forage for insects and worms but will occasionally come to the bird feeder to take seeds or peanuts.

Robin video

Siskin - The Siskin is a finch and like its cousins the Redpoll and Goldfinch will happily take seed from the nyger feeder. Less common in the South where it is more likely to be seen in the Winter. The male has a distinctive black cap which the female lacks.

Siskin video

Song Thrush - The Song Thrush is probably our most common Thrush and has a pleasing melodic song that it sings from a high perch. It's slightly smaller than the similar looking Mistle Thrush but is most easily distinguished by its browner head and back and of course, its song.

Song Thrush video

Sparrowhawk The Sparrowhawk is a smallish raptor and the one most likely to visit our gardens which may be good news for bird watchers but bad news for other small birds on our feeders.The male is smaller than the female and has rufous cheeks and breast.

British Garden Birds

Fourth page - Nuthatch to Sparrowhawk