A beginner’s guide to Hampshire’s garden birds
We’ve written a handy guide to the five most common birds you’re likely to spot in your Hampshire garden.
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Feb 9 2024
House sparrow
Passer domesticus
Did you know that in the northeast of England a sparrow is also called a spuggy or a spadger?
These noisy birds can be found across the world. Unfortunately, their UK population is in severe decline in both rural and urban areas. They are a sedentary species, and very rarely travel further than 2km from where they hatched.
Female and young house sparrows are brown, while males have a streaky brown back and a black bib. Males also have a grey cap. They have up to a 25.5cm wingspan and can weigh up to 38g.
House sparrows mainly eat seeds, grains, nuts, and food from bird feeders. They also feed insects to their chicks. As they’re so friendly, you should be able to spot them easily in your garden.
For more information about what to put in your birdfeeders, check out our blog.
Blue tit
Cyanistes caeruleus
Did you know that blue tits are the only British tit with blue feathers? The blue tit population of the UK has increased by 21% since 1970 and are a colourful feature of our gardens. When spotting them, look out for their blue, white, and black heads, yellow stomachs, and blue wings, tails, and backs. They’re smaller than great tits and about half the size of a robin.
These distinctive little birds weigh just 11g and have an 18cm wingspan. They can often be spotted eating at bird feeders, and particularly enjoy sunflower hearts, fat balls, and whole peanuts. Blue tit families work together to collect food in the winter. So, while you may only see four or five birds collecting food from your feeder, you could actually be feeding many more.
Woodpigeon
Columba palumbus
Did you know that the combined weight of a woodpigeon’s feathers weighs more than their skeleton? Woodpigeons are the most common type of pigeon in the UK and can be spotted in gardens year-round. In fact, since 1967, there has been an 153% increase in the breeding population of woodpigeons in the UK. More woodpigeons also migrate here over autumn and winter.
Woodpigeons are mostly grey, with a pink breast and white patches on their wings and neck. While they may have a bad reputation, woodpigeons were likely one the first birds ever to be domesticated. They are very intelligent and can be trained to tell the difference between paintings by different artists. If you’re looking to encourage them into your garden, they will eat most things, including leaves, peas, grains, and seeds.
Starling
Sturnus vulgaris
Did you know that starlings are great mimics and can copy birdsong, human voices and inanimate objects?
While starlings are one of the most common visitors to gardens in Hampshire, unfortunately their population has declined substantially since the 1980s. There has been 53% decrease in their population between 1995-2020. Native to the UK, starlings have black feathers that become covered in white spots during autumn and winter. Their feathers gleam green, purple, and blue in direct sunlight. Look out for starling murmurations as they fly to their roosts at dusk during autumn and winter.
Starlings are very friendly and travel in flocks, so you’re likely to spot multiple eating from your birdfeeder at one time. If you’re looking to encourage these birds to your garden, try feeding them sunflower hearts, suet balls, or peanuts.
Blackbird
Turdus merula
Did you know that the oldest blackbird recorded was 21 years old?
Blackbirds are some of the most common birds to spot in gardens. According to the RSPB, 5,100,000 breeding pairs and 10-15 million blackbirds overwinter here in the UK. When spotting males, look for black birds with bright yellow beaks and yellow rings around their eyes. Female blackbirds, despite their name, have brown feathers and beaks.
In folklore, it was a sign of good fortune if blackbirds chose to nest near your home. Encourage them into your garden with uncooked oats, fat balls, and mealworms (or dog food, if you don’t have mealworms to hand).
Swift
Apus apus
Did you know that swifts spend most of their lives flying, including while they’re asleep?
While swifts spend the winter in Africa, they return to the UK in April. You can identify them as they soar through the skies by their screaming call. They are brown all over with a small pale patch of feathers on their throats. They weigh 44g and have a wingspan of 45cm.
Swifts only ever land to nest, usually in the roofs of old buildings like churches. Unfortunately, their numbers have declined across Hampshire and the UK by more than 50% over the past 23 years. This is likely due to poor weather, fewer nesting sites, and a decline in food sources. Help swifts by installing swift boxes to encourage them to land and nest in your garden. Once swifts have chosen their breeding sites, they’ll usually return to the same site every year, so by building a space for them to nest you’re likely to have regular summer swift visits.
Find out more about these birds by listening to our interview with Hampshire Swifts.
Robin
Erithacus rubecula
Did you know that robins’ red breasts help them defend their territories from other birds?
Robins are a staple of festive cards, with their famous red chests, brown backs, and white bellies. Juveniles are brown with golden flecks, only growing their red feathers in adulthood. Adult birds have a wingspan of 22cm and weigh up to 21g.
Robin populations in the UK are increasing, and they have over 6,700,000 territories. They’re quite friendly to humans, and you’ll likely see them hopping around your garden. Robins particularly enjoy eating mealworms and seeds from bird feeders, as well as live worms from the soil.
