List of birds of Leicestershire and Rutland

Leicestershire and Rutland are neighbouring counties in the English Midlands. Rutland is the smallest county in England and its administration was amalgamated with its larger neighbour between 1974 and 1997. Since 1941, the two counties have shared a single bird-recording organisation, the Leicestershire and Rutland Ornithological Society (LROS).[1]

Two great crested grebes swimming on Rutland Water. A great crested grebe is the emblem of the Leicestershire and Rutland Ornithological Society (LROS).[1]

Since 1 January 1941, the date of the foundation of the LROS, 290 bird species have been recorded in the counties in an apparently natural wild state at least once. A further nine were documented prior to that date, but have not been recorded subsequently. There are nine introduced species that maintain themselves without necessary recourse to further introduction. The total list for the LROS recording area is therefore 308 species.[2]

Leicestershire and Rutland are landlocked lowland counties and most of the birds are typical of English farmland habitat. Many coastal, oceanic and highland birds are absent or rare, and there are few rare vagrants compared to coastal areas. The construction of two large reservoirs, Eyebrook Reservoir in 1940 and Rutland Water (England's largest reservoir) in 1976, has provided freshwater environments enabling many aquatic birds to thrive.[3]

The list below is based on the LROS checklist, using BOU species names,[4] and the status descriptors in the accounts have the following meanings:[2]

  • Very rare: fewer than ten records ever
  • Rare: more than ten records ever, but less than annual
  • Scarce: fewer than ten birds occurring or pairs breeding annually
  • Uncommon: 10–100 birds occurring or pairs breeding annually
  • Fairly common: 100–1,000 birds occurring or pairs breeding annually
  • Common: 1,000–10,000 birds occurring or pairs breeding annually
  • Abundant: more than 10,000 birds occurring or pairs breeding annually

In the list below, "BBRC" means that a full description of nationally rare species is required for acceptance of the record by the British Birds Rarities Committee, and "LROS" indicates that a description of county rarities is required for acceptance of the record by the LROS Records Committee. Photographs of birds illustrating the list are not all taken within the locality.

Table of contents

Footnotes        Cited text        External links

Ducks, geese and swans

Order: Anseriformes   Family: Anatidae

The swans, ducks and geese are medium to large birds that are adapted to an aquatic existence with webbed feet and bills which are flattened to a greater or lesser extent. In many ducks the male is colourful while the female is dull brown. The diet consists of a variety of animals and plants. The family is well represented in the counties, especially in winter when large numbers visit from further north.

Common shelduck foraging in the mud around frozen-over Rutland Water in winter.
A male Eurasian teal at Rutland Water
Common name Binomial Status
Mute swanCygnus olorFairly common resident; uncommon to fairly common breeding
Bewick's swanCygnus columbianusUncommon in winter and on passage
Whooper swanCygnus cygnusScarce in winter and on passage
Bean gooseAnser fabalisRare in winter, LROS
Pink-footed gooseAnser brachyrhynchusScarce in winter and uncommon on passage
White-fronted gooseAnser albifronsScarce to uncommon in winter, mainly escapes
Greylag gooseAnser anserFairly common feral resident; uncommon breeding
Canada gooseBranta canadensisIntroduced common resident; fairly common breeding
Barnacle gooseBranta leucopsisRare in winter, uncommon feral resident
Brent gooseBranta berniclaScarce in winter and uncommon on passage
Egyptian gooseAlopochen aegyptiacaIntroduced. Uncommon resident, scarce breeding
Ruddy shelduckTadorna ferrugineaRare vagrant or escapee
Common shelduckTadorna tadornaUncommon in winter and on passage, scarce breeding
Mandarin duckAix galericulataIntroduced. Uncommon resident, scarce breeding
Eurasian wigeonAnas penelopeCommon in winter and on passage, scarce in summer
American wigeonAnas americanaVery rare, LROS
GadwallAnas streperaCommon in winter and on passage, uncommon breeding
Eurasian tealAnas creccaCommon in winter and on passage, uncommon breeding
Green-winged tealAnas carolinensisVery rare, LROS
MallardAnas platyrhynchosCommon in winter and on passage, fairly common breeding
Northern pintailAnas acutaUncommon to fairly common in winter and on passage
GarganeyAnas querquedulaScarce to uncommon on passage; very rare breeding
Blue-winged tealAnas discorsVery rare, BBRC
Northern shovelerAnas clypeataFairly common in winter; rare-scarce breeding
Red-crested pochardNetta rufinaScarce in winter and on passage
Common pochardAythya ferinaFairly common to common, rare breeding
RedheadAythya americanaVery rare, BBRC
Ring-necked duckAythya collarisVery rare, LROS
Ferruginous duckAythya nyrocaRare in winter and on passage, LROS
Tufted duckAythya fuligulaCommon in winter and on passage, uncommon breeding
Greater scaupAythya marilaUncommon in winter and on passage
Lesser scaupAythya affinisVery rare, BBRC
Common eiderSomateria mollissimaRare in winter and on passage, LROS
Long-tailed duckClangula hyemalisRare in winter
Common scoterMelanitta nigraRare in winter and uncommon on passage
Velvet scoterMelanitta fuscaRare in winter and on passage, LROS
Surf scoterMelanitta perspicillataVery rare vagrant- one record 2016-2017 LROS
Common goldeneyeBucephala clangulaFairly common in winter and on passage, uncommon in summer
SmewMergellus albellusUncommon in winter
Red-breasted merganserMergus serratorScarce in winter and on passage
GoosanderMergus merganserFairly common in winter and on passage
Ruddy duckOxyura jamaicensisIntroduced. Uncommon in winter, scarce breeding

Grouse

Order: Galliformes   Family: Tetraonidae

Grouse are sturdy, medium-sized terrestrial birds of the Northern Hemisphere. They have feathered feet and nostrils and short, rounded wings. They feed mainly on plant material and lay their eggs in a simple scrape on the ground. They are gamebirds and large numbers were shot in the past in moorland areas.

Common name Binomial Status
Red grouseLagopus lagopusExtinct resident since about 1840[5]
Eurasian black grouseTetrao tetrixExtinct resident since about 1840[5]

Pheasants, partridges and quail

Order: Galliformes   Family: Phasianidae

A female common pheasant near Rutland Water

Pheasants and allies are terrestrial species, feeding and nesting on the ground. They are variable in size but generally plump, with broad and relatively short wings.

Common name Binomial Status
Red-legged partridgeAlectoris rufaCommon introduced resident breeder
Grey partridgePerdix perdixUncommon resident breeder
Common quailCoturnix coturnixScarce summer visitor, breeds
Common pheasantPhasianus colchicusCommon introduced resident breeder

Divers

Order: Gaviiformes   Family: Gaviidae

Divers are aquatic birds the size of a large duck, to which they are unrelated. They swim well and fly adequately but, because their legs are placed towards the rear of the body, are clumsy on land. They feed on fish and other aquatic animals.

Common name Binomial Status
Red-throated diverGavia stellataRare in winter, LROS
Black-throated diverGavia arcticaRare in winter, LROS
Great northern diverGavia immerScarce in winter

Grebes

Order: Podicipediformes   Family: Podicipedidae

Grebes are small to medium-large diving birds with lobed toes and pointed bills. They are seen mainly on lowland waterbodies and coasts. They feed on aquatic animals and nest on a floating platform of vegetation. There are about 19 species worldwide with five in Leicestershire and Rutland.

A great crested grebe swimming at Rutland Water
Common name Binomial Status
Little grebeTachybaptus ruficollisUncommon to fairly common breeding
Great crested grebePodiceps cristatusFairly common in winter and on passage, uncommon breeding
Red-necked grebePodiceps grisegenaScarce in winter and on passage
Slavonian grebePodiceps auritusScarce in winter and on passage
Black-necked grebePodiceps nigricollisUncommon in summer and on passage, rare in winter
Pied-billed grebePodilymbus podicepsVery rare

Shearwaters and petrels

Order: Procellariiformes   Family: Procellariidae

These are highly pelagic birds with long, narrow wings and tube-shaped nostrils. They feed at sea on fish, squid and other marine life. They come to land to breed in colonies, nesting in burrows or on cliffs. There are about 77 species worldwide, two of which are rare vagrants to Leicestershire and Rutland.

Common name Binomial Status
Northern fulmarFulmarus glacialisVery rare, LROS
Manx shearwaterPuffinus puffinus Very rare, LROS

Storm petrels

Order: Procellariiformes   Family: Hydrobatidae

The storm-petrels are the smallest seabirds, feeding on plankton and small fish picked from the surface, typically while hovering. They nest in colonies on the ground, most often in burrows. There are about 20 species worldwide, two of which are rare vagrants to Leicestershire and Rutland.

Common name Binomial Status
European storm petrelHydrobates pelagicusVery rare, LROS
Leach's storm petrelOceanodroma leucorheaVery rare, LROS

Gannets

Order: Suliformes   Family: Sulidae

Gannets are large seabirds that plunge-dive for fish and nest in large colonies. They have a torpedo-shaped body, long, narrow, pointed wings and a fairly long tail. There are about 10 species worldwide, with one recorded as a rare vagrant to Leicestershire and Rutland.

Common name Binomial Status
Northern gannetMorus bassanusVery rare, LROS

Cormorants

Order: Suliformes   Family: Phalacrocoracidae

Cormorants are medium to large aquatic birds with mainly dark plumage and areas of coloured skin on the face. The bill is long, thin and sharply hooked for catching fish and aquatic invertebrates. They nest in colonies, usually by the sea. There are about 39 species worldwide, with two recorded in Leicestershire and Rutland.

Common name Binomial Status
Great cormorantPhalacrocorax carboFairly common all year, common breeding
Common shagPhalacrocorax aristotelisScarce in winter and on passage

Bitterns, herons and egrets

Order: Pelecaniformes   Family: Ardeidae

A little egret in Rutland Water, an uncommon visitor

Herons and egrets are medium to large wading birds with long necks and legs. Bitterns tend to be shorter-necked and more secretive. They all fly with their necks retracted. The sharp bill is used to catch fish, amphibians and other animals. Many species nest in colonies, often in trees.

Common name Binomial Status
Great bitternBotaurus stellataScarce in winter
Little bitternIxobrychus minutusVery rare, BBRC
Black-crowned night heronNycticorax nycticoraxVery rare, LROS
Squacco heronArdeola ralloidesVery rare, BBRC
Cattle egretBubulcus ibisVery rare, BBRC
Little egretEgretta garzettaUncommon in summer and on passage
Great egretArdea albaVery rare, LROS
Grey heronArdea cinereaFairly common, breeds
Purple heronArdea purpureaVery rare, LROS

Ibises and spoonbills

Order: Pelecaniformes   Family: Threskiornithidae

A family of long-legged, long-necked wading birds. Ibises have long, curved bills. Spoonbills have a flattened bill, wider at the tip.

Common name Binomial Status
Common spoonbillPlatalea leucorodiaRare

Storks

Order: Ciconiiformes   Family: Ciconiidae

Storks are large, heavy, long-legged, long-necked wading birds with long stout bills and wide wingspans. They fly with the neck extended.

Common name Binomial Status
Black storkCiconia nigraVery rare, BBRC
White storkCiconia ciconiaVery rare, LROS

Osprey

Order: Accipitriformes   Family: Pandionidae

A large migratory fish-eating bird of prey in a family of its own. It is mainly brown above and white below with long, angled wings.

Common name Binomial Status
OspreyPandion haliaetusScarce on passage, scarce introduced breeder[6]

Buzzards, kites and allies

Order: Accipitriformes   Family: Accipitridae

A family of birds of prey which includes hawks, buzzards, eagles, kites and harriers. These birds have very large powerful hooked beaks for tearing flesh from their prey, strong legs, powerful talons and keen eyesight.

Common name Binomial Status
European honey buzzardPernis apivorusRare, LROS
Red kiteMilvus milvusRare on passage, very rare breeder (spread from re-introduction in Northamptonshire)[7]
White-tailed eagleHaliaeetus albicillaVery rare, LROS
Marsh harrierCircus aeruginosusUncommon on passage
Hen harrierCircus cyaneusScarce, LROS
Pallid harrierCircus macrourusVery rare, BBRC
Montagu's harrierCircus pygargusVery rare, LROS
Northern goshawkAccipiter gentilisRare to scarce, LROS
Eurasian sparrowhawkAccipiter nisusFairly common resident
Common buzzardButeo buteoUncommon to fairly common resident and on passage
Rough-legged buzzardButeo lagopusRare in winter and on passage, LROS
Golden eagleAquila chrysaetosVery rare, one record 1895 LROS[8]

Falcons

Order: Falconiformes   Family: Falconidae

A family of small to medium-sized, diurnal birds of prey with pointed wings. They do not build their own nests and mainly catch prey in the air.

Common name Binomial Status
Common kestrelFalco tinnunculusFairly common breeding resident
Red-footed falconFalco vespertinusVery rare, LROS
MerlinFalco columbariusScarce in winter and on passage, LROS
Eurasian hobbyFalco subbuteoScarce to uncommon breeding summer visitor
Peregrine falconFalco peregrinusUncommon in winter and on passage, scarce breeding

Rails, crakes and coots

Order: Gruiformes   Family: Rallidae

Rails and allies mainly occupy dense vegetation in damp environments near lakes, marshes or rivers. Many are shy and secretive birds, making them difficult to observe. Most species have strong legs and long toes which are well adapted to soft uneven surfaces.

Common name Binomial Status
Water railRallus aquaticusUncommon in winter and on passage, rare breeding
Spotted crakePorzana porzanaRare on passage, bred in nineteenth century, LROS[5]
Little crakePorzana parvaVery rare, one old record from 1841, BBRC[9]
Baillon's crakePorzana pusillaVery rare, BBRC
Corn crakeCrex crexVery rare, bred to about 1960, LROS[5]
Common moorhenGallinula chloropusCommon resident breeder
Eurasian cootFulica atraCommon in winter, fairly common breeding

Cranes

Order: Gruiformes   Family: Gruidae

Cranes are large, long-legged and long-necked birds. Unlike the similar-looking but unrelated herons, cranes fly with necks outstretched, not pulled back. Most have elaborate and noisy courting displays or "dances".

Common name Binomial Status
Common craneGrus grusVery rare, LROS

Oystercatchers

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Haematopodidae

The oystercatchers are large, obvious and noisy wading birds with strong bills used for smashing or prising open molluscs. There are about 11 species worldwide with one recorded in Leicestershire and Rutland.

Common name Binomial Status
Pied oystercatcherHaematopus ostralegusUncommon on passage, scarce breeding

Avocets and stilts

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Recurvirostridae

A family of fairly large wading birds. The avocets have long legs and long up-curved bills. The stilts have extremely long legs and long, thin, straight bills. There are about 10 species worldwide, with two recorded in Leicestershire and Rutland.

Common name Binomial Status
Black-winged stiltHimantopus himantopusVery rare, LROS
Pied avocetRecurvirostra avosettaRare to scarce on passage, rare breeding

Thick-knees

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Burhinidae

A small family of medium to large waders with strong black bills, large yellow eyes and cryptic plumage. There are 9 species worldwide, with one recorded in Leicestershire and Rutland.

Common name Binomial Status
Stone-curlewBurhinus oedicnemusVery rare, bred to about 1880, LROS[5]

Pratincoles and coursers

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Glareolidae

A family of slender, long-winged wading birds. There are 17 species worldwide, three of which have occurred as vagrants in Leicestershire and Rutland.

Common name Binomial Status
Cream-coloured courserCursorius cursorVery rare, one 1827 record, BBRC[10]
Collared pratincoleGlareola pratincolaVery rare, BBRC
Black-winged pratincoleGlareola nordmanniVery rare, BBRC

Plovers and lapwings

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Charadriidae

Small to medium-sized wading birds with compact bodies, short, thick necks and long, usually pointed, wings. There are about 66 species worldwide, nine of which have been recorded in Leicestershire and Rutland.

A northern lapwing wading through mud at Rutland Water
Common name Binomial Status
Little ringed ploverCharadrius dubiusUncommon on passage and breeding
Ringed ploverCharadrius hiaticulaFairly common on passage, scarce breeding
KilldeerCharadrius vociferusVery rare, BBRC
Kentish ploverCharadrius alexandrinusVery rare, LROS
Eurasian dotterelCharadrius morinellusRare on passage, LROS
American golden ploverPluvialis dominicaVery rare, LROS
European golden ploverPluvialis apricariaCommon in winter and on passage
Grey ploverPluvialis squatarolaScarce in winter and on passage
Northern lapwingVanellus vanellusAbundant in winter; fairly common breeding

Sandpipers and allies

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Scolopacidae

A large, diverse family of wading birds. Different lengths of legs and bills enable multiple species to feed in the same habitat, particularly on the coast, without direct competition for food. There are about 89 species worldwide, 32 of which have been recorded in Leicestershire and Rutland.

A common redshank in winter plumage at Rutland Water
Common name Binomial Status
Red knotCalidris canutusScarce on passage, rare in winter
SanderlingCalidris albaScarce to uncommon on passage
Little stintCalidris minutaUncommon on passage, rare in winter
Temminck's stintCalidris temminckiiRare, LROS
White-rumped sandpiperCalidris fuscicollisVery rare, LROS
Baird's sandpiperCalidris bairdiiVery rare, BBRC
Pectoral sandpiperCalidris melanotosRare, LROS
Curlew sandpiperCalidris ferrugineaUncommon on passage
Purple sandpiperCalidris maritimaVery rare, LROS
DunlinCalidris alpinaUncommon to fairly common in winter and on passage
RuffPhilomachus pugnaxUncommon in winter and on passage
Jack snipeLymnocryptes minimusUncommon in winter and on passage
Common snipeGallinago gallinagoFairly common in winter and on passage, rare breeding
Great snipeGallinago mediaVery rare, 14 records in nineteenth century, none since, BBRC[11]
Long-billed dowitcherLimnodromus scolopaceusVery rare, BBRC
Eurasian woodcockScolopax rusticolaUncommon to fairly common in winter and on passage, rare breeding
Black-tailed godwitLimosa limosaFairly common on passage, rare in winter
Bar-tailed godwitLimosa lapponicaScarce to uncommon on passage, rare in winter
WhimbrelNumenius phaeopusUncommon on passage
Eurasian curlewNumenius arquataUncommon on passage; scarce in winter; rare-scarce breeding
Spotted redshankTringa erythropusScarce to uncommon on passage
Common redshankTringa totanusFairly common on passage; uncommon in winter; scarce breeding
Common greenshankTringa nebulariaUncommon on passage
Lesser yellowlegsTringa flavipesVery rare, BBRC
Green sandpiperTringa ochropusFairly common on passage; uncommon in winter;
Wood sandpiperTringa glareolaScarce on passage
Common sandpiperActitis hypoleucosScarce to uncommon on passage, rare in winter, bred to 1908[5]
Spotted sandpiperActitis maculariusVery rare, BBRC
Ruddy turnstoneArenaria interpresUncommon on passage
Wilson's phalaropePhalaropus tricolorVery rare, BBRC
Red-necked phalaropePhalaropus lobatusRare, LROS
Grey phalaropePhalaropus fulicariaRare, LROS

Skuas

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Stercorariidae

Medium to large seabirds with mainly grey or brown plumage, sharp claws and a hooked tip to the bill. They chase other seabirds to force them to drop their catches. There are about seven species worldwide, with four recorded in Leicestershire and Rutland.

Common name Binomial Status
Pomarine skuaStercorarius pomarinusVery rare, LROS
Arctic skuaStercorarius parasiticusRare, LROS
Long-tailed skuaStercorarius longicaudusVery rare, LROS
Great skuaStercorarius skuaRare, LROS

Gulls

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Laridae

Medium to large seabirds with grey, white and black plumage, webbed feet and strong bills. Many are opportunistic and adaptable feeders. There are about 56 species worldwide, 16 of which have been recorded in Leicestershire and Rutland.

A black-headed gull in winter plumage flying at Rutland Water
Common name Binomial Status
Mediterranean gullIchthyaetus melanocephalusUncommon in winter and on passage
Laughing gullLeucophaeus atricillaVery rare, BBRC
Franklin's gullLeucophaeus pipixcanVery rare, BBRC
Little gullHydrocoloeus minutusUncommon on passage; rare to scarce in winter;
Sabine's gullXema sabiniVery rare, LROS
Black-headed gullChroicocephalus ridibundusAbundant in winter, uncommon breeding
Ring-billed gullLarus delawarensisVery rare, LROS
Common gullLarus canusAbundant in winter, fairly common to common on passage
Lesser black-backed gullLarus fuscusCommon in winter and on passage
Yellow-legged gullLarus michahellisUncommon in winter and on passage
Herring gullLarus argentatusCommon in winter, scarce to uncommon on passage
Caspian gullLarus cachinnansUncommon in winter and on passage
Iceland gullLarus glaucoidesRare to scarce in winter, LROS
Glaucous gullLarus hyperboreusRare to scarce in winter, LROS
Great black-backed gullLarus marinusFairly common in winter, scarce to uncommon on passage
Black-legged kittiwakeRissa tridactylaScarce on passage

Terns

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Sternidae

Terns are slender seabirds with long, pointed wings, a pointed bill and a tail which is usually forked. There are about 44 species worldwide, 10 recorded in Leicestershire and Rutland.

Common name Binomial Status
Caspian ternHydroprogne caspiaVery rare, BBRC
Sandwich ternSterna sandvicensisScarce on passage
Roseate ternSterna dougalliiVery rare, LROS
Common ternSterna hirundoUncommon to fairly common on passage, uncommon breeding
Arctic ternSterna paradisaeaUncommon to fairly common on passage
Bridled ternOnychoprion anaethetusVery rare, BBRC
Little ternSternula albifronsScarce on passage
Whiskered ternChlidonias hybridusVery rare, BBRC
Black ternChlidonias nigerUncommon on passage
White-winged ternChlidonias leucopterusVery rare, LROS

Auks

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Alcidae

Auks are seabirds which are superficially similar to penguins with their black-and-white colours, their upright posture and some of their habits, but the living species are able to fly. There are about 23 species worldwide, four of which are rare vagrants in Leicestershire and Rutland.

Common name Binomial Status
Common guillemotUria aalgeVery rare, LROS
RazorbillAlca tordaVery rare, LROS
Little aukAlle alleRare, LROS
Atlantic puffinFratercula arcticaVery rare, LROS

Sandgrouse

Order: Pterocliformes   Family: Pteroclidae

Sturdy, medium-sized birds with a small head and long, pointed wings. There are 16 species worldwide, one of which has occurred as a vagrant in Leicestershire and Rutland.

Common name Binomial Status
Pallas's sandgrouseSyrrhaptes paradoxusVery rare, except at least 45 birds in an 1888 population peak and temporary range expansion, BBRC[12]

Pigeons and doves

Order: Columbiformes   Family: Columbidae

Pigeons and doves are stout-bodied birds with short necks and short slender bills with a fleshy cere. There are about 308 species worldwide, five of which occur in Leicestershire and Rutland.

Common name Binomial Status
Feral pigeonColumba liviaCommon feral resident
Stock doveColumba oenasCommon resident breeding
Common wood pigeonColumba palumbusAbundant resident breeding
Eurasian collared doveStreptopelia decaoctoCommon resident breeding
Turtle doveStreptopelia turturUncommon breeding summer visitor

Cuckoos

Order: Cuculiformes   Family: Cuculidae

Birds of variable size with slender bodies and long tails. Some species are lay their eggs in the nests of other birds. There are about 141 species worldwide, one of which breeds in Leicestershire and Rutland.

Common name Binomial Status
Common cuckooCuculus canorusFairly common breeding summer visitor

Barn owls

Order: Strigiformes   Family: Tytonidae

Barn owls are medium-sized to large owls with large heads and characteristic heart-shaped faces. They have long strong legs with powerful talons. There are about 16 species worldwide, with one in Leicestershire and Rutland.

Common name Binomial Status
Barn owlTyto albaUncommon breeding resident

Typical owls

Order: Strigiformes   Family: Strigidae

Typical owls are small to large solitary nocturnal birds of prey. They have large forward-facing eyes and ears, a hawk-like beak and a conspicuous circle of feathers around each eye called a facial disc. There are about 199 species worldwide, with four recorded in Leicestershire and Rutland.

Common name Binomial Status
Little owlAthene noctuaIntroduced. Fairly common resident breeding
Tawny owlStrix alucoFairly common resident breeding
Long-eared owlAsio otusScarce in winter, rare breeding
Short-eared owlAsio flammeusUncommon in winter

Nightjars

Order: Caprimulgiformes   Family: Caprimulgidae

Nightjars are medium-sized nocturnal birds that usually nest on the ground. They have long wings, short legs and very short bills. Their soft plumage is cryptically coloured to resemble bark or leaves. There are about 91 species worldwide, one of which occurs in Leicestershire and Rutland.

Common name Binomial Status
European nightjarCaprimulgus europaeusRare to scarce in summer and on passage

Swifts

Order: Apodiformes   Family: Apodidae

The swifts are small birds which spend the majority of their lives flying. These birds have very short legs and never settle voluntarily on the ground, perching instead only on vertical surfaces. There are about 100 species worldwide, two of which have been recorded in Leicestershire and Rutland.

Common name Binomial Status
Common swiftApus apusCommon summer breeding visitor
Alpine swiftApus melbaVery rare, LROS

Kingfishers

Order: Coraciiformes   Family: Alcedinidae

Kingfishers are medium-sized birds with large heads, long pointed bills, short legs and stubby tails. There are about 93 species worldwide, one of which breeds in Leicestershire and Rutland.

Common name Binomial Status
Common kingfisherAlcedo atthisUncommon breeding resident

Bee-eaters

Order: Coraciiformes   Family: Meropidae

A group of near-passerine birds characterised by richly coloured plumage, slender bodies and usually elongated central tail feathers. There are about 26 species worldwide, one of which has occurred in Leicestershire and Rutland.

Common name Binomial Status
European bee-eaterMerops apiasterVery rare, LROS

Rollers

Order: Coraciiformes   Family: Coraciidae

A small family of colourful, medium-sized birds with a crow-like shape that feed mainly on insects. There are about 12 species worldwide, one of which has occurred in Leicestershire and Rutland.

Common name Binomial Status
European rollerCoracias garrulusVery rare, BBRC

Hoopoe

Order: Coraciiformes   Family: Upupidae

A distinctive bird in its own family with a long curved bill, a crest and black-and-white striped wings and tail.

Common name Binomial Status
HoopoeUpupa epopsVery rare, LROS

Woodpeckers

Order: Piciformes   Family: Picidae

Woodpeckers are small to medium-sized birds with chisel-like beaks, short legs, stiff tails and long tongues used for capturing insects. Many woodpeckers have the habit of tapping noisily on tree trunks with their beaks. There are about 219 species worldwide, four recorded in Leicestershire and Rutland.

Common name Binomial Status
Eurasian wryneckJynx torquillaVery rare, bred to 1903, LROS[5]
European green woodpeckerPicus viridisFairly common breeding resident
Great spotted woodpeckerDendrocopos majorFairly common breeding resident
Lesser spotted woodpeckerDryobates minorUncommon breeding resident

Larks

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Alaudidae

Larks are small terrestrial birds with often extravagant songs and display flights. Most larks are fairly dull in appearance. Their food is insects and seeds. There are about 96 species worldwide, three of which have been recorded in Leicestershire and Rutland.

Common name Binomial Status
Wood larkLullula arboreaRare, bred to about 1840, LROS[5]
SkylarkAlauda arvensisCommon breeding, wintering and on passage
Shore larkEremophila alpestrisVery rare, LROS

Swallows and martins

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Hirundinidae

This is adapted to aerial feeding. They have a slender streamlined body, long pointed wings and a short bill with a wide gape. There are about 83 species worldwide, five of which have been recorded in Leicestershire and Rutland.

Common name Binomial Status
Sand martinRiparia ripariaFairly common summer breeding visitor
Crag martinPtyonoprogne rupestrisVery rare, BBRC
Barn swallowHirundo rusticaCommon summer breeding visitor
Red-rumped swallowHirundo dauricaVery rare, LROS
Common house martinDelichon urbicumCommon summer breeding visitor

Wagtails and pipits

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Motacillidae

Pied wagtail, British race Motacilla alba yarelli

Motacillidae is a family of small passerine birds with medium to long tails. They are slender, ground-feeding insectivores of open country. There are about 66 species worldwide, 10 of which have been recorded in Leicestershire and Rutland.

Common name Binomial Status
Citrine wagtailMotacilla citreolaVery rare, BBRC
Pied wagtailMotacilla albaCommon resident breeding
Grey wagtailMotacilla cinereaUncommon resident breeding
Yellow wagtailMotacilla flavaUncommon summer breeding visitor, fairly common on passage
Richard's pipitAnthus richardiVery rare, LROS
Tree pipitAnthus trivialisUncommon summer breeding visitor
Meadow pipitAnthus pratensiscommon on passage, fairly common in winter, uncommon breeding
Red-throated pipitAnthus cervinusVery rare, LROS
Water pipitAnthus spinolettaVery rare, LROS
Rock pipitAnthus petrosusScarce in winter and on passage

Waxwings

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Bombycillidae

The waxwings are a group of passerine birds characterised by soft, silky plumage and unique red tips to some of the wing feathers. There are three species worldwide, one of which has been recorded in Leicestershire and Rutland.

Common name Binomial Status
Bohemian waxwingBombycilla garrulusRare to scarce in winter

Dippers

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Cinclidae

Dark, dumpy, aquatic birds that are able to forage for food on the beds of rivers. There are five species worldwide, with one recorded in Leicestershire and Rutland.

Common name Binomial Status
White-throated dipperCinclus cinclusVery rare, bred to about 1840, LROS[5]

Wrens

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Troglodytidae

Wren at the nest

Wrens are small and inconspicuous birds, except for their loud songs. They have short wings and thin down-turned bills. There are about 80 species worldwide, with one breeding in Leicestershire and Rutland.

Common name Binomial Status
WrenTroglodytes troglodytesAbundant resident breeding

Accentors

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Prunellidae

A small family of drab, unobtrusive, insectivorous birds with thin, pointed bills. There are 13 species worldwide, with one in Leicestershire and Rutland.

Common name Binomial Status
DunnockPrunella modularisAbundant resident breeding

Thrushes

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Turdidae

The thrushes are plump, soft-plumaged, small to medium-sized insectivores or sometimes omnivores, often feeding on the ground. Many have attractive songs. There are about 90 species worldwide, six in Leicestershire and Rutland.

Common name Binomial Status
Common blackbirdTurdus merulaAbundant resident breeding
Ring ouzelTurdus torquatusScarce to uncommon on passage, formerly bred in the 19th century, LROS[5]
FieldfareTurdus pilarisCommon in winter, rare in summer
RedwingTurdus iliacusCommon in winter
Song thrushTurdus philomelosCommon resident breeding
Mistle thrushTurdus viscivorusCommon resident breeding

Cettid warblers

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Cettiidae

Common name Binomial Status
Cetti's warblerCettia cettiRare in winter and on passage

Locustellid warblers

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Locustellidae

Common name Binomial Status
Common grasshopper warblerLocustella naeviaUncommon breeding summer visitor
Savi's warblerLocustella luscinioidesVery rare, LROS

Acrocephalid warblers

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Acrocephalidae

Common name Binomial Status
Aquatic warblerAcrocephalus paludicolaVery rare, one occurrence in 1864, LROS[13]
Sedge warblerAcrocephalus schoenobaenusCommon breeding summer visitor
Eurasian reed warblerAcrocephalus scirpaceusFairly common breeding summer visitor
Marsh warblerAcrocephalus palustrisVery rare, LROS
Great reed warblerAcrocephalus arundinaceusVery rare, BBRC

Phylloscopid warblers

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Phylloscopidae

Common name Binomial Status
Willow warblerPhylloscopus trochilusAbundant breeding summer visitor
Common chiffchaffPhylloscopus collybitaCommon breeding summer visitor, scarce to uncommon in winter
Western Bonelli's warblerPhylloscopus bonelliVery rare, BBRC
Wood warblerPhylloscopus sibilatrixScarce on passage, rare breeding
Yellow-browed warblerPhylloscopus inornatusVery rare, LROS
Greenish warblerPhylloscopus trochiloidesVery rare, LROS

Old World warblers

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Sylviidae A group of small, insectivorous passerine birds. Most are of generally undistinguished appearance, but many have distinctive songs.

Common name Binomial Status
Eurasian blackcapSylvia atricapillaCommon breeding summer visitor, uncommon in winter
Barred warblerSylvia nisoriaVery rare vagrant. One record in 2018 LROS
Garden warblerSylvia borinFairly common breeding summer visitor
WhitethroatSylvia communisCommon breeding summer visitor
Lesser whitethroatSylvia currucaFairly common breeding summer visitor

Kinglets

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Regulidae

A family of very small birds. There are seven species worldwide, with two in Leicestershire and Rutland.

Common name Binomial Status
GoldcrestRegulus regulusFairly common to common breeding summer visitor
Common firecrestRegulus ignicapillusRare in winter and on passage

Old World flycatchers

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Muscicapidae

A European robin in a Leicestershire garden, British subspecies Erithacus rubecula melophilus

The flycatchers are small birds that fly out from a perch to catch insects in the air or from the ground. There are about 120 species worldwide, 11 of which have been recorded in Leicestershire and Rutland.

Common name Binomial Status
Spotted flycatcherMuscicapa striataUncommon breeding summer visitor
European pied flycatcherFicedula hypoleucaRare to scarce on passage, very rare breeding
BluethroatLuscinia svecicaVery rare, LROS
NightingaleLuscinia megarhynchosUncommon breeding summer visitor
Red-flanked bluetailTarsiger cyanurusVery rare, BBRC
European robinErithacus rubeculaAbundant resident breeding
European stonechatSaxicola rubicolaUncommon in winter and on passage
WhinchatSaxicola rubetraUncommon on passage, rare breeding
Northern wheatearOenanthe oenantheUncommon on passage, very rare breeding
Black redstartPhoenicurus ochrurosScarce in winter and on passage, rare breeding
Common redstartPhoenicurus phoenicurusUncommon in summer and on passage, rare breeding

Bearded reedling

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Panuridae

Common name Binomial Status
Bearded reedlingPanurus biarmicusRare in winter and on passage

Long-tailed tits

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Aegithalidae

Small, long-tailed birds that typically live in flocks for much of the year. There are eight species worldwide, with one breeding in Leicestershire and Rutland.

Common name Binomial Status
Long-tailed titAegithalos longicaudusCommon breeding resident

Tits

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Paridae

Tits are mainly small, stocky, woodland species with short stout bills. They are adaptable birds, with a mixed diet including seeds and insects. There are about 59 species worldwide, five breeding in Leicestershire and Rutland.

Common name Binomial Status
Marsh titParus palustrisFairly common resident breeding
Willow titParus montanaCommon but declining resident breeding
Coal titParus aterCommon resident breeding
Great titParus majorAbundant resident breeding
Blue titParus caeruleusAbundant resident breeding

Nuthatches

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Sittidae

Nuthatches are small woodland birds with the unusual ability to climb down trees head-first, unlike other birds which can only go upwards. There are about 24 species worldwide, one breeding in Leicestershire and Rutland.

Common name Binomial Status
Eurasian nuthatchSitta europaeaFairly common resident breeding

Treecreepers

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Certhiidae

Treecreepers are small woodland birds, brown above and white below. They have thin, pointed, down-curved bills, which they use to extricate insects from bark. There are seven species worldwide, one breeding in Leicestershire and Rutland.

Common name Binomial Status
Common treecreeperCerthia familiarisCommon resident breeding

Old World orioles

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Oriolidae

The orioles are medium-sized passerines, mostly with bright and showy plumage, the females often duller plumage than the males The beak is long, slightly curved and hooked. Orioles are arboreal and tend to feed in the canopy. There are 27 species worldwide, one of which has been recorded in Leicestershire and Rutland.

Common name Binomial Status
Eurasian golden orioleOriolus oriolusRare in summer and on passage, LROS

Shrikes

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Laniidae

Shrikes are passerine birds with a habit of catching other birds and small animals and impaling the uneaten portions of their bodies on thorns. A typical shrike's beak is hooked, like that of a bird of prey. There are about 30 species worldwide, three of which have been recorded in Leicestershire and Rutland.

Common name Binomial Status
Great grey shrikeLanius excubitorRare, LROS
Red-backed shrikeLanius collurioVery rare, bred to 1944, LROS[5]
Woodchat shrikeLanius senatorVery rare, LROS

Crows and allies

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Corvidae

The crows and their relatives are fairly large birds with strong bills and are usually intelligent and adaptable. There are about 119 species worldwide, eight of which have been recorded in Leicestershire and Rutland.

Common name Binomial Status
Carrion crowCorvus coroneCommon resident breeding
Common ravenCorvus coraxScarce in winter and on passage, rare resident breeding
Hooded crowCorvus cornixVery rare, LROS
Eurasian jackdawCorvus monedulaCommon resident breeding
RookCorvus frugilegusAbundant resident breeding
Eurasian jayGarrulus glandariusFairly common resident breeding
European magpiePica picaCommon resident breeding
Spotted nutcrackerNucifraga caryocatactesVery rare, BBRC

Starlings

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Sturnidae

Starlings are small to medium-sized passerine birds with strong feet. Their flight is strong and direct and most are very gregarious. There are about 114 species worldwide, two of which have been recorded in Leicestershire and Rutland.

Common name Binomial Status
Rosy starlingPastor roseusVery rare, LROS
Common starlingSturnus vulgarisAbundant breeding, in winter and on passage

Sparrows

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Passeridae

Sparrows tend to be small, plump, brownish or greyish birds with short tails and short, powerful beaks. They are seed-eaters and they also consume small insects. There are about 38 species worldwide, two of which have been recorded in Leicestershire and Rutland.

Common name Binomial Status
House sparrowPasser domesticusCommon resident breeding
Eurasian tree sparrowPasser montanusFairly common resident breeding

Finches

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Fringillidae

Seed-eating passerine birds that are small to moderately large and have a strong beak, usually conical and in some species very large. There are about 176 species worldwide, 13 of which have been recorded in Leicestershire and Rutland.

Common name Binomial Status
Common chaffinchFringilla coelebsAbundant resident breeding
BramblingFringilla montifringillaUncommon to fairly common in winter and on passage
Common crossbillLoxia curvirostraRare to scarce in winter, very rare breeding, LROS
European greenfinchChloris chlorisCommon to abundant resident breeding
Common redpollAcanthis flammeaRare in winter and on passage, LROS
Lesser redpollAcanthis cabaretFairly common in winter and on passage, rare breeding
Arctic redpollAcanthis hornemanniVery rare, LROS
Eurasian siskinSpinus spinusFairly common to commonin winter, very rarebreeding
European goldfinchCarduelis carduelisCommon resident breeding
TwiteLinaria flavirostrisRare in winter and on passage, LROS
Common linnetLinaria cannabinaFairly common in winter, common breeding
Eurasian bullfinchPyrrhula pyrrhulaCommon resident breeding
HawfinchCoccothraustes coccothraustesScarce on passage, rare breeding

Longspurs and arctic buntings

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Calcariidae

Common name Binomial Status
Snow buntingPlectrophenax nivalisRare in winter and on passage, LROS
Lapland buntingCalcarius lapponicusVery rare in winter and on passage, LROS

Buntings

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Emberizidae

The Emberizidae are a large family of seed-eating passerine birds with distinctively shaped bills. There are about 372 species worldwide, eight of which have been recorded in Leicestershire and Rutland.

Common name Binomial Status
YellowhammerEmberiza citrinellaCommon resident breeding
Cirl buntingEmberiza cirlusVery rare, bred to 1920, LROS[5]
Black-headed buntingEmberiza melanocephalaVery rare, BBRC
Reed buntingEmberiza schoeniclusCommon resident breeding
Corn buntingMiliaria calandraUncommon resident breeding

Footnotes

  1. "Leicestershire and Rutland Ornithological Society". LROS. Retrieved 3 April 2010
  2. Downloadable Excel file from "Checklist of Leicestershire & Rutland Birds". LROS. Retrieved 29 May 2010
  3. Fray (2009) p. 14
  4. Dudley, Steve P; Gee, Mike; Kehoe, Chris; Melling, Tim M.; The British Ornithologists’ Union Records Committee (BOURC) (2006). "The British List: A Checklist of Birds of Britain (7th edition)". Ibis. 148 (3): 526–563. doi:10.1111/j.1474-919X.2006.00603.x.
  5. Fray (2009) p. 32
  6. Fray (2009) pp. 234238
  7. Fray (2009) pp. 215218
  8. Fray (2009) p. 234
  9. Fray (2009) p. 255
  10. Fray (2009) p. 272
  11. Fray (2009) p. 312
  12. Fray (2009) p. 406
  13. Fray (2009) p. 534

Cited text

  • Fray, Rob; Davies, Roger; Gamble, Dave; Harrop, Andrew; Lister, Steve (2009). The Birds of Leicestershire and Rutland. Christopher Helm. ISBN 978-0-7136-7233-6.

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