Garden birds
Many birds visit our gardens seeking food and shelter. Species like sparrows, finches, starlings, tits, blackbirds, robins, thrushes and wrens are all commonly spotted in gardens across Scotland.
The species of birds attracted to your garden will largely depend on which plants, shrubs or trees are present as the amount and type of greenery will determine how good the food supply is and how well protected birds will be.
Extra food, good access to water and suitable perching spots can make your garden more inviting to birds.
Types of garden birds
House sparrows
Sparrows have stout bodies, rounded wings and wide heads with short, cone-shaped beaks.
There are two types of sparrows living in the UK and they often live close to people in towns and villages.
Sparrows survive on seeds but will also feed on scraps left behind by humans.
Finches
These musical birds have small, stocky bodies with forked tails and slightly pointed wings.
There is a large variety of finches living in, or migrating to, Scotland but you’re most likely to see species like chaffinches, lesser redpolls, goldfinches, greenfinches, linnets and bramblings.
Amongst the different species, there is a huge variance in colours, markings and bill shape.
Finches enjoy a diet of seeds and insects but will also visit bird feeders in gardens.
Starlings
Starlings are a common sight in gardens around Scotland. They are medium-sized birds with short tails, pointed wings and sharp, pointy bills. Thanks to their strong legs, they can stand in an upright position.
Juvenile starlings are speckled brown whilst the adults are much darker with a green and purple sheen to their feathers.
Starlings are social birds and can often be seen flocking together, particularly when their favourite foods, insects and fruits, are available.
Tits
As frequent visitors to bird feeders, the various species of tits are perhaps the most recognisable of all garden birds found in Scotland. They also feed on insects, caterpillars, seeds and nuts in the wild.
They have strong feet and legs for perching as well as tiny, pointed beaks.
Whilst some species of tit are fairly plain in appearance, others have fantastic hues of blue, yellow and green in their plumage.
Robins
Robins are widespread throughout Scotland and can be seen all year round, not just at Christmas time.
They are one of the most recognisable garden birds, easily distinguished by their bright red chest and face.
Robins have a lovely, twittering song and they enjoy a diet of worms, seeds, fruits and insects.
Blackbirds and other thrushes
Blackbirds and other thrushes, like song and mistle thrushes, are regular visitors to gardens. They are medium to large in size and vary in colour.
Blackbirds are pure black with a bright orange, pointed bill. Song thrushes are a rich brown with a white and yellow chest with dark markings, whereas a mistle thrush is a lot lighter in colour with a white or cream chest dappled with black spots.
They feed on a diet of worms, slugs, insects, berries and fruit.
That’s wild
Jays enjoy eating acorns and have been known to bury them in the summer and dig up the tasty treat again in the winter.
Wrens
Despite their tiny size, wrens have a very loud singing voice. They are small, brown birds weighing between just seven and 12 grams. Wrens have very short, rounded wings and long, slim bills. Sometime they can be spotted with their tail sticking up in the air.
They visit garden regularly in search of insects and spiders to eat.
Common problems for garden birds
Predation
Birds have no scent receptors so they can’t sense predators in the same way as other wild animals. However, if you have a cat, a safe, breakaway collar with a bell can help alert garden birds to their presence.
Poor food supply
Garden birds can struggle to get enough food, particularly in the colder months. To supplement their natural diet, you can provide bird feeders filled with nuts, seeds or suet and ensure that a source of fresh water is available.
Crash landings
It’s common for birds to fly into things like windows or glass doors. If there is no sign of injury but the bird isn’t flying away, it’s likely that they’re just stunned. Place a cardboard box over the bird to keep them safe whilst they recover and release after one to two hours.
Trapped or tangled
Whilst visiting your garden, birds can get trapped in common items like football nets or garden netting for fruit and vegetables. If you find a bird that can’t break free on their own, call our helpline on 03000 999 999.