Common British Passerines

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What species of Passerine bird is this? House Martin (Delichon urbica) Swift (Apus apus) Swallow (Hirundo rustica) Pied Wagtail (Motacilla alba) Starling (Sturnus vulgaris) Please select an option Correct! This species is called a House Martin, with its pure white underparts as well as a white rump and short forked tail. The bird's mud nest is usually sited below the eaves of buildings. They are summer migrants and spend their winters in Africa. Although still numerous and widespread, recent moderate declines earn them a place on the Amber List. Incorrect. This species is called a House Martin, with its pure white underparts as well as a white rump and short forked tail. Swifts are larger birds with a dark underside, long, scythe-like wings and a short, forked tail. Like the House Martins and Swallows, it is also a Summer migrant and spends its winters in Africa. Incorrect. This species is called a House Martin, with its pure white underparts as well as a white rump and short forked tail. Although they belong to the same family, swallows have distinctive red throats and long tail streamers. They are extremely agile in flight and spend most of their time on the wing. Incorrect. This species is called a House Martin, with its pure white underparts as well as a white rump and short forked tail. Pied Wagtails also have a black and white plumage, but they possess a black beak, have long slender legs, with long hindclaws and a long-rectangular tail that they characteristically are frequently “wagging”. Incorrect. This species is called a House Martin, with its pure white underparts as well as a white rump and short forked tail. Starlings are bigger birds with long legs and although its adult plumage may seem black in the distance, it is actually very glossy with a sheen of purples and greens. Unlike swifts, swallows and house-martins they walk and run confidently on the ground.

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What species of Passerine bird is this? Swift (Apus apus) Blackbird (Turdus merula) Swallow (Hirundo rustica) House Martin (Delichon urbica) Blue Tit (Cyanistes caeruleus) Please select an option Incorrect. This species is called a Swallow, with its distinctive glossy dark blue backs, red throats and long tail streamers. Swifts are larger birds with a dark underside, long, scythe-like wings and a short, forked tail. Like the House Martins and Swallows, it is also a Summer migrant and spends its winters in Africa. Incorrect. This species is called a Swallow, with its distinctive glossy dark blue backs, red throats and long tail streamers. Blackbirds are bigger birds with long legs and although the males have a distinctive black plumage with bright orange beaks and eye rings, the female blackbird is brown, often with spots and streaks on their breasts. Correct! Swallows have distinctive glossy dark blue backs, red throats and long tail streamers. They are extremely agile in flight and spend most of their time on the wing. They are found in areas where there is a ready and accessible supply of small insects and are particularly fond of open pasture with access to water and quiet farm buildings. Incorrect. This species is called a Swallow, with its distinctive glossy dark blue backs, red throats and long tail streamers. Unlike Swallows, House Martins have pure white underparts as well as a white rump and short forked tail. Incorrect. This species is called a Swallow, with its distinctive glossy dark blue backs, red throats and long tail streamers. Blue Tits, with longer legs and shorter beaks, are actually a colourful mix of blue, yellow, green and white, and unlike Swallows, are permanent residents in the UK.

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What species of Passerine bird is this? Starling (Sturnus vulgaris) Pied Wagtail (Motacilla alba) Coal Tit (Periparus ater) Nuthatch (Sitta europaea) Blackbird (Turdus merula) Please select an option Incorrect. This species is called a Pied Wagtail, with its black and white plumage, black beak, long hindclaws and a long-rectangular “wagging” tail. Starlings are bigger birds whose adult plumage may seem black in the distance, but it is actually very glossy with a sheen of purples and greens, and does not have white colouring in its head and underside. Correct. This species is called a Pied Wagtail, with its black and white plumage, black beak, long hindclaws and a long-rectangular tail that, in accordance to their common name, they frequently “wag”. Best looked for near water and can be found in most habitats, even town centres. They gather together in large roosts at dusk, sometimes in towns, often assembling on roofs beforehand. Incorrect! This species is called a Pied Wagtail, with its black and white plumage, black beak, long hindclaws and a long-rectangular “wagging” tail. The coal tit is a small bird with a distinctive grey back, black cap, and white patch at the back of its neck. In Winter they join with other tits to form flocks which roam through woodlands and gardens in search of food. Incorrect. This species is called a Pied Wagtail, with its black and white plumage, black beak, long hindclaws and a long-rectangular “wagging” tail. The Nuthatch is actually a plump bird with a blue-grey back and whitish underside, with chestnut on its sides and under its tail. It has a long black stripe covering its eyes, a long black pointed bill, and short legs. Incorrect. This species is called a Pied Wagtail, with its black and white plumage, black beak, long hindclaws and a long-rectangular “wagging” tail. Blackbirds are bigger birds with long legs and although the males have a distinctive black plumage with bright orange beaks and eye rings, the female blackbird is brown, often with spots and streaks on their breasts.

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What species of Passerine bird is this? Tree Creeper (Certhia familiaris) Nuthatch (Sitta europaea) Wren (Troglodytes troglodytes) House Sparrow (Passer domesticus) Dunnock (Prunella modularis) Please select an option Incorrect. This species is called a Dunnock, a small brown bird with grey plumage around the eyes and in the neck area. The Tree Creeper has a long, slender, downcurved bill, its underside is mainly white and, as its name indicates, it lives in trees, often being found vertically climbing the trunks. Incorrect. This species is called a Dunnock, a small brown bird with grey plumage around the eyes and in the neck area. The Nuthatch is actually a plump bird with a blue-grey back and whitish underside, with chestnut on its sides and under its tail and a long black stripe covering its eyes. Incorrect! This species is called a Dunnock, a small brown bird with grey plumage around the eyes and in the neck area. Wrens are even smaller birds with a plumage in different brownish tones and a short, narrow tail which is sometimes cocked up vertically. Incorrect. This species is called a Dunnock, a small brown bird with grey plumage around the eyes and in the neck area. Although House Sparrows can look similar, they have distinctly thicker beaks and the area around the eyes can be light brown in females or a more intense brown in males, with no light grey in the neck. Correct. This species is called a Dunnock, a small brown bird with grey plumage around the eyes and in the neck area. They inhabit any well vegetated areas with scrub, brambles and hedges, and keep largely on the ground and often close to cover. When two rival males come together they become animated with lots of wing-flicking and loud calling.

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What species of Passerine bird is this? Chaffinch (Fringilla coelebs) Robin (Erithacus rubecula) Wren (Troglodytes troglodytes) House Sparrow (Passer domesticus) Dunnock (Prunella modularis) Please select an option Incorrect. This species is called a Wren, one of the smallest birds in the UK. Its plumage takes in different brownish tones, it has an almost rounded shape, a fine bill and a narrow tail which is sometimes cocked up vertically. The female Chaffinch is quite similar to a female House Sparrow, with their thick beaks, but the male has a beautiful reddish underside plumage that goes up until the face and makes the species easily recognizable. Incorrect. This species is called a Wren, one of the smallest birds in the UK. Its plumage takes in different brownish tones, it has an almost rounded shape, a fine bill and a narrow tail which is sometimes cocked up vertically. Both the male and female Robin have a characteristic bright red breast, surrounded by a grey patch, with a brown back and white underside. Correct! This species is called a Wren, one of the smallest birds in the UK. Its plumage takes in different brownish tones, it is dumpy, almost rounded, with a fine bill, very short round wings and a short, narrow tail which is sometimes cocked up vertically. It’s a rather inconspicuous bird, except for its very loud and often complex songs. Incorrect. This species is called a Wren, one of the smallest birds in the UK. Its plumage takes in different brownish tones, it has an almost rounded shape, a fine bill and a narrow tail which is sometimes cocked up vertically. House Sparrows are bigger and have distinctly thicker beaks. Incorrect. This species is called a Wren, one of the smallest birds in the UK. Its plumage takes in different brownish tones, it has an almost rounded shape, a fine bill and a narrow tail which is sometimes cocked up vertically. A Dunnock is a small brown bird with grey plumage around the eyes and in the neck area.

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What species of Passerine bird is this? Robin (Erithacus rubecula) Chaffinch (Fringilla coelebs) Song Thrush (Turdus philomelos) House Sparrow (Passer domesticus) Dunnock (Prunella modularis) Please select an option Correct. This species is called a Robin. Both the male and female have a characteristic bright red breast, surrounded by a grey patch, with a brown back and white underside. Robins sing nearly all year round and despite their cute appearance, they are aggressively territorial and are quick to drive away intruders. Incorrect. This species is called a Robin. Both the male and female have a characteristic bright red breast, surrounded by a grey patch, with a brown back and white underside. The female Chaffinch is quite similar to a female House Sparrow, with their thick beaks, but the male also has a beautiful reddish underside plumage that goes up until the face. Unlike the Robin, the Chaffinch has the typical thick bill of finches. Incorrect! This species is called a Robin. Both the male and female have a characteristic bright red breast, surrounded by a grey patch, with a brown back and white underside. The Song Thrush is bigger, with a white underside speckled with darker spots. Incorrect. This species is called a Robin. Both the male and female have a characteristic bright red breast, surrounded by a grey patch, with a brown back and white underside. House Sparrows are brown birds, without the red feathering in their chest area and have distinctly thicker beaks. Incorrect. This species is called a Robin. Both the male and female have a characteristic bright red breast, surrounded by a grey patch, with a brown back and white underside. A Dunnock is a small brown bird with grey plumage around the eyes and in the neck area.

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What species of Passerine bird is this? Starling (Sturnus vulgaris) Pied Wagtail (Motacilla alba) Song Thrush (Turdus philomelos) Nightingale (Luscinia megarhynchos) Blackbird (Turdus merula) Please select an option Incorrect. This is a female Blackbird. Although the males have a distinctive black plumage, the female blackbird is brown, often with spots and streaks on their breasts. However, both males and females possess a characteristic bright orange beaks and eye rings. Starlings’ adult plumage may seem black in the distance, but it is actually very glossy with a sheen of purples and greens, and they do not possess the orange eye rings. Incorrect. This is a female Blackbird. Although the males have a distinctive black plumage, the female blackbird is brown, often with spots and streaks on their breasts. However, both males and females possess a characteristic bright orange beaks and eye rings. A Pied Wagtail has black and white plumage, a black beak and a long-rectangular tail that, in accordance to their common name, they frequently “wag”. Incorrect! This is a female Blackbird. Although the males have a distinctive black plumage, the female blackbird is brown, often with spots and streaks on their breasts. However, both males and females possess a characteristic bright orange beaks and eye rings. The Song Thrush has a white underside speckled with darker spots, and does not possess the orange beak and eye rings. Incorrect. This is a female Blackbird. Although the males have a distinctive black plumage, the female blackbird is brown, often with spots and streaks on their breasts. However, both males and females possess a characteristic bright orange beaks and eye rings. Nightingales are smaller birds, only slighter larger than a Robin, with different tones of brown plumage and a a darker beak than the Blackbird. Correct. This is a female Blackbird. Although the males have a distinctive black plumage, the female blackbird is brown, often with spots and streaks on their breasts. However, both males and females possess a characteristic bright orange beaks and eye rings. They are one of the commonest UK birds, residing here all year long.

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What species of Passerine bird is this? House Sparrow (Passer domesticus) Nuthatch (Sitta europaea) Nightingale (Luscinia megarhynchos) Song Thrush (Turdus philomelos) Blackbird (Turdus merula) Please select an option Incorrect. This species is called a Song Thrush, with its brown and light cream plumage and white underside speckled with darker spots. House Sparrows are smaller, without the white spotted underside, and with a characteristically thick “finch-like” beak. Incorrect. This species is called a Song Thrush, with its brown and light cream plumage and white underside speckled with darker spots. The Nuthatch is actually a plump bird with a blue-grey back and whitish underside, with chestnut on its sides and under its tail and a long black stripe covering its eyes. Incorrect! This species is called a Song Thrush, with its brown and light cream plumage and white underside speckled with darker spots. Nightingales are smaller birds, only slighter larger than a Robin, with different tones of brown plumage and no spots. Correct. This species is called a Song Thrush, with its brown and light cream plumage and white underside speckled with darker spots. It likes to eat snails which it breaks into by smashing them against a stone with a flick of the head. Their numbers are declining dangerously, making it a Red List species. Incorrect. This species is called a Song Thrush, with its brown and light cream plumage and white underside speckled with darker spots. Although the female blackbird is brown, often with spots and streaks on their breasts, the spots are not dark and, like the completely black males, they have distinctive bright orange beaks and eye rings.

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What species of Passerine bird is this? Coal Tit (Periparus ater) Robin (Erithacus rubecula) Blue Tit (Cyanistes caeruleus) Great Tit (Parus major) Dunnock (Prunella modularis) Please select an option Incorrect. This species is called a Blue Tit, with its white face and blue cap, and a colourful mix of yellow, green and blue in the body. Not as colourful as some of its relatives, the coal tit has a distinctive grey back, black cap, and white patch at the back of its neck. Its smaller, slenderer bill than blue or great tits means it can feed more successfully in conifer trees. Incorrect. This species is called a Blue Tit, with its white face and blue cap, and a colourful mix of yellow, green and blue in the body. Both the male and female Robin have a characteristic bright red breast, surrounded by a grey patch, with a brown back and white underside. Correct! This species is called a Blue Tit, with its white face and blue cap, and a colourful mix of yellow, green and blue in the body. They have a small beak they use to eat insects, caterpillars, seeds and nuts and are common sightings in woodland, hedgerows, parks and gardens. Incorrect. This species is called a Blue Tit, with its white face and blue cap, and a colourful mix of yellow, green and blue in the body. The Great Tit is the largest UK tit and it has a black cap instead of blue, with a yellow and green body. It can be quite aggressive at a birdtable, fighting off smaller tits. Incorrect. This species is called a Blue Tit, with its white face and blue cap, and a colourful mix of yellow, green and blue in the body. A Dunnock is a small brown bird with grey plumage around the eyes and in the neck area.

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What species of Passerine bird is this? Coal Tit (Periparus ater) House Martin (Delichon urbica) Blue Tit (Cyanistes caeruleus) Great Tit (Parus major) Chaffinch (Fringilla coelebs) Please select an option Correct. This species is called a Coal Tit, with its distinctive grey back, black cap, and white patch at the back of its neck. Not as colourful as some of its relatives, the coal tit has a smaller, slenderer bill than blue or great tits, which means it can feed more successfully in conifer trees. A regular visitor to most peanut feeders, they will take and store food to eat later. Incorrect. This species is called a Coal Tit, with its distinctive grey back, black cap, and white patch at the back of its neck. Not as colourful as some of its relatives, the coal tit has a smaller, slenderer bill than blue or great tits. A House Martin has very short legs, with pure white underparts as well as a white rump and short forked tail. Incorrect! This species is called a Coal Tit, with its distinctive grey back, black cap, and white patch at the back of its neck. Not as colourful as some of its relatives, the coal tit has a smaller, slenderer bill than blue or great tits. A Blue Tit has a white face and blue cap, and a colourful mix of yellow, green and blue in the body. Incorrect. This species is called a Coal Tit, with its distinctive grey back, black cap, and white patch at the back of its neck. Not as colourful as some of its relatives, the coal tit has a smaller, slenderer bill than blue or great tits. The Great Tit is the largest UK tit and it has a yellow and green body. It can be quite aggressive at a birdtable, fighting off smaller tits. Incorrect. This species is called a Coal Tit, with its distinctive grey back, black cap, and white patch at the back of its neck. Not as colourful as some of its relatives, the coal tit has a smaller, slenderer bill than blue or great tits. The female Chaffinch is quite similar to a female House Sparrow, with their thick beaks, but the male has a beautiful reddish underside plumage that goes up until the face and makes the species easily recognizable.

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What species of Passerine bird is this? Coal Tit (Periparus ater) House Martin (Delichon urbica) Blue Tit (Cyanistes caeruleus) Great Tit (Parus major) Greenfinch (Carduelis chloris) Please select an option Incorrect. This species is called a Great Tit, with its black cap, white cheeks and yellow and green body and it is the largest UK tit. The Coal Tit has a grey back, black cap, and white patch at the back of its neck, as well as a slenderer bill. Incorrect. This species is called a Great Tit, with its black cap, white cheeks and yellow and green body and it is the largest UK tit. A House Martin has very short legs, with pure white underparts as well as a white rump and short forked tail. Incorrect! This species is called a Great Tit, with its black cap, white cheeks and yellow and green body and it is the largest UK tit. A Blue Tit has a white face and blue cap, and a colourful mix of yellow, green and blue in the body. Correct. This species is called a Great Tit, with its black cap, white cheeks and yellow and green body. It is the largest UK tit and it can be quite aggressive at a birdtable, fighting off smaller tits. In Winter, it joins with blue tits and others to form roaming flocks which scour gardens and countryside for food. Incorrect. This species is called a Great Tit, with its black cap, white cheeks and yellow and green body and it is the largest UK tit. The Greenfinch is a bigger bird, with a finch-like thick beak. The male is predominantly green and grey, with some yellow flashed in the wings, while the female tends to be browner, but still maintaining some green and yellow feathers.

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What species of Passerine bird is this? Nuthatch (Sitta europaea) Tree Creeper (Certhia familiaris) Wren (Troglodytes troglodytes) House Sparrow (Passer domesticus) Dunnock (Prunella modularis) Please select an option Incorrect. This species is called a Tree Creeper, with its long, slender, downcurved bill, its mainly white underside and speckly brown back. It lives in trees, often being found vertically climbing the trunks. The Nuthatch is actually a plump bird with a blue-grey back and whitish underside, with chestnut on its sides and under its tail and a long black stripe covering its eyes. Correct. This species is called a Tree Creeper, with its long, slender, downcurved bill, its mainly white underside and speckly brown back. It is a small, very active bird, and as its name indicates, it lives in trees, often being found vertically climbing the trunks. They are UK residents and although they leave their breeding territories in autumn, most range no further than 20 km. Incorrect! This species is called a Tree Creeper, with its long, slender, downcurved bill, its mainly white underside and speckly brown back. It lives in trees, often being found vertically climbing the trunks. Wrens are even smaller birds with a plumage in different brownish tones and a short, narrow tail which is sometimes cocked up vertically. Incorrect. This species is called a Tree Creeper, with its long, slender, downcurved bill, its mainly white underside and speckly brown back. It lives in trees, often being found vertically climbing the trunks. Although House Sparrows can look similar, they have distinctly thicker and shorter beaks and are not adept at vertical climbs. Incorrect. This species is called a Tree Creeper, with its long, slender, downcurved bill, its mainly white underside and speckly brown back. It lives in trees, often being found vertically climbing the trunks. A Dunnock possesses a small brown grey plumage around the eyes and in the neck area, and shorter nails.