The United Kingdom features plenty of good birds to be seen, and there are thousands of birders to observe those birds. Indeed, the UK is home to birds of all shapes and sizes, but–much to the dismiss of beginning birders–it seems that there are far more small birds in the UK compared to big UK birds. If you’re stumped by one of the many very small British birds, don’t worry! I’ve created this guide for the 10 smallest birds in the UK to help.
Those interested in knowing more about Britain’s smallest bird species have come to the right place. I’ll be discussing a variety of small UK birds in this photo guide. By the conclusion of this article, you will feel much more comfortable with the prospect of identifying tiny bird species that visit your backyard. Let’s learn about the 10 smallest birds in the UK!
Table of Contents
The 10 Smallest Birds In The UK
Bank Swallow
Image attribution: “Andorinha-das-barreiras, European Sand Martin, (Bank Swallow)“ by Luiz Lapa is licensed under CC BY 2.0
Length: 12 – 14 cm (4.75 – 5.5 inches)
Weight: 10 – 19 grams (0.4 – 0.7 ounces)
Bank Swallows are far from the smallest birds in Britain, but they’re nonetheless petite. Indeed, these small UK birds are the smallest of the swallows within the United Kingdom.
Bank Swallows are small brown birds with pale undersides and a dark band across their breasts. They can often be observed as they forage over water, and they make their nests within the banks of waterways. Much like Barn Swallows, Bank Swallows eat a strict diet of insects, making them quite popular among UK residents.
Although present for much of the year, these UK swallows fly south in October to spend winters in sub-Saharan Africa – a fantastic journey for one of the smallest UK bird species. They do not return to the UK until April, but they’ll remain throughout the summer and raise a family before their southbound migration.
Coal Tit
Length: 10 – 12 cm (3.95 – 4.75 inches)
Weight: 7.2 – 12 grams (0.25 – 0.42 ounces)
The tit birds in the UK are a family of tiny birds, but Coal Tits take the cake for being the smallest birds in UK from this family. Although their bodies are about the same size as other UK tits, their tails are rather stubby compared to their counterparts.
Coal Tits are sexually monomorphic, with both males and females having white wingbars and black heads. These small British birds are familiar in backyards throughout the UK. They’ll readily visit bird feeders and nest in birdhouses that residents offer.
This black and white small bird can be found throughout the United Kingdom throughout the year. These small birds make very minimal movements, so Coal Tits that frequent your backyard will likely stick around for their whole lives.
Common Chiffchaff
Length: 11 – 12 cm (4.35 – 4.75 inches)
Weight: 6 – 11.5 grams (0.21 – 0.4 ounces)
Common Chiffchaffs are another one of Britain’s smallest birds. They look frustratingly similar to Willow Warblers, but Willow Warblers can grow slightly larger than Common Chiffchaffs. Indeed, Common Chiffchaffs are one of Britain’s smallest bird species.
Common Chiffchaffs are rather unremarkable looking, as they have few discerning features. For starters, they’re a little bird with yellow chest feathers and yellow eyebrows. Otherwise, they’re a dull olive colour and pale underneath.
Common Chiffchaffs are most abundant in the United Kingdom during the summer breeding season, however, some winter in southern England during winter. Otherwise, they travel to places like Portugal or northern Africa in the winter.
Common Firecrest
Length: 9 cm (3.55 inches)
Weight: 5 – 7 grams (0.18 – 0.25 ounces)
Common Firecrests are positively petite songbirds that are undoubtedly deserving of a spot on the list of 10 smallest birds in the UK. Their backs are greenish, while their undersides are pale. Additionally, Common Firecrests are a small bird with yellow stripe on head.
Being among the smallest birds in Britain means that it’s easy to overlook Common Firecrests. Moreover, these small UK birds are only found in England and Wales – they have not spread to the northern reaches of the UK.
Common Firecrests look a lot like the more abundant Goldcrests, so be sure that you take the time to attempt to carefully identify this species. Common Firecrests are most likely to be found in stands of coniferous trees.
Eurasian Blue Tit
Length: 11 – 12 cm (4.35 – 4.75 inches)
Weight: 7.5 – 14.7 grams (0.26 – 0.52 ounces)
Eurasian Blue Tits are among the most familiar small UK birds, however, they’re not the smallest tit birds in the UK – Coal Tits have earned that distinction. However, they’ve still earned a place on this list of the smallest birds in the UK.
Like Coal Tits, Eurasian Blue Tits are no strangers to British backyards. These tiny birds are happy to feed at bird feeders or nest in birdhouses that are set up in yards. Eurasian Blue Tits are year-round residents in the United Kingdom.
Eurasian Blue Tits are another example of a little bird with yellow chest feathers, while their wings and caps are blue. In addition to being one of the 10 smallest birds in the UK, they also happen to be one of the most common.
Eurasian Siskin
Length: 11 – 12 cm (4.35 – 4.75 inches)
Weight: 10.1 – 18.5 grams (0.36 – 0.65 ounces)
Eurasian Siskins have earned the distinction of being the smallest finches in the UK. Although males and females are sexually dimorphic, both would be considered a small bird with yellow on wings. Otherwise, males have black caps and chins to pair with their yellow faces.
Eurasian Siskins frequent coniferous forests during the breeding season. However, this small UK bird is not choosy during the nonbreeding season, as they may be found anywhere that offers them enough seeds to eat. Being one of the smallest British bird species, they’ve got high metabolisms, and they will certainly stop by bird feeders stocked with their favourite seeds.
Eurasian Siskins can be found within the United Kingdom for the whole year. These UK small birds breed throughout Scotland and much of England, but few breed in Wales or southern England. However, these UK finches may be found in these locations during the winter.
Eurasian Wren
Length: 9 – 10 cm (3.55 – 3.95 inches)
Weight: 6 – 12 grams (0.21 – 0.42 ounces)
Eurasian Wrens are unquestionably one of Britain’s smallest birds. Indeed, although they have bodies that appear rather chunky, their tails are quite stubby. These little brown birds are rather nondescript, fortunately, they’re the only wrens in the UK.
This common small brown bird seeks out forested areas with established understory vegetation during the breeding season. Eurasian Wrens will nest in cavities, so those who offer birdhouses on their properties may attract this species. However, these small brown birds in the UK won’t eat from bird feeders.
Eurasian Wrens have a massive range, extending all the way to Japan. This small UK bird is present here for the entire year, being remarkably resilient for such a tiny bird. Indeed, they can even survive the harsh winters of northern Scotland despite being perhaps the smallest bird in UK territories at the northern edge of their range. Somehow Eurasian Wrens manage to find enough insects and berries to eat during winter to sustain themselves.
Goldcrest
Length: 8.5 – 9.5 cm (3.35 – 3.75 inches)
Weight: 4.6 – 7.1 grams
If you look up, “What is the smallest bird in the UK?” and you receive any answer aside from Goldcrest, know that the source is wrong. Indeed, Goldcrests have the distinction of being the tiniest of the 10 smallest birds in the UK. Yes, they measure a mere 8.5 cm at their smallest mature size, putting them among the smallest birds in the world. Goldcrests look quite similar to Common Firecrests, but note that they have a paler yellow stripe on their heads and duller green plumage.
Unlike Common Firecrests, Goldcrests are distributed throughout the entire United Kingdom. While they move around seasonally in other parts of their range, they don’t tend to make many season movements in the UK.
It’s easy for birders to miss Goldcrests since they’re the smallest birds in the UK. Yes, picking one out in the massive conifers in which they live can be a challenge. Fortunately, birders can listen for their squeaky, high-pitched songs to help key them in on these little birds.
Being the smallest bird in UK territories is not easy, as these birds are constantly dodging threats such as sparrowhawks.
Pied (White) Wagtail
Length: 16.5 cm (6.5 inches)
Weight: 25 grams (0.88 ounces)
Pied Wagtails are the most common of the British Wagtails. They may seem like giants if observed next to any of the 10 smallest birds in the UK, however, they’re only 16.5 cm long. Pied Wagtails are a small bird with black and white head colours.
These UK small birds are memorable thanks to their behaviour of wagging their tails as they strut along the ground. This small bird with long tail feathers owes much of its length to its sizable tail.
Pied Wagtails can be found in much of the UK for the entire year, but they vacate the northern reaches of Scotland in the winter. Despite eating a diet of primarily insects, this black and white small bird manages to find enough food during winter.
Willow Warbler
Length: 11 – 12.5 cm (3.95 – 4.92 inches)
Weight: 6.3 – 14.6 grams (0.22 – 0.51 ounces)
The last of the 10 smallest birds in the UK is the Willow Warbler. As previously mentioned, Willow Warblers look very similar to Common Chiffchaffs, so exercise caution when trying to identify these two species. Note that Willow Warblers tend to look more slender than the comparatively compact Common Chiffchaffs.
Willow Warblers have a huge breeding range that extends from the United Kingdom east to Kamchatka, Russia. Willow Warblers are somewhat aptly named, as they will–indeed–breed in willow thickets. However, they seem to prefer breeding in birch stands.
This small bird with yellow breast feathers breeds in the northern hemisphere, but they make incredible migrations despite being one of the smallest UK bird species. Indeed, Willow Warblers winter in sub-Saharan Africa, and they can be expected to arrive in the United Kingdom any time between late March to early May.