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Difficult species

Some birds are easier to identify than others! Here are our tips on how to separate some of the trickier birds you might see in the UK.

Sparrowhawk and other birds of prey

It's always a thrill to see a bird of prey, especially if it's in your own back garden, but sometimes working out what it is can be tricky. More...

Adult male sparrowhawk

Black and white woodpeckers

Only two species of black and white woodpeckers occur in the UK - the great spotted and lesser spotted. More...

Juvenile great spotted woodpecker

Swift, swallow and martins

It's easier than you might think to tell swifts, swallows and martins apart. Try our simple tips! More...

Swift hunting insects

Godwits

The two godwit species that occur in the UK - black-tailed and bar-tailed - can be quite tricky to identify. More...

Black-tailed godwit in flight

Bewick's and whooper swans

Two species of swan come to the UK each winter: whooper swans migrate from Iceland and Bewick's swans make the journey from Siberia. More...

Whooper swan swimming