Spot your garden birds

Blue Tit

Size: Blue tits are relatively small birds, measuring around 10 to 12 centimeters (4 to 5 inches) in length.
Coloration: As their name suggests, blue tits are primarily characterized by their vibrant blue and yellow plumage. The crown and wings are blue, with a distinctive white face and a prominent dark stripe running from the beak, through the eyes, to the back of the head. Their underparts are typically yellow, though the intensity of this color can vary among individuals.
Markings: Blue tits have a small, sturdy beak, usually black or dark grey in color. Their eyes are dark and shiny, set within the white face patch. The tail is bluish-green, and their legs are a pale bluish-grey.

Size and Shape: Robins are small birds, typically measuring around 12.5 to 14 centimeters (5 to 5.5 inches) in length. They have a compact, rounded body with a relatively large head and short legs.
Coloration: Robins are best known for their distinctive orange-red breast, throat, and face, which contrasts sharply with their brownish-grey upperparts. Their underparts are typically lighter, with a whitish to buff-colored belly. Some variations in plumage can occur depending on age and sex, but the red breast is a consistent feature in adult birds.
Markings: The European Robin has a relatively large black eye with a distinctive white eye-ring, giving it a bright and alert appearance. Their legs are brownish-grey, and they have a thin, straight bill, which is dark brown to black in color.

Size and Shape: Blackbirds are medium-sized birds, typically measuring around 23 to 29 centimeters (9 to 11 inches) in length, including their relatively long tail. They have a sleek and streamlined body with a rounded head, a longish neck, and relatively short legs.
Coloration: Male blackbirds are predominantly black in color, with glossy plumage that shines iridescently in the sunlight. They have bright yellow-orange eye rings and bills, which stand out against their dark plumage. Female blackbirds, on the other hand, have brownish-black plumage with paler underparts and a mottled appearance.
Markings: Blackbirds have a distinctive yellow or orange ring around their eyes, which adds to their striking appearance. Their bills are sharp and slightly pointed, ideal for probing the ground for food. Both males and females have dark brown eyes.

Size and Shape: Doves are generally small to medium-sized birds, with lengths ranging from about 20 to 35 centimeters (8 to 14 inches), depending on the species. They have a plump, compact body with a relatively small head, short legs, and a rounded tail. Doves typically have a gentle and peaceful appearance.
Coloration: The plumage of doves varies widely among species, but many have subdued colors such as shades of grey, brown, or buff. Some species have distinctive markings or patterns on their wings or tails. The Eurasian Collared Dove, for example, has pale greyish-brown upperparts, a lighter underside, and a distinct black collar on the back of its neck.
Markings: Doves often have subtle markings or patterns on their feathers, such as bars, spots, or streaks, which can help with camouflage. They typically have dark eyes, which may be surrounded by a narrow ring of bare skin. Their bills are short and slender, adapted for eating seeds and grains.

Size and Shape: Starlings are medium-sized birds, typically measuring around 19 to 23 centimeters (7.5 to 9 inches) in length. They have a stocky, compact body with a short tail and relatively long, pointed wings. Their bill is sharp and conical, ideal for probing and extracting food.
Coloration: In breeding plumage, adult starlings have glossy iridescent plumage with a metallic sheen. Their overall coloration is dark, ranging from black to dark purple or greenish-black, depending on the light. Their feathers may show subtle purple or green highlights. During the non-breeding season, their plumage may appear more muted and speckled.
Markings: Starlings have a relatively large and rounded head with a short, stout bill. Their eyes are dark and set on either side of the head. In breeding plumage, adults may have a scattering of white spots or speckles on their body, particularly on the upperparts.

Size and Shape: Great Tits are relatively large among tits, measuring around 14 centimeters (5.5 inches) in length. They have a compact, robust body with a round head, short neck, and relatively long tail. Their wings are broad and rounded, enabling agile flight.
Coloration: Great Tits have distinctive black markings on a predominantly yellow and white plumage. Their head and neck are glossy black, contrasting sharply with their white cheeks and throat. The upperparts are olive-green with a yellowish tinge, while the underparts are a vibrant yellow. They have a black stripe running down their chest, often referred to as a "bib."
Markings: The head of the Great Tit features a black cap extending down the neck, with a white band separating it from the black bib. Their bill is short and stout, usually dark in color, and their eyes are dark and shiny.

Size and Shape: Woodpeckers vary in size depending on the species, but they generally have a stout, compact body with a short neck, sturdy legs, and a relatively large head. Their bill is long, straight, and chisel-like, adapted for drilling into wood. They have short, rounded wings and a stiff tail, which helps support them while climbing trees.
Coloration: Woodpeckers display a variety of color patterns, but many species have striking black, white, and red plumage. The upperparts are typically black or dark brown, often with white or pale markings. The underparts are usually white or buff-colored, sometimes with black spots or streaks. Many woodpeckers have patches of bright red or yellow on their heads, necks, or wings, which serve as visual signals during displays and territorial interactions.
Markings: Woodpeckers have a distinctive head pattern, often featuring a bright red crest or crown. Their eyes are relatively small and set high on the head, providing them with excellent peripheral vision while pecking. They have strong, pointed claws and a specialized zygodactyl foot arrangement, with two toes facing forward and two facing backward, which helps them grip onto vertical surfaces.