Canada Goose
Description: A large and striking bird with a black head and neck, white cheeks, and a brownish-gray body. It has a distinctive white "chinstrap" and a powerful, honking call.
Species name: Branta canadensis
Habitat: Canada geese are versatile birds, found in a variety of habitats across the United Kingdom, including lakes, rivers, marshes, parks, and urban areas.
Size: Approximately 90-100 cm in length, with a wingspan of about 160-180 cm.
Population: Introduced to the UK, Canada geese have established stable populations, and their numbers have grown steadily.
Diet: Herbivores, Canada geese primarily graze on grass, aquatic plants, and grains.
Mallard
Description: Colorful and familiar dabbling duck with a distinctive green head, white neck ring, and mottled brown body. Females are brown and duller.
Habitat: Found in a wide range of wetland habitats, lakes, rivers, and ponds throughout the United Kingdom.
Size: Approximately 50-65 cm in length, with a wingspan of about 81-98 cm.
Population: Abundant and widespread, mallards are one of the most common and recognizable ducks in the UK.
Diet: Omnivorous, mallards feed on aquatic plants, insects, small fish, and grains.
Mute Swan
Description: Elegant and majestic waterfowl with a long, graceful neck, orange bill with a black knob, and pure white plumage.
Habitat: Commonly found in lakes, rivers, ponds, and coastal areas throughout the United Kingdom.
Size: Approximately 125-150 cm in length, with a wingspan of about 200-240 cm.
Population: Established and abundant, mute swans are well-distributed across the UK.
Diet: Herbivorous, mute swans feed on aquatic plants, algae, and submerged vegetation.
Tufted Duck
Description: Medium-sized diving duck with a glossy black head, white flanks, and a distinctive tuft of feathers on the back of the head (in males).
Habitat: Found in various wetland habitats, lakes, reservoirs, and sheltered coastal areas across the United Kingdom.
Size: Approximately 40-47 cm in length, with a wingspan of about 73-77 cm.
Population: Stable and widespread, tufted ducks are common winter visitors and breeders in the UK.
Diet: Omnivorous, tufted ducks feed on a mix of aquatic plants, seeds, insects, and small aquatic creatures.
Coot
Description: Medium-sized waterbird with a black body, white facial shield, and bright red eyes.
Habitat: Commonly found in lakes, ponds, rivers, and other freshwater habitats throughout the United Kingdom.
Size: Approximately 32-42 cm in length, with a wingspan of about 75-85 cm.
Population: Abundant and widespread, coots are a familiar sight in British wetlands.
Diet: Omnivorous, coots primarily feed on aquatic plants, algae, insects, and small fish.
Moorhen
Description: Medium-sized waterbird with a distinctive red facial shield, dark plumage, and white undertail.
Habitat: Found in various wetland habitats, lakes, ponds, and rivers throughout the United Kingdom.
Size: Approximately 30-35 cm in length, with a wingspan of about 50-62 cm.
Population: Widespread and common, moorhens are a familiar sight in British wetlands.
Diet: Omnivorous, moorhens feed on aquatic plants, insects, small fish, and seeds.
Great Crested Grebe
Description: Striking waterbird with a distinctive black crest, reddish neck, and beautiful golden eye.
Habitat: Commonly found in lakes, ponds, and slow-moving rivers across the United Kingdom.
Size: Approximately 46-51 cm in length, with a wingspan of about 59-73 cm.
Population: Widespread and established, great crested grebes are a familiar sight in British waterways.
Diet: Carnivorous, great crested grebes primarily feed on fish and aquatic invertebrates.
Grey Heron
Description: Tall and majestic wading bird with a gray plumage, long neck, and dagger-like bill.
Habitat: Commonly found near lakes, rivers, ponds, and coastal areas throughout the United Kingdom.
Size: Approximately 90-98 cm in length, with a wingspan of about 175-195 cm.
Population: Widespread and established, grey herons are a familiar sight in British wetlands.
Diet: Carnivorous, grey herons primarily feed on fish, frogs, small mammals, and insects.
