MISSING in London!
The following 3 birds are most at risk, and MISSING in YOUR region!
House Sparrow -67%
Starling -63%
Mistle Thrush -59%
.png)
Songbirds Are Friends Not Food
Please help us find them by looking out of your window, or going for a walk or hike in your local area.
Download and share our handy ‘missing’ posters below.
They help to find out important facts about the species:
1. Appearance
2. Where it's found
3. What it eats & how to feed them
4. How to help them
#FindOurFriends
Starling -63%
(Sturnus vulgaris)
House Sparrow -67%
(Passer domesticus)
Mistle Thrush -59%
(Turdus viscivorus)
Alert Status: Red
Identifying Features: Smaller than blackbirds, with a short tail, pointed head, triangular wings, starlings look black at a distance but when seen closer they are very glossy with a sheen of purples and greens.
Average Length: 22 cm
Average Lifespan: 5 years
Average Wingspan: 37 – 42 cm
Beak type: Generalist
Eats: Insects, spiders, worms and fruit
How to feed: Bird tables, feeders
What to feed: Starlings seem to feed on just about anything: berries, fruit, scraps, suet. However, they feed only invertebrates - not "junk" food - to their young
Nesting: The male builds the nest from grass in a hole in a wall, tree or building, but the female lines it with feathers, wool and moss. The male may decorate the nest with leaves and petals in order to deter parasites and improve his chances of attracting a mate.
Where to see: Starlings are conspicuous and widespread in the UK, occurring everywhere except for the highest parts of the Scottish Highlands. They are most abundant in southern England and are more thinly distributed in upland areas with moorland. Still one of the UK's commonest garden birds. In winter, huge roosts can be found in plantations, reedbeds and city centres.
Alert Status: Red
Identifying Features: Male has a chestnut brown back with black streaks and a grey crown; female is paler and doesn’t have the grey crown.
Average Length: 14 - 15cm
Average Lifespan: 3 Years
Average Wingspan: 21 - 25cm
Beak type: Seeds
Eats: seeds, nuts, berries, buds, insects and scraps, etc.
How to feed: Bird tables
What to feed: Sunflower hearts, black sunflower seeds & seed mixtures
Nesting: Untidy, domed or cup shaped but will use next boxes with a hole or communal nest-boxes too.
Where to see: Widespread across the UK. Towns, villages, farmland & countryside
Alert Status: Amber
Identifying Features: Larger than a song thrush with rounded spots on its belly
Average Length: 27 cm
Average Lifespan: 3 Years
Average Wingspan: 42 - 48 cm
Beak type: Generalist
Eats: insects, worms, slugs (but rarely snails), berries
How to feed them: Ground feeders
What: Raisins, peanut granules, sunflower hearts, apples
Nesting: Large messy nest often found in high woodland
Where to see: Widespread across the UK. Woodland & gardens