Crest Birds
Here's a list of all the UK Crest Birds:
Waxwing
The Waxwing, slightly smaller than a Starling, boasts a plump frame with distinctive features. Its reddish-brown plumage is complemented by a black throat, a small eye mask, and vibrant yellow and white wings. Notably, the bird sports a yellow-tipped tail and a conspicuous crest.
During winter, these enchanting visitors, numbering around 10,000, grace the UK with their presence, creating awe-inspiring irruptions in response to the population’s needs in their breeding grounds.
Differences Between Male and Female Waxwings
Waxwings exhibit no significant differences in plumage between males and females. Both sport the same captivating features, including the red-tipped wing feathers that develop with age. Their synchronised courtship rituals involve the exchange of fruit or small objects, marking the beginning of their breeding season.
Learn moreSkylark
The Skylark, a bird slightly larger in size than a sparrow yet smaller compared to a starling, is distinguished by its streaky brown feathers, a tiny crest that raises when alarmed or excited, and a tail with white sides.
Its white rear wing edges are notably visible during flight. Famous for its vertical display flight, the Skylark’s recent dramatic population decline classifies it in the Red List category.
Differences Between Male And Female Skylarks
Male and female Skylarks appear quite similar at a glance. However, males are distinguishable by their broader wings, a trait that assists in their characteristic hovering flights. This difference is thought to be an evolutionary adaptation, influenced by female Skylarks’ preference for males who demonstrate longer, more vigorous flights, indicating better overall fitness.
Learn moreShag
Shags are goose-sized waterbirds, draped in dark hues with long, slender necks. Notably, they have a distinct steep forehead and a slight size advantage, making them slimmer and smaller than their cormorant cousins.
Adults boast a dark, glossy green sheen during breeding season, highlighted by a recurved crest at the head. They typically range between 65-80 cm in length, with a wingspan of about 90-105 cm and weigh around 1750-2250g.
Differences Between Male And Female Shags
Male and female Shags are quite similar in appearance, but keen observers might note the males are generally larger with more pronounced crests during the breeding season.
Additionally, males might display slightly brighter plumage, a subtle yet fascinating distinction.
Learn moreRed-Crested Pochard
Red-Crested Pochards are large diving ducks, boasting a length of 53-57cm and a wingspan of 85-90cm. These ducks are known for their remarkable appearance and robust build.
Differences Between Male And Female Red-Crested Pochards
Males are vibrant, featuring a rounded, orange head and a red bill, contrasting with a black breast and white flanks. The female, however, has palish brown body, white cheeks, and a brown cap.
In flight, both sexes display a thick white wing stripe and whitish underwings.
Learn moreRed-Breasted Merganser
Red-Breasted Mergansers are distinctive ducks, known for their slender, serrated bills and spiky crests. Measuring around 50 to 60 cm in length, with a wingspan of around 66 to 74 cm, these birds weigh between 800 and 1,350 grams.
Differences Between Male And Female Red-Breasted Mergansers
The males are particularly striking during breeding season with dark heads featuring a green shine, white necks, rusty breasts, black backs, and white lower bodies.
Females, in contrast, sport a rusty head with a greyish body. Juveniles resemble the females but do not have white collars and have smaller white wing patches.
Learn moreLapwing
Lapwings, part of the Vanellinae subfamily, are ground-nesting birds similar to plovers and dotterels. They are easily recognised by their slow, irregular wingbeats and a shrill, wailing cry.
Typically ranging from 25 to 41 cm in length, these birds are known for their striking appearance, including a black and white colouration and a unique round-winged shape in flight, accentuated by a splendid crest.
Differences Between Male And Female Lapwings
While not significantly different in appearance, male and female Lapwings can often be distinguished by subtle differences in size and the vibrancy of their plumage. Males tend to exhibit slightly more pronounced colouration, especially during the breeding season.
Learn moreHoopoe
Hoopoes are a visual treat with their striking appearance. Adult males showcase sandy hues on their heads, mantles, necks, and underparts, contrasted by their white bellies.
Their most notable feature is the conspicuous crest on their heads, comprising 28 feathers, which they fan out during displays. These crests are primarily sandy with black and white tips.
Additionally, hoopoes possess long, black, downward-curving bills that lighten near the base, dark brown eyes, and grey legs and feet.
Differences Between Male And Female Hoopoes
While females bear a resemblance to males, they are slightly smaller and display more subdued plumage. The juveniles mimic females but with shorter crests and bills.
Learn moreGreat Crested Grebe
The Great Crested Grebe is a symbol of elegance on UK waters. Distinguished by its striking white and black plumage, this bird is the largest member of the grebe family in the Old World.
In summer, adults boast a black head with a ruff of chestnut and black, and a white face. The body is adorned in shades of grey-brown, rust, and white, while the bill is pinkish and it has deep red eyes. During winter, the plumage is duller and lacks the ruff.
Differences Between Male and Female Great Crested Grebes
Males and females share a similar appearance, although males tend to be slightly larger. Both sexes display the same intricate plumage and colours throughout the year.
Learn moreGoldcrest
Goldcrests are dainty birds with a greyish-green back and a pale belly. Their most striking feature is the vibrant black and yellow stripe on their heads, which turns orange in the centre for males.
These tiny birds, with their slender beaks, are adept at extracting insects from pine needles.
Differences Between Male And Female Goldcrests
Males are distinguished by an orange centre in their crown stripe, while females have a purely yellow one. Otherwise, both sexes share similar grey-green and creamy plumage.
Learn moreFirecrest
Firecrests are tiny birds, dazzling with their bright, ‘clean’ appearance.
They sport a green-coloured back, white underparts, a distinctive bronze ‘collar’, and an eye-catching black and white eye-stripe. The males are particularly notable for their yellowish and black striped head, featuring a vibrant orange centre.
Differences Between Male And Female Firecrests
While both sexes share similar striking plumage, males stand out with a bright orange centre in their yellow and black head stripe, whereas females display a more yellowish tone.
Learn moreCrested Tit
The Crested Tit is easily recognisable by its unique ‘bridled’ pattern on its face and striking black and white crest.
This small bird exhibits a mix of cream, buff, brown, grey, black, and white feathers, creating a relatively subdued but elegant appearance.
Differences Between Male And Female Crested Tits
While males and females look quite similar, males typically have slightly larger crests and more pronounced black markings. However, these differences are subtle and may be challenging to discern in the wild.
Learn more