Winter Birds in the Garden
Autumn and winter birds in the garden
In this post, you can read a little about many of the bird species that visit your garden during the colder months of the year. Which birds visit your garden naturally also depends on where in the country you live. Below, we have compiled a list of the most common birds seen in Danish gardens. In our brief overview, you can also read which food will attract the different bird species to your bird-friendly feeder.
Turdus Merula – Blackbird
Turdus Merula, also known as the Blackbird, is one of the most common thrushes to visit Danish gardens all year round. The Blackbird is approx. 23.5-29 cm long and is particularly fond of apples – so if you have an apple tree, you are almost guaranteed a visit from a Blackbird. Alternatively, you can place old apples on your bird feeder.
The male is distinguished by its black feathers and orange beak, while the female and young birds are recognised by their brown plumage and black beaks.
Passer Montanus – Eurasian Tree Sparrow
The Eurasian Tree Sparrow can easily be mistaken for a House Sparrow, but is distinguished by its beautiful brownish and copper-coloured plumage. The Eurasian Tree Sparrow is approx. 12.5-14 cm long and is far from fussy – in fact, it eats almost anything you put on the bird feeder or in the bird table. You can find this charismatic bird in the garden all year round, provided, of course, that you make it feel welcome.
Passer Domesticus – House Sparrow
The House Sparrow, which in turn also resembles the Eurasian Tree Sparrow, can be recognised by its grey breast and the grey cap on its head. The House Sparrow is approx. 16 cm long and, unfortunately, is no longer as common in the wild, as it is losing its place in nature to the Eurasian Tree Sparrow. The sparrow can be described as something of a scavenger, as it happily eats grain and other discarded scraps.
Prunella Modularis – Dunnock
Prunella Modularis is a sweet little grey-brown bird belonging to the dunnock family. This little 15 cm sparrow-like bird is very shy and, like the other sparrows, is on the lookout for small grains and scraps.
Columba Palumbus – Wood Pigeon
Columba Palumbus is known as both the Wood Pigeon and the Ring Dove and is characterised by being large and clumsy. The pigeon is approximately 38-43 cm long, making it one of the larger friends that come to visit your garden. During the cold winter months, Wood Pigeons are most often seen in larger flocks as they search for food in Danish gardens.
Pica Pica – Eurasian Magpie
It is not without reason that Pica Pica is called the magpie, as it often causes great harm to the other animals in the garden. The Eurasian Magpie can be described as something of a baboon, as it eats everything from young birds and eggs to other small animals. This bird has very beautiful black-and-white plumage and a long, elegant tail, although this species can be a little too loud at times.
Garrulus Glandarius – Eurasian Jay
The Eurasian Jay is a very attractive bird with beautiful light-brown plumage combined with striking black and bluish wings. This species is often seen near forests, hence its Danish name meaning “forest magpie”, and it eats almost anything, just like its relative, Pica Pica.
Accipiter Nisus – Eurasian Sparrowhawk
This bandit is one of the other birds’ worst nightmares, because the Eurasian Sparrowhawk is a bird of prey that hunts all the smaller birds that visit your garden to eat. Curiously, the male (28 cm) is smaller than the female (38 cm) in this case.
Accipiter Gentilis – Northern Goshawk
The Northern Goshawk is a little like the Eurasian Sparrowhawk’s big brother, as it is slightly larger (48-62 cm.). However, this predator is not seen as frequently in Denmark as the Eurasian Sparrowhawk, but it can most often be found near forests and other large natural areas. The bird looks incredibly intimidating, yet at the same time is remarkably attractive and beautiful to look at.
Parus Major – Great Tit
This species can grow up to 15 cm. long, making it the largest member of the tit family. It is distinguished by its beautiful yellow breast and white cheeks. This tit can be found throughout Denmark and happily eats sunflower seeds from your bird feeder or bird table.
Erithacus Rubecula – European Robin
The European Robin should almost be called the Orangebreast, because it is easily recognised by its charismatic orange breast. A beautiful little rascal of approx. 16 cm., it sneaks around beneath the feeding area to pick up scraps left behind by the other birds’ feasting.
Carduelis Spinus – Eurasian Siskin
The Eurasian Siskin is one of the smallest birds, measuring just 11-12.5 cm.
Despite its size, you can easily spot this little fellow from a great distance, as it has a very distinctive yellow-green colour with small white patches. The bird is quite common across Denmark and happily eats fat balls, grain or other small scraps.
Emberiza Citrinella – Yellowhammer
The Yellowhammer is considered one of the most beautiful birds you can attract to your garden. It is a lovely 16.5 cm. long and also has beautiful golden plumage. You can find the Yellowhammer throughout Denmark, and the easiest way to lure it out is with either grain or scraps of bread.
Turdus Pilaris – Fieldfare
This lovely thrush can be found throughout northern Scandinavia and is recognisable by its beautiful white breast with brown spots. If you have apple trees, there is a good chance that the apple-loving Fieldfare will visit your garden.
Cyanistes Caeruleus – Blue Tit
The Blue Tit is one of the smaller tits found flying around throughout Denmark. The Blue Tit happily eats sunflower seeds from seed balls or from the bird feeder.
Poecile Palustris – Marsh Tit
Like the other tits, the Marsh Tit is a frequent visitor to bird tables and feeders. It happily eats small seeds and grains. The Marsh Tit is a little rarer than the Blue Tit, but can still be found throughout Denmark.
Books about birds
Would you like to learn more about the birds flying around Denmark, or perhaps just about the animals that visit the garden in general? Then we have a large selection of gardening books that can give you an insight into the ecosystem in your garden. If you would like to read more about the birds in the garden, we can also recommend the book At the Bird Feeder, a useful reference book covering the 40 most common birds in the country.