British Trust for Ornithology (BTO)
The British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) is a UK charity that focuses on understanding birds and, in particular, how and why bird populations are changing.
Recent articles by British Trust for Ornithology (BTO)
Great tit bird guide: how to identify great tits by sight and call, and what they eat
Discover why the great tit is a shape-shifter and master songsmith in this expert guide by the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO).
Tree sparrow guide: diet, size, where they live and how to identify
Discover fascinating facts about the tree sparrow
Nuthatch guide: the best time to see them, how to identify - and why they're called nuthatches
All you need to know about the nuthatch, including why they are so aggressive
Siskins: what they look like and how to attract them to your garden
Discover all you need to know about the lively chattering siskin
Lesser redpoll: what they are, what they eat and how to identify
All you need to know about the lesser redpoll, including what to feed it
Great spotted woodpecker guide: what they eat and how to identify
All you need to know about the great spotted woodpecker
Goldcrest guide: how big they are, what they eat - and how to identify
Discover all you need to know about the smallest bird in Europe, the goldcrest
Fieldfare guide: what they eat, when they come to Britain and how to identify
All you need to know about the beautiful fieldfare
Marsh tit or willow tit? what's the difference?
We take a look at how the marsh tit differs to the similar looking willow tit
Ring ouzel guide: how to identify, and when and where to see
Discover fascinating facts about the ring ouzel, a summer migrant to the UK and similar in looks to the blackbird, in this expert guide by the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO).
Bohemian waxwing guide: when and why they visit the UK, how to identify and what an irruption is
Discover fascinating facts about these beautiful winter visitors to the UK in this expert guide by the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO).
Starling guide: what they eat, where to see them and other key facts
All you need to know about starlings, including where to see them, what they eat - and why their beak changes colour
Collared dove guide: how to identify, the connection to an Ancient Greek legend, and when they arrived in the UK
One of the greatest colonisers of the bird world, the Eurasian collared dove is identifiable by its dark collar and distinctive call.
European robin guide: diet, habitat and species facts
Learn about robins, Britain's unofficial national bird, with our expert guide, including where robins nest, what they eat and how to attract them to your garden.
Long-tailed tit guide: how to identify, what they sound like, and what to feed them
The long-tailed tit is one of our most sociable and endearing garden birds. Learn more about this species in our expert guide by the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO).
British garden birds guide: how to identify different species and attract them to your garden
A British garden can provide a home to a variety of delightful garden birds species. Learn how to identify common British garden bird species with our expert guide.
Coal tit guide: how to identify, what they eat, and when they're seen in gardens
Coal tits are a less noticeable than their larger relations, the blue tit and great tit, but these acrobatic, little birds should not be underestimated. Find out how to identify them, and how to attract them to your garden, in this expert guide.
Blue tit guide: how to identify, what they sound like, and what type of nest box they use
The blue tit is a common bird species seen in gardens, urban areas and the wider countryside. Learn more about this bird in our expert guide by the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO).
Woodpigeon guide: species facts, how to identify, and how they can eat so much
The woodpigeon is the largest and most common species of the pigeon family in the UK. Learn more about this familiar bird in our expert guide by the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO).
Dunnock guide: species facts, how to identify, and why they are parasitised by cuckoos
Also known as the ‘hedge sparrow’, the dunnock is commonly mistaken for a female house sparrow. Discover more about this humble, but fascinating, garden bird in our expert guide by the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO).
House martin guide: how to identify, migration and diet
Surviving solely on insects caught 'on the wing', house martins are a fascinating bird species. Discover more about their migration routes, nesting habits and diet in our expert guide to house martins.
Swallow guide: migration, nesting and where to see
Swallows embark on an epic migration between the UK and South Africa twice a year in search of food.
Pied wagtail guide: how to identify and species facts
The pied wagtail is a small distinctive bird that is easily identified long wagging tail, discover more about these fascinating birds in our expert guide.
Common blackbird guide: species facts, how to identify males, females and juveniles
A familiar bird to many, the blackbird can be found in a variety of habitats, including gardens. Find out more about this species in our expert guide by the British Trust for Ornithology.