Being outside in the woodland at the Science Oxford Centre provides a unique sensory experience. As you wander through nature along our woodland trails, take in all the sounds and listen to the bird song. Can you identify the following birds?
If you would like to identify other birds yourself, we recommend downloading either the Merlin ID or BirdNET apps.
Click on the recording above to listen to the song of the common blackbird.
If you’d prefer to listen to the description below, click this audio:
Originally a woodland species, the common blackbird now inhabits most of the UK (you have probably seen them in your garden!).
They eat worms, insects, berries and seeds.
Males are black with a bright orange/yellow beak, while females and offspring are brown with spots and streaks.
They weigh 80-100g and have a wingspan of 34-38.5cm.
Its scientific name is Turdus merula.
Click on the recording above to listen to the song of the Eurasian blue tit.
If you’d prefer to listen to the description below, click this audio:
Blue tits like to make their nests in holes they find in trees, and in winter they join other blue tits to make large flocks.
They eat insects, caterpillars, seeds and nuts.
Males and females have a blue cap on their head, with blue wings and a bright yellow belly.
They weigh about 11g and have a wingspan of about 18cm.
Its scientific name is Cyanistes caeruleus.
Click on the recording above to listen to the song of the great tit.
If you’d prefer to listen to the description below, click this audio:
They are the largest UK tit and will often fight off other smaller birds when finding food – you might see them being aggressive at garden bird feeders!
They eat insects, seeds and nuts.
Males and females have a green back, black wings and a yellow belly with a black stripe down the middle, often called a bib.
They weigh about 18g and have a wingspan of about 24cm.
Its scientific name is Parus major.
Click on the recording above to listen to the song of the common chiffchaff.
If you’d prefer to listen to the description below, click this audio:
Chiffchaffs are warblers – they get their name from their song! You might spot it wagging its tail too.
They eat insects and spiders.
They are brown and green with a cream/yellow belly, and have a dark stripe across their eyes.
They weigh only 6-10g and have a wingspan of 15-21cm.
It’s scientific name is Phylloscopus collybita.
Click on the recording above to listen to the song of the robin.
If you’d prefer to listen to the description below, click this audio:
Even though we mostly think of them at Christmas time, robins can be seen all year round in the UK. You might hear them singing at night near street lights.
They eat worms, seeds, fruits, and invertebrates.
Males and females have a brown head, back and wings, while their chest is a bright red colour. Juveniles have no red chest!
They weigh about 14-21g and have a wingspan of about 20-22cm.
Its scientific name is Erithacus rubecula.
Click on the recording above to listen to the song of the blackcap.
If you’d prefer to listen to the description below, click this audio:
They visit the UK during the summer months, flying all the way from Germany and north-east Europe! Changing weather means they are spending more winters here too.
They eat insects and berries.
Males have a black cap on top of their head while females have a chestnut one. Both males and females have grey and white bodies.
They weigh about 21g and have a wingspan of 20-23cm.
Its scientific name is Sylvia atricapilla.