Our country is a feeding station for migrating birds, a winter haven for ducks, geese and shorebirds, and a summer home for nesting seabirds.
Our most special birds include:
- Scottish crossbill (the UK’s only endemic bird)
- Sea eagle and white-tailed eagle
- Capercaillie
- Corncrake
- Osprey
- Wintering geese
Seabirds
Scotland is one of the best places in the UK to see seabirds. We’ve got thousands of miles of coastline including rugged sheer cliffs and pristine beaches, as well as over 700 islands.
Our seabirds include:
- Puffins
- Guillemots
- Storm petrels
- Manx shearwaters
Avian Influenza (bird flu)
- Avian flu is a virus that mainly affects birds. Migratory birds, especially water birds, carry different strains of the virus along their migration routes.
- Like many countries across Europe, avian flu is currently affecting birds in coastal areas around Scotland.
- The risk to human health is very low but visitors are advised to not touch or pick up any sick or dead birds and to keep dogs on lead in affected areas.
- For further information and advice visit https://www.nature.scot/doc/avian-influenza-bird-flu