Starlings have dropped to their lowest ever recorded numbers in Britain, results from the world’s largest garden wildlife survey have found. Prior to 2000, the species was regularly the most numerous species recorded in the RSPB’s Big Garden Birdwatch.
But this year’s results – which saw almost 600,000 people take part counting more than nine million birds of over 80 species – saw starlings drop from third to fourth place. House Sparrow held onto top spot once again and Blue Tit remained at number two, with Wood pigeon and Blackbird making up the other top five most recorded species in UK gardens.
Starlings are a red listed species in the UK and considered a high conservation concern due to their declining numbers. Although there is not currently enough evidence to confirm what is causing these decreases, the UK breeding population declined by 82% between 1970 and 2022.
The RSPB’s chief executive, Beccy Speight said: “Starlings are one of our most charismatic garden birds, but this year’s Big Garden Birdwatch results is a reason for concern.
“With one in six species at risk of extinction from Great Britain, we’ve done more damage to our natural world than we realise.
“However, we can all do our bit to support these threatened birds by taking small actions that can not only benefit Starlings, but a wealth of other garden wildlife.”
The charity advises against the use of pesticides and keeping a natural lawn to allow Starlings to forage for insects.
They also need short grass to watch out for predators whilst feeding, so mowing the lawn now and again is beneficial.
Putting up nest boxes also provides Starlings with a ready-made nesting site. A box with a 45mm entrance hole is the ideal size for these birds.
Beccy Speight added: “To halt nature’s decline and turn around the fortunes of our native species, we need to help them return to healthy levels, so they become a feature of everyday life once more.
“Our countryside, our farms and our towns all need support to encourage nature, and while our homes and gardens often provide the perfect place for individual people to help, we also urgently need governments and businesses to join us in the wider fight to restore our natural world.”
THE RESULTS
Species
Average count per garden
Rank 2025
% gardens species recorded in
LONG TERM Average per garden % change since 1979
House sparrow
3.55
1
59.4
-54.5
Blue tit
2.77
2
76.2
+13.7
Woodpigeon
2.52
3
78.4
+1160.1
Starling
2.30
4
34.4
-84.7
Blackbird
2.15
5
81.8
-46.5
Robin
1.52
6
84.1
-24.0
Great tit
1.42
7
53.2
+57.8
Goldfinch
1.37
8
26.9
Data not available
Magpie
1.32
9
57.9
+229.5
Long-tailed tit
1.11
10
25.8
Data not available
Jackdaw
0.87
11
24.4
Data not available
Feral pigeon
0.85
12
19.4
Data not available
Chaffinch
0.82
13
25.5
-72.8
Collared dove
0.75
14
32.3
+169.5
Dunnock
0.74
15
39.2
-8.1
Carrion crow
0.66
16
26.0
Data not available
Coal tit
0.63
17
30.0
+233.3
Greenfinch
0.32
18
12.4
-67.9
Wren
0.27
19
23.1
70.9
Great-spotted woodpecker
0.11
20
9.4
Data not available
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