Bill Oddie, wildlife presenter and renowned birder, dies aged 85
The broadcaster, writer, comedian and conservationist inspired generations to discover birds and the natural world.
Bill Oddie, one of Britain's best-known wildlife presenters and birders, has died at the age of 85.
His death was announced on Monday 27 July by his agent and long-time friend David Foster, who described him as the country's "best-loved birder" and paid tribute to his intelligence, humour and lifelong commitment to conservation.
Foster said Oddie had used his public profile not simply to entertain, but to encourage people to respect and protect the environment. "He taught us the wonder of it," he said, adding that Oddie's "massive contribution to conservation will never be forgotten".
Born in Rochdale in 1941 and brought up in Birmingham, Oddie developed his fascination with birds while still a child. That interest remained central throughout a career which ranged across comedy, music, writing, broadcasting and environmental campaigning.
Oddie's place in the British birdwatching scene long pre-dated his television career. As a young birder in Birmingham he watched regularly at Bartley Reservoir and became closely involved with the West Midland Bird Club. His observations first appeared in the club's reports during the 1950s, while his first published bird article, on the birds of Bartley Reservoir, appeared in its 1962 annual report. He later served as the club's vice-president and then president.
He also knew the particular excitement of being involved in the discovery of a national rarity. On Fair Isle in autumn 1976, Oddie and Andy Lowe suggested that an unfamiliar bunting might be a Pallas's Reed Bunting. The bird was eventually accepted as the first record for Britain and Ireland, giving Oddie a place in the history of British rarity finding as well as in popular wildlife broadcasting.
Although he was often portrayed by the wider media as Britain's celebrity twitcher, his own relationship with twitching was more nuanced. He kept British, world, trip and patch lists and enjoyed seeing rare birds, but later said that he had never been a travelling twitcher and generally preferred finding birds for himself. Even so, through books including Bill Oddie's Little Black Bird Book and Gripping Yarns, he captured the language, humour, rivalries and occasional absurdities of the British birding scene in a way few other public figures could.
He first became nationally famous as a member of The Goodies, alongside Tim Brooke-Taylor and Graeme Garden. The trio's television series became one of the best-known British comedy programmes of the 1970s, while Oddie also wrote songs and performed extensively on radio and television.
For birders, however, he became equally familiar as an enthusiastic and knowledgeable guide to the natural world. His television work included Birding with Bill Oddie, Bill Oddie Goes Wild, Britain Goes Wild with Bill Oddie, How to Watch Wildlife, Springwatch and Autumnwatch.
His informal and often humorous presenting style helped make birdwatching accessible to a much wider audience. He was able to combine genuine field knowledge with an infectious sense of excitement, introducing millions of viewers to migration, breeding birds, garden wildlife and the spectacle of Britain's seasonal natural history.
Oddie also wrote and illustrated books about birds and wildlife and was a prominent campaigner for the protection of habitats and species. He was closely associated with the RSPB and other conservation organisations, receiving the RSPB Medal in 1997 in recognition of his contribution to nature conservation.
In 2003 he was appointed OBE for services to wildlife conservation. His campaigning continued alongside his broadcasting career, and he regularly spoke out on issues including the persecution of birds of prey, habitat destruction and the need to reconnect people with nature.
Although his career reached far beyond birdwatching, Oddie always remained recognisably a birder. His ability to communicate the pleasure of watching birds, while also making the case for their protection, made him one of the most influential popularisers of British wildlife of his generation.
Leading the tributes, Chris Packham recalled Oddie's humour, unpredictability, field knowledge and genuine enthusiasm for going birding whenever he could, rather than simply picking up binoculars for television.
A renegade polymath with binoculars and a beard.
Chris Packham
Packham also remembered finding a Black Woodpecker with Oddie in a damp park in the Netherlands. After watching the bird intently, Oddie lowered his binoculars and responded with a broad smile but no words, a reaction Packham said revealed his childlike delight in birds.
We've not only lost a Goodie, we've lost one of the besties.
Chris Packham
Former Springwatch co-presenter Kate Humble said Oddie had a rare ability to make the natural world feel as though it belonged to everybody and could enthuse anyone to go outside and become excited about something as familiar as a Robin.
No-one could tell a story like Bill. No-one could make me laugh like Bill.
Kate Humble
Wildlife producer and writer Stephen Moss, who worked with Oddie on several of his best-known natural history programmes, stressed the scale of his influence on British birdwatching.
It is impossible to overestimate how important his impact on birdwatching has been.
Stephen Moss
Jo Rowland, chief executive of the RSPCA, said Oddie's broadcasting and knowledge of British birds had inspired many of the charity's wildlife rescuers.
Nature has lost one of its best friends, fiercest champions and most iconic defenders.
Jo Rowland, RSPCA
He is survived by his wife Laura and his daughters Kate, Bonnie and Rosie. His family has asked for privacy.
27 Jul 2026
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