America has the bald eagle, France the Gallic rooster and India the peacock – but when it comes to national birds, Britain is notably lacking.

That looks set to change, however, thanks to a campaign devised by a leading ornithologist. David Lindo, the broadcaster also known as “The Urban Birder”, is asking Britons to pick their favourite bird from a shortlist of 10 – including red kites, kingfishers and, of course, robin redbreasts.

Members of the public have until general election day on 7 May to choose which British bird they would like to see represent the country, with barn owls, blue tits, wrens and blackbirds also in the running.

Mr Lindon says he will pass on the result of the vote to the Queen and the new Prime Minister – and lobby them to instate the winner as the UK’s national bird.

“I feel embarrassed as someone who lives in the United Kingdom that we don’t have a national bird. The US has had one since 1776, while places like Sweden, Latvia, Bhutan, Jamaica, Mexico all have one and we haven’t. We’re supposed to be the national leaders when it comes to being animal lovers. It’s high time we put our money where our mouths are,” he said.

In pictures: Britain's first 'national bird' Show all 10 1 /10 In pictures: Britain's first 'national bird' In pictures: Britain's first 'national bird' Robin Winner: more than 200,000 people opted for the robin in the Vote National Bird ballot Getty In pictures: Britain's first 'national bird' Kingfisher Unmistakeable with their dazzling colours Rex In pictures: Britain's first 'national bird' Barn Owl Known for their heart-shaped faces and pure white underparts Getty In pictures: Britain's first 'national bird' Wren Small bird with a mighty voice Rex In pictures: Britain's first 'national bird' Blue Tit One of Britain’s most beautiful birds Getty In pictures: Britain's first 'national bird' Mute Swan Many still considered to be the property of the crown Getty In pictures: Britain's first 'national bird' Blackbird Known for their mellifluous song Getty In pictures: Britain's first 'national bird' Puffin Also known as the 'sea parrot' in northern Scotland Getty In pictures: Britain's first 'national bird' Red kite Amazing conservation success Getty In pictures: Britain's first 'national bird' Hen Harrier Most-persecuted bird in the UK because of their taste for grouse Rex

One of the less-common birds on the shortlist is the hen harrier, which preys on grouse. It faces extinction in England, in part because it is being illegally shot and trapped to maximise grouse populations for hunting.

Its presence on the shortlist raises the prospect of the UK having a national bird that is so rare it doesn’t actually breed in England, and may already be extinct, Mr Lindo says. This would mean the hen harriers spotted in England are only “wintering” after breeding elsewhere in the UK.

“It would be fantastic if the hen harrier did become the national bird because it would increase its chances of survival,” he said.

“It could put more pressure on people to do something, since the campaign against illegally hunting it seems to have had little effect.”

Mr Lindon predicted that the robin would be “clear favourite” for the national bird crown, followed by the kingfisher, the barn owl and the wren.