Bird Names: 47 Popular Types of Birds with ESL Picture

Have you ever wondered why some birds have such unusual names? As you learn English, you may come across bird names that seem strange or difficult to pronounce. In this article, we’ll explore the fascinating world of bird names and learn some common types of birds.

Table of Contents

Bird Names in English

Here is the list of different types of birds in English:

Barn Owl
Wood Duck
Penguin
Parrot
Ostrich
Rooster
Chick
Vulture
Pigeon
Goose
Eagle
Hen
Sparrow
Crow
Falcon
Turkey
Woodpecker
Hummingbird
Peacock
Swan
Stork
Heron
Dove
Nightingale
Quail
Kite (bird)
Robin
American Goldfinch
Blue Jay
Grey teal
White-cheeked pintail
Rosy-billed pochard
Greater scaup
Black guineafowl
European Starling
Dark-Eyed Junco
Great Blue Heron
Red-Tailed Hawk
Herring Gull
Mallard
Northern Cardinal
Ring-Necked Pheasant
Pine Warbler
Red-Breasted Merganser
Stellar’s Jay
Black-Capped Chickadee
European Blackbird

Names of Birds with Interesting Facts and Pictures

Barn Owl: They have excellent hearing and can locate prey in complete darkness.

Wood Duck: They are one of the few duck species that have sharp claws for perching in trees.

Penguin: They are flightless birds that use their wings to swim and dive in the water.

Parrot: They are known for their ability to mimic human speech and are highly intelligent.

Ostrich: They are the largest bird in the world and can run up to 45 miles per hour.

Rooster: They have a built-in alarm clock and crow to signal the start of a new day.

Chick: They can communicate with their mothers while still inside the egg.

Vulture: They have a keen sense of smell and can locate carrion from great distances.

Pigeon: They were used as messengers during wartime and have been trained to perform various tasks.

Goose: They mate for life and are known for their strong family bonds.

Eagle: They have incredible eyesight and can spot prey from over a mile away.

Hen: They can lay eggs without a rooster present, but the eggs will not be fertilized.

Sparrow: They are small, but mighty and can survive in a variety of environments.

Crow: They are highly intelligent and have been known to use tools to obtain food.

Falcon: They are one of the fastest birds in the world and can dive at speeds of over 200 miles per hour.

Turkey: They have a unique vocalization known as a gobble, which is used to attract mates.

Woodpecker: They have a long tongue that can wrap around their brain to protect it from impact when drilling into wood.

Hummingbird: They are the only bird that can fly backwards and hover in mid-air.

Peacock: They have stunning plumage that they use to attract mates and intimidate predators.

Swan: They mate for life and are known for their graceful movements on water.

Stork: They are associated with bringing babies because they build large nests and care for their young.

Heron: They have long legs and necks that allow them to wade in shallow water to catch fish.

Dove: They are a symbol of peace and have been used in religious ceremonies for centuries.

Nightingale: They have a beautiful singing voice and are known for their melodious songs

Quail: They are small, ground-dwelling birds that are often hunted for their meat.

Kite (bird): They are known for their graceful flight and are often seen soaring in the sky.

Robin: They are a common sight in gardens and parks and are known for their bright red breast.

American Goldfinch: They have a bright yellow plumage and are known for their cheerful singing.

Blue Jay: They are highly intelligent and can mimic the calls of other birds.

Grey teal: They are a type of duck that is found in Australia and New Zealand.

White-cheeked pintail: They are a type of duck that is found in South America and the Caribbean.

Rosy-billed pochard: They are a type of duck that is found in South America and Africa.

Greater scaup: They are a type of diving duck that is found in North America and Eurasia.

Black guineafowl: They are a type of bird that is native to Africa and are often kept as domesticated birds.

European Starling: They are a common sight in urban areas and are known for their ability to mimic sounds and songs.

Dark-Eyed Junco: They are a small, ground-dwelling bird that is often seen in North America during the winter months.

Great Blue Heron: They are a large wading bird that is found throughout North and Central America.

Red-Tailed Hawk: They are a common sight in North America and are known for their sharp talons and keen eyesight.

Herring Gull: They are a common sight near bodies of water and are known for their distinctive call.

Mallard: They are a type of duck that is found throughout the world and are often seen in parks and ponds.

Northern Cardinal: They are a common sight in gardens and are known for their bright red plumage.

Ring-Necked Pheasant: They are a game bird that is often hunted for their meat.

Pine Warbler: They are a small bird that is often found in pine forests in North America.

Red-Breasted Merganser: They are a type of diving duck that is found in North America, Europe, and Asia.

Stellar’s Jay: They are a common sight in western North America and are known for their striking blue plumage.

Black-Capped Chickadee: They are a small bird that is often found in forests and are known for their distinctive call and acrobatic movements.

European Blackbird: They are a common sight in Europe and are known for their beautiful singing voice.

Common Bird Names

When it comes to bird names, there are many different types and categories. In this section, we will discuss the most common bird names and break them down into three sub-sections: Land Birds, Water Birds, and Birds of Prey.

Land Birds

Land birds are birds that primarily live on land, such as sparrows, robins, and finches. They are often small in size and can be found in a variety of habitats, from forests to deserts. Some common land bird names include:

Blue Jay
Cardinal
Chickadee
Crow
Dove
Finch
Hummingbird
Robin
Sparrow
Woodpecker

Water Birds

Water birds are birds that live near or in bodies of water, such as lakes, rivers, and oceans. They include ducks, geese, and swans, as well as shorebirds such as sandpipers and plovers. Some common water bird names include:

Duck
Goose
Loon
Pelican
Seagull
Swan

Birds of Prey

Birds of prey are birds that hunt and feed on other animals. They include eagles, hawks, and owls. They are often large and powerful birds with sharp talons and beaks. Some common birds of prey names include:

Bald Eagle
Falcon
Golden Eagle
Hawk
Kite
Osprey
Owl

Scientific Bird Names

As we learn more about the vast variety of bird species in the world, it becomes increasingly important to have a standardized way of identifying and classifying them. This is where scientific bird names come in, providing a universal system for naming and organizing birds.

Binomial Nomenclature

The scientific naming system used for birds (and all living organisms) is called binomial nomenclature. This system was developed by Carl Linnaeus in the 18th century and is still in use today. Binomial nomenclature consists of two parts: the genus name and the species name. Together, they form the bird’s scientific name.

For example, the scientific name for the American Robin is Turdus migratorius. “Turdus” is the genus name and “migratorius” is the species name. The genus name is always capitalized, while the species name is not. The two names are always written in italics.

Species and Genus

Each bird species is assigned a unique scientific name, which is used by scientists and bird enthusiasts around the world. The genus name is shared by a group of closely related species. For example, all species of the genus Turdus are thrushes.

While the scientific names may seem complicated and difficult to remember, they provide a precise and unambiguous way of identifying birds. This is especially important when dealing with birds that have multiple common names in different regions.

Regional Bird Names

As we explore the fascinating world of bird names, it’s important to note that different regions of the world have their own unique naming conventions. Here, we’ll take a closer look at the various regional bird names across the world.

North American Birds

In North America, the American Ornithological Society (AOS) is responsible for maintaining a list of official English-language names for birds. These names are widely used by ornithologists, schools and universities, government agencies, conservation organizations, the news media, and birders. In November 2023, the AOS announced commitments to change all English-language names of birds within its geographic jurisdiction that are named directly after people.

European Birds

In Europe, bird names are often derived from the Latin names of the species, as well as from the local languages of the region. For example, the European Robin is known as “Rougegorge” in French and “Rotkehlchen” in German.

Asian Birds

In Asia, bird names often reflect the cultural and religious traditions of the region. For example, the Japanese White-eye is known as “Mejiro” in Japan, which means “young bamboo shoot” in reference to the bird’s green plumage.

African Birds

In Africa, bird names often reflect the local languages and cultures of the region. For example, the African Fish Eagle is known as “Inkwazi” in Zulu, which means “eagle” in reference to the bird’s impressive size and strength.

Australian Birds

In Australia, bird names often reflect the unique and diverse wildlife of the region. For example, the Laughing Kookaburra is known for its distinctive call that sounds like human laughter, while the Superb Fairywren is known for its bright blue and black plumage.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are some popular bird names?

Some popular bird names include Robin, Blue Jay, Cardinal, Sparrow, and Eagle. These names are commonly used and recognized by many people.

Can you list some unique bird names?

Sure, some unique bird names include Quetzal, Kookaburra, Hoopoe, Potoo, and Toco Toucan. These names are not as common and may be less familiar to some people.

What are the English names of 10 common birds?

Here are the English names of 10 common birds:

American Robin
Blue Jay
Northern Cardinal
House Sparrow
Bald Eagle
Canada Goose
Mallard Duck
Red-tailed Hawk
Peregrine Falcon
Great Blue Heron

What are some cool and creative names for birds?

Some cool and creative names for birds could include Phoenix, Gryphon, Thunderbird, or even something inspired by a favorite book or movie, like Hedwig (from Harry Potter) or Falcor (from The NeverEnding Story).

Can you suggest some bird names for a pet?

Certainly! Some bird names for a pet could include Kiwi, Mango, Peaches, Sunny, or even something more unique like Nimbus or Zephyr.

What are some interesting facts about bird names?

Did you know that bird names often reflect their appearance or behavior? For example, the name “Piping Plover” comes from the sound it makes, while the “Scarlet Tanager” is named for its bright red color. Additionally, bird names can change over time as new scientific research is conducted and taxonomy is revised by experts in the field.