List of Birds That Start With A

Bird watching is more than just a hobby; it’s a delightful journey into the fascinating world of flying wonders. Whether you’re an ardent bird lover or a parent aiming to enhance your kid’s vocabulary, discovering bird names that start with letter A can be a fun learning exercise. What’s more heartwarming than teaching your child A letter bird names for preschoolers and kids? Birds have a special place in our ecosystem, and knowing their names can be a great addition to a kid’s vocabulary. Let’s dive deep into this feathery world, making learning an endearing experience for both young minds and curious adults.

List of Common Birds That Start With A

The vast tapestry of the avian kingdom is painted with a myriad of colours, songs, and species. Among them, birds beginning with the letter A have unique tales to tell. In this section, we’ll delve into a carefully curated list of bird names with A, unveiling the beauty and diversity of these feathered marvels.

1. American Robin

Scientific Name: Turdus migratorius
Where Is It Found: North America

A familiar sight in North America, the American Robin has a reddish-orange belly and a dark grey back. They are often spotted hopping on lawns, searching for worms.

Interesting Facts:

• Robins are among the first birds to sing at dawn.
• Their song sounds like a repeated “cheer-up” call.

2. Australian Magpie

Scientific Name: Gymnorhina tibicen
Where Is It Found: Australia

A black and white bird, the Australian Magpie has a robust body and a melodious voice, often found in grasslands, forests, and suburban areas.

Interesting Facts:

• Contrary to its name, it’s not closely related to European magpies.
• The Australian Magpie can mimic over 35 species of bird sounds.

3. Atlantic Puffin

Scientific Name: Fratercula arctica
Where Is It Found:  North Atlantic Ocean coastlines

Known for its colourful beak, the Atlantic Puffin is a small seabird with a clown-like face, which becomes more vivid during mating season.

Interesting Facts:

• Often called “sea parrots”, they can dive 200 feet underwater and hold multiple fish in their beaks at once.

4. African Grey Parrot

Scientific Name: Psittacus erithacus
Where Is It Found: Central and West Africa

Recognized by its grey plumage and a red tail, this parrot is known for its high intelligence and its ability to mimic human speech.

Interesting Facts:

• One of the most famous African Grey Parrots, Alex, was able to recognize colors, shapes, and could even count!

5. American Goldfinch

Scientific Name: Spinus tristis
Where Is It Found:  North America

A small and vibrant yellow bird, the American Goldfinch undergoes a moult in the summer and gets a new set of feathers.

Interesting Facts:

•  It’s the state bird of Iowa, New Jersey, and Washington.
• Only the males sport the bright yellow feathers.

6. Albatross

Scientific Name: Diomedeidae (family)
Where Is It Found: Mostly Southern Ocean and the North Pacific

Albatrosses are large seabirds known for their immense wingspans, allowing them to glide over oceans for hours or days without flapping.

Interesting Facts:

• They spend most of their life in flight, covering thousands of miles.
• Their wingspans can reach up to 11 feet for the wandering albatross.

7. Anna’s Hummingbird

Scientific Name – Calypte anna
Where Is It Found – Western North America

A small, shimmering bird with iridescent green and pink colours, Anna’s Hummingbird is one of the few hummingbirds that reside permanently in the north.

Interesting Facts:

• It’s known to perform aerial displays, rocketing upwards and producing a sharp ‘pop’ at the peak, using its tail feathers.

8. American Kestrel

Scientific Name: Falco sparverius
Where Is It Found: Throughout the Americas

The American Kestrel, with its vivid plumage and fierce look, is the smallest falcon in North America.

Interesting Facts:

• These birds can see ultraviolet light, which helps them track the urine trails of their prey, primarily voles.

9. African Fish Eagle

Scientific Name:  Haliaeetus vocifer
Where Is It Found:  Sub-Saharan Africa

An iconic bird of many African waterways, it boasts a white head, chestnut body, and powerful black wings.

Interesting Facts:

•  Its haunting calls are often referred to as the “voice of Africa”.
• They mostly feed on fish but are known to prey on flamingos and baby crocodiles.

10. Arctic Tern

Scientific Name: Sterna paradisaea
Where Is It Found:  Breeds in Arctic and Sub-Arctic regions; winters in Antarctica

A slender bird with a white body, black cap, and sharp beak, the Arctic Tern is renowned for its long migratory patterns.

Interesting Facts:

This bird holds the record for the longest known migration, travelling from the Arctic to Antarctica and back, covering about 25,000 miles each year.

11. American Redstart

Scientific Name: Setophaga ruticilla
Where Is It Found: North and Central America

A striking warbler, the male has black plumage with bright orange patches while females are yellowish with gray.

Interesting Facts:

• Their name doesn’t relate to their color but from the Middle English ‘start’, meaning tail, highlighting their frequently fanned tail in display.

12. Avocet

Scientific Name:  Recurvirostra (genus)
Where Is It Found:  Various species found worldwide in wetlands and coastal areas

Characterized by their slender bodies, long legs, and upturned bills, avocets are elegant waders often seen probing the mud for food.

Interesting Facts:

• The upcurved bill of the avocet allows them to skim the surface of the water to capture small aquatic creatures, a feeding technique known as “scything”.

13. Andean Condor

Scientific Name: Vultur gryphusz
Where Is It Found: Andes Mountains and Pacific coasts of South America

A massive bird with a wingspan reaching over 10 feet, the Andean Condor has a bald head and primarily black plumage with white collar and wing patches.

Interesting Facts:

• It’s one of the world’s longest-living birds, with some individuals reaching over 70 years.
• Revered in Andean culture, they are symbols of power and health.

14. Azure Kingfisher

Scientific Name:  Ceyx azureus
Where Is It Found: Northern and Eastern Australia and Tasmania

A small bird with dazzling blue plumage and a fiery orange belly, the Azure Kingfisher is often found near freshwater lakes, streams, and mangroves.

Interesting Facts:

• This bird plunges headfirst into the water to catch its prey, which includes small fish and aquatic insects.
• Despite its vibrant colour, its rapid flight and riverside habitat make it surprisingly elusive to spot.

15. Andean Flamingo

Scientific Name – Phoenicoparrus andinus
Where Is It Found – High-altitude salt flats in the Andes Mountains of South America.

One of the rarest flamingos in the world, the Andean Flamingo boasts pale pink plumage with brighter pink legs and feet. Their deep-set bill is curved and is black-tipped, aiding in their filter-feeding habits as they sieve microscopic organisms from the water.

Interesting Facts:

• The Andean Flamingo possesses a uniquely deep-set and curved bill designed to filter-feed on diatoms, a type of algae. This specialised diet is consumed from the saline waters of high-altitude Andean lakes.
• In their nesting habits, Andean Flamingos construct tall mud towers in shallow waters. These cone-shaped mounds serve to protect their single, chalky-white egg from rising water levels and potential predators.

Other Birds Beginning With A

The world of birds is vast and diverse, and many bird names start with the letter A. While we have touched upon several prominent ones, there are numerous other birds that also share this alphabetical list. In the following list, each name of a bird starts with the letter A to pique your ornithological curiosity:

• Acadian Flycatcher
• African Jacana
• African Penguin
• African Swallow-tailed Kite
• African Thrush
• Allen’s Hummingbird
• Alpine Swift
• Altamira Oriole
• Amazonian Antshrike
• American Black Duck
• American Bittern
• American Coot
• American Crow
• American Dipper
• American Pipit
• American Tree Sparrow
• American Wigeon
• American Woodcock
• Andean Cock-of-the-rock
• Andean Flamingo
• Andean Goose
• Andean Sparrow
• Antillean Nighthawk
• Apostlebird
• Arctic Warbler
• Arizona Woodpecker
• Ash-colored Tapaculo
• Ash-throated Flycatcher
• Ashy Prinia
• Ashy Storm-Petrel
• Asian Fairy-bluebird
• Asian Koel
• Asian Palm Swift
• Asian Pied Starling
• Australasian Darter
• Australasian Shoveler
• Australasian Swamphen
• Australian Brushturkey
• Australian Bustard
• Australian Pelican
• Australian Wood Duck
• Austral Thrush
• Azure-winged Magpie
• Azure-rumped Tanager
• Aztec Thrush

FAQs

1. What is the largest bird beginning with the letter A?

The Andean Condor, native to South America, is among the largest birds, starting with an ‘A’ and boasting a wingspan of over 10 feet.

2. Which bird starting with an ‘A’ is known for its colourful beak?

The Atlantic Puffin is renowned for its vibrant and colourful beak, especially noticeable during the mating season.

3. Which bird that begins with ‘A’ is recognized for its ability to mimic human speech?

The African Grey Parrot is famous for its impressive ability to mimic human speech and sounds.

4. Are there hummingbirds that begin with the letter A?

Yes, some hummingbirds like Anna’s Hummingbird and Allen’s Hummingbird are among the birds that start with the letter ‘A’.

Birds are a mesmerising facet of our natural world, with each species offering unique traits and behaviours that captivate enthusiasts and casual observers alike. As we’ve explored, even when confined to just those beginning with the letter ‘A’, the diversity is astounding. From the majestic Andean Condor to the vibrant Azure Kingfisher, each bird contributes to the intricate tapestry of our ecosystems. Go on, learn and teach your little one about these birds and share nature’s boundless creativity and splendour with fellow parents.

Birds Names That Begin With (A to Z)