List of Birds That Start With O

There’s a certain charm to the world of ornithology, especially when we dive deep into the myriad of bird names that start with specific letters. You’ve landed here driven by curiosity, or you’re a parent or educator seeking O letter bird names for preschoolers and kids. Enhancing kids’ vocabulary with the intriguing names of our feathery friends not only aids in their educational journey but also fosters a budding love for nature. Our compilation is tailored just for that – a list of bird names that start with the letter O. It’s delightful, informative, and sure to add fun to the learning experience.

List of Common Birds That Start With O

The majesty and intrigue of our avian companions are boundless. Birds beginning with the letter O are particularly captivating. Each bird name with an O has a story, from vibrant colours to unique habits. Dive into this fascinating list to acquaint yourself with these wonders.

1. Oriole

Scientific Name: Icterus spp.
Where is it Found: Primarily in North America, Central America, and parts of South America.

Orioles are medium-sized songbirds known for their strikingly bright and contrasting colours, most commonly shades of orange or yellow and black. They are slender with slightly curved beaks, ideal for feeding on nectar, fruit, and insects. The colour patterns may vary depending on the species, but their melodic songs remain a consistent identifier.

Interesting Facts:

• Orioles are incredibly talented weavers, often crafting hanging nests that resemble pouches.
• Their fondness for sweet nectar has earned them a reputation as “backyard hummingbirds”.

2. Osprey

Scientific Name: Pandion haliaetus
Where is it Found: Worldwide, near freshwater lakes and rivers.

The osprey is a large raptor known primarily for its fish-eating habits. Its unique toe arrangement—three toes forward and one backwards—allows it to grip slippery fish better. Ospreys are easily identifiable with a white belly, brown back and wings, and a distinctive mask around their yellow eyes.

Interesting Facts:

• Ospreys have a unique outer layer in their eyes, which allows them to see fish underwater without the glare.
• They can also close their nostrils when diving!

3. Oystercatcher

Scientific Name: Haematopus spp.
Where is it Found: Coastal areas worldwide.

Oystercatchers are recognisable by their long, bright red or orange bills and striking black and white bodies. Their name derives from their diet of shellfish. Using their robust bills, they pry open molluscs.

Interesting Facts:

• Despite their name, oysters aren’t the primary diet of all oystercatcher species.
• Their feeding habits vary based on their habitat.

4. Owl

Scientific Name: Strigidae and Tytonidae families
Where is it Found: Almost everywhere in the world, from urban areas to dense forests.

Owls are nocturnal birds known for their round faces, large eyes, and silent flight. Their size varies from the tiny elf owl to the large Eurasian eagle owl. Their muted feathers allow them to blend in with their surroundings.

Interesting Facts:

• Owls have flexible necks that let them turn their heads to 270 degrees.
• Their asymmetrically placed ears allow them to pinpoint the location of sounds with incredible accuracy.

Also Read: Interesting Owls Facts for Kids

5. Ouzel (Also Known as Dipper)

Scientific Name: Cinclus spp.
Where is it Found: Streamside settings in Europe, Asia, and the Americas.

The ouzel or dipper is a unique songbird that can walk underwater on streambeds. It is usually dark in colour, often with some white markings. Its short wings give it a distinctive rapid flight, and it can frequently be seen bobbing on river stones.

Interesting Facts:

• Dippers have an extra eyelid, a nictitating membrane, that helps them see underwater.
• Their nostrils also have flaps to prevent water from entering.

6. Ovenbird

Scientific Name: Seiurus aurocapilla
Where is it Found: Forests across North America.

Ovenbirds are a part of the warbler family. They are small, olive-brown birds with a streaked breast and an orange crown bordered by dark stripes. Their name is derived from their unique domed nest, which looks like a Dutch oven.

Interesting Facts:

• The ovenbird’s loud song, often translated as “teacher, teacher, teacher”, is a familiar sound in eastern forests in the summertime.

7. Old World Flycatcher

Scientific Name: Muscicapidae family
Where is it Found: Europe, Africa, Asia, and the surrounding islands.

The Old World flycatchers vary in colour, but many have intricate patterns with browns and whites. They are typically small birds with strong yet short bills, which are well adapted to their insectivorous diets.

Interesting Facts:

• Despite their name implying a single species, “Old World Flycatcher” refers to a large family of birds with over 300 different species.

8. Oilbird

Scientific Name: Steatornis caripensis
Where is it Found: Caves in parts of South America.

Oilbirds are nocturnal birds with wingspans of over a meter. They have a strong and hooked beak, reddish-brown plumage, and white spots. Oilbirds are unique in that they use echolocation, similar to bats, to navigate in the dark.

Interesting Facts:

• The name “oilbird” is derived from the young birds that some indigenous peoples fatten and then render down for oil.

9. Olive Warbler

Scientific Name: Peucedramus taeniatus
Where is it Found: Mountain forests in southwestern North America to central America.

Olive warblers are small birds with grey bodies, two white wing bars, and distinctive orange heads in males. Despite their name, they are not true warblers and belong to a family all their own.

Interesting Facts:

• The olive warbler is the only species in its family, Peucedramidae, making it unique in the avian world.

10. Oriental Magpie-Robin

Scientific Name: Copsychus saularis
Where is it Found: Across the Indian subcontinent and parts of Southeast Asia.

These birds are known for their melodic songs and striking black-and-white plumage. The males have black upperparts, white underparts, and a black tail with white patches, while the females have more greyish tones.

Interesting Facts:

• The Oriental magpie-robin is a famous cage bird due to its singing ability. It is also the national bird of Bangladesh.

11. Oriental Stork

Scientific Name: Ciconia boyciana
Where is it Found: Wetlands in East Asia, especially China, Russia, and Japan.

The Oriental stork is a large, elegant bird with snow-white feathers, contrasting black wings, and a long, pointed beak. Its legs and the skin around its eyes are a vivid red, giving it a distinguished appearance. The storks use their long beaks to forage in shallow waters for fish, frogs, and insects.

Interesting Facts:

• Unlike its noisy relatives, the Oriental stork does not possess vocal cords and thus communicates primarily through bill-clattering.

12. Ocellated Antbird

Scientific Name: Phaenostictus mcleannani
Where is it Found: Tropical rainforests of Central America.

This medium-sized antbird sports intricate patterns of black and white spots and streaks. They are called “antbirds” because they often follow army ant swarms, feeding on the tiny creatures the ants flush out.

Interesting Facts:

• Ocellated antbirds are known for their unique behaviour of cooperating with other species.
• They often form mixed-species flocks, joining other birds to follow army ants and share the feast.

13. Orange-breasted Sunbird

Scientific Name: Anthobaphes violacea
Where is it Found: Fynbos region of the Western Cape of South Africa.

This vivid sunbird is a sight with its iridescent green head, bright orange breast, and deep blue belly. Their slender, curved bills are ideally suited for sipping nectar from flowers.

Interesting Facts:

• The orange-breasted sunbird is especially found in the fynbos biome, a unique shrubland habitat renowned for its incredible plant diversity.

14. Olive-backed Pipit

Scientific Name: Anthus hodgsoni
Where is it Found: Across Asia, and migrates to Southeast Asia and the Indian subcontinent during winter. 

This small bird has an olive-green back, streaked underparts, and a thin bill. Its high-pitched songs are often heard before the bird is seen, as it prefers to remain camouflaged in the grass or low shrubs.

Interesting Facts:

• The Olive-backed Pipit’s song varies greatly across regions, suggesting local “dialects” among populations.

15. Olive-throated Parakeet

Scientific Name: Eupsittula nana
Where is it Found: From Mexico to western Panama.

This small parakeet boasts a primarily green plumage with a distinctive olive-coloured throat. They are gregarious birds, often seen in flocks, flying rapidly with swift, direct motions.

Interesting Facts:

• Unlike many parakeets that feed primarily on seeds, the Olive-throated Parakeet has a varied diet and can often be spotted foraging for fruits, berries, and insects.

16. Olive Sparrow

Scientific Name: Arremonops rufivirgatus
Where is it Found: Southern Texas in the USA to Central America.

As its name suggests, the Olive Sparrow has an olive-brown upper body. This tiny bird is further characterised by its rich, rufous crown and striking white eyebrow stripe. Its song is a series of melodic chirps, making it a lovely serenader of its habitat.

Interesting Facts:

• Despite being named a sparrow, the Olive Sparrow isn’t closely related to North America’s sparrows but is more closely linked to the towhees.

17. Ochre-breasted Antpitta

Scientific Name: Grallaricula flavirostris
Where is it Found: Andean forests in South America.

This petite, plump, and secretive bird has an ochre-coloured breast, greyish-brown upper parts, and a unique facial pattern. It scurries the forest floor, searching for insects and other small prey.

Interesting Facts:

• Antpittas, including the Ochre-breasted variety, are known for their elusive nature.
• Birdwatchers consider spotting one a genuine treat and a testament to their patience.

18. Orange-fronted Barbet

Scientific Name: Capito squamatus
Where is it Found: Pacific lowlands of Nicaragua and Costa Rica.

This medium-sized barbet is adorned with an impressive combination of orange, black, white, and yellow. The male is particularly vibrant, with an orange forehead and throat, a feature from which its name is derived.

Interesting Facts:

• The Orange-fronted Barbet’s diet mainly consists of fruit, making them vital seed dispersers in their native habitats.

19. Osprey Kingfisher

Scientific Name: Todiramphus sanctus
Where is it Found: Coastal islands of Northern Australia and New Guinea.

Despite its name, the Osprey Kingfisher is not closely related to ospreys. It’s a compact, vivid blue and white bird with a stout bill. Kingfishers, including this species, are often found near water bodies and are expert fish catchers.

Interesting Facts:

• The Osprey Kingfisher’s exciting call sounds like a dog’s bark, leading to its other common name, the “Barking Kingfisher.”

20. Olive-crowned Yellowthroat

Scientific Name: Geothlypis semiflava
Where is it Found: Highland wetlands from Guatemala to northern Nicaragua.

This tiny bird displays an olive-green crown contrasting beautifully with its yellow underparts. Males have black masks, which make them easily distinguishable from females.

Interesting Facts:

• The Olive-crowned Yellowthroat often builds its nest close to the ground or water, making it a dome-shaped structure with a side entrance.

Other Birds Beginning With O

While we’ve delved deep into some fascinating details about specific birds that start with the letter O, there’s still a vast world of avian wonders to uncover. The sheer diversity in the avian realm ensures that every bird that starts with the letter O has its unique tale. Here, we’ve listed several more ‘O’ birds, each a testament to nature’s incredible diversity.

• Oahu Amakihi
• Oahu Elepaio
• Oak Titmouse
• Oaxaca Sparrow
• Oberholser’s Fruit Dove
• Obi Woodcock
• Oceanic Flycatcher
• Ochre-bellied Flycatcher
• Ochre-breasted Tanager
• Ochre-cheeked Spinetail
• Ochre-collared Monarch
• Ochre-marked Parakeet
• Ochre-rumped Bunting
• Ochre-striped Antpitta
• Ochraceous Attila
• Ochraceous Pewee
• Ochraceous Wren
• Ochre-breasted Brushfinch
• Ochre-faced Tody-Flycatcher
• Ochre-lored Flatbill
• Ochre-winged Trumpeter
• Okinawa Rail
• Olrog’s Gull
• Olson’s Petrel
• Olive-backed Euphonia
• Olive-backed Quail-Dove
• Olive-capped Warbler
• Olive-chested Flycatcher
• Olive-faced Flatbill
• Olive-flanked Whistler
• Olive-gray Tody-Flycatcher
• Olive-headed Lorikeet
• Olive-legged Seriema
• Olive-spotted Hummingbird
• Olive-striped Flycatcher
• Olive-tailed Parrotlet
• Olive-tree Warbler
• Olive-whiskered Bulbul
• Olive-winged Bulbul
• Olive-yellow Tanager
• Olivaceous Cormorant
• Olivaceous Flatbill
• Olivaceous Greenlet
• Olivaceous Piculet
• Olivaceous Siskin
• Olivaceous Warbler
• Olivaceous Woodcreeper
• Olivaceous-backed Woodpecker
• Olivary Flycatcher

This extensive list represents only a fraction of the bird species starting with the letter O. Each name is a gateway to a unique world, promising tales of habitats, behaviours, and evolution.

FAQs

1. Are all birds with names starting with ‘O’ found in the same region?

No, birds with names starting with ‘O’ can be found worldwide, each adapted to its specific region and habitat.

2. How can I attract more ‘O’ birds to my backyard?

To attract more ‘O’ birds, or any birds for that matter, provide diverse native plants, freshwater sources, and bird feeders with various seeds suitable for local bird species.

3. Why are some ‘O’ birds rare to spot?

Some ‘O’ birds are elusive due to their specific habitats, migratory patterns, nocturnal behaviours, or simply because they exist in smaller numbers due to environmental threats or natural rarity.

The vast realm of avian species, especially those starting with the letter ‘O’, showcases nature’s incredible diversity and adaptability. From the dense forests of Central Africa to the coastal islands of Australia, each bird narrates a tale of evolution, survival, and beauty. As we venture into the world of these feathery wonders, we are reminded of the intricate tapestry of life that surrounds us and the importance of cherishing and preserving it for future generations.

Birds Names That Begin With (A to Z)