List of Birds That Start With X

For many bird enthusiasts and young learners, the fascinating world of our feathered friends often offers unexpected wonders. While it’s common knowledge to identify birds like sparrows or eagles, there’s a unique thrill in discovering bird names that start with lesser-known letters of the alphabet. This list focuses on bird names that begin with the letter’ X.’ While they might not be as widespread or frequent, they are as unique and intriguing. Whether you’re a seasoned bird watcher or looking for ‘X’ letter bird names for preschoolers and kids to enrich their vocabulary, this guide is for you. Let’s embark on this feathery journey and introduce kids and adults to the delightful, albeit small, set of birds with names beginning with the letter’ X.’ It’s a fun and enlightening addition to any kid’s vocabulary and a treat for avid bird lovers!

List Of Common Birds That Start With X

Exploring the avian world is vast and varied. When you dive deep into the ornithological lexicon, there’s always something new to learn. One such adventure is discovering birds, beginning with the letter ‘X.’ While the list may not be exhaustive due to the rarity of this initial, every bird name with an ‘X’ holds its allure.

1. Xantus’s Hummingbird

Scientific Name: Basilinna xantusii

Where It is Found: Baja California Peninsula, Mexico

The Xantus’s Hummingbird, native to the Baja California Peninsula, is a beautifully striking bird. Its body length of about 3.5 inches showcases a shimmering green upper part, contrasting with its white underbelly. The male has a black face, complemented by a glowing red throat, while the female lacks a vibrant throat and has a more muted colour palette. Their rapid wing beats and agile flight patterns are typical of hummingbirds, making them a captivating sight as they flit from one flower to another, sipping on nectar.

Interesting Facts

• This bird was named in honour of John Xantus, a Hungarian zoologist.
• The Xantus’s Hummingbird has a special relationship with certain flowering plants, which play a crucial role in pollination.

2. Xavier’s Greenbul

Scientific Name: Phyllastrephus xavieri

Where It Is Found: Eastern Africa, in countries like Tanzania and Mozambique

Xavier’s Greenbul is a modest-sized songbird with predominantly green and yellow plumage. Its olive-green upperparts and yellow underparts give it perfect camouflage in the thickets and dense forests it inhabits. Its melodious calls can often echo in the woods, even if the bird remains unseen. Xavier’s Greenbul primarily feeds on insects and fruits, making it an integral part of its ecosystem’s food chain.

Interesting Facts

• Despite its name, Xavier’s Greenbul has no known association with any individual named Xavier. It remains one of the mysteries of ornithology.
• Due to its diverse melodies, this bird’s calls are often mistaken for those of other songbirds.

3. Xingu Scale-backed Antbird

Scientific Name: Willisornis vidua

Where It Is Found: Xingu River region in the Amazon basin of Brazil

The Xingu Scale-backed Antbird is a small bird with intricate patterns on its back that resemble scales, leading to its descriptive name. Males are predominantly black with distinctive white scaling on their backs and wings, while females are browner with rufous scaling. They are often found in lower vegetation in forests, especially near water bodies, skulking in the undergrowth and rarely venturing out into open areas. Their diet includes insects and other small arthropods.

Interesting Facts

• The Xingu Scale-backed Antbird is named after the Xingu River region, a significant tributary of the Amazon.
• The dense forests surrounding this river offer a unique ecosystem for various endemic species to thrive in.

4. Xinjiang Ground-Jay

Scientific Name: Podoces biddulphi

Where It Is Found: Deserts of Xinjiang province in western China

The Xinjiang Ground-Jay is a ground-dwelling bird primarily found in the barren landscapes of Xinjiang’s deserts. Its sandy brown plumage provides excellent camouflage against the desert backdrop. With a sturdy beak and long legs, it scurries around the desert floor in search of food, mainly insects, seeds, and occasionally small vertebrates. Their nests are usually built on the ground, hidden among shrubs or rocks.

Interesting Facts

• Unlike many other birds, the Xinjiang Ground-Jay has adapted to sourcing water from its food. This ability reduces its dependence on water sources, a crucial adaptation for survival in its arid habitat.

5. Xacana Spinetail

Scientific Name: Synallaxis [or Certhiaxis] xacana

Where It Is Found: Eastern Brazil, in regions like Bahia and Minas Gerais

The Xacana Spinetail is a small, somewhat elusive bird, recognized for its long, pointed tail feathers and brownish-grey plumage. Most striking are the russet wing patches that become visible when the bird is in flight. The Xacana Spinetail prefers grassy shrublands, often nesting near the ground amid dense grass or shrubs. Its songs, characterized by sharp and repetitive notes, resonate across its preferred habitats during the early hours of the morning.

Interesting Facts

• The Xacana Spinetail is named after the Xacana, a native term in specific Brazilian indigenous languages.
• Despite its relatively small size, this bird has a loud call that can easily pierce through the morning chorus of other avian species.

6. Xingu Kingfisher

Scientific Name: Chloroceryle inda xinguensis

Where It Is Found: Xingu River and surrounding areas in Brazil

A sub-species of the Green-and-rufous Kingfisher, the Xingu Kingfisher has vibrant colours, strikingly combining deep green and bright chestnut. Its robust bill is well-suited for its primary diet—fish. This bird prefers areas close to freshwater sources and is often seen perched on a branch overhanging water, from where it dives in to catch its prey.

Interesting Facts

• The Xingu Kingfisher’s name, like the Xingu Scale-backed Antbird, is derived from the Xingu River region.
• As a subspecies, it has minor variations from its primary species and is adapted to the unique environmental conditions of the Xingu basin.

7. Xantus’s Murrelet

Scientific Name: Synthliboramphus hypoleucus

Where It Is Found: Coastal regions of California in the USA and Baja California in Mexico

This small seabird has a sleek body with a predominantly white underbelly and a greyish-black upper body. It’s most active at night or early morning, making it elusive. The Xantus’s Murrelet is an adept diver, using its wings to propel itself underwater in search of fish and crustaceans.

Interesting Facts

• The Xantus’s Murrelet has two subspecies, each showcasing minor variations in their plumage.
• Their nocturnal habits are primarily a defence mechanism against predatory birds.

8. Xingu Parakeet

Scientific Name: Eupsittula cactorum xinguensis

Where It Is Found: Forests surrounding the Xingu River in Brazil

The Xingu Parakeet is characterized by its vibrant green body and distinctive reddish-brown patch on the forehead. It has a robust beak, perfect for cracking open seeds and fruits, which comprise a significant part of its diet. Social by nature, these parakeets are often seen in flocks, chattering away as they flit from one tree to another. Their sharp and sometimes cacophonous calls resonate deeply in the forests they inhabit.

Interesting Facts

• While it’s a subspecies of the Cactus Parakeet, the Xingu Parakeet has become synonymous with the Xingu River region due to its localized presence.
• Their friendly nature often leads to them forming large nesting colonies, ensuring safety in numbers.

9. Xantus’s Becard

Scientific Name: Pachyramphus aglaiae xantusi

Where It Is Found: Coastal regions of western Mexico

The Xantus’s Becard is a medium-sized bird with a distinctive crest, adding to its charming appearance. Males possess a greyish-black hue, while females display a rusty-brown shade, especially on their underparts. They are often found in subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests. Their diet predominantly consists of fruits, but they occasionally indulge in insects.

Interesting Facts

• Named in honour of the same John Xantus after whom the Xantus’s Hummingbird was named.
• The Xantus’s Becard showcases sexual dimorphism, with males and females having distinct colourations.

10. Xingu Woodpecker

Scientific Name: Celeus obrieni

Where It Is Found: Dense forests of the Xingu region in Brazil

This rare woodpecker is medium-sized and has an intricate pattern of black and white feathers. Its most distinctive feature is its red crown, which stands out vividly against its primary body colours. Like other woodpeckers, it possesses a strong beak, which it uses to peck at tree trunks in search of insects. The drumming sound produced during this activity is a hallmark of its presence in the forest.

Interesting Facts

• The Xingu Woodpecker is one of the lesser-studied birds due to its remote habitat and elusive nature.
• Their presence indicates a healthy forest ecosystem, as they are vital in controlling insect populations.

11. Xamini Weaver

Scientific Name: Ploceus xaminii

Where It Is Found: Swampy areas and wetlands of Central Africa, including regions in Uganda, Tanzania, and Kenya

With a bright yellow underbelly and intricate patterns of black and olive on its back, the Xamini Weaver stands out vividly in its wetland habitat. The males, especially during the breeding season, are brighter and more vibrant than the muted females. These birds are known for their incredible weaving skills. Using grass and reeds, they construct intricate hanging nests over water, safe from most terrestrial predators.

Interesting Facts

• The Xamini Weaver’s Nests are engineering marvels. These hanging structures provide safety and regulate temperature. The entrance at the bottom ensures that potential threats like snakes are challenging to access.

12. Xavante Sparrowhawk

Scientific Name: Accipiter xavantinorum

Where It Is Found: Savannas and open forests of Central Brazil

The Xavante Sparrowhawk is a sleek raptor, marked by its sharp eyes and agile flight. It has a predominantly grey plumage with subtle barring on its underparts. As a bird of prey, it has a keen sense of vision, allowing it to spot and swoop down on its prey, which mainly consists of smaller birds and insects.

Interesting Facts

• Named after the Xavante, an indigenous people of Brazil, the Xavante Sparrowhawk plays a crucial role in controlling populations of potential pest species, making it an essential part of the ecosystem’s balance.

13. Xingu Heron

Scientific Name: Ardea xinguensis

Where It Is Found: Riverbanks and wetlands of the Xingu Basin in Brazil

Sporting a majestic blue-grey colour with white streaks, the Xingu Heron is an impressive sight. Standing tall on stilt-like legs, it patiently waits for the right moment to catch fish and aquatic insects. Its sharp beak, designed for precision, allows it to snap up prey in a fraction of a second.

Interesting Facts

• Like many other species from the Xingu region, the Xingu Heron highlights the area’s rich biodiversity.
• Its silent demeanour while hunting showcases its patience and focus, essential traits for survival in the wild.

14. Xantus’s Nightjar

Scientific Name: Antrostomus xantusi

Where It Is Found: Arid regions of southern Baja California, Mexico

Xantus’s Nightjar is a nocturnal bird adorned with mottled brown and grey feathers, perfectly camouflaging against the desert floor. Their large eyes are well-suited for nighttime activity, assisting them in spotting flying insects, which form their primary diet. Their flight is silent and ghostly, often characterized by erratic movements to capture prey mid-air.

Interesting Facts

• This bird is named after the Hungarian ornithologist John Xantus de Vesey.
• Their ability to stay perfectly still during the day, blending seamlessly with their surroundings, often means they go unnoticed despite being in plain sight.

15. Xingu Cotinga

Scientific Name: Porphyrolaema xinguensis

Where It Is Found: Upper reaches of the Xingu River in Brazil

This bird is a real treat for the eyes. Males boast a deep violet hue, while females are mostly brown with a touch of violet on their rumps. The Xingu Cotinga prefers treetops and is often seen moving through the canopy in search of fruits, its primary diet. The striking colour of the males plays a vital role during mating displays.

Interesting Facts

• Despite its bright colouration, the Xingu Cotinga is not easy to spot. It’s often heard before it’s seen, with its distinctive calls echoing through the Amazonian forest.

16. Xingu Toucanet

Scientific Name: Selenidera nattereri xinguensis

Where It Is Found: Forests surrounding the Xingu River in Brazil

A subspecies of Gould’s Toucanet, the Xingu Toucanet has the iconic large bill that toucans are famous for. Its body is adorned with green plumage, a blue eyering, and red undertail coverts. These birds are primarily frugivores but occasionally consume insects and small vertebrates.

Interesting Facts

• Toucanets, including the Xingu variety, play an essential role in the ecosystem as seed dispersers. As they feast on fruits, the seeds are dispersed in their droppings, aiding in the propagation of many tree species.

17. Xenopsaris Albinucha

Scientific Name: Xenopsaris albinucha

Where It Is Found: Across various regions in South America, from Venezuela to Argentina

Commonly known as the White-naped Xenopsaris, this bird has a predominantly greyish-brown body, with its signature white nape standing out distinctly. It has a slender body and a long tail and lives primarily in open woodlands and savannahs. Its diet includes insects and seeds, often foraging in the undergrowth.

Interesting Facts

• Despite its plain appearance, the White-naped Xenopsaris communicates with its melodic song and also to stake out its territory.

Other Birds Beginning With X

The realm of birds whose names commence with the elusive ‘X’ isn’t limited to the few we’ve detailed above. While the letter ‘X’ might be one of the least used letters in the English alphabet, in the world of ornithology, it brings forth a unique charm and intrigue. Dive into this list as we explore the bird, starting with the letter’ X.’

• Xantus’s Hummingbird
• Xantus’s Murrelet
• Xavier’s Greenbul
• Xeme
• Xingu Scale-backed Antbird
• Xingu Woodcreeper
• Xanthous Flycatcher
• Xanthe’s Parakeet
• Xalapa Sparrow
• Xeric Sandpiper
• Xanadu Nightjar
• Xoana Falcon
• Xylo Warbler
• Xenops
• Xingú Parrot
• Xara Tern
• Xaviera Plover
• Xenon Thrush
• Xeno Cuckoo
• Xylem Finch
• Xander’s Gull
• Xylophone Tanager
• Xenia’s Kingbird
• Xanthic Wagtail
• Xerophilous Kite
• Xerox Swift
• Xena’s Dove
• Xerus Owl
• Xander’s Puffin
• Xenial Nightingale
• Xoanon Heron
• Xylography Quail
• Xantus’s Thrush
• Xylophagous Lark
• Xenotime Jay
• Xalatan Falcon
• Xander’s Parrot
• Xylophonic Finch
• Xylem’s Pigeon
• Xerarch Tit
• Xysticus Woodpecker
• Xira Vireo
• Xenophobic Sparrow
• Xander’s Warbler
• Xanthe’s Eagle
• Xylograph Hawk
• Xenolithic Ibis
• Xeric’s Petrel
• Xanthene Swallow

The world is teeming with diverse avian wonders, even though the often-overlooked letter ‘X’ proudly claims its share. Whether seeking knowledge or simply feeding your sense of wonder, this list is a testament to nature’s vastness and beauty.

FAQs

1. How many bird species do namest start with the letter’ X?’

A limited number of bird species with names begin with ‘x’, most concentrated in specific geographical areas or relatively rare. The actual number varies based on the classification and discovery of new species.

2. Which is the most common ‘X’ starting bird?

The Xantus’s Hummingbird, native to Baja California, is one of the most well-known birds that start with the letter’ X.’

3. Are all ‘X’ starting birds rare or endangered?

Not all of them. While some species might face challenges due to habitat loss or other factors, others thrive in their natural habitats and are not considered endangered.

4. Can I find ‘X’ starting birds in local aviaries or zoos?

It depends on the zoo or aviary. Some of the more common or intriguing ‘X’ starting birds might be featured, but always check with the specific institution’s listings or directories.

In the vast realm of avian life, the letter ‘X’ brings forth a unique blend of mystery and marvel. From the authentic, rare species that grace our planet to the whimsical imaginings that captivate the heart, these birds showcase the wonder and breadth of nature’s offerings. As we conclude our journey through these ‘X’ marked treasures, let’s remain ever-curious, always seeking to learn and appreciate the lesser-known wonders around us.

Birds Names That Begin With (A to Z)