The letters a through z contain common and some uncommon birds. These birds come from all four continents. Certain birds live in more distant or unusual locales, while others may be found in your backyard.
BIRDS THAT START WITH THE LETTER A
1.ABBOTT’S BABBLER
Scientific name: Malacocincla abbotti
Lives in: Himalayas, Southeast Asia
These birds are often found in pairs that fly about near the ground. They have a sound that others can identify with. Their call is normally three to four notes long, with a noticeable drop in the middle note.
Fun fact about Abbott’s babbler: The species was discovered by a zoologist named Edward Blyth in 1845, and it was named after Lieutenant Colonel J. R. is a common abbreviation for Rauner. Assistant Commissioner in the British Indian Empire, Abbott (1811–1888).
2.ABYSSINIAN WOODPECKER
Scientific name: Dendropicos abyssinicus
Lives in: Native to Africa, endemic to Ethiopian Highlands
The golden-backed woodpecker and the golden-mantled woodpecker are two other names for the Abyssinian woodpecker. The golden yellow color of this woodpecker’s back is well-known. It’s small, with a big, long beak. It has a vibrant red rump and a barred tail and wings.
Abyssinian woodpecker facts: The Picidae family includes the Abyssinian woodpecker. The female has less red pigment on her head than the male, making her easier to identify.
3.AFEP PIGEON
Scientific name: Columba unicincta
Lives in: Native to Equatorial Forests of Africa
African wood pigeon or gray wood-pigeon are two different names for this bird. In 1860, a specimen was found in West Africa and identified. The body and neck of this pigeon are gray, as is the tail and wings. The pinion and wings are a darker gray color, making them easier to spot. Its throat and belly are both white.
Fun fact about Afep pigeons: Between one and three eggs are generally laid by the female Afep pigeon. The most intriguing aspect is that both the father and mother will raise the kid together.
4.AKOHEKOHE
Scientific name: Palmeria dolei
Lives in: Native to the island of Maui in Hawaii
The breed of this bird, native to Hawaii, occurs in high-elevated damp woods. The length of the bird ranges from 6.5 to 7 inches. The glossy black feathers on the males’ bodies are striped with white stripes, making them easy to identify. Moreover, both wings have orange feathers protruding from them.
Fun fact about ‘Akohekohes: A range of songs are sung by these birds. One of them, for example, is mimicking the sound of a bird flapping its wings.
5.ALLEN’S GALLINULE
Scientific name: Porphyrio alleni
Lives in: Sub-Saharan Africa
The breeding habitat of these birds is marshes and lakes, where they construct floating nests in marsh and swamp. During mating season, the Allen’s gallinule commonly nests between two and five eggs. This species is also migratory. Its green back, purple belly, and tiny red beak have made it a popular species.
Fun fact about Allen’s gallinules: The blue frontal shield of breeding males may be seen. During the migratory season, these birds are readily visible.
6.ALPINE SWIFT
Scientific name: Tachymarptis melba
Lives in: Southern Europe and the Himalayas
During the winter, these birds migrate to Southern Africa and are migratory birds. These birds have extremely small legs and prefer to cling to vertical surfaces. The majority of alpine swifts’ lives are spent in the air. They can stay in the air for up to six months at a time without having to land.
Neat fact about Alphine swifts: These birds stay together for the rest of their lives, returning to the same spots and rebuilding their nests on a more romantic note.
7.ALTAMIRA YELLOWTHROAT
Scientific name: Geothlypis flavovelata
Lives in: North Eastern Mexico
These birds, like the yellowthroat, sing similar songs. That you won’t be able to hear the difference just by listening to the bird whistle is even more intriguing. In freshwater marshes, drainage ditches and canals, and even in Altamira yellowthroat birds, you’ll commonly find them.
Fun fact about Altamira yellowthroats: They are mostly found in the new world or western world and are commonly known as new world warblers.
8.AMAZON KINGFISHER
Scientific name: Chloroceryle amazona
Lives in: Southern Mexico, Central America, and much of South America
In 1790, an English naturalist named John Latham was the first to identify this species. They are bigger than the Green Kingfisher, yet they resemble it. Amphibians and insects are common foods for the Amazon kingfisher. A loud and frequently harsh teck sound characterizes their music.
Neat fact about Amazon kingfishers: With a long beak and a short tail, they resemble kingfisher birds. Moreover, in color, the juvenile females more closely resemble the adult females.
9.AMERICAN AVOCET
Scientific name: Recurvirostra americana
Lives in: United States
Because of a dramatic reduction in their numbers over the first part of the twentieth century, the American avocet has been protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (16 U.S.C. 703-712) since 1918. Toxins, on the other hand, continue to endanger their habitats. During the winter, they feed on brine shrimp, and during the breeding season, they are supported by brine flies.
Fun fact about American avocets: During a period of 24 days, the young incubate. The male takes control of this process during the first eight days of incubation, while the females take over for the remainder 16 days.
10.AMERICAN CROW
Scientific name: Corvus brachyrhynchos
Lives in: North America
A migratory bird, the American crow. Although little is known about their migratory habits, it is known that some individuals migrate while others remain behind during the winter. In 1822, a German naturalist called Christian Ludwig Brehm described these birds for the first time. They eat nuts, seeds, eggs, and human garbage scraps and are omnivorous.
American crow fact: Crows are incredibly clever, and they’ve created their own hunting equipment. They have a tremendous recall and are generally monogamous in their relationships.
11.ANDEAN GULL
Scientific name: MChroicocephalus serranus
Lives in: Argentina. Boulivia, Peru, Ecuador, Columbia, Chile
These birds reach sexual maturity at around the age of two years old, and breed in mountainous areas. They have a 19-inch wingspan and are rather big birds. Freshwater lakes, around rivers, and marshes are common habitats for Andean gulls. Insects and worms made up the majority of their diet.
Fun fact about Andean gulls: Little scattered colonies are common place for them to nest.
12.ARABIAN BUSTARD
Scientific name: Ardeotis arabs
Lives in: Africa, southwestern Arabia
This species is migratory and lives in small groups or alone, depending on the season. During the breeding season, they lay one to two eggs in shallow ground. The species was designated as endangered in 2012, after a decrease in numbers.
Interesting fact about Arabian bustards: The male, which can weigh up to 24 pounds, is significantly bigger than the female.
13.ARCHER’S LARK
Scientific name: Heteromirafra archeri
Lives in: Somalia, Ethiopia
The Lark species includes this bird. Subtropical and tropical dry sub-land, as well as dry low land, are its native habitats. You’ll typically find them hiding in vegetation on land, while they’re able to fly. Little invertebrates and seeds are known to be eaten by it.
Fun fact about Archer’s larks: Statistically, this is a very threatened species, with the last confirmed sighting occurring in 2003. Therefore, online images of this species are even rarer.
14.ASIAN KOEL
Scientific name: Eudynamys scolopaceus
Lives in: Indian sub-continent, China, southeast Asia
This bird weighs about 12 ounces and stands about 18 inches tall. The male’s dazzling glossy blue-black feathers, crimson iris, and greenish beak make it easy to spot. The female lays just one egg throughout the breeding season. These birds are called brood parasites, and they depend on others to raise their offspring.
Fun fact about Asian koels: These are well-known birds with a loud cry. Poems, folklore, and mythology frequently mention them.
15.AUSTRALIAN RAVEN
Scientific name: Corvus coronoides
Lives in: Australia
The majority of these ravens are sedentary. Breeding begins at the age of three, and their breeding season lasts from July through September. They especially frequent extremely tall trees for nesting. In the summer, this omnivore eats insects, whereas in the autumn, it eats plants.
Interesting fact about Australian ravens: These birds are extremely docile, posing little danger to people or other birds.