Birds may be found in all corners of the globe. Birds may be found on every continent, from drab to colorful and big to little. Our list of birds that begin with G includes 16 species, some of which are common enough to be seen in your yard and others that may reside in more distant or exotic places.
Let’s have a look!
BIRDS THAT START WITH G
From ducks to owls, here is a list of 16 bird species with names beginning with G. Let’s have a look at these lovely, fascinating birds!
1. GADWALL
Scientific name: Mareca strepera
Lives in: North America, Europe and Asia
Ducks that eat aquatic plants are known as gadwalls. The black rump patch on the males, as well as the black, white, and brown patterns on their wings while flying, are used to identify them. Male beaks are generally black, but female beaks are a mottled brown coloration that extends across the face.
Gadwalls occasionally raid the larder of other ducks, and the oldest known Gadwall was 19 years old.
2. GOLDENEYE (COMMON)
Scientific name: Bucephala clangula
Lives in: Canada, the United States (especially northern), northern and middle Europe and parts of Asia
Male goldeneyes have blackish-green heads with a white circular patch between the eye and the base of the beak, and are named for their yellow iris. Brown heads, a pale neckband, and gray back and sides distinguish female goldeneyes. Their wide skulls and yellow eyes are the most well-known features. Ponds, marshes, and lakes are home to the common goldeneye.
Interesting fact about the Common Goldeneye: The goldeneye was dubbed the “whistler” because of its wing whistling while in flight, according to hunters. The sound is amplified in the cold.
Other Goldeneyes: The Barrow’s goldeneye, which is primarily found in the northern parts of the United States, is another very similar species. In both Canada and the United States.
3. GARGANEY
Scientific name: Spatula querquedulaLives in: Europe, across the Palearctic, southern Africa, India (Santragachi), Bangladesh (in the natural reservoirs of Sylhet district), and Australia.
A little duck that lives in or near wetlands. The large, white eye stripe on males’ heads is their most distinguishing feature. The plumage of these ducks is a mix of gorgeous designs, despite the fact that they are not a colorful duck. It’s difficult to tell female brown-winged teal apart from female blue-winged teal.
Interesting fact about Garganey: They are a single-species bird that breeds in couples. Each hatch yields 7 to 9 eggs.
4. GREAT GRAY OWL
Scientific name: Strix nebulosa
Lives in: far northern U.S., Canada, northern Europe and small clusters in northern Asia
The magnificent huge gray owl has a obvious circular pattern on the face and is large, mottled brown and gray. Against their pale gray complexion, their yellow eyes stand out. These owls prefer to live in boreal woodland and fly under the cover of evergreens. During the winter, they may eat up to seven mouse-sized creatures every day, making them experts at hunting small creatures.
Interesting fact about the Great Gray Owl: they can break through very hard packed snow to reach small mammals underneath.
5. GROUSE (RUFFED GROUSE)
Scientific name: Bonasa umbellus
Lives in: Canada, southern Alaska and some northern U.S. states
The sexes are difficult to distinguish, even though males are larger than females. Plumage is made up of whites, browns, and grays in a variety of different designs. Their legs are covered in feathers all the way down to their toes, and they have feathered nostrils. The ruffed grouse’s mixed plumage and blending into the forest floor make it impossible to see. They prefer to walk along the ground rather than fly in short bursts.
Interesting fact about Ruffed Grouse: The most common resident game bird in North America is the buffed grouse.
Other Grouse: There are over ten varieties of grouse in the world.
6. GLAUCOUS-WINGED GULL
Scientific name: Larus glaucescens
Lives in: along the Pacific coast of North America and far western Asia
A grey-winged, white-bodied, and heavy yellow beak gull. Since most gulls have black-tipped wings, the tips of their feathers on their wing are white, making them easy to recognize. In the winter, they get extremely molted and turn brown. They hunt for food in tidepools and even municipal parks and landfills, on rocky coastlines.
Interesting fact about the Glaucous-winged gull: It may even prey on unattended Glaucous-winged Gull chicks, as it attacks rabbits and pigeons.
7. GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE
Scientific name: Anser albifrons
Lives in: Europe, Asia, and North America.
A stocky body, short orange legs, and a crimson-orange beak distinguish the bigger white-fronted goose. Their rump is white, and their beak is ringed with white. They have a grayish-brown body with a white rump. In larger groups of Canada Geese, they are frequently seen.
Interesting fact about the greater white-fronted goose: To preserve enough reserves for egg laying, females will gain 30% more weight before migrating north.
8. GREENSHANK (COMMON GREENSHANK)
Scientific name: Tringa nebularia
Lives in: Northern Europe, southern Asia, Africa, and Australia.
The common greenshank has long slender legs and a long slender beak, and it is a tiny to medium-sized water dweller. Their long legs, combined with their long beak, let them swim through shallow water foraging for food. Their legs have a light greenish color, and their bills are somewhat upturned.
Interesting fact about Greenshank: They have been known to fight and sing after establishing territory.
9. GALAH
Scientific name: Eolophus roseicapilla
Lives in: Australia
The pink and grey cockatoo, sometimes known as the rose-breasted cockatoo, is another name for Galahs. They have grey wings, a pink body, and a little pink head-capped of feathers. They are huge parrots with a grey coloration. The males are dark brown and the females pinkish red, and the sexes may be distinguished by eye color. They seem to have thrived with European settlement, whereas most species have suffered as a result of habitat loss. They are found across most of Australia and appear to be adapting well.
Interesting fact about Galah: They’ve been documented to flock in huge groups of thousands.
10. GREAT-TAILED GRACKLE
Scientific name: Quiscalus mexicanus
Lives in: United States, Mexico, Central America and far northern South America.
In the right light, great-tailed grackles appear blue, green, and purple in hue. They are frequently black in color. They’ll sometimes roost with other kinds of black birds. Males have a solid coloring, a long, slender body with an unusually long tail, and a yellow ringed eye that makes them easy to spot. Although they have the same yellow eye, females are around half the size of males and are dark brown above and paler brown below.
Interesting fact about Great-tailed Grackles: The sugarcane fields of Texas’ Rio Grande Valley, where they may number in the millions, are one of their largest winter roosting groups.
11. GOSHAWK (NORTHERN GOSHAWK)
Scientific name: Accipiter gentilis
Lives in: North America, Europe and spotted throughout Asia.
The Goshawk family includes a variety of species, one of which is found in the United States. The northern goshawk is the species in question. Goshawks are all birds of prey that feast on tiny birds and creatures. The back and chest of the northern goshawk are dark gray, with a white and gray stripped belly. Their red eye is distinctive, and their white eye stripe is big. The Northern Goshawks are a rare bird that hides in vast woodlands and is not commonly seen in the United States.
Interesting fact about the Northern Goshawk: On his helmet, Attila the Hun wore a picture of a Northern Goshawk.
12. GYRFALCON
Scientific name: Falco rusticolus
Lives in: northern United States, Canada, Greenland and northern Europe
With a 48 inch wingspan, the gyrfalcon is the world’s largest falcon. They nest on cliffs and live in the high Arctic. Ptarmigan, a ground bird in the grouse family, is their most common food source as hunters. They don’t nest in the United States, though. During the winter, they do visit the northern states from time to time. A dark gray back banded with white, or a white back flecked with black, are the two color morphs of gyrfalcons.
Interesting fact about the Gyrfalcon: A Gyrfalcon family requires 2-3 pounds of food per day throughout the breeding season.
13. GILA WOODPECKER
Scientific name: Melanerpes uropygialis
Lives in: southern California, Arizona, southern New Mexico, Baja California, Mexico
As long as there are Saguaro cactus, the gila woodpecker is an expert on living in treeless deserts. Before moving in, the gila removes its nest from the top of the cactus and waits for it to dry up. The wings and tail of a Gilas are boldly patterned with black and white stripes. On the forehead of males, there is a red patch.
Interesting fact about the Gila Woodpecker: The woodpecker will wait months before moving in after excavating a nesting hole in the cactus. The cactus’s inner pulp will dry and harden if this is the case.
14. GRAY CATBIRD
Scientific name: Dumetella carolinensis
Lives in: United States, Mexico and Canada
Catbirds are robin-sized birds with a long tail, a black head cap, and slate gray coloring all over their bodies. Their tails have a rusty red patch that’s just visible. Catbirds are known for their love of singing, and they can imitate and repeat what they hear, much like mockingbirds. In order to create their own song, they will frequently string together several songs stolen from other birds. Catbirds are attracted to native fruit-bearing trees and shrubs, and they adore to eat fruit.
Interesting fact about Gray Catbirds: They acquired their name after a Meowing Cat-like cry that they frequently emit.
15. GREAT-CRESTED FLYCATCHER
Scientific name: Myiarchus crinitus
Lives in: eastern half of North America, Central America, northern South America
The eastern United States is home to this huge flycatcher family member. To breed, they have to go through each spring. With a warm brown back, gray face, and yellow belly, they are roughly the size of a robin. Although their head isn’t particularly high, it does have a squared-off look due to the crest. High up near the tops of trees, large crested flycatchers can be difficult to see.
Interesting fact about the Great Crested Flycatcher: Snakeskin is frequently used in their nests. Nearly every great crested flycatcher nest will have shed snakeskin in places where it is readily accessible, such as Florida.
16. GOLDFINCH (AMERICAN GOLDFINCH)
Scientific name: Spinus tristis
Lives in: United States, Canada, parts of Mexico
In the spring and summer, the American goldfinch has brilliant yellow feathers. Males have a black cap on top of their heads during this time, and they are generally yellow or “gold” with black-tipped wings. Their brilliant yellow color fades to a dull brownish or olive shade during the winter, and they molt. The black on their wings and their finch-like beaks will always distinguish them from other birds.
Interesting fact about the American Goldfinch: The American Goldfinch, unlike many other songbirds, does not begin egg production until June or July, when milkweed and thistle produce downy seeds that the birds use in their nests and feed their young.
17. Golden Eagle (Aquila Chrysaetos)
The golden eagle is a large bird of prey that is native to North America and parts of Europe, Asia, and northern Africa. It is one of the largest and most powerful eagles in the world, and is known for its impressive hunting abilities and striking appearance. The golden eagle has a dark brown body with golden-brown plumage on its head and neck. It has powerful talons and a hooked beak, which it uses to catch and kill its prey. The golden eagle is a solitary hunter, and typically feeds on small mammals such as rabbits and squirrels, though it is also known to attack larger animals such as deer and sheep.
18. Great Blue Heron (Ardea Herodias)
The great blue heron is a large wading bird that is native to North and Central America. It is one of the most common and widespread herons in North America, and can be found in a variety of wetland habitats, including marshes, swamps, and rivers. The great blue heron has a slate-gray body with a white head and neck, and long, slender legs. It has a long, curved neck and a sharp, pointed bill, which it uses to catch fish and other small aquatic animals. The great blue heron is a solitary hunter, and is typically seen standing motionless at the water’s edge, waiting to ambush its prey.
19. Giant Ibis (Thaumatibis Gigantea)
The Mekong River area of Southeast Asia is home to the Giant Ibis (Thaumatibis gigantea), a large bird species. With a wingspan of up to 8 feet and a weight of up to 15 pounds, it is the only member of the genus Thaumatibis and one of the world’s largest birds. With less than 200 individuals remaining in the wild, the Giant Ibis is officially endangered. Insects, amphibians, and tiny fish are among the small creatures it consumes. Habitat degradation and hunting are the two greatest threats to its survival.
20. Great Egret (Ardea Alba)
The Great Egret, or Ardea alba, is a huge wading bird that can be found across the globe in wetlands and shallow waterways, from North America to South America to Europe and Asia. The long, S-shaped neck and snowy white plumage distinguish it from the other members of the heron family. The Great Egret, which feeds on everything from fish to amphibians to insects, is a carnivorous bird. Its numbers have recovered from historical decreases due to habitat devastation and hunting, and it is a protected species in many regions of the globe.
21. Gadwall (Mareca Strepera)
The dabbling duck Gadwall (Mareca strepera) may be found across Europe, Asia, and North America in damp meadows and shallow lakes. Males may reach a maximum length of 24 inches and females may reach a maximum of 22 inches. With a gray body, white belly, and chestnut-colored flanks, the Gadwall has a distinct look. It is frequently seen foraging in shallow waters and feeds on a variety of aquatic plants, seeds, and insects. The Gadwall is a widely distributed and common species that is not considered to be endangered.
22. Great Horned Owl (Bubo Virginianus)
The Great Horned Owl (Bubo virginianus) is a huge owl that may be found across North and South America in a variety of environments. The unusual “horns” or ear tufts on its head gave it the name. The Great Horned Owl, which can take down creatures as big as rabbits and skunks, is a formidable and quick hunter. It eats rats, birds, and other small animals in addition to rodents. In many parts of its range, the Great Horned Owl is a protected species, and it is not considered to be in danger of extinction.
23. Green Jay (Cyanocorax Luxuosus)
In eastern and central Mexico’s woodlands and forests, the Green Jay (Cyanocorax luxuosus) is a common bird species. It’s a fascinating and intelligent creature. It stands out among other crows because of its vivid green plumage, blue and black stripes, and long tail. It belongs to the Crow family of birds. The Green Jay eats a variety of fruits, seeds, and insects and is known for its ability to imitate the voices of other birds. Habitat change and fragmentation are thought to be causing population declines in the Green Jay, which is not considered endangered.
24. Giant Kingbird (Tyrannus Cubensis)
The tyrant flycatcher family Tyrannidae includes the huge kingbird (Tyrannus cubensis), a bird species. Although it has been documented on other islands in the past, it is endemic to Cuba. While this species has been documented to average only 23 to 26 cm (9.1 to 10.2 in) long in the past, it is likely that it is closely linked to the loggerhead kingbird, which may be found in Cuba and many other nearby Caribbean islands
25. Great Frigatebird (Fregata Minor)
In tropical and subtropical seas around the world, the Great Frigatebird is a large seabird. It belongs to the frigatebird family because of its long, pointed wings, forked tail, and red throat pouch. By hovering above the water’s surface and plucking prey out of the air, the Great Frigatebird catches seafood, squid, and crustaceans. Without having to flap its wings, this magnificent flier can stay aloft for extended periods of time. The Great Frigatebird is not considered endangered, despite the fact that its populations are thought to be declining in certain areas due to habitat degradation and overfishing.
26. Goliath Heron (Ardea Goliath)
In wetlands and shallow waters across Sub-Saharan Africa, the Goliath Heron (Ardea goliath) is a large wading bird. With a height of up to 5.6 feet and a wingspan of up to 7.5 feet, it is the world’s largest heron. With a white body, black wings and tail, and a chestnut-colored neck and head, the Goliath Heron has a unique look. It captures tiny creatures with its razor-sharp beak and feeds on a range of animals, including fish, amphibians, and insects. In many regions of its range, the Goliath Heron is a protected species, and it is not considered endangered.
27. Green Kingfisher (Chloroceryle Americana)
The little, brightly-colored bird known as the Green Kingfisher (Chloroceryle americana) may be found in wetlands and shallow waters throughout Central and South America. Its vivid green color and remarkable long, pointed beak distinguish it as a member of the kingfisher family. The Green Kingfisher captures small animals, such as fish, amphibians, and insects, by diving from a perch above the water into a variety of tiny creatures. It’s a common and widespread species that isn’t on the verge of extinction, according to the IUCN.
28. Gull-Billed Tern (Gelochelidon Nilotica)
The Gull-billed Tern (Gelochelidon nilotica), which may be found from Europe to Asia and Africa to North and South America, is a species of seabird that lives in coastal areas and inland wetlands. It has a 12-inch length and a 24-inch wingspan, making it a medium-sized tern. The Gull-billed Tern’s distinguishing bill, which is thicker and more blunt than other tern species, earned it the name. It captures small creatures by diving into the sea from the air and feeds on a wide range of tiny creatures, including fish, insects, and crustaceans. The risk of extinction for the Gull-billed Tern is not thought to be high.
29. Glossy Ibis (Plegadis Falcinellus)
In wetlands and marshes across Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas, the Glossy Ibis is a species of ibis that may be found. Their beaks are long and their plumage is glossy, iridescent, and changes color depending on the angle of light. It ranges from dark brown to purple-blue. They feed on a range of aquatic creatures, such as flies, crustaceans, and little fish, and are social birds that congregate in huge flocks. These guys are recognized for their odd wading posture and frequently seen standing in shallow water with their wings partially spread.
30. Greater Kestrel (Falco Rubicoloides)
The adult’s plumage is mostly light rufous on both top and bottom, with a little brown thrown in for good measure. The black is strewn across the back, upperwing, and flanks. Unlike the common and lesser kestrels, the breast has black streaks and the head is streaked, but there is no malar stripe.
The tail has a white tip and is grey with black bars on the rump and tail. The lighter body contrasts with the pale underwing in the air. The bird is distinguished from any other species by the white iris of its eye. The feet and cere are yellow, and the bill is mostly blue-grey. The tail of juvenile birds is crimson, the flanks are striped, and the eye is black.
31. Green Hermit (Phaethornis Guy)
From southern Central America (Costa Rica and Panama) to northern South America (north-eastern Venezuela and Trinidad and the northern Andes of eastern Peru), the green hermit (Phaethornis guy) is a large hummingbird that is a resident breeder.
32. Galapagos Hawk (Buteo Galapagoensis)
The red-tailed hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) and Swainson’s hawk (Buteo swainsoni) of North America are similar in size to the Galapágos hawk, although their sizes vary somewhat across the islands. They seem to be heavier than the well-known mainland species, and on average, this is the second heaviest Buteo in the Americas behind only the ferruginous hawk.
Males average 844 g (1.861 lb) and females average 1,223 g (2.696 lb) on Marchena Island, making it the smallest hawk size recorded. The hawks of Santiago Island, which weigh an average of 963 g (34.0 oz) in males and 1,295 g (2.855 lb) in females, are at the intermediate size range. Hawks on Española Island, which average 1,137 g (2.507 lb) in males and 1,578 g (3.479 lb) in females, are the largest known Buteo species anywhere.
33. Grey Plover (Pluvialis Squatorola)
The Grey Plover is a shorebird species that can be found in wetlands and nearshore regions throughout the Americas. It’s also known as the American Golden Plover or Black-bellied Plover. It has a white stripe down its back and grey upperparts with a black belly. It has a call that is different from other birds’ calls. From sandy beaches to grassy marshes, Grey Plovers are migratory birds that may be found in a variety of habitats. Insects, crustaceans, and mollusks are among the tiny creatures they consume.
34. Grey Teal (Anas Gracilis)
The Grey Teal is a dabbling duck native to Australia, New Zealand, and portions of Papua New Guinea. It is also known as the Pacific Teal or Australian Grey Teal. It has a lighter chest and wings than the rest of its grey-brown plumage. It features a distinctive white stripe on the side of its face and a long, slender beak. Grey Teals, which are sociable birds, prefer to live in large groups. Seeds, leaves, insects, and other tiny invertebrates are among the foods they consume. They aren’t considered to be at risk of extinction and are found across their range.
35. Great Cormorant (Phalacrocorax Carbo)
The Great Cormorant is a large, aquatic bird that can be found in wetlands and coastal regions throughout Europe, Asia, and North America. It is also known as the Common Cormorant or European Cormorant. Its plumage is dark, with a glossy metallic sheen and a long, pronged beak. When perched, it has a unique, hunchbacked appearance, with its wings pushed out to the sides. Large colonies of great Cormorants nesting in trees or on cliffs by the water are common sights. These masters of the depths consume a range of fish and other aquatic creatures.
36. Golden Tanager (Tangara Arthus)
The Tangara arthus, a member of the Thraupidae family of birds, is commonly known as the golden tanager. It is widespread and typically abundant in the highlands of the Andes (from Bolivia to the north), as well as in Venezuela’s Coastal Range in northwestern South America. Its plume is overall golden-yellow with black to the back, wings, tail, and ear coverts. Brown below is seen in several subspecies.
37. Griffon Vulture (Gyps Fulvus)
The Griffon Vulture, a big bird of prey that may be found across Europe, Asia, and Africa in mountains and other upland regions, is also known as the Eurasian Griffon or the Old World Vulture. It is one of the world’s heaviest flying birds, with a wingspan of up to 2.5 meters (8.2 feet). It has a brown body and wings and a white head and neck. Griffon Vultures feed on the corpses of dead creatures, using their keen vision to detect prospective meal from afar. Griffon Vultures are scavengers. When feeding, they are sociable birds that frequently gather in “kettles.” The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has classified them as “near threatened” owing to habitat destruction and other factors.
38. Green Mango (Anthracothorax Viridis)
The bird is the subject of this article. See Mango for more information on the fruit. The big hummingbird species Anthracothorax viridis belongs to the Polytminae subfamily. It’s only found on the island of Puerto Rico.
39. Groove-Billed Ani (Crotophaga Sulcirostris)
The Groove-billed Ani, sometimes known as the Groove-billed Cuckoo or Groove-billed Thrush, is a tropical and subtropical American bird. It’s a member of the cuckoo family because of its unique, curving beak with grooves along the sides. The Groove-billed Ani’s black, iridescent plumage contrasts with its long, graduated tail. The ground for insects and other tiny creatures is where this sociable bird spends most of its time foraging. This species is a common and widely distributed species that is not considered endangered.