Birds that start with the letter “C” offer an amazing variety, from tiny songbirds like the cheerful Chickadee to powerful birds of prey like the Crested Caracara. Each bird has its own unique traits, such as the bright red Cardinal or the majestic, diving Common Loon.
This article explores the world of “C” birds, sharing fascinating facts about their habitats, diets, and distinctive behaviors. Dive in to discover what makes each of these birds so special!
List of 20 Birds That Start With C
1.Cardinal
The Cardinal is one of the most recognizable birds, especially in North America, thanks to its bright red feathers and distinctive crest. Male cardinals are a vivid red, while females have warm brown tones with hints of red.
Cardinals are songbirds that bring color to woodlands, gardens, and backyards year-round. They are monogamous birds and are known for their sweet, melodic songs, which males often sing to attract mates or mark their territory.
Cardinals are primarily seed eaters but will also eat insects and fruit.
- Scientific Name: Cardinalis cardinalis
- Location: North and Central America
- Fun Fact: Known for its bright red color and distinctive crest.
2.Crested Caracara
The Crested Caracara is a striking bird of prey that blends features of both eagles and vultures. Found from the southern United States to South America, this bird is known for its scavenging habits and bold appearance, featuring a black cap and a bright orange face.
Unlike many raptors, Crested Caracaras often walk on the ground to search for food and may be seen scavenging roadkill. They play a unique role in the ecosystem by cleaning up carrion and occasionally hunting smaller animals.
- Scientific Name: Caracara plancus
- Location: Southern United States to South America
- Fun Fact: Known for its scavenging habits and unique mix of eagle and vulture traits.
3.Canary
The Canary is a small, colorful songbird originally native to the Canary Islands, Madeira, and the Azores.
Known for its bright yellow feathers and lovely song, the Canary is a popular pet worldwide. Wild canaries have more muted colors but are still valued for their singing abilities.
Canaries have been selectively bred for different colors and songs, making them an enjoyable and melodic addition to many homes. In the wild, they feed on seeds, fruit, and small insects.
- Scientific Name: Serinus canaria
- Location: Canary Islands, popular worldwide as pets
- Fun Fact: Known for its beautiful song and bright yellow color.
4.Crow
The Crow is one of the most intelligent and adaptable birds worldwide, found in nearly every type of habitat. Crows are known for their problem-solving skills, complex social behaviors, and vocalizations.
They can recognize human faces, use tools, and even pass on learned behaviors within their family groups.
Crows are omnivores, eating everything from insects and seeds to small animals and garbage, which allows them to thrive in both urban and rural areas.
- Scientific Name: Corvus spp.
- Location: Worldwide
- Fun Fact: Highly intelligent, with problem-solving abilities and complex social behaviors.
5.Cockatoo
The Cockatoo is a playful, social bird from the parrot family, easily recognizable by its expressive crest of feathers, which it raises or lowers depending on its mood. Cockatoos are native to Australia, New Guinea, and surrounding islands.
These birds are known for their loud calls, strong beaks, and love of interaction. Cockatoos can live for decades in captivity, forming close bonds with their owners. In the wild, they forage for seeds, nuts, and fruits in forests and savannas.
- Scientific Name: Cacatuidae family
- Location: Australia, New Guinea, Indonesia
- Fun Fact: Known for its playful personality and crest of feathers.
6.Common Loon
The Common Loon is a striking water bird known for its haunting, echoing calls heard across northern lakes. Loons are excellent divers, catching fish underwater with their streamlined bodies and strong webbed feet.
They are most commonly found in North America but also inhabit parts of northern Eurasia. Loons build nests near water, often on islands or secluded shorelines.
Their iconic black-and-white plumage makes them easily recognizable, especially in their summer breeding colors.
- Scientific Name: Gavia immer
- Location: North America and northern Eurasia
- Fun Fact: Recognized for its haunting call and excellent diving ability.
7.Cedar Waxwing
The Cedar Waxwing is a sleek, social bird with a silky brownish-gray color and unique red wingtips that resemble wax.
Cedar Waxwings are often found in flocks, feeding on berries and fruit, which they pass from beak to beak in a charming social behavior.
These birds are essential in seed dispersal, especially for berry-producing plants. Their distinctive appearance includes a black mask and yellow-tipped tail, making them easy to recognize.
- Scientific Name: Bombycilla cedrorum
- Location: North and Central America
- Fun Fact: Named for its wax-like wingtips and known for eating berries.
8.Cormorant
The Cormorant is a diving bird found along coastlines, rivers, and lakes worldwide. These birds are superb swimmers, diving underwater to catch fish, and are often seen drying their wings in the sun.
Unlike most water birds, cormorants lack waterproof feathers, allowing them to dive deeper but necessitating time spent drying off. Cormorants are social and often form large colonies.
- Scientific Name: Phalacrocoracidae family
- Location: Found globally along coastlines and inland waters
- Fun Fact: Excellent swimmer, often seen drying its wings in the sun.
9.Chickadee
The Chickadee is a small, friendly bird known for its distinctive “chick-a-dee” call and cheerful behavior.
Commonly found in North American forests and backyards, Chickadees are fearless and curious, often coming close to people and feeders.
They have a remarkable memory, capable of storing and retrieving hundreds of food items. Chickadees feed on insects, seeds, and berries and are well-adapted to cold climates.
- Scientific Name: Poecile spp.
- Location: North America
- Fun Fact: Known for its friendly behavior and distinctive “chick-a-dee” call.
10.Cassowary
The Cassowary is a large, flightless bird found in tropical rainforests of Australia and New Guinea.
Known for its helmet-like casque on its head and powerful legs, the Cassowary is considered one of the world’s most dangerous birds due to its strong legs and sharp claws.
These birds are solitary and mostly feed on fruit, playing a vital role in seed dispersal in their habitat. Their vibrant blue and black feathers and tall, imposing stature make them a memorable sight.
- Scientific Name: Casuarius spp.
- Location: Australia and New Guinea
- Fun Fact: Large, flightless bird with a helmet-like casque; known for being one of the world’s most dangerous birds.
11.Cuckoo
The Cuckoo is well-known for its brood parasitism, where it lays its eggs in the nests of other birds, letting them raise its young. Cuckoos have a distinctive call and are found in various habitats around the world.
- Scientific Name: Cuculidae family
- Location: Temperate and tropical regions worldwide
- Fun Fact: Known for laying eggs in other birds’ nests.
12.Chaffinch
The Chaffinch is a small, colorful bird with a cheerful song. Commonly found in Europe, Chaffinches are easily recognized by their bright plumage and melodic song, which adds life to woodlands.
- Scientific Name: Fringilla coelebs
- Location: Europe, North Africa, and western Asia
- Fun Fact: Known for its colorful plumage and song.
13.Chestnut-backed Chickadee
The Chestnut-backed Chickadee is a friendly bird with a brownish back, often found in the forests of western North America. Its friendly and curious nature makes it a favorite among backyard birdwatchers.
- Scientific Name: Poecile rufescens
- Location: Western North America
- Fun Fact: Known for its reddish-brown back and friendly nature.
14.Coal Tit
The Coal Tit is a small bird with a distinctive black cap and white cheeks, often seen in pine forests. Agile and lively, the Coal Tit is a common sight in Europe and Asia.
- Scientific Name: Periparus ater
- Location: Europe and Asia
- Fun Fact: Small and agile, often seen flitting through pine forests.
15.Cape May Warbler
The Cape May Warbler is a beautiful bird with yellow and black patterns, often seen during migration in North America. Known for its sweet song, the Cape May Warbler feeds on insects and occasionally nectar.
- Scientific Name: Setophaga tigrina
- Location: North America (breeds in Canada, migrates to the Caribbean)
- Fun Fact: Known for its striking yellow and black pattern and sweet song.
16.Crane
The Crane is a tall, graceful bird known for its elaborate dances during courtship. Cranes have long legs and necks and are found in wetlands worldwide, where they play a crucial role in the ecosystem.
- Scientific Name: Gruidae family
- Location: Worldwide, except Antarctica and South America
- Fun Fact: Known for their beautiful courtship dances.
17.Corncrake
The Corncrake is a secretive bird known for its loud, rasping call. Although it’s rarely seen, the Corncrake’s distinctive voice echoes through grasslands during the breeding season.
- Scientific Name: Crex crex
- Location: Europe and Asia, migrates to Africa
- Fun Fact: Known for its loud call and secretive nature.
18.Curlew
The Curlew is a wading bird with a long, curved bill ideal for probing mud in search of food. Curlews are often seen in coastal and wetland areas, where they play a role in controlling insect populations.
- Scientific Name: Numenius genus
- Location: Worldwide, in wetland and coastal areas
- Fun Fact: Known for its long, curved bill.
19.Cassin’s Finch
The Cassin’s Finch is a small songbird with a bright pinkish-red crown, commonly found in the forests of western North America. Males are known for their lovely, warbling song.
- Scientific Name: Haemorhous cassinii
- Location: Western North America
- Fun Fact: Males have a bright pinkish-red crown and a sweet song.
20.Collared Dove
The Collared Dove is a soft gray bird with a distinctive black “collar” around its neck, known for its gentle cooing. Native to Europe and Asia, the Collared Dove has expanded to North America and thrives in urban areas.
- Scientific Name: Streptopelia decaocto
- Location: Europe, Asia, and North America
- Fun Fact: Known for its soft cooing call and adaptability.
FAQ’s
What bird beginning with “C” is known for its intelligence?
The Crow is highly intelligent, known for its problem-solving skills, tool use, and complex social behaviors.
Which “C” bird is often kept as a pet for its song?
The Canary is commonly kept as a pet due to its beautiful and cheerful singing.
What “C” bird is recognized for its haunting call and lives in lakes?
The Common Loon is known for its haunting calls and is commonly found in northern lakes.
Which “C” bird is considered one of the world’s most dangerous?
The Cassowary is regarded as one of the world’s most dangerous birds due to its strong legs and sharp claws.
What “C” bird has a distinctive crest and is known for its playful personality?
The Cockatoo has a unique feather crest and is known for its playful and social nature.