Birds come in all shapes, colors, and sizes! Some have bright feathers, others have big beaks, and each one has something special about it. In this list, we’re going to learn about birds whose names start with the letter ‘A.’
From the amazing Albatross to the tiny Anna’s Hummingbird, each bird has its own fun facts and cool traits. Let’s explore and meet these awesome birds!
List of 20 Birds That Start With A
1.Albatross
The Albatross is a majestic seabird known for its impressive size and soaring ability. With one of the largest wingspans of any bird, it glides effortlessly over the ocean for hours, covering great distances with little effort. Found in remote ocean areas, the Albatross is truly built for life on the open sea.
- Scientific Name: Diomedeidae
- Location: Southern Ocean and North Pacific
- Fun Fact: Has a massive wingspan and can glide for hours without flapping
2.American Robin
The American Robin is a familiar songbird known for its bright orange belly and cheerful song. This bird is often one of the first signs of spring, as it returns north early in the season, bringing a splash of color to backyards and parks across North America.
- Scientific Name: Turdus migratorius
- Location: Throughout North America
- Fun Fact: Known as a sign of spring due to its early migration north
3.Arctic Tern
The Arctic Tern is famous for its incredible migration, traveling between the Arctic and Antarctic each year a journey covering tens of thousands of miles.
- Scientific Name: Sterna paradisaea
- Location: Arctic to Antarctic
- Fun Fact: Holds the record for the longest migration of any bird.
4.Andean Condor
The Andean Condor is a massive bird of prey found in South America’s Andes Mountains. Known for its impressive wingspan, it soars high above the mountains.
- Scientific Name: Vultur gryphus
- Location: Andes Mountains, South America
- Fun Fact: Has one of the world’s largest wingspans, reaching up to 10.5 feet.
5.Australian Magpie
The Australian Magpie is known for its beautiful song and black-and-white feathers. Found in many open areas, it’s a common sight across Australia.
- Scientific Name: Gymnorhina tibicen
- Location: Australia
- Fun Fact: Known for its melodious song and territorial behavior during breeding season.
6.Atlantic Puffin
The Atlantic Puffin is a small, colorful seabird with a bright orange beak. It’s known for “flying” underwater as it dives for fish.
- Scientific Name: Fratercula arctica
- Location: North Atlantic coastlines
- Fun Fact: Can “fly” underwater while hunting for fish.
7.African Grey Parrot
The African Grey Parrot is a highly intelligent bird, famous for its excellent ability to mimic sounds, including human speech.
- Scientific Name: Psittacus erithacus
- Location: Central and West Africa
- Fun Fact: Known for its intelligence and ability to mimic human speech.
8.Anna’s Hummingbird
The Anna’s Hummingbird is a tiny, vibrant bird found on North America’s West Coast. Its bright green feathers make it easy to spot.
- Scientific Name: Calypte anna
- Location: West Coast of North America
- Fun Fact: Can hover in place by beating its wings rapidly.
9.American Kestrel
The American Kestrel is North America’s smallest falcon, easily recognizable by its bold colors and small size.
- Scientific Name: Falco sparverius
- Location: Throughout North and South America
- Fun Fact: Despite its small size, it’s a skilled hunter.
10.Asian Koel
The Asian Koel is known for its loud, distinct call, especially during breeding season. This bird is found in many parts of South and Southeast Asia.
- Scientific Name: Eudynamys scolopaceus
- Location: South and Southeast Asia
- Fun Fact: Famous for its unique, loud call.
11.Azure Kingfisher
The Azure Kingfisher is a brightly colored bird with blue and orange feathers, commonly found near rivers and streams.
- Scientific Name: Ceyx azureus
- Location: Australia and New Guinea
- Fun Fact: Known for its stunning blue color and fishing skills.
12.Abyssinian Ground Hornbill
The Abyssinian Ground Hornbill is a large, ground-dwelling bird with a striking red and black face, often seen walking on the African plains.
- Scientific Name: Bucorvus abyssinicus
- Location: Sub-Saharan Africa
- Fun Fact: Prefers to hunt on the ground rather than flying.
13.Ashy Drongo
The Ashy Drongo is a sleek, gray bird found in forests across Southeast Asia, known for its agile flight and insect-catching skills.
- Scientific Name: Dicrurus leucophaeus
- Location: Southeast Asia
- Fun Fact: Recognizable for its ashy-gray color and sharp flight maneuvers.
14.American Goldfinch
The American Goldfinch is a small, bright yellow bird often found in fields and meadows, adding color to many parts of North America.
- Scientific Name: Spinus tristis
- Location: North America
- Fun Fact: Known for its bright yellow feathers and bouncy flight.
15.Australasian Gannet
The Australasian Gannet is a seabird known for its incredible diving skills, plunging into the water from high in the sky to catch fish.
- Scientific Name: Morus serrator
- Location: Australia and New Zealand coasts
- Fun Fact: Can dive dramatically into the water to hunt fish.
16.Asian Fairy Bluebird
The Asian Fairy Bluebird is a stunning bird with bright blue feathers, often found in the forests of South and Southeast Asia.
- Scientific Name: Irena puella
- Location: South and Southeast Asia
- Fun Fact: Known for its vivid blue color.
17.American Coot
The American Coot is a water bird often mistaken for a duck, with unique lobed feet that help it move through wetlands.
- Scientific Name: Fulica americana
- Location: North America, in wetlands
- Fun Fact: Has unique lobed feet instead of webbed feet like ducks.
18.Antillean Crested Hummingbird
The Antillean Crested Hummingbird is a tiny bird found in the Caribbean, recognized by its small crest and fast, hovering flight.
- Scientific Name: Orthorhyncus cristatus
- Location: Caribbean islands
- Fun Fact: Has a unique crest and can hover in mid-air.
19.Alder Flycatcher
The Alder Flycatcher is a small, insect-eating bird with a distinct call. It’s commonly found in the northern parts of North America during summer.
- Scientific Name: Empidonax alnorum
- Location: Northern North America
- Fun Fact: Known for its distinct “free-beer” call.
20.African Fish Eagle
The African Fish Eagle is a powerful bird of prey often seen near lakes and rivers in Africa, famous for its striking call and expert fishing skills.
- Scientific Name: Haliaeetus vocifer
- Location: Africa, near freshwater bodies
- Fun Fact: Known as the “Voice of Africa” due to its iconic call.
FAQ’s
What is the largest bird on this list?
The Andean Condor has the largest wingspan, reaching up to 10.5 feet.
Which bird travels the longest distance for migration?
The Arctic Tern holds the record, migrating from the Arctic to the Antarctic.
What bird is often seen as a sign of spring?
The American Robin is commonly seen as a harbinger of spring due to its early migration north.
Which bird is known for mimicking human speech?
The African Grey Parrot is highly intelligent and famous for its speech-mimicking ability.
What bird is known for diving into water to catch fish?
The Australasian Gannet dives from high altitudes to catch fish, showcasing its excellent hunting skills.