20 Birds That Start With I
Birds beginning with the letter “I” showcase diverse adaptations, from the vibrant Indian Peafowl to the clever Ibis. These species inhabit varied ecosystems across the globe, each with unique traits.
This list highlights each bird’s scientific name, location, and an interesting fact to bring their fascinating qualities to life.
20 birds starting with “I,”
1.Indian Peafowl
The Indian Peafowl (Pavo cristatus), also known as the peacock, is known for its extravagant tail display, featuring iridescent colors. Native to South Asia, it’s celebrated as a symbol of beauty and is India’s national bird.
- Scientific Name: Pavo cristatus
- Location: South Asia
- Fun Fact: Known for its brilliant, fan-shaped tail display.
2.Ibis
The Ibis (Threskiornithidae spp.) is a wading bird found in wetlands worldwide, known for its long, downward-curving bill. It uses this bill to probe mud for insects and small creatures.
- Scientific Name: Threskiornithidae spp.
- Location: Wetlands worldwide
- Fun Fact: Its long, curved bill helps it hunt in muddy environments.
3.Indigo Bunting
The Indigo Bunting (Passerina cyanea) is a small songbird found in North America, known for the male’s vibrant blue color. Its feathers don’t contain blue pigment; instead, the color comes from the way light refracts through its feathers.
- Scientific Name: Passerina cyanea
- Location: North America
- Fun Fact: Its blue color comes from light refraction, not pigment.
4.Inca Tern
The Inca Tern (Larosterna inca) is a striking seabird with a distinctive white mustache, native to the coasts of Peru and Chile. Its unique facial feature makes it easily recognizable along rocky coastlines.
- Scientific Name: Larosterna inca
- Location: Peru and Chile
- Fun Fact: Recognizable by its unique white mustache.
5.Iceland Gull
The Iceland Gull (Larus glaucoides) is a medium-sized gull found in the Arctic and northern Atlantic regions. Known for its pale plumage, it often migrates southward during winter.
- Scientific Name: Larus glaucoides
- Location: Arctic and northern Atlantic
- Fun Fact: Known for its pale coloring and migratory behavior.
6.Imperial Eagle
The Imperial Eagle (Aquila heliaca) is a powerful raptor found in Europe and Asia, recognized for its dark plumage and golden neck. As a top predator, it plays a crucial role in controlling prey populations.
- Scientific Name: Aquila heliaca
- Location: Europe and Asia
- Fun Fact: Known for its striking golden neck feathers.
7.Island Thrush
The Island Thrush (Turdus poliocephalus) is a varied songbird species found on islands across Southeast Asia and the Pacific. With over 50 subspecies, it’s one of the most geographically diverse birds.
- Scientific Name: Turdus poliocephalus
- Location: Southeast Asia and the Pacific Islands
- Fun Fact: Has over 50 subspecies with unique color variations.
8.Ivory Gull
The Ivory Gull (Pagophila eburnea) is an Arctic bird known for its pure white plumage, found in the icy regions of the Arctic Circle. It’s often associated with pack ice, feeding on fish and carrion.
- Scientific Name: Pagophila eburnea
- Location: Arctic regions
- Fun Fact: Its all-white plumage helps it blend with snowy surroundings.
9.Iago Sparrow
The Iago Sparrow (Passer iagoensis) is a small, endemic bird found on the Cape Verde Islands off West Africa. Adapted to arid environments, it’s a resilient species with a limited range.
- Scientific Name: Passer iagoensis
- Location: Cape Verde Islands
- Fun Fact: Endemic to Cape Verde, adapting well to arid climates.
10.Ivory-billed Woodpecker
The Ivory-billed Woodpecker (Campephilus principalis) is a critically endangered, possibly extinct bird once found in the southeastern U.S. Known for its striking black and white plumage, it’s often called the
“Holy Grail” of birdwatching.
- Scientific Name: Campephilus principalis
- Location: Southeastern United States
- Fun Fact: Often dubbed the “Holy Grail” of birdwatching due to its rarity.
11.Indian Roller
The Indian Roller (Coracias benghalensis) is a colorful bird with vibrant blue wings, found across South Asia. Known for its acrobatic flight displays, it’s often seen in open fields and along roadsides.
- Scientific Name: Coracias benghalensis
- Location: South Asia
- Fun Fact: Performs acrobatic flight displays during mating.
12.Inland Dotterel
The Inland Dotterel (Peltohyas australis) is a small, ground-dwelling bird native to the arid regions of Australia. Known for its cryptic coloring, it’s well camouflaged against dry landscapes.
- Scientific Name: Peltohyas australis
- Location: Australia
- Fun Fact: Excellent camouflage helps it blend into the dry, arid environment.
13.Indian Vulture
The Indian Vulture (Gyps indicus) is a large scavenger bird found across the Indian subcontinent. Like other vultures, it plays a crucial role in the ecosystem by cleaning up carrion.
- Scientific Name: Gyps indicus
- Location: Indian subcontinent
- Fun Fact: Plays a key role in the ecosystem by disposing of animal carcasses.
14.Isabelline Shrike
The Isabelline Shrike (Lanius isabellinus) is a small passerine bird found in Central Asia, known for its distinctive beige coloring. It’s sometimes called the “butcher bird” for impaling its prey on thorns.
- Scientific Name: Lanius isabellinus
- Location: Central Asia
- Fun Fact: Nicknamed “butcher bird” for its habit of impaling prey.
15.Indian Cormorant
The Indian Cormorant (Phalacrocorax fuscicollis) is a water bird found in South and Southeast Asia. Known for its diving ability, it catches fish underwater and often spreads its wings to dry afterward.
- Scientific Name: Phalacrocorax fuscicollis
- Location: South and Southeast Asia
- Fun Fact: Often spreads its wings to dry after diving.
16.Inaccessible Island Rail
The Inaccessible Island Rail (Atlantisia rogersi) is the world’s smallest flightless bird, found only on Inaccessible Island in the South Atlantic. Its name highlights the island’s remote, hard-to-reach location.
- Scientific Name: Atlantisia rogersi
- Location: Inaccessible Island, South Atlantic
- Fun Fact: World’s smallest flightless bird, confined to a single island.
17.Indigo-capped Hummingbird
The Indigo-capped Hummingbird (Amazilia cyanifrons) is a small, colorful hummingbird found in Colombia. Recognized by its vibrant blue crown, it’s often seen darting among flowers.
- Scientific Name: Amazilia cyanifrons
- Location: Colombia
- Fun Fact: Known for its vibrant blue cap and quick movements.
18.Iriomote Tit
The Iriomote Tit (Parus amamiensis) is a small, endangered bird found only on Japan’s Iriomote Island. Its population is under threat due to habitat loss, making it a focus of conservation efforts.
- Scientific Name: Parus amamiensis
- Location: Iriomote Island, Japan
- Fun Fact: Endemic to Iriomote Island and critically endangered.
19.Ibisbill
The Ibisbill (Ibidorhyncha struthersii) is a unique wader bird with a curved bill, found along mountain rivers in Asia. Its long bill helps it forage for invertebrates in rocky riverbeds.
- Scientific Name: Ibidorhyncha struthersii
- Location: Asia
- Fun Fact: Its long, curved bill is ideal for probing riverbeds.
20.Imperial Parrot
The Imperial Parrot (Amazona imperialis) is a large, colorful parrot found only in Dominica. It’s the national bird of Dominica and is endangered due to habitat loss and hunting.
- Scientific Name: Amazona imperialis
- Location: Dominica
- Fun Fact: Known as Dominica’s national bird and critically endangered.
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FAQs
What is the national bird of India in this list?
The Indian Peafowl, known for its stunning tail display, is the national bird of India.
Which bird in this list is known for its unique white mustache?
The Inca Tern has a distinctive white mustache, making it easily recognizable.
What’s unique about the Ivory-billed Woodpecker?
The Ivory-billed Woodpecker is critically endangered and often called the “Holy Grail” of birdwatching due to its rarity.
Which bird on this list is the smallest flightless bird in the world?
The Inaccessible Island Rail, found only on Inaccessible Island, is the world’s smallest flightless bird.
Why is the Ibisbill unique among wading birds?
The Ibisbill’s long, curved bill is specially adapted for foraging in rocky riverbeds, making it unique among waders.
