20 Birds That Start With J
Birds beginning with the letter “J” range from the colorful Jays to unique tropical species like the Jacamar. Found across diverse habitats, these birds exhibit striking behaviors, colors, and calls.
This list offers a glimpse into their world with each bird’s scientific name, location, and an interesting fact.
20 birds starting with “J,”
1.Jackdaw
The Jackdaw (Corvus monedula) is a small crow with a striking pale eye, common across Europe and parts of Asia. Known for its social nature, it often nests in colonies and even shows playful behavior.
- Scientific Name: Corvus monedula
- Location: Europe and Asia
- Fun Fact: Known for its intelligence and fondness for shiny objects.
2.Japanese White-Eye
The Japanese White-Eye (Zosterops japonicus) is a small, greenish-yellow bird with a distinctive white eye ring, found in East Asia. It’s known for its melodious song and is often seen in flocks.
- Scientific Name: Zosterops japonicus
- Location: East Asia
- Fun Fact: Recognizable by its white eye ring and sweet song.
3.Jabiru
The Jabiru (Jabiru mycteria) is a large stork found in Central and South America, notable for its striking black and white coloration and huge bill. It’s one of the tallest flying birds in the Americas.
- Scientific Name: Jabiru mycteria
- Location: Central and South America
- Fun Fact: Known for its impressive height and distinctive large bill.
4.Junco
The Junco (Junco hyemalis), or Dark-eyed Junco, is a small, gray songbird commonly found across North America. Often called a “snowbird,” it’s most visible during winter as it forages on the ground.
- Scientific Name: Junco hyemalis
- Location: North America
- Fun Fact: Known as the “snowbird” for its appearance in winter.
5.Jacobin Cuckoo
The Jacobin Cuckoo (Clamator jacobinus) is a sleek black-and-white bird found in Africa and South Asia. It’s famous for its arrival just before monsoon season in India, often seen as a rain harbinger.
- Scientific Name: Clamator jacobinus
- Location: Africa and South Asia
- Fun Fact: Known as a sign of approaching monsoon in India.
6.Junglefowl
The Junglefowl (Gallus spp.) is a colorful bird native to Southeast Asia and is the ancestor of domestic chickens. Known for its brilliant feathers and crowing call, it’s a familiar sight in the wild.
- Scientific Name: Gallus spp.
- Location: Southeast Asia
- Fun Fact: Ancestor of the domestic chicken, famous for its vibrant feathers.
7.Javan Hawk-Eagle
The Javan Hawk-Eagle (Nisaetus bartelsi) is a striking raptor endemic to the forests of Java, Indonesia. Known for its prominent crest, it’s Indonesia’s national bird and is critically endangered.
- Scientific Name: Nisaetus bartelsi
- Location: Java, Indonesia
- Fun Fact: The national bird of Indonesia, easily identified by its crest.
8.Jacamar
The Jacamar (Galbulidae spp.) is a vibrant tropical bird with a long, pointed bill, found in Central and South America. Known for its iridescent plumage, it resembles a small kingfisher.
- Scientific Name: Galbulidae spp.
- Location: Central and South America
- Fun Fact: Known for its iridescent feathers and insect-catching bill.
9.Japanese Robin
The Japanese Robin (Larvivora akahige) is a small songbird native to East Asia, recognized by its beautiful orange chest. Its melodious song makes it a favorite among birdwatchers.
- Scientific Name: Larvivora akahige
- Location: East Asia
- Fun Fact: Sings a melodious tune that enchants birdwatchers.
10.Jerdon’s Babbler
Jerdon’s Babbler (Chrysomma altirostre) is a rare bird found in South Asia’s grasslands, recognized for its brown and white plumage. It was once thought extinct but was rediscovered in recent years.
- Scientific Name: Chrysomma altirostre
- Location: South Asia
- Fun Fact: Rediscovered after being thought extinct.
11.Javan Pond Heron
The Javan Pond Heron (Ardeola speciosa) is a small heron found in Southeast Asia, with beautiful plumage during the breeding season. It’s often seen wading in rice fields and wetlands.
- Scientific Name: Ardeola speciosa
- Location: Southeast Asia
- Fun Fact: Shows striking colors only during the breeding season.
12.Javan Myna
The Javan Myna (Acridotheres javanicus) is a highly adaptable bird native to Southeast Asia, often found in urban areas. Known for its loud calls, it’s a common sight in cities.
- Scientific Name: Acridotheres javanicus
- Location: Southeast Asia
- Fun Fact: Thrives in urban environments, easily adapting to city life.
13.Jewel Babbler
The Jewel Babbler (Ptilorrhoa spp.) is a vibrant ground-dwelling bird found in New Guinea’s forests, known for its bright blue and black feathers. Its elusive behavior makes it challenging to spot.
- Scientific Name: Ptilorrhoa spp.
- Location: New Guinea
- Fun Fact: Known for its stunning plumage and elusive behavior.
14.Jandaya Parakeet
The Jandaya Parakeet (Aratinga jandaya) is a small, colorful parakeet found in northeastern Brazil. Known for its bright orange, yellow, and green feathers, it’s popular in aviculture.
- Scientific Name: Aratinga jandaya
- Location: Brazil
- Fun Fact: Its vibrant colors make it a popular pet bird.
15.Juniper Titmouse
The Juniper Titmouse (Baeolophus ridgwayi) is a small, gray songbird found in the southwestern U.S., especially in juniper woodlands. Known for its curious nature, it’s often spotted in small flocks.
- Scientific Name: Baeolophus ridgwayi
- Location: Southwestern United States
- Fun Fact: Commonly found in juniper woodlands, hence its name.
16.Japanese Night Heron
The Japanese Night Heron (Gorsachius goisagi) is a rare, elusive heron native to East Asia. Known for its nocturnal habits, it’s mostly seen in dimly lit forests near streams.
- Scientific Name: Gorsachius goisagi
- Location: East Asia
- Fun Fact: A rare, nocturnal heron rarely seen during the day.
17.Jungle Owlet
The Jungle Owlet (Glaucidium radiatum) is a small owl native to the forests of South Asia, often heard rather than seen. Known for its distinctive call, it’s a frequent inhabitant of wooded areas.
- Scientific Name: Glaucidium radiatum
- Location: South Asia
- Fun Fact: Small yet vocal, known for its distinctive call in forested areas.
18.Japanese Paradise Flycatcher
The Japanese Paradise Flycatcher (Terpsiphone atrocaudata) is a stunning migratory bird with a long tail, found in East Asia. Males have eye-catching, ribbon-like tail feathers.
- Scientific Name: Terpsiphone atrocaudata
- Location: East Asia
- Fun Fact: Males have long, flowing tail feathers, resembling ribbons.
19.Jackson’s Widowbird
Jackson’s Widowbird (Euplectes jacksoni) is a striking bird found in East Africa, known for the male’s long tail feathers displayed during courtship. It’s commonly seen in grasslands.
- Scientific Name: Euplectes jacksoni
- Location: East Africa
- Fun Fact: Males grow long tail feathers for impressive courtship displays.
20.Javan Kingfisher
The Javan Kingfisher (Halcyon cyanoventris) is a brightly colored kingfisher endemic to Java, Indonesia. Known for its deep blue plumage, it’s typically seen near ponds and streams.
- Scientific Name: Halcyon cyanoventris
- Location: Java, Indonesia
- Fun Fact: Known for its vibrant blue color and fishing skills.
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FAQs
Which bird in this list is known for signaling the start of monsoon in India?
The Jacobin Cuckoo is often seen as a harbinger of the monsoon season in India.
What is Indonesia’s national bird in this list?
The Javan Hawk-Eagle is Indonesia’s national bird, recognized for its distinctive crest.
Which bird is commonly called a “snowbird”?
The Junco, or Dark-eyed Junco, is often nicknamed the “snowbird” for its winter appearance.
Which bird in this list has long, ribbon-like tail feathers?
The Japanese Paradise Flycatcher has long, flowing tail feathers, especially in males.
Which bird is the ancestor of the domestic chicken?
The Junglefowl, native to Southeast Asia, is the wild ancestor of domestic chickens.
