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When I first started teaching animal vocabulary, my students always asked the same question: “Teacher, are there really that many words for birds in English?” My answer is always yes — and then I show them this guide. From tiny finches to seven-foot ostriches, English has a surprisingly rich vocabulary for our feathered friends, and knowing the right names will make your descriptions sharper in both speaking and writing.
I’ve organised 40+ bird names into six groups I actually use in class — birds of prey, water birds, flightless birds, songbirds, exotic/tropical birds, and the two big orders that underpin all of them (passerines and non-passerines). Each group comes with example sentences and a note on when native speakers typically use these words.
Key Takeaways
- Two big orders — passerines (perching songbirds) and non-passerines (everything else, from ducks to eagles).
- Raptors (birds of prey) include eagles, hawks, and owls — all carnivorous hunters with sharp talons.
- Water birds like ducks, herons, and penguins have waterproof feathers and specialised feet.
- Flightless birds (ostriches, emus, kiwi) belong to the ratite family and rely on running or swimming instead of flying.
- Collective nouns — “flock” for most birds, but “murder” for crows and “parliament” for owls.
Types of Birds
Passerines
Passerines, also known as perching birds, are the largest order of birds — over half of all bird species. They are characterised by three toes pointing forward and one pointing backward, allowing them to grip branches. Passerines are also known for their complex songs, used both to mark territory and to attract mates.
Common passerines in English:
- Finch
- Sparrow
- Warbler
- Thrush
- Robin
- Jay
- Crow
Example: A small finch landed on the feeder just after sunrise.
Non-Passerines
Non-passerines are the remaining orders — everything that isn’t a perching bird. They have four toes pointing forward and one pointing backward, and they include waterfowl, raptors, and flightless birds.
Common non-passerines in English:
- Duck
- Goose
- Swan
- Eagle
- Hawk
- Owl
- Penguin
- Ostrich
- Emu
Plural trick: Remember the irregular plurals: one goose → two geese, but one mongoose → two mongooses (not “mongeese”!). And the plural of ostrich is simply ostriches.
Birds of Prey (Raptors)
Birds of prey — also called raptors — are carnivorous birds that hunt and kill other animals. They have sharp talons and hooked beaks that help them capture and eat prey.
Eagles
Eagles are large birds of prey known for powerful wings and sharp talons. There are more than 60 species of eagle worldwide.
- Bald Eagle
- Golden Eagle
- Harpy Eagle
- White-tailed Eagle
Eagles are famous for their keen eyesight and can spot prey from great distances. They often catch prey much larger than themselves.
Hawks
Hawks are medium-sized birds of prey found all over the world. Short, rounded wings and long tails let them turn quickly through the air. There are more than 250 species of hawk.
- Red-tailed Hawk
- Cooper’s Hawk
- Sharp-shinned Hawk
- Harris’s Hawk
Owls
Owls are nocturnal birds of prey with large eyes and flat faces that help them see in low light. More than 200 species of owl are known.
- Great Horned Owl
- Snowy Owl
- Barn Owl
- Screech Owl
Owls are famous for their silent flight, which lets them approach prey undetected. A group of owls is called a parliament — a word my students always remember because of the Chronicles of Narnia.
Water Birds
Water birds live near or spend most of their time in water. The main English groups include ducks, herons, and penguins.
Ducks
Ducks belong to the family Anatidae and live in both freshwater and saltwater habitats. They have webbed feet for swimming and waterproof feathers.
- Mallard
- Pekin
- Muscovy
- Wood duck
- Mandarin duck
Herons
Herons belong to the family Ardeidae. They have long legs and necks, and sharp beaks for catching fish.
- Great blue heron
- Green heron
- Black-crowned night heron
- Little egret
- Grey heron
Penguins
Penguins are flightless water birds found mostly in the Southern Hemisphere. They have a thick layer of fat for insulation and waterproof feathers for swimming.
- Emperor penguin
- Adelie penguin
- Chinstrap penguin
- King penguin
- Gentoo penguin
Flightless Birds
Not all birds can fly. Flightless birds have lost the ability to fly over time, and in English they are grouped under the family name ratites .
| Bird | Native to | Max speed / size | Key feature |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ostrich | Africa | 70 km/h (43 mph) | Largest living bird; two toes per foot |
| Emu | Australia | 50 km/h (31 mph) | Second-largest bird; strong swimmer |
| Kiwi | New Zealand | Small; nocturnal | Long thin beak; keen sense of smell |
| Cassowary | Australia / New Guinea | 50 km/h (31 mph) | Third-tallest bird; dangerous kick |
| Rhea | South America | 60 km/h (37 mph) | Uses wings for balance while running |
Ostriches
Ostriches are the largest living bird species and belong to the ratite family. Native to Africa, they have long necks and legs and are famously fast runners — up to 70 km/h (43 mph). They are also the only bird species with just two toes per foot, which helps them run faster.
Emus
Emus are native to Australia and are the second-largest living bird species. They run at speeds of up to 50 km/h (31 mph) and are excellent swimmers, crossing rivers and lakes when needed.
Kiwi
The kiwi is a flightless bird native to New Zealand — the smallest of the ratite family, known for its long, thin beak and keen sense of smell. Kiwis are nocturnal and dig into the ground with their strong legs to find insects and other small creatures.
Songbirds
Songbirds (another name for passerines) are known for their highly developed vocal organs and melodious songs, which are used to defend territory and attract mates.
Sparrows
Sparrows are small, stocky birds with brownish-grey plumage and seed-cracking beaks.
- House Sparrow
- Song Sparrow
- White-crowned Sparrow
- Chipping Sparrow
- Savannah Sparrow
Finches
Finches are small, colourful birds with distinctive beaks. They are popular cage birds because of their beautiful plumage and sweet songs.
- American Goldfinch
- House Finch
- Purple Finch
- Pine Siskin
- Common Redpoll
Warblers
Warblers are small, active birds with bright plumage and beautiful songs. They are often difficult to spot because of their small size and quick movements.
- Yellow Warbler
- Black-throated Blue Warbler
- Common Yellowthroat
- Blackburnian Warbler
- Chestnut-sided Warbler
Exotic and Tropical Birds
Parrots
Parrots are tropical birds known for their colourful feathers and ability to mimic human speech. Intelligent and social, they are often kept as pets.
| Type of Parrot | Description |
|---|---|
| Macaw | A large, brightly coloured parrot with a long tail |
| Cockatiel | A small parrot with a distinctive yellow crest |
| Parakeet | A small parrot with a long tail and colourful feathers |
| African Grey | Famous for mimicking human speech with surprising accuracy |
| Amazon Parrot | Medium-sized parrot known for being a strong talker |
Toucans
Toucans are tropical birds known for their large, colourful bills. They are primarily fruit-eaters, found across Central and South America.
| Type of Toucan | Description |
|---|---|
| Keel-billed Toucan | A large toucan with a colourful bill (black base, yellow/orange/green tip) |
| Toco Toucan | The largest species; black body and a large orange bill |
| Swainson’s Toucan | A small toucan with a black body and a yellow throat |
Flamingos
Flamingos are wading birds with bright pink feathers, found in Africa, Asia, the Americas, and Europe. Their pink colour comes from their diet — algae and brine shrimp — a fun fact I always drop in class.
| Type of Flamingo | Description |
|---|---|
| Greater Flamingo | The largest species; pink body and a long, thin neck |
| Lesser Flamingo | A smaller species; darker pink body and a shorter neck |
| Chilean Flamingo | A medium-sized flamingo with a pink body and black-tipped bill |
Words to Describe Birds
- Feathery
- Beaked
- Winged
- Perching
- Migratory
- Nocturnal
- Diurnal
- Flightless
- Aquatic
- Terrestrial
- Songbird
- Raptor
Bird-Related Vocabulary
- Avian
- Ornithology
- Plumage
- Migration
- Nesting
- Fledgling
- Hatchling
- Prey
- Predator
- Flock
- Roost
- Beak
Sample Dialogue: At the Bird Park
Ana: Look at the bird with the huge orange bill — is that a flamingo?
Leo: No, that’s a toucan. Flamingos are the pink ones over there with the long legs.
Ana: Oh right. And the big one in the running enclosure?
Leo: That’s an ostrich — the largest living bird. Flightless, but it can run 70 km per hour.
Ana: Amazing. What’s the small brown one on the branch?
Leo: A house sparrow — a passerine. Basically a perching songbird.
Quick Quiz
Choose the correct bird name for each clue:
- The fastest bird in the world, capable of diving at over 200 mph. → ________
- A flightless bird native to New Zealand with a long thin beak. → ________
- A nocturnal bird of prey with a flat face and large eyes. → ________
- A tropical bird famous for mimicking human speech. → ________
- A pink wading bird whose colour comes from its diet. → ________
Answers: 1. Peregrine falcon · 2. Kiwi · 3. Owl · 4. Parrot (African grey in particular) · 5. Flamingo.
Related Animal Vocabulary
- Animals Vocabulary in English — broader vocabulary hub
- Baby Animal Names — chick, duckling, owlet and more
- Types of Flowers — another nature vocabulary list
- Types of Nuts — more “types of ___” vocabulary
- ↑ Back to pillar: Animal Vocabulary (Pillar)
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the two main orders of birds in English?
English divides birds into passerines (perching songbirds like sparrows and finches, which make up over half of all bird species) and non-passerines (everything else — ducks, eagles, owls, penguins, ostriches, and more).
What is the difference between an eagle, a hawk, and a falcon?
All three are raptors. Eagles are the largest, with wingspans up to 2 m. Hawks are medium-sized with short rounded wings for tight turns. Falcons have long, pointed wings and are built for speed — the peregrine falcon can dive at over 200 mph.
Are penguins really birds?
Yes. Penguins are flightless birds, not mammals — they have feathers, lay eggs, and have beaks. Their wings evolved into flippers for swimming instead of flying.
What is the collective noun for a group of birds?
The general word is flock, but English has many specific collective nouns: a murder of crows, a parliament of owls, a gaggle of geese, a flamboyance of flamingos, and an exaltation of larks.
How many types of birds are there in total?
Scientists currently recognise about 11,000 species of birds worldwide, grouped into roughly 40 orders. This article covers the most common English names you’ll need for everyday conversation, writing, and ESL exams.
Related
- ↑ Master Pillar: English Vocabulary
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