Top 23 Birds that Start with A

Have you ever looked up at the sky and watched the birds?

Let’s talk about some interesting birds whose names begin with the letter A.

From the smart African Grey Parrot to the quick Allen’s Hummingbird, these birds show us how different and special each can be.

Some fly high in the mountains, others live in your backyard, and a few can even copy your words!

Ready to meet these amazing birds?

Let’s get to know them better – I promise you’ll find their stories interesting.

Facts You Should Know About Birds with A

1. American Robin

A familiar bird across North America, the American Robin is known for its red-orange breast and its habit of hopping around lawns.

Scientific Name: Turdus migratorius
Conservation Status: Least Concern
Habitat: Found in gardens, woodlands, and urban areas throughout North America.
Lifespan: 2 years on average, can live up to 14 years.
Fun Fact: American Robins are famous for singing early in the morning, especially during spring.

2. Arctic Tern

With the longest migration of any bird, the Arctic Tern travels from the Arctic to the Antarctic and back each year.

Scientific Name: Sterna paradisaea
Conservation Status: Least Concern
Habitat: Coastal areas, primarily around the Arctic and sub-Arctic regions.
Lifespan: 20 years or more.
Fun Fact: Arctic Terns cover over 44,000 miles in their annual migration.

3. Auk

Auks are seabirds with a penguin-like appearance, known for their skill in diving deep for food in the ocean.

Scientific Name: Various species (e.g., Alca torda)
Conservation Status: Varies by species
Habitat: Coastal waters of the North Atlantic Ocean.
Lifespan: 10 to 15 years.
Fun Fact: Auks can dive to depths of over 200 feet in search of food.

4. American Goldfinch

With bright yellow feathers, especially in males during summer, the American Goldfinch is a small and lively songbird.

Scientific Name: Spinus tristis
Conservation Status: Least Concern
Habitat: Found in fields, gardens, and weedy areas throughout North America.
Lifespan: Around 10 years.
Fun Fact: Known for their cheerful songs, American Goldfinches often sing from tall plants or trees.

5. Andean Condor

One of the largest flying birds, the Andean Condor, soars high in the skies of South America with a massive wingspan.

Scientific Name: Vultur gryphus
Conservation Status: Near Threatened
Habitat: Andes mountains of South America.
Lifespan: Up to 50 years in the wild.
Fun Fact: Its wingspan can reach up to 10 feet, enabling it to glide at high altitudes.

6. Australian Magpie

A black and white bird, the Australian Magpie is well-known for its intelligence and ability to mimic various sounds.

Scientific Name: Cracticus tibicen
Conservation Status: Least Concern
Habitat: Common in Australian grasslands, parks, and urban areas.
Lifespan: 25 years or more.
Fun Fact: Australian Magpies can mimic other birds and even human-made sounds.

7. Avocet

With a long, curved beak, the Avocet is a graceful wader bird often seen in shallow coastal waters.

Scientific Name: Recurvirostra avosetta
Conservation Status: Least Concern
Habitat: Shallow coastal waters, estuaries, and wetlands.
Lifespan: 10 to 15 years.
Fun Fact: The Avocet uses its curved beak to sweep through water, catching small invertebrates.

8. American Crow

Known for its intelligence and black plumage, the American Crow is a highly adaptable bird found across North America.

Scientific Name: Corvus brachyrhynchos
Conservation Status: Least Concern
Habitat: Found in woodlands, fields, and urban areas.
Lifespan: 7 to 8 years in the wild.
Fun Fact: Crows are capable of using tools and can even recognize human faces.

9. Ash-throated Flycatcher

The Ash-throated Flycatcher is a small bird, easily identified by its grayish throat and its ability to catch insects in mid-air.

Scientific Name: Myiarchus cinerascens
Conservation Status: Least Concern
Habitat: Dry, open areas like deserts and scrublands.
Lifespan: 5 to 10 years.
Fun Fact: The bird has a sharp, distinctive call, often heard in its habitat.

10. Allen’s Hummingbird

This small, colorful bird is a master of hovering, often seen near flowers as it feeds on nectar.

Scientific Name: Selasphorus alleni
Conservation Status: Least Concern
Habitat: Found in coastal California and parts of Mexico.
Lifespan: 4 to 5 years.
Fun Fact: Allen’s Hummingbird can hover in place and even fly backward.

11. Abbot’s Babbler

A small bird native to Southeast Asia, Abbot’s Babbler is known for its melodic song and elusive nature.

Scientific Name: Malacocincla abbotti
Conservation Status: Vulnerable
Habitat: Forests and woodlands of Southeast Asia.
Lifespan: 5 to 8 years.
Fun Fact: It’s often difficult to spot due to its shy behavior.

12. African Grey Parrot

This parrot is highly intelligent and famous for its ability to mimic human speech with great accuracy.

Scientific Name: Psittacus erithacus
Conservation Status: Endangered
Habitat: Dense forests in West and Central Africa.
Lifespan: 40 to 60 years in captivity.
Fun Fact: African Greys can learn new words and phrases with amazing precision.

13. Australian King-Parrot

A brightly colored parrot with a red head and green body, the Australian king parrot is found in eastern Australia.

Scientific Name: Alisterus scapularis
Conservation Status: Least Concern
Habitat: Rainforests and woodlands of eastern Australia.
Lifespan: 20 to 30 years.
Fun Fact: Known for its beautiful plumage and ability to mimic sounds.

14. Acorn Woodpecker

Known for its unique behavior of storing acorns, the Acorn Woodpecker is found in oak forests across western North America.

Scientific Name: Melanerpes formicivorus
Conservation Status: Least Concern
Habitat: Oak forests of western North America.
Lifespan: 9 to 11 years.
Fun Fact: Acorn Woodpeckers drill holes in trees to store acorns for later use.

15. African Fish Eagle

A powerful bird of prey, the African Fish Eagle is easily recognizable by its white head and sharp talons.

Scientific Name: Haliaeetus vocifer
Conservation Status: Least Concern
Habitat: Found near large bodies of water across Africa.
Lifespan: 20 to 25 years.
Fun Fact: Its call is iconic and widely recognized across Africa.

16. Ashy Minivet

The Ashy Minivet is a brightly colored bird with striking plumage, known for its fast flight and social behavior.

Scientific Name: Pericrocotus divaricatus
Conservation Status: Least Concern
Habitat: Forests and wooded areas of Southeast Asia.
Lifespan: 10 to 12 years.
Fun Fact: It often travels in groups, adding to its social nature.

17. Araripe Manakin

An endangered bird found in Brazil’s Araripe Plateau, the Araripe Manakin is known for its vibrant plumage.

Scientific Name: Antilophia bokermanni
Conservation Status: Critically Endangered
Habitat: A small region in Brazil’s Araripe Plateau.
Lifespan: Unknown, likely short-lived.
Fun Fact: The bird’s colorful feathers make it a popular subject for bird watchers.

18. Australian Wood Duck

A common sight in urban parks and rural areas, the Australian Wood Duck is a medium-sized bird native to Australia.

Scientific Name: Chenonetta jubata
Conservation Status: Least Concern
Habitat: Found in woodlands, wetlands, and urban parks across Australia.
Lifespan: 10 to 15 years.
Fun Fact: Known for being social, they often form flocks when traveling.

19. Australian Bustard

One of Australia’s heaviest flying birds, the Australian Bustard is found in open grasslands.

Scientific Name: Ardeotis australis
Conservation Status: Vulnerable
Habitat: Grasslands and open woodlands in Australia.
Lifespan: 10 to 15 years.
Fun Fact: These birds are the heaviest of all flying birds in Australia.

20. Ayres’s Hawk-Eagle

A large bird of prey, Ayres’s Hawk-Eagle is found in Southeast Asia and is known for its impressive hunting skills.

Scientific Name: Spizaetus ayresii
Conservation Status: Near Threatened
Habitat: Forests and woodlands in Southeast Asia.
Lifespan: 20 to 25 years.
Fun Fact: It has powerful talons used for catching small mammals and birds.

21. Arctic Loon

This large bird, known for its haunting calls, is often found in northern lakes and coastal waters.

Scientific Name: Gavia arctica
Conservation Status: Least Concern
Habitat: Northern lakes and coastal waters in the Arctic regions.
Lifespan: 10 to 20 years.
Fun Fact: Its eerie call can be heard echoing across the water.

22. Alpine Chough

The Alpine Chough is a crow-like bird, easily recognized by its agile flight in high-altitude regions.

Scientific Name: Pyrrhocorax graculus
Conservation Status: Least Concern
Habitat: High-altitude mountains in Europe and Asia.
Lifespan: 10 to 20 years.
Fun Fact: These birds are social and often gather in large groups.

23. Asian Paradise Flycatcher

Known for its long tail feathers, the Asian Paradise Flycatcher is a striking bird found in South Asia.

Scientific Name: Terpsichore paradisi
Conservation Status: Least Concern
Habitat: Forests and woodlands across South Asia.
Lifespan: 5 to 6 years.
Fun Fact: The male’s long tail feathers are used in elaborate courtship displays.

Conclusion

After looking at all these birds whose names start with A, we can see how diverse and remarkable they are.

Each bird has shown unique abilities, from the Arctic Tern’s 44,000-mile migration to the African Grey Parrot’s speech skills.

We’ve covered their habitats, lifespans, and special traits.

Most importantly, we’ve learned that these birds do more than just share a first letter – they demonstrate nature’s wide range of adaptations.

Now you have a clear picture of what makes each A-named bird stand out in the bird world.

Top 23 Birds that Start with A