This list includes 58 Birds that start with A, from “Abbott’s Booby” to “Azure-winged Magpie”. It covers seabirds, raptors, songbirds and parrots found worldwide, useful for birdwatching, education, and quick reference.

Birds that start with A are bird species whose common English names begin with the letter A. Many, like the albatross, carry cultural weight in seafaring lore and literature.

Below you’ll find the table with Common name, Scientific name, Habitat, and Wingspan (cm).

Common name: The familiar English name helps you identify species in the field, guides, and casual lists.

Scientific name: Provides the accepted binomial so you can confirm species identity and find precise taxonomic information.

Habitat: Short habitat category shows where the bird typically lives and helps you narrow search locations.

Wingspan (cm): Listed ranges or averages give you a quick sense of bird size for comparison and ID.

Methodology: Names reflect common English usage; scientific names, habitats and wingspans follow widely used bird checklists.

Birds that start with A

Common Name Scientific Name Habitat Wingspan (cm) Description
Abbott’s Booby Papasula abbotti marine 180-210 cm Large tropical seabird from Christmas Island with pale plumage and stout bill; nests on offshore cliffs. Vulnerable due to habitat loss and invasive species.
Abdim’s Stork Abdimia abdimii wetland 160-180 cm Slim African stork with glossy dark back and white belly; migratory across sub-Saharan wetlands. Generally widespread and not threatened.
Adelie Penguin Pygoscelis adeliae marine 50-70 cm Antarctic penguin with white eye ring and black head; breeds on rocky coasts in large colonies. Populations fluctuate with sea-ice changes.
African Fish Eagle Haliaeetus vocifer wetland 180-220 cm Iconic raptor of sub-Saharan rivers and lakes with white head and chestnut body; loud, distinctive call. Stable but dependent on healthy fisheries.
African Grey Parrot Psittacus erithacus forest 46-52 cm Smart grey parrot from West-Central African forests, noted for mimicry and red tail. Endangered from trapping and habitat loss.
African Penguin Spheniscus demersus coastal 50-70 cm Black-and-white penguin of southern African coasts, pink facial patches; nests on islands and shores. Endangered due to overfishing and oil spills.
African Sacred Ibis Threskiornis aethiopicus wetland 90-110 cm White ibis with bare black head and curved bill, common on wetlands and farmland in Africa. Populations stable in many areas.
African Jacana Actophilornis africanus wetland 60-75 cm Long-legged tropical waterbird that walks on floating vegetation; notable for long toes and chestnut body. Widespread and common locally.
Agami Heron Agamia agami wetland 95-115 cm Elusive Neotropical heron with chestnut neck and iridescent green back; prefers shaded forest streams. Localized and rarely seen.
Aplomado Falcon Falco femoralis grassland 80-95 cm Slim, long-winged falcon of open habitats in the Americas with striking facial pattern. Locally threatened by habitat loss.
Alpine Swift Tachymarptis melba mountain 75-90 cm Large swift with brownish upperparts and long crescent wings; nests on cliffs in mountains and towns. Strong aerial forager, widespread.
Altai Accentor Prunella himalayana mountain 20-25 cm Small high-altitude passerine of Central Asian mountains with streaked plumage and thin bill. Lives in rocky alpine zones.
Amazon Kingfisher Chloroceryle amazona wetland 40-50 cm Green-and-white kingfisher along Amazonian rivers; hovers or perches to dive for fish. Common in riverine forest.
Amazonian Umbrellabird Cephalopterus ornatus forest 55-70 cm Large, black-bodied cotinga with umbrella-like crest and deep call; found in Amazonian canopy. Sensitive to deforestation.
Ancient Murrelet Synthliboramphus antiquus coastal 45-60 cm Small auk breeding in North Pacific with dark cap and pale face; chicks leave nest at sea. Populations vary; some colonies threatened.
Andean Condor Vultur gryphus mountain 270-320 cm Massive Andean scavenger with black plumage and white neck ruff; famed wingspan. Near threatened due to persecution and habitat change.
Andean Cock-of-the-rock Rupicola peruvianus forest 50-60 cm Bright orange male with fan-shaped crest, lekking in Andean cloud forest. Amazing display bird; locally popular with birdwatchers.
Andean Goose Chloephaga melanoptera grassland 130-160 cm Stout high-Andean goose with pale plumage, grazes páramo grasses. Common in high-elevation wetlands.
Andean Flicker Colaptes rupicola mountain 86-100 cm Large woodpecker of Andean open areas, barred back and yellow rump; forages on ground and rock faces.
Andean Hillstar Oreotrochilus estella mountain 15-18 cm High-altitude hummingbird with iridescent throat found above treeline in the Andes; adapted to cold, sparse habitat.
Anhinga Anhinga anhinga wetland 90-110 cm Long-necked water bird (“snakebird”) that swims with body submerged; slender pointed bill for spearing fish. Widespread in warm wetlands.
Anna’s Hummingbird Calypte anna urban 11-13 cm Pacific-coast hummingbird with iridescent rose throat (male); common in gardens and urban areas. Populations stable and expanding.
Antillean Nighthawk Chordeiles gundlachii coastal 45-55 cm Nocturnal, small nightjar of Caribbean islands with cryptic plumage and insectivorous flight. Resident species, locally common.
Antillean Mango Anthracothorax dominicus forest 17-22 cm Small Caribbean hummingbird with glossy plumage; perches conspicuously. Stable on many islands.
Arctic Tern Sterna paradisaea coastal 70-80 cm Long-distance migrant from Arctic breeding grounds to Antarctic wintering areas; slender body and forked tail. Global traveler, notable longevity.
Arctic Loon Gavia arctica coastal 100-120 cm Also called Black-throated Loon; breeds on northern lakes and winters at sea; black-and-white breeding plumage. Populations sensitive to oil pollution.
Arctic Warbler Phylloscopus borealis forest 18-23 cm Small greenish warbler breeding in boreal and Arctic forests, migrating to Southeast Asia. Subtle ID features; common migrant.
Arctic Skua Stercorarius parasiticus marine 100-125 cm Aggressive seabird that piratizes other birds’ prey; brownish with strong flight. Wide-ranging pelagic species.
Ash-throated Flycatcher Myiarchus cinerascens desert 26-30 cm Western North American flycatcher with pale throat and rusty tail; perches conspicuously on open perches. Common in arid scrub.
Ashy Drongo Dicrurus leucophaeus forest 30-40 cm Grey drongo with forked tail across South and Southeast Asia; bold aerial insectivore. Widespread and adaptable.
Ashy Prinia Prinia socialis grassland 13-16 cm Small warbler of South Asian scrub with long tail and thin bill; often heard before seen. Common in disturbed habitats.
Atlantic Puffin Fratercula arctica coastal 45-60 cm Stocky seabird with colorful bill and black-and-white plumage; breeds on North Atlantic islands. Populations affected by fishing and climate.
Audubon’s Shearwater Puffinus lherminieri marine 80-90 cm Small shearwater found in tropical and subtropical oceans; dark above and paler below. Many island populations face threats.
Audubon’s Warbler Setophaga auduboni forest 20-25 cm North American warbler with yellow throat and cheek (male); breeds in coniferous forests. Generally common.
Australian Magpie Gymnorhina tibicen urban 90-100 cm Black-and-white passerine known for complex songs and territorial behavior in Australia; adapts to parks and farmland.
Australian Pelican Pelecanus conspicillatus coastal 250-330 cm Huge pelican with long bill and pale plumage; found on inland and coastal waters of Australia. Locally abundant.
Australasian Gannet Morus serrator coastal 160-180 cm Large plunge-diving seabird around southern Australia and New Zealand with white body and black wingtips. Vulnerable at some colonies.
Australasian Grebe Tachybaptus novaehollandiae wetland 40-50 cm Small diving grebe common on freshwater lakes; brown neck and pale face. Widespread in Australia and NZ.
Azure-winged Magpie Cyanopica cyanus forest 35-40 cm Sociable magpie with blue wings and long tail across East Asia and Iberia (separate populations). Lives in woodlands and parks.
Azores Bullfinch Pyrrhula murina forest 22-26 cm Rare finch endemic to São Miguel, Azores, with grey and pink plumage; confined to laurel forest and threatened.
American Avocet Recurvirostra americana wetland 70-80 cm Tall wader with upturned bill and striking black-and-white breeding plumage; forages in shallow lakes. Populations stable in many areas.
American Bittern Botaurus lentiginosus wetland 90-110 cm Secretive marsh heron with streaked brown plumage and booming call; blends into reedbeds. Sensitive to wetland loss.
American Coot Fulica americana wetland 60-70 cm Dark, lobed-foot waterbird with white bill common on lakes and ponds in the Americas. Widespread and adaptable.
American Crow Corvus brachyrhynchos urban 85-100 cm Large black corvid abundant across North America; intelligent and social. Generally common but locally affected by disease.
American Dipper Cinclus mexicanus mountain 27-32 cm Aquatic songbird of fast streams in western North America; bobbing behavior and grey plumage. Indicator of clean, cold water.
American Goldfinch Spinus tristis grassland 20-25 cm Bright yellow breeding male common in fields and gardens; small finch with undulating flight. Populations fluctuate with seed crops.
American Kestrel Falco sparverius grassland 50-60 cm Small North American falcon with rufous back and hovering hunting behavior; common in open country. Some regional declines.
American Oystercatcher Haematopus palliatus coastal 80-95 cm Black-and-white shorebird with bright orange bill used to pry shellfish; coastal beaches and estuaries habitat.
American Redstart Setophaga ruticilla forest 18-23 cm Flashy black-and-orange warbler in eastern North America; males flit and fan tails while foraging. Widespread migrant.
American Robin Turdus migratorius urban 31-41 cm Familiar North American thrush with red-orange breast; common in towns and gardens. Very widespread and abundant.
American White Pelican Pelecanus erythrorhynchos wetland 240-300 cm Large white pelican that fishes in groups on inland lakes and coasts; enormous bill pouch. Populations recoverable with protection.
Azure Tit Cyanistes cyanus forest 20-24 cm Small blue-and-white tit in Eurasian woodlands; bright blue cap and wings. Locally common in suitable habitats.
Azure Kingfisher Ceyx azureus forest 20-25 cm Tiny, brilliant blue kingfisher of Australia and New Guinea; perches low over streams to dive for fish. Prefers forested waterways.
Ashy Storm-Petrel Hydrobates homochroa marine 35-40 cm Small dark storm-petrel offshore in eastern Pacific; fluttering flight and night colonies. Some populations are conservation concerns.
Asian Koel Eudynamys scolopaceus forest 55-65 cm Large cuckoo of South and Southeast Asia with glossy black (male) or spotted brown (female); brood parasite on other birds.
Asian Brown Flycatcher Muscicapa dauurica forest 20-24 cm Small drab flycatcher that breeds in temperate Asia and winters in tropical Asia; subtle features but common migrant.
Asian Dowitcher Limnodromus semipalmatus wetland 60-70 cm Large, long-billed shorebird breeding in northern Asia and wintering in Southeast Asia; prefers mudflats and estuaries.
African Pitta Pitta angolensis forest 27-32 cm Colorful, ground-dwelling forest bird of sub-Saharan Africa with green back and chestnut belly; shy and secretive.

Descriptions

Abbott’s Booby
Abdim’s Stork
Adelie Penguin
African Fish Eagle
African Grey Parrot
African Penguin
African Sacred Ibis
African Jacana
Agami Heron
Aplomado Falcon
Alpine Swift
Altai Accentor
Amazon Kingfisher
Amazonian Umbrellabird
Ancient Murrelet
Andean Condor
Andean Cock-of-the-rock
Andean Goose
Andean Flicker
Andean Hillstar
Anhinga
Anna’s Hummingbird
Antillean Nighthawk
Antillean Mango
Arctic Tern
Arctic Loon
Arctic Warbler
Arctic Skua
Ash-throated Flycatcher
Ashy Drongo
Ashy Prinia
Atlantic Puffin
Audubon’s Shearwater
Audubon’s Warbler
Australian Magpie
Australian Pelican
Australasian Gannet
Australasian Grebe
Azure-winged Magpie
Azores Bullfinch
American Avocet
American Bittern
American Coot
American Crow
American Dipper
American Goldfinch
American Kestrel
American Oystercatcher
American Redstart
American Robin
American White Pelican
Azure Tit
Azure Kingfisher
Ashy Storm-Petrel
Asian Koel
Asian Brown Flycatcher
Asian Dowitcher
African Pitta
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