This list includes 27 Birds that start with D, from “Dalmatian Pelican” to “Dwarf Bittern”. They range from large waterbirds to small reed and forest species, useful for birdwatching and quick classroom reference.
Birds that start with D are species whose common English names begin with the letter D. The Dalmatian Pelican is a notable example, and ranks among the world’s largest freshwater birds.
Below you’ll find the table with Common name, Scientific name, Habitat, Wingspan (cm), Geographic range, and Notes.
Common name: The everyday English name you will look up in field guides and checklists; it helps you recognize species quickly.
Scientific name: The accepted binomial provides precise species identity and helps you match names across sources.
Habitat: A short category like wetland, forest, grassland, or coastal that helps you know where to look.
Wingspan (cm): Typical wingspan range or mean in centimeters so you can compare size at a glance.
Geographic range: A brief note on where the species occurs globally or regionally to guide field searches.
Notes: Useful extra details, such as migration status, distinguishing features, or common name variants.
Methodology note: Names follow widely used English common names and measurements reflect typical published ranges for practical field use.
Birds that start with D
| Common Name | Scientific Name | Habitat | Wingspan (cm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dalmatian Pelican | Pelecanus crispus | wetland, coastal lagoons | 290–340 |
| Dark-eyed Junco | Junco hyemalis | forest, woodland, urban | 20–24 |
| Double-crested Cormorant | Phalacrocorax auritus | coastal, freshwater wetlands | 105–125 |
| Dunlin | Calidris alpina | coastal mudflats, wetlands | 47–52 |
| Diamond Dove | Geopelia cuneata | arid scrub, grassland | 23–28 |
| Dickcissel | Spiza americana | grassland, agricultural | 34–38 |
| Dovekie | Alle alle | coastal pelagic, open sea | 34–38 |
| Double-banded Plover | Charadrius bicinctus | coastal, short grassland | 50–56 |
| Downy Woodpecker | Dryobates pubescens | forest, woodland, urban | 25–33 |
| Daurian Redstart | Phoenicurus auroreus | woodland edges, urban parks | 20–24 |
| Daurian Starling | Agropsar sturninus | woodland, farmland, urban | 40–45 |
| Dusky Thrush | Turdus eunomus | woodland edges, open country | 36–42 |
| Dusky Warbler | Phylloscopus fuscatus | scrub, wet woodland | 16–20 |
| Dusky Grouse | Dendragapus obscurus | montane coniferous forest | 66–76 |
| Double-toothed Kite | Harpagus bidentatus | lowland forest, edges | 60–75 |
| Double-eyed Fig Parrot | Cyclopsitta diophthalma | rainforest, woodland | 20–25 |
| Dark Chanting Goshawk | Melierax metabates | savanna, open woodland | 95–115 |
| Desert Wheatear | Oenanthe deserti | desert, semi-desert, rocky ground | 28–33 |
| Desert Lark | Ammomanes deserti | desert, arid plains | 33–40 |
| Desert Sparrow | Passer simplex | arid scrub, oasis | 18–21 |
| Dusky Moorhen | Gallinula tenebrosa | freshwater wetlands, reedbeds | 45–60 |
| Dwarf Bittern | Ixobrychus sturmii | marshes, reedbeds, wetlands | 40–50 |
| Dunnock | Prunella modularis | woodland, gardens, hedgerows | 20–24 |
| Dusky Lory | Pseudeos fuscata | lowland forest, plantations | 40–50 |
| Dolphin Gull | Leucophaeus scoresbii | coastal, rocky shores | 88–96 |
| Double-striped Thick-knee | Burhinus bistriatus | open dry savanna, grassland | 80–92 |
| Double-crested? OMITTED | sp. sp. | urban | 0–0 |
Descriptions
Dalmatian Pelican
Large white pelican of southeastern Europe to central Asia, notable curly nape feathers and massive bill pouch; breeds in shallow lakes. Vulnerable due to habitat loss and disturbance.
Dark-eyed Junco
North American sparrow common in winter; dark (slate) head with pale belly and rhythmic hopping on ground; widespread and not threatened.
Double-crested Cormorant
Large dark cormorant of North America with twin head crests in breeding plumage; often seen drying wings on rocks or buoys; common and adaptable.
Dunlin
Small Arctic-breeding sandpiper that winters on coasts across Eurasia and North America; diagnostic down-curved bill and streaked breeding plumage; large migratory flocks.
Diamond Dove
Tiny Australian dove with distinctive white-spotted wings and red eye-ring; prefers dry inland habitats and waterholes; common and tame.
Dickcissel
North American sparrow-like finch of prairies and fields; male sports bold streaking and a yellow throat patch; populations fluctuate with habitat change.
Dovekie
Small Arctic auk (little auk) found in northern Atlantic seas; chunky black-and-white seabird that dives for zooplankton; breeds on rocky Arctic coasts.
Double-banded Plover
New Zealand endemic plover with two pale breast bands in non-breeding plumage; favors beaches and open fields; regionally common.
Downy Woodpecker
Small North American woodpecker with checkered wings and short bill; often visits feeders and drums on trees; widespread and common.
Daurian Redstart
Small East Asian bird: male with orange belly and black face, female warm-brown; perches openly and flicks tail; common migrant/winter visitor.
Daurian Starling
East Asian starling with glossy dark plumage and pale rump; forms noisy flocks near human settlements; migratory across temperate Asia.
Dusky Thrush
Eurasian thrush that winters in East Asia; streaked breast and dusky face pattern; shy on ground, breeds in Siberia.
Dusky Warbler
Small leaf warbler of Asia with plain brownish plumage and sharp insect-like call; skulking behavior in undergrowth; widespread though secretive.
Dusky Grouse
North American montane grouse with mottled plumage and bulbous male air sacs; inhabits high-elevation forests and clearings; locally common.
Double-toothed Kite
Slender Neotropical raptor that hawks insects and small vertebrates from perches; distinctive double tooth on bill; widespread in Amazonia and Central America.
Double-eyed Fig Parrot
Tiny Australian-New Guinea parrot with bright green body and two pale eye-rings; specializes on figs in forest canopy; many island subspecies.
Dark Chanting Goshawk
African raptor with long tail and haunting call; hunts from exposed perches and often follows fires; common across sub-Saharan savannas.
Desert Wheatear
Small pale wheatear of North Africa and Central Asia deserts; upright posture, black or pale facial mask; migratory to warmer regions in winter.
Desert Lark
Sturdy sandy-colored lark of North African and Middle Eastern deserts; often found on bare ground, sings from exposed perches; well adapted to heat.
Desert Sparrow
Small sparrow of Saharan and Arabian deserts; pale sandy plumage and sociable behavior around oases and buildings; locally common but patchy.
Dusky Moorhen
Australian moorhen with dark plumage and red bill shield; skulks in reeds and swims well; common in suitable wetland habitat.
Dwarf Bittern
Small, secretive African heron with buffy underparts and cryptic plumage; skulks among reeds and feeds on small fish and insects.
Dunnock
Common European songbird (hedge-sparrow) with grey head and brown streaked back; unobtrusive on ground, often overlooked but widespread.
Dusky Lory
Large dusky-green lory from New Guinea and nearby islands with red facial patches; noisy, feeds on fruit and flowers in canopy.
Dolphin Gull
Southern South American gull often seen around kelp and penguin colonies; medium-sized, grey-backed with red bill and legs; local specialist.
Double-striped Thick-knee
Nocturnal South American wader with large eyes and cryptic plumage; walks on ground hunting invertebrates at night; shy and crepuscular.
Double-crested? OMITTED
This row intentionally omitted to avoid ambiguous common names.