This list includes 53 Birds that start with O, from “Ocellated Antbird” to “Oystercatcher, Eurasian”. These species range from tiny passerines to large shorebirds and occur in many global habitats. Birdwatchers, students, and writers use this list for quick reference and identification.
Birds that start with O are species whose common English names begin with the letter O. The ostrich is a cultural icon featured often in art and literature.
Below you’ll find the table with Common name, Scientific name, Habitat, Wingspan (cm), and Distribution.
Common name: The widely used English name for the species, helping you recognize birds in field guides and casual lists.
Scientific name: The accepted binomial gives precise identity, so you can find exact taxonomic information and avoid naming confusion.
Habitat: Primary environment where the bird lives, so you know where to look or expect sightings.
Wingspan (cm): Typical wingspan range in centimetres, given so you can compare size between species and aid field identification.
Distribution: General geographic range where the species occurs, helping you narrow searches to relevant countries or regions.
Birds that start with O
| Common name | Scientific name | Wingspan (cm) | Primary habitat |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ocellated Antbird | Phaenostictus mcleannani | 25–28 | Forest |
| Ocellated Turkey | Meleagris ocellata | 130–150 | Forest |
| Ochre-bellied Flycatcher | Mionectes oleagineus | 18–20 | Forest |
| Oilbird | Steatornis caripensis | 90–100 | Forest |
| Okinawa Rail | Hypotaenidia okinawae | 30–35 | Forest |
| Olive-backed Pipit | Anthus hodgsoni | 24–27 | Forest |
| Olive-backed Sunbird | Cinnyris jugularis | 15–17 | Urban |
| Olive-backed Woodcreeper | Xiphorhynchus triangularis | 30–33 | Forest |
| Olive-sided Flycatcher | Contopus cooperi | 33–36 | Forest |
| Olive Thrush | Turdus olivaceus | 34–38 | Urban |
| Olive-tree Warbler | Hippolais olivetorum | 26–29 | Shrubland |
| Olive Warbler | Peucedramus taeniatus | 22–24 | Forest |
| Orange-bellied Leafbird | Chloropsis hardwickii | 25–28 | Forest |
| Orange-bellied Parrot | Neophema chrysogaster | 22–25 | Coastal |
| Orange-billed Nightingale-Thrush | Catharus aurantiirostris | 28–30 | Shrubland |
| Orange-billed Sparrow | Arremon aurantiirostris | 22–25 | Forest |
| Orange-breasted Bunting | Passerina leclancherii | 19–21 | Shrubland |
| Orange-breasted Falcon | Falco deiroleucus | 80–95 | Forest |
| Orange-breasted Fruiteater | Pipreola jucunda | 25–27 | Forest |
| Orange-breasted Sunbird | Anthobaphes violacea | 13–15 | Shrubland |
| Orange-breasted Trogon | Harpactes oreskios | 30–32 | Forest |
| Orange-chinned Parakeet | Brotogeris jugularis | 26–28 | Forest |
| Orange-crowned Warbler | Leiothlypis celata | 18–19 | Shrubland |
| Orange-footed Scrubfowl | Megapodius reinwardt | 60–70 | Forest |
| Orange-fronted Parakeet | Eupsittula canicularis | 26–29 | Forest |
| Orange-headed Thrush | Geokichla citrina | 33–35 | Forest |
| Orange-tufted Sunbird | Cinnyris osea | 14–16 | Shrubland |
| Orangequit | Euneornis campestris | 20–23 | Forest |
| Orchard Oriole | Icterus spurius | 23–25 | Shrubland |
| Oriental Bay Owl | Phodilus badius | 60–70 | Forest |
| Oriental Cuckoo | Cuculus optatus | 58–63 | Forest |
| Oriental Dollarbird | Eurystomus orientalis | 65–75 | Forest |
| Oriental Dwarf Kingfisher | Ceyx erithaca | 13–14 | Forest |
| Oriental Greenfinch | Chloris sinica | 22–25 | Shrubland |
| Oriental Hobby | Falco severus | 60–75 | Forest |
| Oriental Honey-buzzard | Pernis ptilorhynchus | 150–170 | Forest |
| Oriental Magpie-Robin | Copsychus saularis | 26–29 | Urban |
| Oriental Pied Hornbill | Anthracoceros albirostris | 80–90 | Forest |
| Oriental Pratincole | Glareola maldivarum | 58–64 | Wetland |
| Oriental Reed Warbler | Acrocephalus orientalis | 23–26 | Wetland |
| Oriental Skylark | Alauda gulgula | 26–30 | Grassland |
| Oriental White-eye | Zosterops palpebrosus | 14–16 | Forest |
| Orinoco Goose | Neochen jubata | 120–140 | Wetland |
| Ornate Hawk-Eagle | Spizaetus ornatus | 105–120 | Forest |
| Orphean Warbler | Sylvia hortensis | 26–30 | Shrubland |
| Ortolan Bunting | Emberiza hortulana | 23–29 | Shrubland |
| Osprey | Pandion haliaetus | 150–180 | Coastal |
| Ostrich, Common | Struthio camelus | ~200 | Grassland |
| Ostrich, Somali | Struthio molybdophanes | ~200 | Desert |
| Ovenbird | Seiurus aurocapilla | 19–26 | Forest |
| Oystercatcher, American | Haematopus palliatus | 76–86 | Coastal |
| Oystercatcher, Black | Haematopus bachmani | 76–86 | Coastal |
| Oystercatcher, Eurasian | Haematopus ostralegus | 80–86 | Coastal |
Descriptions
Ocellated Antbird
A stunning ground-dwelling bird of Central and South America with scaled plumage and a bare blue face patch. It follows swarms of army ants to catch fleeing insects.
Ocellated Turkey
A vibrant, iridescent turkey from the Yucatán Peninsula. Far more colorful than its North American relative, it has eye-like spots (ocelli) on its tail feathers.
Ochre-bellied Flycatcher
A small, drab flycatcher from Central and South America, found in the forest understory. It’s best identified by its olive-green back and distinctive ochre-yellow belly.
Oilbird
A unique nocturnal bird from South America. It roosts in caves, navigates by echolocation like a bat, and is the world’s only flying, fruit-eating nocturnal bird.
Okinawa Rail
A nearly flightless bird found only on Okinawa, Japan. This critically endangered species has a dark body, a bright red bill and legs, and lives in dense subtropical forest.
Olive-backed Pipit
A small migratory songbird breeding across Asia. It has an olive-green back, a distinctly striped head pattern, and often wags its tail as it forages on the ground.
Olive-backed Sunbird
A tiny, energetic bird common in Southeast Asia and Australia. Males have an iridescent blue-black throat, olive back, and bright yellow belly, frequently visiting gardens for nectar.
Olive-backed Woodcreeper
A medium-sized bird of the Andean cloud forests in South America. It has an olive-brown back and climbs up tree trunks, probing for insects with its slender, curved bill.
Olive-sided Flycatcher
A stocky North American flycatcher known for its loud, three-part “Quick, three beers!” song. It has a dark “vested” appearance and perches conspicuously at the tops of trees.
Olive Thrush
A common bird in eastern and southern Africa. With a plain brownish-grey body and a bright orange-yellow bill, it’s a familiar sight in gardens, parks, and woodlands.
Olive-tree Warbler
One of the largest warblers in its genus, breeding in southeastern Europe. It’s a plain greyish bird with a heavy bill, favoring open country with olive groves and oak trees.
Olive Warbler
A unique bird of mountain pine forests in Mexico and the US Southwest. The male has a vibrant orange-brown head and black mask. It is the only member of its taxonomic family.
Orange-bellied Leafbird
A brightly colored bird from the Himalayas and Southeast Asia. Males are brilliant green with a black mask and a fiery orange belly, expertly mimicking other birds’ calls.
Orange-bellied Parrot
A small, critically endangered Australian parrot. It breeds only in remote Tasmanian wilderness and migrates to coastal saltmarshes. It has a bright orange patch on its green belly.
Orange-billed Nightingale-Thrush
A shy thrush from highland forests in Central and South America. While its plumage is plain brown, its bright orange bill, eye-ring, and legs provide a splash of color.
Orange-billed Sparrow
A striking sparrow from Central and South America with a bold black-and-white head pattern. Its most obvious feature is its brilliant, thick orange bill.
Orange-breasted Bunting
A stunningly vibrant small bird endemic to Mexico. The male has a turquoise-blue head, green back, and a brilliant yellow-orange breast, making it a true jewel of the dry forest.
Orange-breasted Falcon
A powerful and rare falcon of tropical America. Known for its deep orange chest and incredible speed, it specializes in hunting birds like pigeons and parrots in mid-air.
Orange-breasted Fruiteater
A beautiful cotinga from the Andean cloud forests. The male is bright green with a black head, yellow eye-ring, and a brilliant orange bib on its throat and chest.
Orange-breasted Sunbird
A spectacular sunbird endemic to South Africa’s fynbos region. Males have an iridescent green head, violet breastband, and a long, streaming tail.
Orange-breasted Trogon
A colorful trogon from Southeast Asia. Males have a yellowish-green head, a brown back, and a bright orange breast and belly. They often sit motionless for long periods.
Orange-chinned Parakeet
A small, noisy green parrot common in Central and northern South America. Its name comes from a tiny, often-hidden orange spot on its chin.
Orange-crowned Warbler
A common but drab warbler across North America. It is mostly plain olive-yellow, and its namesake orange crown patch is very difficult to see.
Orange-footed Scrubfowl
A chicken-like bird in Australia and New Guinea. It doesn’t sit on its eggs; instead, it buries them in enormous mounds of decaying vegetation, which generates heat for incubation.
Orange-fronted Parakeet
A green parakeet from Mexico and Central America, identified by a bright orange forehead patch. It is a social bird, often seen flying in fast, chattering flocks.
Orange-headed Thrush
A beautiful but shy thrush from South and Southeast Asia. The male’s bright orange head and underparts contrast sharply with its blue-grey back, making it unmistakable.
Orange-tufted Sunbird
A tiny sunbird from the Middle East and parts of Africa. The breeding male is mostly glossy black but flashes iridescent highlights and small, fiery orange tufts at its sides.
Orangequit
A nectar-feeding bird found only on the island of Jamaica. The male is a beautiful glossy black with a contrasting bright orange-yellow shoulder patch.
Orchard Oriole
The smallest oriole in North America. Unlike the bright orange of its relatives, the adult male is a deep, rich chestnut-red and black. Often found in open woods and parks.
Oriental Bay Owl
A strange and secretive owl of Southeast Asia. It has a heart-shaped face like a barn owl but is reddish-brown with two prominent “ear-like” feather tufts.
Oriental Cuckoo
A widespread brood parasite across Asia. Similar in appearance to a small hawk, its repetitive, far-carrying “cuck-oo” call is a classic sound of the forests it inhabits.
Oriental Dollarbird
A chunky roller from Asia and Australia. It gets its name from the large, silvery-blue “dollar” patches on its wings that are conspicuous when it flies.
Oriental Dwarf Kingfisher
A tiny, jewel-like kingfisher of Southeast Asia’s forests. This brilliantly colored bird has a bright rufous body, a blue-black back, and hunts for insects and tiny fish.
Oriental Greenfinch
A common finch of East Asia, often seen in flocks. The male is olive-green with a grey head and large, bright yellow patches on its wings and tail.
Oriental Hobby
A small, fast-flying falcon of Southeast Asia. It is dark slate-grey above with a deep rufous-orange belly and is a masterful aerial hunter of insects and small birds.
Oriental Honey-buzzard
A large bird of prey from Asia that raids the nests of wasps and bees for their larvae. It has scale-like facial feathers to protect it from stings.
Oriental Magpie-Robin
A familiar songbird across South and Southeast Asia. This black-and-white bird is known for its beautiful, melodious song and is a common sight in urban gardens.
Oriental Pied Hornbill
A large black-and-white hornbill with an enormous yellowish-white bill and casque. It is a common and noisy resident of forests and woodlands across Southeast Asia.
Oriental Pratincole
A unique wader from Asia that behaves like a large swallow. With long pointed wings and a forked tail, it expertly catches insects in mid-air over wetlands and fields.
Oriental Reed Warbler
A large, plain brown warbler that inhabits dense reedbeds across Asia. While hard to see, its loud, harsh, and repetitive chattering song is very distinctive.
Oriental Skylark
A small, streaky brown lark of open country in South and East Asia. It is famous for its elaborate song-flight, where it sings continuously while hovering high in the air.
Oriental White-eye
A tiny, highly sociable bird found across Asia. It is yellowish-olive with a prominent white ring around its eye, and it travels in constant, chattering flocks.
Orinoco Goose
A distinctive goose-like duck from the Orinoco and Amazon river basins in South America. It has a pale grey head, a chestnut body, and long pinkish-red legs.
Ornate Hawk-Eagle
A stunning and powerful bird of prey from tropical American forests. It has a tall, pointed crest, a rufous head, and heavily barred underparts, making it truly ornate.
Orphean Warbler
A large, robust warbler of the Mediterranean region. The male has a distinctive blackish cap, crisp white throat, and a rich, loud, and melodious song.
Ortolan Bunting
A small songbird breeding across Europe and West Asia. The male is subtly beautiful, with a greenish-grey head, yellow throat, and pinkish belly. Populations are in decline.
Osprey
A large, fish-eating raptor with a near-global distribution. It has a striking white head with a dark eye-stripe and can be seen dramatically plunging feet-first into water to catch fish.
Ostrich, Common
The world’s largest bird, native to Africa’s savannas. Flightless and built for speed, this iconic bird is known for its long neck and legs, and powerful kicks.
Ostrich, Somali
A large, flightless bird from the Horn of Africa, now considered a full species. Males are distinguished from the Common Ostrich by their blue-grey (not pink) neck and legs.
Ovenbird
A North American warbler that walks on the forest floor. It builds a dome-shaped nest with a side entrance, resembling an old-fashioned oven, and has a loud “teacher-teacher-teacher” song.
Oystercatcher, American
A large, noisy shorebird of the Americas. It has a bold black-and-white pattern, a massive, bright orange-red bill for prying open shells, and stout pink legs.
Oystercatcher, Black
A charismatic, all-black shorebird of North America’s Pacific coast. It uses its long, bright red bill to forage for limpets and mussels on rocky shorelines.
Oystercatcher, Eurasian
A striking black-and-white wader common along the coasts of Europe and Asia. It has a long, bright orange-red bill and is known for its loud, piping calls.