This list includes 97 Birds that start with W, from “Wallcreeper” to “Wyoming Warbler”. Many are small passerines, shorebirds, or raptors found worldwide and useful for field identification and education.

Birds that start with W are species whose common English names begin with the letter W. The Wallcreeper, with crimson wing patches and agile cliff-clinging flight, is a notable example admired by birders.

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

Common name: The name you will see in field guides and labels, helping you recognize species quickly during observation or study.

Scientific name: The Latin binomial lets you verify species across languages and taxonomies, so you can match records reliably.

Habitat: A concise habitat category shows where you are most likely to find the bird in the wild.

Wingspan (cm): Wingspan ranges in centimeters give you a quick sense of size for comparison and field estimation.

Birds that start with W

Common Name Scientific Name Habitat Wingspan (cm) Description
Wandering Albatross Diomedea exulans Coastal / Oceanic 250–370 Possesses the largest wingspan of any living bird, soaring over Southern Oceans. This magnificent seabird is listed as Vulnerable due to threats from longline fishing.
Wallcreeper Tichodroma muraria Montane 22–28 A stunning bird resembling a large, crimson-winged butterfly as it flits up rock faces in the high mountains of Eurasia, searching for insects in crevices.
Warbling Vireo Vireo gilvus Forest / Woodland 20–22 A small, plain songbird of North American woodlands. Its name perfectly describes its song: a continuous, rambling warble that lasts through hot summer afternoons.
Waved Albatross Phoebastria irrorata Coastal / Oceanic 220–250 Found almost exclusively on the Galápagos Islands, this critically endangered albatross is known for its elaborate courtship dances and large, bright yellow bill.
Waxwing, Bohemian Bombycilla garrulus Forest / Urban 32–36 A sleek, crested bird with a silky plumage and unique red, wax-like tips on its wing feathers. They roam widely in nomadic flocks, seeking berries.
Waxwing, Cedar Bombycilla cedrorum Forest / Urban 22–30 Named for the waxy red tips on its secondary wing feathers, this North American bird is highly social, often seen in large flocks eating berries from trees and shrubs.
Weka Gallirallus australis Forest / Wetland 50–60 A large, flightless, and curious rail endemic to New Zealand. Known for its bold and inquisitive nature, it often investigates humans and their belongings.
Western Bluebird Sialia mexicana Grassland / Woodland 29–34 A small thrush of western North America. The male’s brilliant blue head and back contrast with a rusty-red breast, making it a welcome sight in open country.
Western Grebe Aechmophorus occidentalis Wetland 56–74 Famed for its spectacular courtship display where pairs “run” across the water’s surface in unison. It has a long, swan-like neck and striking red eyes.
Western Gull Larus occidentalis Coastal 120–150 A large, common gull of North America’s Pacific coast. A highly adaptable and intelligent bird, it can be seen foraging along shorelines, in harbors, and at landfills.
Western Kingbird Tyrannus verticalis Grassland / Scrubland 38–41 A common flycatcher of western North America, known for its acrobatic flight and aggressive defense of its nest, often chasing away much larger birds like hawks.
Western Meadowlark Sturnella neglecta Grassland 38–43 The state bird of six U.S. states, its flute-like, bubbling song is a classic sound of western North American grasslands. It has a bright yellow breast with a black “V”.
Western Sandpiper Calidris mauri Coastal / Wetland 36–39 A small shorebird that undertakes long migrations between its Arctic breeding grounds and wintering areas in the Americas. It forages by probing in mudflats.
Western Screech-Owl Megascops kennicottii Forest / Urban 51–61 A small, nocturnal owl of western North America. Its excellent camouflage makes it hard to spot, but its series of short, accelerating whistles can be heard at night.
Western Tanager Piranga ludoviciana Forest 28–30 One of North America’s most brilliantly colored songbirds. The male has a fiery-red head, bright yellow body, and black wings, a stunning sight in coniferous forests.
Whale-headed Stork Balaeniceps rex Wetland 230–260 Also known as the Shoebill, this massive African bird has a prehistoric look and a unique, shoe-shaped bill. It stands motionless for hours, hunting for lungfish.
Wheatear, Northern Oenanthe oenanthe Grassland / Tundra 29–33 A small thrush with one of the longest migrations of any songbird. Some individuals from Alaska cross Asia to winter in Africa, an incredible journey.
Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus Coastal / Tundra 76–90 A large, migratory shorebird recognized by its very long, decurved (down-curved) bill, which it uses to probe for crabs and other invertebrates in mudflats.
Whinchat Saxicola rubetra Grassland / Scrubland 21–24 A small migratory bird that breeds in Europe and Asia and winters in Africa. Males have a striking head pattern with a bold white stripe above the eye.
Whiskered Auklet Aethia pygmaea Coastal / Oceanic 33–38 A small seabird from the Aleutian Islands with striking facial plumes during the breeding season. It smells distinctly of tangerines, a scent used in social signaling.
Whistling Duck, Black-bellied Dendrocygna autumnalis Wetland 76–94 A goose-like duck from the Americas with a bright pink bill and long legs. Named for its high-pitched, whistling call, it often perches in trees.
Whistling Duck, Fulvous Dendrocygna bicolor Wetland 84–105 One of the most widespread waterfowl in the world, found in tropical regions across four continents. It has a rich, tawny-brown color and a distinctive whistling call.
Whistling Heron Syrigma sibilatrix Grassland / Wetland 90–100 A beautiful, medium-sized heron from South America. It is notable for its bright yellow legs, blue bill base, and the shrill, whistling calls it makes.
White Wagtail Motacilla alba Urban / Wetland 25–30 A slender, elegant bird known for its constantly wagging tail. It is widespread across Eurasia and parts of Africa, often seen foraging for insects on the ground.
White-bellied Sea Eagle Haliaeetus leucogaster Coastal 180–220 A large bird of prey found from India to Australia. It has a striking white head and underparts, contrasting with dark grey upperparts, and soars over coastlines.
White-breasted Nuthatch Sitta carolinensis Forest / Urban 19–24 A common backyard bird in North America, known for its habit of creeping down tree trunks headfirst. It has a sharp, nasal “yank-yank” call.
White-browed Coucal Centropus superciliosus Grassland / Scrubland 66–72 A non-parasitic member of the cuckoo family found in Africa. It is a weak flier, preferring to clamber through thick vegetation in search of insects and small reptiles.
White-browed Wagtail Motacilla maderaspatensis Wetland / Urban 28–30 A large wagtail species endemic to the Indian subcontinent. It is typically found near water bodies, constantly wagging its long tail as it forages on the ground.
White-crowned Sparrow Zonotrichia leucophrys Scrubland / Urban 24–28 A handsome North American sparrow with bold black-and-white stripes on its head. Its clear, whistling song is a familiar sound in gardens and brushy habitats.
White-eared Hummingbird Hylocharis leucotis Forest / Montane 8–9 A vibrant hummingbird of Mexico and Central America, easily identified by the bold white stripe behind its eye. It has iridescent green plumage and a red bill.
White-eyed Vireo Vireo griseus Forest / Scrubland 17–19 A small songbird of eastern North America with conspicuous white irises, giving it a “spectacled” look. It sings a sharp, explosive song from dense thickets.
White-faced Ibis Plegadis chihi Wetland 90–100 A gregarious wading bird of western North America, known for the white feathering that borders its reddish face during the breeding season. It forages in flocks.
White-faced Whistling Duck Dendrocygna viduata Wetland 86–94 A sociable duck found in Africa and South America. It is named for its distinctive white face and head, which contrasts sharply with its black neck.
White-fronted Goose, Greater Anser albifrons Wetland / Tundra 130–165 A widespread goose of the Northern Hemisphere, named for the patch of white feathers at the base of its pinkish bill. It breeds on the Arctic tundra.
White-headed Woodpecker Dryobates albolarvatus Forest 41–45 A striking woodpecker of western North America’s pine forests. It is unique among American woodpeckers for its solid black body and contrasting white head.
White-necked Jacobin Florisuga mellivora Forest 11–12 A large, stunning hummingbird from Central and South America. The male has a brilliant blue head, white belly, and a distinctive white collar on its neck.
White-rumped Sandpiper Calidris fuscicollis Coastal / Tundra 42–46 A shorebird named for its conspicuous white rump, visible in flight. It performs a remarkable long-distance migration from the Arctic to southern South America.
White-tailed Eagle Haliaeetus albicilla Coastal / Wetland 190–240 A massive bird of prey across Eurasia, also known as the Sea Eagle. A successful reintroduction program has brought this majestic eagle back to parts of the UK.
White-tailed Hawk Geranoaetus albicaudatus Grassland / Scrubland 118–140 A large hawk of the Americas, easily identified by its short, white tail with a black band. It often soars high over open country or hovers while hunting.
White-tailed Kite Elanus leucurus Grassland / Wetland 99–107 An elegant, gull-like raptor known for its habit of hovering, or “kiting,” in mid-air before dropping onto its prey. It has a mostly white body and grey wings.
White-tailed Ptarmigan Lagopus leucura Montane / Tundra 54–58 The smallest of the grouse in North America, it lives in high-altitude alpine zones. Its plumage changes from mottled brown in summer to pure white in winter.
White-tailed Tropicbird Phaethon lepturus Coastal / Oceanic 90–105 An elegant seabird of tropical oceans, recognized by its silky white plumage, black eye-mask, and extremely long central tail feathers, known as streamers.
White-throated Dipper Cinclus cinclus Wetland 25–30 Europe’s only aquatic songbird. It can walk underwater on the riverbed, using its wings to “fly” through the current in search of aquatic insect larvae.
White-throated Sparrow Zonotrichia albicollis Forest / Scrubland 20–25 A common sparrow of North America, recognized by its white throat patch and yellow lores. Its clear, whistling song is often transcribed as “Oh, sweet Canada, Canada”.
White-throated Swift Aeronautes saxatalis Montane / Desert 33–35 An incredibly fast-flying bird of western North America. It spends almost its entire life in the air, even mating on the wing, and nests on sheer cliff faces.
White-winged Chough Corcorax melanorhamphos Forest / Woodland 60–68 A large, highly social Australian bird. Groups cooperatively build large mud nests and raise young together, demonstrating complex social behaviors.
White-winged Dove Zenaida asiatica Urban / Desert 48–53 A common dove in the southern US and Mexico, named for the bright white patch on its wings, visible in flight. Its cooing call is a familiar sound of the desert.
White-winged Scoter Melanitta deglandi Coastal / Wetland 84–99 A large sea duck of North America, characterized by a white wing patch (speculum) and the male’s oddly shaped, colorful bill. It dives for mollusks and crustaceans.
Whooper Swan Cygnus cygnus Wetland 205–275 A large swan of Eurasia, named for its loud, bugle-like “whooping” call. Unlike the Mute Swan, it holds its neck straight and has a yellow-and-black bill.
Whooping Crane Grus americana Wetland / Grassland 210–250 The tallest bird in North America and one of its rarest. Decades of conservation efforts have slowly brought this majestic species back from the brink of extinction.
Wigeon, American Mareca americana Wetland 76–91 A dabbling duck of North America. The male is distinguished by a green stripe behind the eye and a conspicuous creamy white crown, earning it the nickname “baldpate”.
Wigeon, Eurasian Mareca penelope Wetland 71–85 A medium-sized duck common across Europe and Asia. The breeding male has a chestnut head with a creamy-yellow forehead and a distinctive whistling call.
Wild Turkey Meleagris gallopavo Forest / Grassland 100–124 The heaviest member of the galliforms, native to North America. Males, called gobblers, are known for their iridescent plumage and famous gobbling call.
Willet Tringa semipalmata Coastal / Wetland 64–79 A large, drab shorebird that reveals a striking black-and-white wing pattern when it flies, often while giving a piercing “pill-will-willet” call.
Williamson’s Sapsucker Sphyrapicus thyroideus Forest 38–43 A woodpecker where males and females look so different they were once thought to be separate species. They drill wells in tree bark to feed on sap.
Willow Flycatcher Empidonax traillii Wetland / Scrubland 20–22 A small, rather plain flycatcher of North America, best identified by its sneezy “fitz-bew” song. It typically nests in dense, shrubby vegetation near water.
Willow Ptarmigan Lagopus lagopus Tundra / Scrubland 55–66 A hardy bird of northern boreal forests and tundra. Its plumage changes seasonally, from mottled brown in summer to pure white for winter camouflage in the snow.
Willow Tit Poecile montanus Forest / Wetland 17–20 A small tit of Europe and Asia, very similar to the Marsh Tit. It is one of the few passerine birds that excavates its own nest cavity in rotting wood.
Willow Warbler Phylloscopus trochilus Forest / Scrubland 16–22 A small, common warbler of Eurasia, known for its beautiful, descending song. It undertakes an incredible long-distance migration to winter in sub-Saharan Africa.
Wilson’s Phalarope Phalaropus tricolor Wetland 33–36 A unique shorebird in which females are larger and more colorful than males. After laying eggs, the female leaves all incubation and chick-rearing duties to the male.
Wilson’s Plover Charadrius wilsonia Coastal 25–28 A small shorebird of the Americas, found on sandy beaches. It has a disproportionately large, heavy bill which it uses to catch crabs and other invertebrates.
Wilson’s Snipe Gallinago delicata Wetland 40–47 A stocky, long-billed shorebird known for its spectacular aerial courtship display, where it creates a unique winnowing sound with its outer tail feathers.
Wilson’s Storm Petrel Oceanites oceanicus Coastal / Oceanic 38–42 One of the most abundant bird species on Earth. This small seabird “dances” on the water’s surface as it feeds, pattering its feet to stir up plankton.
Wilson’s Warbler Cardellina pusilla Forest / Scrubland 15–17 A small, active warbler that is bright yellow overall. The male is easily identified by his neat, black cap. It breeds across Canada and the western U.S.
Winter Wren Troglodytes hiemalis Forest 12–16 A tiny, energetic bird with a surprisingly loud and complex song. This small, dark brown wren often holds its short tail cocked straight up over its back.
Wire-crested Thorntail Discosura popelairii Forest 6–7 A tiny, spectacular hummingbird from the Andean foothills. The male has a wispy, iridescent green crest and long, wire-like tail streamers.
Wood Duck Aix sponsa Wetland / Forest 66–73 Arguably the most beautiful duck in North America. The male has stunning, iridescent plumage, a colorful crested head, and nests in tree cavities near water.
Wood Sandpiper Tringa glareola Wetland 34–37 A small, elegant wader that breeds in subarctic wetlands across Eurasia. It is known for its constantly bobbing tail and sharp, three-note flight call.
Wood Stork Mycteria americana Wetland 150–175 The only stork species that breeds in the United States. This large wading bird has a bald, dark head and feeds by touch, snapping its bill shut on fish in murky water.
Wood Thrush Hylocichla mustelina Forest 30–34 A medium-sized thrush of eastern North America, renowned for its ethereal, flute-like song, often heard at dawn and dusk in deciduous forests.
Wood Warbler Phylloscopus sibilatrix Forest 21–24 A European warbler with bright sulfur-yellow throat and a silvery-white belly. It has two distinct songs: a fast, metallic trill and a series of plaintive “piu” notes.
Woodchat Shrike Lanius senator Scrubland / Farmland 23–26 A “butcher bird” that impales its prey (large insects and small vertebrates) on thorns. The male has a rich chestnut crown, black mask, and white underparts.
Woodcock, American Scolopax minor Forest / Wetland 40–48 A plump, well-camouflaged shorebird that lives in young forests. Famous for its dramatic “sky dance” courtship flight at dawn and dusk in early spring.
Woodcock, Eurasian Scolopax rusticola Forest / Wetland 56–60 A secretive, nocturnal wader of Eurasian woodlands. Its amazing 360-degree vision, thanks to eyes set high on its head, helps it spot predators while foraging.
Woodlark Lullula arborea Grassland / Heathland 27–30 A small European lark known for its beautiful, liquid, descending song, often delivered during a spectacular spiral display flight high in the air.
Woodpecker, Acorn Melanerpes formicivorus Forest 43–48 A highly social woodpecker of western North America, famous for creating “granaries” by drilling thousands of holes in a tree to store acorns for winter.
Woodpecker, Black Dryocopus martius Forest 64–68 Europe’s largest woodpecker, a crow-sized bird with all-black plumage and a striking red crest. Its powerful drumming and loud calls echo through mature forests.
Woodpecker, Downy Dryobates pubescens Forest / Urban 25–30 North America’s smallest woodpecker. A familiar sight at backyard feeders, it can be distinguished from the similar Hairy Woodpecker by its much smaller bill.
Woodpecker, Great Spotted Dendrocopos major Forest / Urban 34–39 The most common and widespread woodpecker in Europe. Its loud, sharp “kick” call and rapid drumming on trees are characteristic sounds of woodlands and parks.
Woodpecker, Hairy Dryobates villosus Forest / Urban 33–41 A widespread North American woodpecker that is a larger, more robust version of the Downy Woodpecker, with a significantly longer and heavier bill.
Woodpecker, Ivory-billed Campephilus principalis Forest / Wetland 76–80 A legendary, giant woodpecker of the southeastern U.S. and Cuba. It is critically endangered and possibly extinct, with no confirmed sightings in decades.
Woodpecker, Lewis’s Melanerpes lewis Forest / Woodland 49–53 A unique North American woodpecker that often catches insects in mid-air. It has an unusual iridescent greenish-black back and a pinkish belly.
Woodpecker, Pileated Dryocopus pileatus Forest 66–75 One of the largest woodpeckers in North America, roughly the size of a crow. It excavates large, rectangular holes in dead trees searching for carpenter ants.
Woodpecker, Red-bellied Melanerpes carolinus Forest / Urban 33–42 A common woodpecker in the eastern U.S., often visiting feeders. Its name is misleading, as the faint reddish wash on its belly is rarely visible.
Woodpecker, Red-headed Melanerpes erythrocephalus Forest / Woodland 43–48 An unmistakable woodpecker with a solid crimson head, stark white body, and black back. It is adept at catching insects on the fly and caching nuts.
Worm-eating Warbler Helmitheros vermivorum Forest 20–22 A warbler of the eastern U.S. that behaves more like a nuthatch, creeping along branches. Despite its name, it primarily eats caterpillars, not earthworms.
Wren, Bewick’s Thryomanes bewickii Scrubland / Urban 18–19 A slender wren with a long, cocked tail and a bold white eyebrow stripe. Its once-common populations in the eastern U.S. have largely vanished.
Wren, Cactus Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus Desert 25–29 The largest wren in the United States, it is a characteristic bird of southwestern deserts. It builds its large, bulky nests in cacti for protection.
Wren, Carolina Thryothorus ludovicianus Forest / Urban 18–20 A chunky wren with a loud “teakettle-teakettle-teakettle” song. A common resident of the southeastern U.S., it is known for nesting in unusual places.
Wren, House Troglodytes aedon Urban / Woodland 15–17 A small, energetic, and highly adaptable wren found throughout the Americas. Males are known for placing sticks in multiple potential nest cavities.
Wren, Marsh Cistothorus palustris Wetland 13–15 A secretive wren of North American cattail marshes. Males build multiple “dummy” nests, with the female choosing one or building her own to raise the young.
Wren, Rock Salpinctes obsoletus Desert / Montane 23–26 A pale wren of arid, rocky environments in western North America. It is known for its habit of building a “pavement” of small, flat stones at its nest entrance.
Wren, Sedge Cistothorus stellaris Grassland / Wetland 13–15 A small, secretive wren that inhabits damp meadows and sedge marshes. It sings a dry, chattering song from low perches, often hidden from view.
Wren, Eurasian Troglodytes troglodytes Forest / Urban 13–17 One of Europe’s smallest birds, a tiny, dynamic ball of energy with a disproportionately powerful and complex song. It holds its short tail cocked upright.
Wrentit Chamaea fasciata Scrubland 15–16 A small, secretive bird of the California chaparral, not a true wren or tit. Pairs often sing a duet and are known to mate for life.
Wryneck, Eurasian Jynx torquilla Woodland / Farmland 25–27 A peculiar member of the woodpecker family, named for its ability to turn its head almost 180 degrees. It has cryptic, bark-like plumage.
Wyoming Warbler Setophaga subita Forest 17-19 A small warbler found only on the island of Barbuda. It is considered a distinct species by some authorities, closely related to the Adelaide’s Warbler.

Descriptions

Wandering Albatross
Wallcreeper
Warbling Vireo
Waved Albatross
Waxwing, Bohemian
Waxwing, Cedar
Weka
Western Bluebird
Western Grebe
Western Gull
Western Kingbird
Western Meadowlark
Western Sandpiper
Western Screech-Owl
Western Tanager
Whale-headed Stork
Wheatear, Northern
Whimbrel
Whinchat
Whiskered Auklet
Whistling Duck, Black-bellied
Whistling Duck, Fulvous
Whistling Heron
White Wagtail
White-bellied Sea Eagle
White-breasted Nuthatch
White-browed Coucal
White-browed Wagtail
White-crowned Sparrow
White-eared Hummingbird
White-eyed Vireo
White-faced Ibis
White-faced Whistling Duck
White-fronted Goose, Greater
White-headed Woodpecker
White-necked Jacobin
White-rumped Sandpiper
White-tailed Eagle
White-tailed Hawk
White-tailed Kite
White-tailed Ptarmigan
White-tailed Tropicbird
White-throated Dipper
White-throated Sparrow
White-throated Swift
White-winged Chough
White-winged Dove
White-winged Scoter
Whooper Swan
Whooping Crane
Wigeon, American
Wigeon, Eurasian
Wild Turkey
Willet
Williamson’s Sapsucker
Willow Flycatcher
Willow Ptarmigan
Willow Tit
Willow Warbler
Wilson’s Phalarope
Wilson’s Plover
Wilson’s Snipe
Wilson’s Storm Petrel
Wilson’s Warbler
Winter Wren
Wire-crested Thorntail
Wood Duck
Wood Sandpiper
Wood Stork
Wood Thrush
Wood Warbler
Woodchat Shrike
Woodcock, American
Woodcock, Eurasian
Woodlark
Woodpecker, Acorn
Woodpecker, Black
Woodpecker, Downy
Woodpecker, Great Spotted
Woodpecker, Hairy
Woodpecker, Ivory-billed
Woodpecker, Lewis’s
Woodpecker, Pileated
Woodpecker, Red-bellied
Woodpecker, Red-headed
Worm-eating Warbler
Wren, Bewick’s
Wren, Cactus
Wren, Carolina
Wren, House
Wren, Marsh
Wren, Rock
Wren, Sedge
Wren, Eurasian
Wrentit
Wryneck, Eurasian
Wyoming Warbler
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