This list includes 71 Birds that start with E, from “Eagle Owl, Eurasian” to “Everglade Snail Kite”. It is useful for birdwatchers, students, educators, and nature writers as a quick species reference.
Birds that start with E are species whose common English names begin with the letter E. The Eurasian Eagle-Owl, a notable example, is a large nocturnal raptor that features in many cultural stories.
Below you’ll find the table with Common name, Scientific name, Habitat, and Wingspan (cm).
Common name: The frequently used English name for each species, helping you quickly locate and recognize birds in field notes.
Scientific name: The accepted binomial gives precise identity and helps you match species across guides and international checklists.
Habitat: A concise habitat category shows where you will most likely find the species in the wild.
Wingspan (cm): Wingspan in centimeters offers a quick size reference for field identification and comparative notes.
Birds that start with E
| Name | Scientific name | Habitat | Wingspan (cm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eagle Owl, Eurasian | Bubo bubo | Forests, rocky outcrops, and steppes | 155-188 |
| Eagle, Bald | Haliaeetus leucocephalus | Coastal areas, rivers, and large lakes | 180-230 |
| Eagle, Golden | Aquila chrysaetos | Mountainous areas, open country, and cliffs | 180-234 |
| Eagle, Harpy | Harpia harpyja | Tropical lowland rainforests | 176-224 |
| Eagle, Martial | Polemaetus bellicosus | Savannas and open woodlands of sub-Saharan Africa | 188-260 |
| Eagle, Philippine | Pithecophaga jefferyi | Tropical rainforests of the Philippines | 184-220 |
| Eagle, Steller’s Sea | Haliaeetus pelagicus | Coastal and riverine areas of northeastern Asia | 195-250 |
| Eagle, Wedge-tailed | Aquila audax | Open country, woodlands, and savannas across Australia | 182-232 |
| Eared Grebe | Podiceps nigricollis | Shallow lakes, ponds, and coastal waters | 30-35 |
| Eared Quetzal | Euptilotis neoxenus | Pine-oak and fir forests in Mexico and the southern US | 33-36 |
| Eastern Bluebird | Sialia sialis | Open woodlands, farmlands, and orchards | 25-32 |
| Eastern Bristlebird | Dasyornis brachypterus | Dense coastal heathland and scrub in eastern Australia | |
| Eastern Imperial Eagle | Aquila heliaca | Open landscapes, steppes, and agricultural areas | 180-215 |
| Eastern Meadowlark | Sturnella magna | Grasslands, prairies, and pastures of eastern North America | 35-40 |
| Eastern Phoebe | Sayornis phoebe | Woodlands near water, bridges, and buildings | 26-28 |
| Eastern Rosella | Platycercus eximius | Open woodlands, grasslands, and suburban parks in Australia | 30-34 |
| Eastern Screech-Owl | Megascops asio | Woodlands, suburban parks, and gardens | 48-61 |
| Eastern Towhee | Pipilo erythrophthalmus | Forest edges, thickets, and overgrown fields | 25-30 |
| Eastern Whipbird | Psophodes olivaceus | Rainforests and wet sclerophyll forests of eastern Australia | 22-25 |
| Eastern Yellow Robin | Eopsaltria australis | Forests, woodlands, and coastal heath in eastern Australia | 20-23 |
| Eclectus Parrot | Eclectus roratus | Lowland rainforests of New Guinea and nearby islands | 70-90 |
| Egyptian Goose | Alopochen aegyptiaca | Wetlands, parks, and grasslands near water | 110-130 |
| Egyptian Vulture | Neophron percnopterus | Open, arid country, cliffs, and gorges | 155-170 |
| Eider, Common | Somateria mollissima | Arctic and subarctic coastal waters | 80-108 |
| Eider, King | Somateria spectabilis | Arctic coastal waters and tundra lakes | 86-102 |
| Eider, Spectacled | Somateria fischeri | Arctic coasts of Alaska and Siberia | 85-95 |
| Elaenia, White-crested | Elaenia albiceps | Woodlands, scrub, and gardens across South America | 25-28 |
| Elegant Trogon | Trogon elegans | Pine-oak canyons and sycamore-lined streams | 33-36 |
| Elf Owl | Micrathene whitneyi | Deserts, arid scrublands, and wooded canyons | 27-30 |
| Emerald Toucanet | Aulacorhynchus prasinus | Montane cloud forests in Central and South America | 35-40 |
| Emperor Penguin | Aptenodytes forsteri | Antarctic sea ice and surrounding waters | 110-130 |
| Emu | Dromaius novaehollandiae | Savannas, scrublands, and forests in Australia | |
| Eskimo Curlew | Numenius borealis | Arctic tundra (breeding); Pampas of South America (wintering) | 80-88 |
| Eurasian Bullfinch | Pyrrhula pyrrhula | Woodlands, parks, and large gardens | 22-26 |
| Eurasian Collared-Dove | Streptopelia decaocto | Farmland, suburban parks, and gardens | 47-55 |
| Eurasian Coot | Fulica atra | Freshwater lakes, ponds, and marshes | 75-85 |
| Eurasian Crag Martin | Ptyonoprogne rupestris | Mountain cliffs, gorges, and sometimes large buildings | 32-34.5 |
| Eurasian Curlew | Numenius arquata | Coastal estuaries, mudflats, and upland moors | 80-100 |
| Eurasian Dotterel | Charadrius morinellus | Arctic and alpine tundra and plateaus | 57-64 |
| Eurasian Eagle-Owl | Bubo bubo | Forests, rocky outcrops, and steppes | 155-188 |
| Eurasian Golden Oriole | Oriolus oriolus | Deciduous forests, parks, and large gardens | 44-48 |
| Eurasian Hobby | Falco subbuteo | Open woodlands, heathland, and farmland | 74-84 |
| Eurasian Hoopoe | Upupa epops | Open country, grasslands, and parks | 44-48 |
| Eurasian Jay | Garrulus glandarius | Mixed woodlands, parks, and gardens | 54-58 |
| Eurasian Kestrel | Falco tinnunculus | Open country, farmland, cliffs, and urban areas | 65-82 |
| Eurasian Magpie | Pica pica | Open country, farmland, and urban parks | 44-46 |
| Eurasian Nuthatch | Sitta europaea | Deciduous woodlands, parks, and gardens | 22.5-27 |
| Eurasian Oystercatcher | Haematopus ostralegus | Coastal mudflats, rocky shores, and inland fields | 80-86 |
| Eurasian Reed Warbler | Acrocephalus scirpaceus | Reed beds and wetlands | 17-21 |
| Eurasian Robin | Erithacus rubecula | Woodlands, parks, and gardens | 20-22 |
| Eurasian Skylark | Alauda arvensis | Open farmland and grassland | 30-36 |
| Eurasian Siskin | Spinus spinus | Coniferous and mixed woodlands | 20-23 |
| Eurasian Sparrowhawk | Accipiter nisus | Woodlands, parks, and suburban gardens | 56-78 |
| Eurasian Spoonbill | Platalea leucorodia | Coastal marshes, wetlands, and estuaries | 115-135 |
| Eurasian Starling | Sturnus vulgaris | Farmland, urban areas, and open country | 37-42 |
| Eurasian Teal | Anas crecca | Sheltered freshwater wetlands and marshes | 53-59 |
| Eurasian Treecreeper | Certhia familiaris | Woodlands and parks with mature trees | 18-21 |
| Eurasian Wryneck | Jynx torquilla | Open woodlands, orchards, and heathland | 25-27 |
| European Bee-eater | Merops apiaster | Open country with sandy banks, river valleys | 44-49 |
| European Goldfinch | Carduelis carduelis | Farmland, open woodlands, and gardens | 21-25.5 |
| European Green Woodpecker | Picus viridis | Woodlands, parkland, and pastures with old trees | 45-51 |
| European Greenfinch | Chloris chloris | Woodlands, parks, gardens, and farmland | 24.5-27.5 |
| European Honey Buzzard | Pernis apivorus | Woodlands and forests | 110-135 |
| European Nightjar | Caprimulgus europaeus | Heathlands, open woodlands, and clearings | 52-60 |
| European Pied Flycatcher | Ficedula hypoleuca | Deciduous woodlands, parks, and gardens | 22-25 |
| European Roller | Coracias garrulus | Open country with scattered trees, farmland | 66-73 |
| European Scops Owl | Otus scops | Woodlands, parks, and gardens | 47-54 |
| European Shag | Gulosus aristotelis | Rocky coastlines and cliffs | 90-105 |
| European Stonechat | Saxicola rubicola | Heathland, coastal scrub, and rough grassland | 18-21 |
| Evening Grosbeak | Coccothraustes vespertinus | Coniferous and mixed forests | 30-36 |
| Everglade Snail Kite | Rostrhamus sociabilis | Freshwater marshes and wetlands | 99-105 |
Descriptions
Eagle Owl, Eurasian
One of the world’s largest owls, with prominent ear tufts and striking orange eyes. It’s a powerful apex predator, capable of hunting prey as large as foxes and young deer across Eurasia and North Africa.
Eagle, Bald
The national bird of the United States, known for its striking white head and tail. A powerful raptor that primarily eats fish, it has made a remarkable recovery from being endangered.
Eagle, Golden
A magnificent raptor of the Northern Hemisphere, known for its golden-brown plumage and incredible speed. It hunts a variety of prey, including rabbits, marmots, and squirrels, often in dramatic aerial pursuits.
Eagle, Harpy
One of the world’s largest and most powerful eagles, found in Central and South American rainforests. Its massive talons are comparable to grizzly bear claws, used to snatch sloths and monkeys from trees.
Eagle, Martial
Africa’s largest eagle, a formidable and aggressive hunter. It has a distinctive crest and spotted underparts, preying on everything from gamebirds to small antelopes. Its population is declining.
Eagle, Philippine
The national bird of the Philippines, this critically endangered eagle is one of the world’s rarest. With a shaggy crest and intense blue-gray eyes, it is a specialized hunter of monkeys and other arboreal animals.
Eagle, Steller’s Sea
One of the heaviest eagles in the world, distinguished by its massive yellow bill and white wing patches. It primarily feeds on fish, especially salmon, during their spawning runs.
Eagle, Wedge-tailed
Australia’s largest bird of prey, easily identified by its long, diamond-shaped tail. It is an opportunistic hunter, feeding on rabbits, reptiles, and carrion, and is often seen soaring high on thermal currents.
Eared Grebe
A small waterbird known for the golden “ears” or plumes it develops during breeding season. It is a superb diver, feeding on aquatic insects and crustaceans. In winter, millions gather on saline lakes.
Eared Quetzal
A stunning relative of the more famous Resplendent Quetzal. It lacks the long tail streamers but has iridescent green plumage, a red belly, and wispy “ear” tufts. It feeds primarily on fruits and insects.
Eastern Bluebird
A beloved songbird of eastern North America, with a brilliant blue back and a warm, reddish-brown breast. It is a symbol of happiness and is often attracted to nest boxes in suburban gardens.
Eastern Bristlebird
An elusive and endangered ground-dwelling bird with a distinctive loud call. It has spiny “bristles” at the base of its bill and prefers to run through dense vegetation rather than fly.
Eastern Imperial Eagle
A large, powerful eagle of southeastern Europe and Asia. It has a dark body with a pale golden crown and nape. This vulnerable species faces threats from habitat loss and persecution.
Eastern Meadowlark
Known for its beautiful, flute-like song that rings across open fields. It has a bright yellow belly with a distinct black “V” on its chest and often perches on fence posts to sing.
Eastern Phoebe
A small flycatcher of eastern North America, known for its habit of wagging its tail. It often builds its mud-and-moss nest under eaves or bridges and has a distinct, raspy “fee-bee” call.
Eastern Rosella
A brightly colored parrot native to southeastern Australia. Its plumage is a stunning mosaic of red, yellow, green, and blue, making it a spectacular sight in gardens and parks.
Eastern Screech-Owl
A small, nocturnal owl with prominent ear tufts, found in eastern North America. Its camouflage allows it to blend perfectly with tree bark, and it makes a distinctive, whinnying call rather than a hoot.
Eastern Towhee
A striking sparrow-like bird of eastern North America. Males have a black head and back, reddish-brown sides, and a white belly. It is often heard rustling in leaf litter, searching for insects.
Eastern Whipbird
Named for its remarkable call, which starts with a long whistle and ends in a sharp “whip-crack” sound. This shy, ground-foraging bird is more often heard than seen in the dense undergrowth.
Eastern Yellow Robin
A curious and confiding bird with a bright yellow breast. It often perches sideways on tree trunks and pounces on insects on the ground, following people through the forest out of curiosity.
Eclectus Parrot
Famous for its extreme sexual dimorphism: the male is brilliant emerald green, while the female is a stunning crimson and royal blue. They are social birds that nest in hollow tree trunks.
Egyptian Goose
A distinctive waterfowl, technically a shelduck, native to Africa. It has a pale body, a dark brown eye-patch, and chestnut markings. It has become an established invasive species in parts of Europe.
Egyptian Vulture
A small Old World vulture known for its intelligence, particularly its use of tools. It uses rocks to break open large eggs, like those of ostriches. This endangered species has a white body and a bare yellow face.
Eider, Common
A large sea duck famous for its incredibly soft and insulating down feathers, which are harvested from nests to make high-end bedding. Males are a striking black and white, while females are mottled brown.
Eider, King
An Arctic sea duck renowned for the male’s spectacular breeding plumage. It features a large, knob-like orange bill shield, a pale blue crown, and sea-green cheeks, making it one of the most ornate ducks.
Eider, Spectacled
Named for the distinctive, large, white “spectacles” around the male’s eyes, outlined in black. This sea duck is a threatened species, breeding on the Arctic tundra and wintering in the Bering Sea.
Elaenia, White-crested
A common and widespread flycatcher in South America. It is a rather plain, olive-brown bird but is identified by its white crown patch (often concealed) and its persistent, burry calls.
Elegant Trogon
A beautiful bird of Mexico and the southwestern US. The male has an iridescent green head, a bright red belly, and a finely barred tail. It nests in cavities, often in sycamore trees along mountain streams.
Elf Owl
The world’s smallest owl, barely larger than a sparrow. It nests in old woodpecker holes, often in giant saguaro cacti, in the southwestern US and Mexico. It feeds primarily on insects and scorpions.
Emerald Toucanet
A small, vibrant green toucan with a distinctively colored bill that varies by region. It travels in small flocks through the forest canopy, feeding on fruits, insects, and small reptiles.
Emperor Penguin
The tallest and heaviest of all penguins, famous for its epic breeding journeys across the Antarctic ice. It endures the harsh polar winter to incubate a single egg, a testament to its incredible endurance.
Emu
Australia’s largest bird and the second largest in the world. This flightless runner is known for its long legs and shaggy brown feathers. It is nomadic, covering great distances to find food.
Eskimo Curlew
A shorebird that is tragically presumed extinct, or at the very least, critically endangered. It was once incredibly numerous, undertaking long migrations, but was hunted to the brink in the 19th century.
Eurasian Bullfinch
A stocky, colorful finch. The male has a bright rosy-pink breast, a black cap, and a gray back, making it a stunning sight, especially in winter. It has a soft, whistling call.
Eurasian Collared-Dove
Originally from Asia, this pale, sandy-gray dove has undergone one of the most remarkable range expansions of any bird, colonizing all of Europe and much of North America. It is known for its monotonous, cooing call.
Eurasian Coot
A common black waterbird with a distinctive white bill and frontal shield. Though it resembles a duck, it is a member of the rail family. It is known for its noisy, aggressive territorial disputes.
Eurasian Crag Martin
An agile swallow-like bird that breeds in mountainous regions across Eurasia. It builds a mud nest on cliff faces and is known for its acrobatic flight as it catches insects on the wing.
Eurasian Curlew
Europe’s largest wading bird, instantly recognizable by its extremely long, down-curved bill and evocative, bubbling call. This near-threatened species uses its bill to probe deep into mud for invertebrates.
Eurasian Dotterel
A unique plover in which the gender roles are reversed. The female is more brightly colored, and the male is responsible for incubating the eggs and raising the young. It is known for being remarkably tame.
Eurasian Eagle-Owl
One of the world’s largest and most powerful owls. With its massive size, prominent ear tufts, and deep hooting call, it is an apex predator of the night across Eurasia.
Eurasian Golden Oriole
A brilliantly colored but secretive bird. The male is a stunning, unmistakable bright yellow with black wings. Despite its appearance, it is difficult to see in the high canopy. It has a beautiful, fluting song.
Eurasian Hobby
A small, swift falcon resembling a miniature Peregrine. It is incredibly agile, specializing in catching dragonflies and small birds like swallows and swifts in mid-air.
Eurasian Hoopoe
A spectacular bird with a sandy-pink body, bold black-and-white striped wings, and a huge, erectile crest that it fans when excited. It forages on the ground for insects with its long, curved bill.
Eurasian Jay
A colorful member of the corvid family, with a pinkish-brown body and a startlingly bright blue patch on its wings. It is famous for its love of acorns, burying thousands each autumn as a winter store.
Eurasian Kestrel
A small falcon famous for its characteristic hunting method of hovering in mid-air while it scans the ground for small mammals and insects. It has adapted well to living alongside humans in cities.
Eurasian Magpie
An intelligent and highly social corvid with an unmistakable iridescent black and white plumage and a very long tail. It has a reputation for being curious and is known for its harsh, chattering call.
Eurasian Nuthatch
The only British bird that can walk down a tree trunk headfirst. This small, energetic bird has a blue-gray back, a buff-orange belly, and a black eye-stripe. It wedges nuts into bark crevices to hack them open.
Eurasian Oystercatcher
A large, noisy, black-and-white wading bird with a long, bright orange-red bill and pink legs. Despite its name, it feeds more on mussels and cockles than oysters, prying or hammering them open.
Eurasian Reed Warbler
A small, plain brown bird that is a master of camouflage in its reed bed habitat. It is best known for its complex, chattering, and repetitive song, which it delivers from a hidden perch among the reeds.
Eurasian Robin
A familiar and beloved garden bird in Europe, recognized by its bright orange-red breast. Despite its charming appearance, it is fiercely territorial and has a beautiful, warbling song.
Eurasian Skylark
Renowned for the beautiful, complex song of the male, delivered during a spectacular hovering display flight high in the air. This small brown bird is a classic symbol of the European countryside.
Eurasian Siskin
A small, acrobatic finch. The male has a streaky, yellow-green body with a black cap and bib. They are often seen in flocks, hanging upside-down from alder and birch trees to feed on the seeds.
Eurasian Sparrowhawk
A small bird of prey specializing in hunting small woodland birds. It is a master of surprise attacks, using cover to dash out and catch its prey. The female is significantly larger than the male.
Eurasian Spoonbill
A large, elegant white waterbird instantly identified by its unique, long bill, which is flattened into a spoon-shape at the tip. It feeds by sweeping its bill from side to side through shallow water.
Eurasian Starling
A highly social and adaptable bird known for its glossy, iridescent plumage and its remarkable ability to mimic other birds’ calls. In winter, they form huge, mesmerizing flocks called murmurations.
Eurasian Teal
One of the smallest ducks in Europe. The male is very handsome, with a chestnut head, a broad iridescent green eye-stripe, and a gray body. It is a fast and agile flier.
Eurasian Treecreeper
A small, well-camouflaged bird that spirals up tree trunks like a mouse, probing for insects in the bark with its fine, curved bill. It has a very high-pitched, almost inaudible call.
Eurasian Wryneck
A strange member of the woodpecker family that looks more like a passerine. It gets its name from its ability to turn its head almost 180 degrees, a snake-like defense display when threatened.
European Bee-eater
A breathtakingly colorful bird with a turquoise belly, yellow throat, and chestnut crown. It is a social, aerial hunter that catches bees and other flying insects, expertly removing their stings before eating.
European Goldfinch
A small, brightly colored finch with a red face, a black and white head, and brilliant yellow wing-bars. Often seen in flocks, called “charms,” feeding on thistle seeds with their fine, pointed bills.
European Green Woodpecker
A large woodpecker with moss-green plumage, a bright red crown, and a pale belly. It is most often seen on the ground, where it feeds almost exclusively on ants, digging into their nests with its strong bill.
European Greenfinch
A stocky, sociable finch. The male is olive-green with bright yellow flashes on its wings and tail. It has a distinctive, twittering song, often ending in a wheezing “dweeez.”
European Honey Buzzard
A specialized raptor that feeds primarily on the larvae and nests of wasps and bees. It has dense, scale-like feathers on its face to protect it from stings as it excavates nests on the ground.
European Nightjar
A mysterious, nocturnal bird with superb bark-like camouflage. It is most famous for its bizarre, churring song, which sounds like a distant engine and rises and falls in pitch at dusk.
European Pied Flycatcher
A small, charismatic migrant. In spring, the male is a smart black and white, though this can vary. It is an insect-eater, often seen sallying out from a perch to catch flies in mid-air.
European Roller
A stocky, crow-sized bird with stunning azure-blue and turquoise plumage. It is an acrobatic flyer, named for the rolling aerial courtship displays it performs. Its population has declined significantly.
European Scops Owl
A tiny, nocturnal owl with small ear tufts and incredible bark-like camouflage. Its presence is usually given away by its monotonous, metronomic “tyoo” call, repeated every few seconds through the night.
European Shag
A coastal seabird similar to a cormorant but more slender and with a greenish gloss to its black plumage. In the breeding season, it develops a prominent, forward-curving crest on its forehead.
European Stonechat
A small, perky bird often seen flicking its wings and tail while perched atop a gorse bush. The male has a black head, a white collar, and an orange-red breast. Its call sounds like two stones being tapped together.
Evening Grosbeak
A large, chunky finch of North America with a massive, conical bill for cracking seeds. The male is a spectacular bird with a yellow body, a dark head with a yellow “eyebrow,” and bold white wing patches.
Everglade Snail Kite
A highly specialized raptor of the Americas, particularly the Florida Everglades. It feeds almost exclusively on apple snails, which it plucks from the water and extracts with its slender, deeply hooked bill.