In this list, we’ve done a search for bird species whose names end with the letter O, like the colorful flamingo, Hawaii’s flycatcher the ʻelepaio, and the popular pet, the Cockatoo. We’ll begin by looking at pictures of these birds along with several others and learning about their amazing features and traits.
So let’s get started!
1. American flamingo
Scientific Name: Phoenicopterus ruber
The American flamingo stands out with its bright pink feathers, long neck, and unique beak designed for filtering food like shrimp and algae from water, which gives them their pink color. They live in the Caribbean and parts of Central and South America, preferring salty waters like lagoons and coastal areas.
These flamingos are very social, gathering in large groups that help protect them from predators and make it easier to find food. They perform interesting group rituals for breeding and nesting.
2. Black-capped vireo
Scientific Name: Vireo atricapilla
The Black-capped vireo is a small bird with a black cap contrasting against its white underparts and greenish upper body. This bird is known for its unique song, a series of quick, cheerful notes that make it a joy for birdwatchers to hear. Found primarily in the central and southern United States during its breeding season, particularly in Texas and Oklahoma, it migrates to Mexico for the winter.
The Black-capped vireo inhabits scrubby areas, oak-juniper woodlands, and brushy fields, where it builds its nests low in shrubs. It feeds on insects and spiders, often catching them in mid-air.
3. Dark-eyed junco
Scientific Name: Junco hyemalis
The Dark-eyed junco is a small, slate-gray bird with a white belly, known for its distinct coloration and cheerful twittering. This bird is highly adaptable and found across North America, from forests to suburban areas, making it one of the most common birds on the continent. Juncos are ground feeders, often spotted hopping on the earth as they forage for seeds, insects, and berries.
One of their unique features is the variation in coloration among different populations, leading to several recognized subspecies with differing shades and patterns. Dark-eyed juncos are known for their migratory behavior, moving south from their breeding grounds in Canada and the northern United States to spend the winter.
4. Greater flamingo
Scientific Name: Phoenicopterus roseus
The Greater flamingo is the largest and most widespread species of flamingo, famous for its long legs, S-shaped neck, and striking pink to reddish feathers, which get their color from the carotenoid pigments in their diet of shrimp and algae. These elegant birds are found in various parts of the world, including Africa, southern Europe, the Middle East, and India, inhabiting saline lakes, estuaries, and lagoons where they can filter-feed in the water.
Greater flamingos are highly social, living in large flocks that can number in the thousands, which helps protect individuals from predators.
5. Hawaiʻi ʻelepaio
Scientific Name: Chasiempis sandwichensis
The Hawaiʻi ʻelepaio is a small, adaptable flycatcher native to Hawaiʻi, known for its distinct call that echoes its name. Characterized by its varied plumage, which can range from gray to brown with white underparts, this bird has a notable tail that it often fans and flicks while foraging.
The Hawaiʻi ʻelepaio is unique to the Hawaiian Islands, with its presence mainly in the forests of Oʻahu, Hawaiʻi Island, and historically Kauaʻi, indicating its adaptation to diverse island ecosystems.
6. Kauaʻi ʻelepaio
Scientific Name: Chasiempis sclateri
The Kauaʻi ʻelepaio is a small, charming bird endemic to the island of Kauaʻi in Hawaiʻi. It exhibits a distinctive combination of white, gray, and rufous plumage, making it easily distinguishable from its counterparts on other islands. This species is versatile, inhabiting a range of forested environments from lowland valleys to montane regions, demonstrating a strong adaptation to its island home.
The Kauaʻi ʻelepaio is an insectivore, skillfully foraging for bugs and spiders among the foliage. Notably, this bird has a curious and fearless nature, often investigating humans and other animals in its territory.
7. Lesser flamingo
Scientific Name: Phoeniconaias minor
The Lesser flamingo is known for its vibrant pink feathers, a result of the algae and crustaceans in its diet. Smaller than its cousin, the Greater flamingo, it stands out with a dark bill and deep pink-to-red plumage. These birds are found in large flocks in the alkaline lakes and salt pans of Africa, with some populations in northwest India.
They prefer shallow waters where they can feed by filtering water for small organisms. The Lesser flamingo is highly social, engaging in synchronized displays that are crucial for communication and breeding.
8. Warbling vireo
Scientific Name: Vireo gilvus
The Warbling vireo, a small and inconspicuous bird, is widely distributed across the United States, especially prevalent in deciduous and mixed forests during the breeding season. Sporting a subdued palette, both males and females feature light grayish-olive above with a whitish underside and pale yellowish wash on the sides, making them hard to distinguish based on color alone.
They are named for their melodious warbling song, a distinctive behavior that makes them more often heard than seen. These birds exhibit a strong preference for dense foliage where they skillfully construct their nests and forage for insects and berries.
9. White cockatoo
Scientific Name: Cacatua alba
The White cockatoo, also known as the Umbrella cockatoo due to its expansive crest, is native to the tropical rainforests of Indonesia, not commonly found in the wild within the USA but often kept as a pet. This striking bird boasts primarily white plumage, with a distinctive circular crest that it can fan out. There is little to no visual difference between males and females, making it challenging to distinguish between the two based on appearance alone.
Known for their intelligence and sociable nature, White cockatoos require significant attention and stimulation to thrive in captivity. They have a varied diet that includes seeds, nuts, fruits, and insects. A notable behavior is their strong bonding with mates and owners, demonstrating affection through vocalizations and physical gestures.
10. Yellow-eyed junco
Scientific Name: Junco phaeonotus
The Yellow-eyed junco is a distinctive bird primarily found in the high-elevation forests of the American Southwest, including Arizona and New Mexico. Characterized by its striking yellow eyes, the junco has a gray body contrasted with a white belly and rust-colored back, with little variation between males and females.
These birds are ground feeders, often seen foraging for seeds and insects among the forest floor’s leaf litter. They are notable for their boldness around humans, making them a common sight in mountainous campgrounds and trails. Their habitat preference includes coniferous and mixed forests, particularly in areas with a dense understory.
Mary is an outdoor enthusiast, nature lover, and amateur birdwatcher that enjoys sharing her knowledge and experiences with others.