There are thousands of bird species in the world, and probably just as many ways to categorize them. This article focuses on bird species with names that end in the letter P, including birds like the black bishop and greater scaup. As we learn about each of these species, you’ll see that some of them have more in common than just the last letter of their names.
Let’s dive in!
1. Black bishop
Scientific Name: Euplectes gierowii
The Black bishop is a species recognized for its sexual dimorphism feature. Breeding males have scarlet and black plumage, while females and non-breeding males are brown with streaks.
Despite their similarity to other bishops and widowbirds, females and non-breeding males can be recognized by their darker color, heavily streaked back and breast, and larger size.
Their diet primarily consists of seeds and insects. They construct intricate woven nests, showcasing their skill and adaptability to their environment.
2. Eurasian blackcap
Scientific Name: Sylvia atricapilla
The Eurasian blackcap is primarily found across Europe, western Asia, and northern Africa. This bird is notable for its distinctive cap, where males have a plain grayish overall and a black cap, while females sport a brown cap, set against their slightly brown-greyish bodies with lighter underparts.
Eurasian blackcaps are adaptable, inhabiting woodlands, gardens, and shrubs. They are migratory, wintering in the Mediterranean and parts of Africa. Their diet consists mainly of insects in summer and berries in winter, showcasing their dietary adaptability.
3. Greater scaup
Scientific Name: Aythya marila
The Greater scaup is a medium-sized diving duck commonly found in the northern regions of North America, Europe, and Asia, with winter migrations bringing them to coastal and inland waters across the United States.
Males are recognizable by their dark heads with a greenish sheen, white underparts, and black rear, while females are predominantly brown with a white patch near the bill. Both sexes feature distinctive blue bills.
Greater scaups are known for their preference for large, deep lakes and coastal bays, where they dive for mollusks, aquatic plants, and small invertebrates. Their behaviors include forming large flocks on water, making them a common sight in suitable winter habitats.
4. Lesser scaup
Scientific Name: Aythya affinis
The Lesser scaup is a widespread North American duck, common across the United States during migration and wintering periods. Males feature a black breast, a gray back with fine bars, whitish (sometimes dusty-looking) sides, and yellow eyes. Their head looks black and can have a purplish or greenish sheen in the right light. Females are brown with a white patch at the base of their bill and yellow eyes.
Lesser scaups are notable for their preference for freshwater lakes, ponds, and rivers, but they can also be found in coastal bays and estuaries. They dive to feed on aquatic invertebrates, seeds, and plants.
5. Purple-bibbed whitetip
Scientific Name: Urosticte benjamini
The Purple-bibbed whitetipis a hummingbird species native to the Andean regions of Colombia and Ecuador. Males are identifiable by their purple throat patch (or bib), white tips on the tail feathers, and green body, while females lack the purple bib and are generally duller with more subdued colors.
This species prefers humid forest edges and secondary growth at mid to high elevations. They feed primarily on nectar, utilizing their agility to hover and access flowers, but also consume insects for protein.
6. Rufous-vented whitetip
Scientific Name: Urosticte ruficrissa
The Rufous-vented whitetip is a hummingbird species prevalent in South America, particularly in the Andean regions. This bird is distinguished by its plumage; males and females exhibit slight differences in coloration.
The male showcases a green body with a dark throat and white-tipped inner tail feathers forming a rounded spot while females display green-scaled white underparts, a white mustache stripe, white tail corners, and a buff-colored vent, excluding the thighs.
They inhabit humid montane forests, often seen flitting in and around the understory, where they feed on nectar from a variety of flowers using their specialized bill. Unique behaviors include a distinctive hovering flight pattern and territorial aggression during feeding.
7. Snowcap
Scientific Name: Microchera albocoronata
The Snowcap is a small hummingbird prevalent in Central America, particularly from Honduras to Panama. This species stands out for its distinctive sexual dimorphism, where the male Snowcap is distinctive and eye-catching with a deep red-wine body and a bright white cap, easily recognized within its limited range. Female, though less vibrant, is marked by her small stature, snowy white underbelly, and short, straight bill.
Snowcaps are unique for their preference for lowland and foothill forests, especially in areas adjacent to streams. They exhibit territorial behaviors, often seen defending and feeding territories vigorously. Their diet primarily consists of nectar, supplemented by small insects and spiders.
8. Yellow bishop
Scientific Name: Euplectes capensis
The Yellow bishop also known as the Yellow-rumped widow is known for its sexual dimorphism feature. Males during the breeding season display a vivid yellow and black plumage, with the rest of the year, and females presenting a more subdued, mostly brown appearance with less distinctive markings.
Yellow bishops inhabit grasslands and open fields, where they can often be seen perched conspicuously or performing their unique bouncing flight display. Their diet mainly consists of seeds and insects.
9. Yellow-crowned bishop
Scientific Name: Euplectes afer
The Yellow-crowned bishop is a vibrant bird species native to Africa, that is particularly found in the Sahel to South Africa and is not native to the USA. The males are notable for their breeding plumage, featuring a bright yellow crown, chest, and back, contrasted with black throats, cheeks, belly, wings, and tail.
Outside the breeding season, they resemble the more subdued females, who are primarily brown with some lighter streaking. Yellow-crowned bishops thrive in open grasslands and wetlands, where they feed on seeds and insects.
Mary is an outdoor enthusiast, nature lover, and amateur birdwatcher that enjoys sharing her knowledge and experiences with others.