Whether you’ve stumbled upon this article due to being stuck in a game or puzzle, or simply by chance, let’s talk about birds that end with vowels from various groups of birds found in North America. Some notable examples include the Common myna, known for its mimicry skills, the barnacle goose, and the majestic bald eagle. We’ll also share some unique characteristics such as physical appearance, behavior, and fun facts about these birds.
So, let’s get started!
1. Common myna
Scientific Name: Acridotheres tristis
The Common myna is a robust bird known for its brown body, black head, and distinctive yellow eye patch and legs. Originally from Asia, it has become an established invasive species in many parts of the world, including Hawaii, primarily due to its adaptability to various environments and its omnivorous diet.
Common mynas are often found in urban and suburban areas, where they live close to humans, taking advantage of food sources and nesting sites. These birds are highly social and known for their loud calls and ability to mimic sounds.
2. Chestnut munia
Scientific Name: Lonchura atricapilla
The Chestnut munia, formerly known as the Black-headed munia, is a small, attractive bird characterized by its deep chestnut body and contrasting black head and throat. Native to Southeast Asia, it has been introduced to various regions, including parts of North America, where it is less common. This bird prefers grasslands, rice fields, and open habitats where it can feed on seeds, often seen in flocks.
The Chestnut munia is renowned for its sociable nature and pleasant chirping, making it a popular bird among enthusiasts. While not widely spread in North America, where it’s found mainly in Hawaii, it adapts well to similar environments as its native habitat.
3. Barnacle goose
Scientific Name: Branta leucopsis
The Barnacle goose is a medium-sized, black-and-white bird with a distinctive face pattern and a gray back. Originating from the Arctic regions of Greenland, Svalbard, and the Russian Arctic, it winters in parts of Western Europe. In recent years, small, feral populations have become established in North America, particularly in the Northeast.
Traditionally, these geese breed on Arctic islands and coastal cliffs, away from predators, and migrate in large flocks to wintering grounds, showcasing impressive V-shaped formations. The name “Barnacle goose” stems from an old myth that the birds hatched from barnacles, a belief held due to their sudden appearance in winter, far from their breeding grounds.
4. Cackling goose
Scientific Name: Branta hutchinsii
The Cackling goose is a small waterfowl closely related to the Canada goose but distinguished by its smaller size, shorter neck, and more rounded head. It has a variety of subspecies with varying sizes and plumage details, but typically features a black head, white cheek patches, and a grey-brown body. Native to North America, the Cackling goose breeds in the Arctic and subarctic regions of Canada and Alaska and winters in the southern United States and northern Mexico.
Preferred habitats include tundra, marshes, and coastal areas where they feed on a diet of grasses, grains, and aquatic plants. The species was once considered a smaller form of the Canada goose but has been recognized as separate due to distinct vocalizations and genetic differences.
5. Gray partridge
Scientific Name: Perdix perdix
The Gray partridge, also known as the Hungarian Partridge, is a plump bird with a distinctive orange face and gray body, marked by a horseshoe pattern on the belly. Originally from Europe, it has been successfully introduced to North America, particularly in the northern United States and southern Canada, where it thrives in farmlands and grasslands.
This bird prefers open habitats where it feeds on seeds and insects. Known for its ground-dwelling habits, the Gray partridge seldom takes to the air unless startled, preferring to run when threatened. It is celebrated for its “covey” behavior in winter, where groups huddle together for warmth.
6. Ruffed grouse
Scientific Name: Bonasa umbellus
The Ruffed grouse is a medium-sized game bird known for the distinctive ruff of feathers around its neck and the striking black band near the tail’s edge. Its plumage blends seamlessly with the forested environments of North America, from the Appalachian Mountains across Canada to Alaska, making it a master of camouflage. This bird prefers deciduous and mixed forests, especially those with dense underbrush where it feeds on buds, leaves, and berries.
The Ruffed grouse is famous for its unique courtship display, where males create a deep, drumming sound by beating their wings in the air, a behavior that can be heard over long distances in their woodland habitats.
7. Horned grebe
Scientific Name: Podiceps auritus
The Horned grebe is a small waterbird notable for its breeding plumage, including black and chestnut colors and distinctive golden-yellow tufts on its head, resembling horns. Outside the breeding season, it adopts a more subdued gray and white appearance.
This species inhabits freshwater lakes and coastal waters across North America, breeding in Canada and the northern United States, and wintering along both the Pacific and Atlantic coasts. The Horned grebe is an excellent diver, feeding mainly on aquatic invertebrates and some small fish. It builds floating nests anchored to submerged vegetation.
8. Eared dove
Scientific Name: Zenaida auriculata
The Eared dove, named for the small black feathers on the sides of its head resembling ears, is a small, attractive bird with a grayish-brown body, black spots on its wings, and a long tail with white outer feathers. Primarily found in South America, this species has been expanding its range into Central America and southern Texas in North America.
It thrives in open and semi-open areas, including agricultural lands, where it often forms large flocks. The Eared dove feeds mainly on seeds and grains, making it a frequent visitor to bird feeders in areas where it occurs.
9. Zenaida dove
Scientific Name: Zenaida aurita
The Zenaida dove is a medium-sized bird with a sleek body, characterized by its soft gray to brown plumage, distinctive black markings on the wings, and a long tail with white edges. This species is closely related to the Mourning dove but is primarily found in the Caribbean islands, with occasional sightings in the southernmost parts of Florida.
It prefers a variety of habitats, including open woodlands, gardens, and coastal areas, where it can be seen foraging for seeds and fruits on the ground. The Zenaida dove is known for its deep, rhythmic cooing, which adds to the serene soundscape of its environment.
10. Common gallinule
Scientific Name: Gallinula galeata
The Common gallinule, formerly known as the Common moorhen, is a waterbird with dark plumage, a striking red and yellow bill, and a white tail marking that is often flashed as a signal. This bird is adept at both swimming in water and walking on floating vegetation, thanks to its long toes that distribute its weight evenly.
Widely distributed across North America, it can be found in freshwater marshes, ponds, and lakes, where it feeds on a variety of plant material and small aquatic creatures. The Common gallinule is known for its loud, cackling calls and aggressive defense of its territory.
11. Ruddy turnstone
Scientific Name: Arenaria
The Ruddy turnstone is a small, robust shorebird known for its bright, calico-like plumage of black, white, and chestnut during the breeding season, and for its unique feeding behavior of flipping over stones and debris to find food. It has a short, pointed bill and orange legs, making it quite distinctive among shorebirds.
This species is a true globetrotter, breeding in the Arctic regions of North America and Eurasia, and wintering along coastlines all over the world, including the coasts of North America from the United States to Central and South America. Ruddy turnstones inhabit rocky shorelines, sandy beaches, and mudflats, showing remarkable adaptability. They feed on insects, crustaceans, and other small invertebrates.
12. Bald eagle
Scientific Name: Haliaeetus leucocephalus
The Bald eagle, America’s national bird, is a majestic raptor with a white head and tail, contrasting against a dark brown body and wings. Juveniles display mottled brown and white until they reach maturity at about five years. With a massive wingspan of up to 7 feet, they are formidable hunters, primarily feeding on fish.
Bald eagles are found throughout North America, from Alaska and Canada down through the United States to northern Mexico, favoring large bodies of open water with abundant fish and tall trees for nesting. These birds are monogamous and known for their impressive, large nests built high in trees or on cliffs. Once endangered, conservation efforts have led to a significant recovery, making the Bald eagle a successful symbol of wildlife preservation.
13. Harpy eagle
Scientific Name: Harpia harpyja
The Harpy eagle, one of the largest and most powerful raptors, resides in the rainforests of Central and South America. They have a broad, black band across the chest that contrasts sharply with its predominantly white underside, complemented by a distinctive feathered crest on its head. Equipped with massive talons and strong legs, this eagle preys on large animals such as monkeys and sloths.
Harpy eagles favor vast expanses of undisturbed rainforest, where they establish territories spanning several square kilometers. Solitary by nature, they only come together for breeding purposes. Known for their remarkable hunting skills, they often capture prey directly from the trees.
14. Tufted titmouse
Scientific Name: Baeolophus bicolor
The Tufted titmouse is a small, charismatic bird with a gray upper body, white underparts, and an expressive crest on its head. Found throughout the eastern United States, it is a common sight in deciduous and mixed forests, gardens, parks, and backyard feeders. This bird is known for its loud, clear song and its curious and bold nature.
The Tufted titmouse feeds on a variety of insects, seeds, and berries, and is adept at using its feet to hold food while pecking at it. They are cavity nesters, often utilizing holes in trees or nest boxes. A fascinating behavior of the Tufted titmouse is its habit of storing food for later consumption.
15. Greater ani
Scientific Name: Crotophaga major
The Greater ani is a large bird belonging to the cuckoo family, recognizable by its glossy black plumage, long tail, and distinctive large beak. Greater Ani’s are predominantly found in the wetlands and swamps of South America.
These ani’s are social birds, known for their unique communal nesting behavior where multiple pairs lay eggs in a single, large nest and share parenting duties. They feed primarily on insects and small vertebrates, often foraging in groups. Their vocalizations are a notable aspect, consisting of various croaks and squawks that contribute to the soundscape of their habitats.
16. American flamingo
Scientific Name: Phoenicopterus ruber
The American flamingo is a vibrant, pink-feathered bird, known for its long legs and distinctive downward-bending beak, which it uses to filter food from the water. This species exhibits a pink color due to the carotenoid pigments in their diet of shrimp and algae. Predominantly found in the Caribbean and the northern coast of South America, the American flamingo occasionally visits the extreme southern parts of Florida, marking its presence in North America. They favor shallow, salty lagoons and lakes as their habitats.
American flamingos are social birds, often found in large flocks that enhance their survival by reducing the threat of predators. They are known for their synchronized breeding and feeding behaviors. An interesting fact is that flamingo chicks are born with gray feathers, which gradually turn pink as they mature.
17. Common cuckoo
Scientific Name: Cuculus canorus
The Common cuckoo has a sleek, grayish body, long tail, and distinctive “cuck-oo” call that heralds the arrival of spring in many parts of the world. This bird is widespread across Europe, Asia, and Africa, preferring open woodlands and fields.
The Common cuckoo is infamous for its brood parasitism; females lay their eggs in the nests of other bird species, leaving the unwitting hosts to raise the cuckoo chicks. These interloper chicks often outcompete their “siblings” for food, showcasing a remarkable survival strategy. The bird’s diet primarily consists of insects, with a preference for caterpillars.
18. Black-capped vireo
Scientific Name: Vireo atricapilla
The Black-capped vireo is a small, lively bird with a distinctive black cap contrasting sharply against its white underparts and greenish-yellow flanks. This bird is primarily found in the United States, particularly in Texas, Oklahoma, and parts of northern Mexico, favoring scrubby, brushy areas and woodlands where it can find insects to feed on.
Known for its intricate and melodious song, the Black-capped vireo plays a significant role in the ecosystem as a pollinator and insect controller. This species is unique for its nest-building strategy, often placing its cup-shaped nest in low shrubs, hidden from predators.
19. Red-eyed vireo
Scientific name: Vireo olivaceus
The Red-eyed Vireo is a small North American songbird, with an olive-green upper body, white underparts, and a white stripe that runs through their dark red eyes. Common across the eastern forests of North America, this bird is known for its persistent singing during the breeding season. However, this vireo spends much of its time in the dense foliage at the tops of trees, making it more often heard than seen.
In terms of behavior, the Red-eyed Vireo is a vigorous hunter of insects and spiders, adeptly gleaning them from leaves and branches. During the breeding season, which occurs from late spring through summer, it constructs a deep cup-shaped nest which is suspended from tree branches by spider webs and grass. The nests are well camouflaged among the foliage, helping to protect them from predators. Remarkably adaptive, this bird is one of the most abundant vireo species in its range.
Mary is an outdoor enthusiast, nature lover, and amateur birdwatcher that enjoys sharing her knowledge and experiences with others.