Birds are among the most diverse and intriguing creatures in the animal kingdom, and their names often reflect their unique characteristics and behaviors. This article explores birds with 11 letters in their name, whether they are a single species or a specific type of bird. Read to learn more about these 11-letter birds, their behavior, and their appearance.
14 Birds with 11 Letters
1. Apostlebird
Scientific Name: Struthidea cinerea
The apostlebird, native to Eastern Australia, is a gray bird with brown wings. Also known as the lousy jack or gray jumper, the apostlebird is known for its strong family bonds and its tendency to form large flocks. These “families” consist of a central breeding pair, their offspring and sometimes non-related adults. All share the responsibilities of nest building, egg incubation, feeding the chicks and cleaning.
2. Mockingbird
Scientific family: Mimidae
Mockingbirds are a group of birds known for their remarkable vocal abilities. They are found in many places including North and South America, Europe, Asia, and Africa. The Northern Mockingbird is perhaps the most well-known species, found throughout the United States and Mexico.
Mockingbirds are best known for their ability to mimic the sounds of other birds and even non-bird sounds like car alarms and cell phone ringtones. They are also known for their beautiful songs, which can last for several minutes and include a variety of notes and melodies. Mockingbirds are often heard singing during the day and into the night.
3. Scrub Turkey
Scientific Name: Alectura lathami
Also known as the Australian brush turkey or bush turkey, the scrub turkey is a large, ground-dwelling bird native to eastern Australia. These birds have distinctive red heads and yellow wattles that contrast with the dark feathers on their bodies.
Scrub turkey can fly, but only for short distances. They mainly use their wings to fly away from predators or to fly up to tree branches to roost at night. Scrub turkeys are relatively large birds, with males typically measuring about 24-30 inches in length and females slightly smaller.
4. Common Raven
Scientific name: Corvus corax
The common raven is a large, black bird found throughout much of the Northern Hemisphere, including North America, Europe, and Asia. Ravens are best known for their intelligence and problem-solving abilities. They have been observed using tools, such as sticks, to obtain food and have even been known to play games with other animals.
Ravens are also known for their vocalizations, which include a variety of croaks, caws, and other sounds. They are highly social birds and often form lifelong pair bonds. In many cultures, ravens are associated with mythology and folklore, seen as symbols of wisdom, magic, and mystery.
5. Bokmakierie
Scientific Name: Telophorus zeylonus
The bokmakierie is a shrike native to southern Africa. Its name, given to it by Dutch settlers, is meant to mimic the sound it makes: “bok-bok-mak-kik.” Bokmakieries are colorful birds with olive-gray feathers on their head and sides and striking yellow plumage on their chin, chest, and wings, accented by a black chest patch.
They also feature a black band across their chest. They hunt for large insects, small lizards, snakes, frogs and small birds like many shrikes do. However while most shrikes perch out in the open, the bokmakierie is more shy and likes to stay in the shadows.
6. Sparrowhawk
Sparrowhawks are a type of small hawk known for their agility and prowess in hunting birds. The Eurasian or northern sparrow hawk is the most common, but there are many species found across Africa, Europe and Asia. They are relatively small, with males measuring 11-13 inches long. Females are slightly bigger at 14-16 inches in length.
Adult males typically have blue-gray upperparts, a reddish-orange chest barring. Females, on the other hand, have brownish-gray upperparts and a more prominent streaked and barred pattern on the underside. Sparrowhawks tend to be ambush predators, hunting small birds from a concealed position then striking out quickly.
7. Hummingbird
Scientific family: Trochilida
Hummingbirds are a group of tiny, colorful birds known for their rapid wing beats and ability to hover in mid-air. They are found throughout the Americas, with only a handful in North America while most species are in Central and South America.
Hummingbirds are some of the smallest birds in the world, with some species weighing as little as 2 grams. They have brightly colored feathers, with shades of green, blue, red, and orange being common. Hummingbirds have long, thin bills that they use to extract nectar from inside flowers. They are also able to catch small insects in mid-air. Their high metabolism requires them to consume large amounts of nectar fuel their energy-intensive flight.
8. Wallcreeper
Scientific Name: Tichodroma muraria
Wallcreepers are small birds that are 6-7 inches long. When not in flight, they are mostly gray, but when they spread their wings, you can see bright red feathers mixed with white and black. The wallcreeper is found on the rocky cliffs and mountains of Europe and Asia.
They have specialized feet that allow them to cling to vertical surfaces. Wallcreepers typically nest in rock crevices or cavities on cliffs. They lay a small clutch of eggs, usually ranging from 3 to 5 eggs.
9. Canada Goose
Scientific Name: Branta canadensis
The Canada goose is a large waterfowl species native to North America. They are migratory geese and can be found throughout much of the continent, from Alaska to Florida. They are also commonly introduced to other parts of the world, such as Europe and Asia.
Canada geese are best known for their distinctive appearance and honking calls. They are large birds that have a black head and neck, white cheeks, and a brownish-gray body. Their wings are long and broad, allowing them to fly long distances during migration. Canada geese are also known for their social behavior, often form large flocks, particularly during migration and winter. They are commonly seen in parks and aren’t shy of human activity.
10. Black Grouse
Scientific Name: Lyrurus tetrix
The black grouse is a large game bird that is around 22-24 inches long. Males have glossy black plumage with a distinctive lyre-shaped white tail feather, which is raised and fanned out during courtship displays.
They also have a red wattle above the eye, which becomes more prominent during the breeding season. Females, called “greyhens,” have mottled brown plumage to provide camouflage while nesting. Black grouse are most commonly found from Scandinavia through Russia.
11. Tree Swallow
Scientific name: Tachycineta biocolor
Tree swallows are found throughout much of North America, as well as parts of Europe and Asia. These small birds have a shiny, metallic blue-green back and wings, with a white chest and belly. They have a forked tail and long, pointed wings that allow them to perform impressive aerial acrobatics to catch insects in mid-air.
Tree swallows are migratory, typically breeding in North America during the spring and summer before migrating south to Central and South America for the winter. During migration, they form large flocks and can be seen flying in impressive formations. They typically nest in tree cavities, but will also use bird houses nest boxes, especially near fields and open areas.
12. Steller’s Jay
Scientific name: Cyanocitta stelleri
The Steller’s jay is a medium-sized bird found in western North America, ranging from Alaska to Mexico. They have a similar shape and behavior eastern North America’s blue jay. Their silhouette and coloring stand out, with a black head and neck, distinctive tall head crest, and deep blue body.
Steller’s jays are best known for their bold personality and raucous calls. Like many jay species, they have a wide range of vocalizations, and the ability to mimic other birds and sounds. You may see them visiting picnic spots to look for food scraps. Acorns and conifer seeds are a big part of their diet, and they are known to create large stores or caches of these to save when food is scarce.
13. Gnatcatcher
Scientific family: Polioptilidae
Gnatcatchers are a group of small, insect-eating birds found throughout the Americas, from Canada to Argentina. There are about 21 species, known for their tiny size, high-pitched calls, and distinctive foraging behavior.
Gnatcatchers are some of the smallest birds in the world, with adults typically weighing between 5 and 10 grams. They tend to have have a gray or blue-gray back with a white or light-colored belly. They have a long, thin tail and a sharp, pointed bill that they use to catch insects. These highly active birds and are often seen flitting through trees and shrubs in search of insects.
14. Waterthrush
Scientific Genus: Parkesia
Waterthrushes insect-eating, medium sized members of the warbler family found in North and Central America. The two species, the Northern waterthrush and Louisiana waterthrush, are known for their distinctive foraging behavior and habitat preferences. They have a brown back and wings, with a white or light-colored streaked belly.
Waterthrushes are typically found near streams, rivers, and other bodies of water, where they wade in the shallows and along partially submerged rocks to forage for aquatic insects and other small invertebrates. They often appear to be teetering, as they tend to bob their rump and short tail up and down.
Mary is an outdoor enthusiast, nature lover, and amateur birdwatcher that enjoys sharing her knowledge and experiences with others.