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13 Amazing Birds With 12 Letters (Photos)

Learn about birds that start with all 26 letters of the alphabet!

If you’re a bird enthusiast eager to learn about unique species, or if you’re simply playing a word game and need some ideas, this article is for you! We’ve compiled a list of 13 bird species, each with a 12-letter name. You’ll discover their distinctive characteristics, habitats, and how they fit into the avian world. Let’s explore these fascinating birds together!

1. Capuchinbird

Capuchinbird
Capuchinbird | image by Vassil via Wikimedia Commons

Scientific name: Perissocephalus tricolor

The Capuchinbird is a large, crow-sized bird native to the forests of South America. It has a distinctive, bare red throat pouch and a dark plumage with lighter patches on the wings and belly. Capuchinbirds are known for their loud, booming calls resembling the sound of a hammer striking wood, which they produce during courtship displays. They primarily feed on fruits and insects found in the forest canopy.

Capuchinbirds inhabit humid tropical forests and prefer areas with dense vegetation and tall trees. They are often found in small groups or pairs. Capuchinbirds play important roles in seed dispersal and are considered indicators of healthy forest ecosystems.

2. Chlorophonia

Blue-nape chlorophonia
Blue-nape chlorophonia | image by Joao Quental via Flickr | CC BY 2.0

Scientific name: Chlorophonia

Chlorophonia birds, also known as chlorophonias, are small, brightly colored birds found in the forests of Central and South America. They typically have vibrant green or blue plumage, with males often displaying brighter colors than females. Chlorophonias are known for their melodious songs and can be found high in the forest canopy.

They primarily feed on fruits and insects. One popular species within the Chlorophonia genus is the Blue-naped Chlorophonia (Chlorophonia cyanea), known for its stunning blue plumage and distinctive vocalizations.

3. Cuckooshrike

Black-faced cuckooshrike
Black-faced cuckooshrike | image by Caroline Jones via Flickr

Scientific name: Campephagidae

Cuckooshrikes are medium-sized birds found in various parts of the world, known for their distinctive combination of black, gray, and white plumage. They have hooked bills and strong, agile flight. Cuckooshrikes are known for their habit of impaling their prey, such as insects and small vertebrates, on thorns or spikes before consuming them.

They primarily feed on insects, fruits, and seeds. Cuckooshrikes inhabit a range of habitats including forests, woodlands, and savannas. They are often found in pairs or small groups.

Cuckooshrikes are important contributors to ecosystem balance, controlling insect populations and dispersing seeds. A popular species within this group is the Black-faced Cuckooshrike (Coracina novaehollandiae), found in Australia and New Guinea.

4. Flowerpecker

Scarlet-backed flowerpecker
Scarlet-backed flowerpecker | image by Francesco Veronesi via Flickr | CC BY-SA

Scientific name: Dicaeidae

Flowerpeckers are small, colorful birds found in Asia and Australasia, known for their vibrant plumage and slender bills. They primarily feed on nectar, pollen, and fruits from flowers and plants. Flowerpeckers inhabit various habitats including forests, gardens, and mangroves, where they forage among flowering plants for food.

One popular species within this group is the Scarlet-backed Flowerpecker (Dicaeum cruentatum), recognized for its bright scarlet back and black head.

5. Helmetshrike

White helmetshrike
White helmetshrike | image by Alastair Rae via Flickr | CC BY-SA 2.0

Scientific name: Prionops

Helmetshrikes are medium-sized birds found in sub-Saharan Africa, known for their distinctive black and white plumage and a conspicuous crest on their heads resembling a helmet. They have sharp, hooked bills suited for capturing insects and small vertebrates.

Helmetshrikes are known for their cooperative breeding behavior, where multiple individuals within a group help raise the young. They primarily feed on insects, fruits, and seeds found in the forest canopy. Helmetshrikes inhabit humid tropical forests, where they nest and forage for food.

One popular species within this group is the White Helmetshrike (Prionops plumatus), known for its striking white plumage and black markings.

6. Honeycreeper

purple honeycreeper
Purple Honeycreeper | image by Gregory “Slobirdr” Smith via Flickr | CC BY-SA 2.0

Scientific name: Thraupidae

Honeycreepers, typically found in the tanager family Thraupidae, are small birds known for their vibrant plumage and slender bills. They often have bright blue or purple hues mixed with green or yellow. Honeycreepers primarily feed on nectar, pollen, and fruits, using their specialized bills to extract food from flowers.

They inhabit tropical forests and woodland habitats throughout the Americas. One popular species within this group is the Purple Honeycreeper (Cyanerpes caeruleus), recognized for its striking blue and purple coloration. Honeycreepers play crucial roles in pollination and seed dispersal, contributing to the health of forest ecosystems where they reside.10. Peppershrike

7. Peppershrike

Rufous-browed peppershrike
Rufous-browed peppershrike | image by Wagner Machado Carlos Lemes via Flickr | CC BY 2.0

Scientific name: Cyclarhis

Peppershrikes are passerine birds found in tropical Central and South America, comprising two species in the genus Cyclarhis, part of the vireo family. They are characterized by their olive or gray plumage with subtle markings and a slightly hooked bill. Peppershrikes primarily feed on insects, fruits, and small vertebrates found in forested habitats, including tropical forests, woodlands, and scrublands.

They are known for their melodious songs and vocalizations, often heard throughout their habitats. One popular species within this group is the Rufous-browed Peppershrike (Cyclarhis gujanensis), recognized for its distinctive rufous eyebrow stripe.

8. Spiderhunter

Spiderhunter
Spiderhunter | image by Brian Ralphs via Flickr | CC BY 2.0

Scientific name: Arachnothera

Spiderhunters are medium-sized birds native to Southeast Asia and parts of the Indian subcontinent. They have long, curved bills adapted for probing deep into flowers to extract nectar. Spiderhunters are known for their agility and acrobatic flight, allowing them to navigate through dense foliage in search of food.

They primarily feed on nectar, although they may also consume insects and spiders, which they catch while foraging. Spiderhunters inhabit a variety of habitats including forests, gardens, and mangroves, where they can find an abundance of flowering plants. They play important roles in pollination, as they transfer pollen while feeding on nectar from flowers.

9. Standardwing

Standardwing
Standardwing | image by Christoph Moning via Wikimedia Commons | CC BY 4.0

Scientific name: Semioptera wallacii

Standardwings are medium-sized birds found in the forests of Southeast Asia. They are known for their striking appearance, characterized by long, ribbon-like feathers on their wings. Standardwings have dark plumage with contrasting patches of bright colors, often orange or yellow. They primarily feed on fruits, insects, and small vertebrates found in the forest canopy. Standardwings inhabit dense, tropical forests with tall trees, where they roost and breed.

One popular species within this group is the Standardwing (Semioptera wallacii), found in Indonesia and Malaysia. Standardwings are known for their elaborate courtship displays, where males showcase their long wing feathers to attract mates

10. Streamertail

Red-billed streamertail
Red-billed streamertail | image by Dominic Sherony via Flickr | CC BY-SA 2.0

Scientific name: Trochilidae

Streamertails are small to medium-sized hummingbirds found in Jamaica and other parts of the Caribbean. They are distinguished by their long, deeply forked tails, which resemble streamers or ribbons, hence their name. Streamertails have vibrant plumage, often featuring iridescent greens, blues, and purples. They primarily feed on nectar from flowers using their specialized bills and tongues, but they may also consume small insects and spiders.

Streamertails inhabit a variety of habitats, including forests, gardens, and coastal areas, where they can find abundant nectar sources. One popular species within this group is the Red-billed Streamertail (Trochilus polytmus), known for its striking red bill and long tail feathers. Streamertails play crucial roles in pollination, helping to fertilize flowers and maintain ecosystem health.

11. Yellowhammer

Yellowhammer bird perching
Yellowhammer bird perching | image by John Knight via Flickr | CC BY 2.0

Scientific name: Emberiza citrinella

The Yellowhammer is a medium-sized songbird native to Europe and parts of Asia. It has a distinctive yellow plumage on its head, breast, and belly, with brown streaks on its back and wings. Yellowhammers are known for their melodious song, which includes a repetitive “little bit of bread and no cheese” phrase. They primarily feed on seeds, grains, and insects found in agricultural fields, grasslands, and hedgerows.

Yellowhammers prefer open habitats with shrubs and trees for nesting and perching. They are often found in rural areas and farmlands throughout their range. Despite declines in some regions due to habitat loss, Yellowhammers remain widespread and are common sights in the European countryside.

12. Umbrellabird

Long-wattled umbrellabird
Long-wattled umbrellabird | image by Charles Gates via Flickr | CC BY 2.0

Scientific name: Cephalopterus

The Umbrellabird is a large, black bird found in the rainforests of Central and South America. It is known for its distinctive crest of feathers on its head, which resembles an umbrella when fully extended. Umbrellabirds have a glossy black plumage and a prominent throat sac, which males inflate during courtship displays to attract females.

They primarily feed on fruits, insects, and small vertebrates found in the forest canopy. Umbrellabirds inhabit humid tropical forests, where they nest and forage for food. One popular species within this group is the Long-wattled Umbrellabird (Cephalopterus penduliger), known for its long, pendulous wattle beneath its throat

13. Blossomcrown

Scientific name: Anthocephala

Blossomcrowns are small, colorful hummingbirds native to Central and South America. They are characterized by their iridescent plumage, which often includes shades of blue, green, and purple. Blossomcrowns have long, curved bills adapted for feeding on nectar from flowers. They inhabit various habitats, including tropical forests, gardens, and scrublands, where they forage among flowering plants for food.

One popular species within this group is the Blue-throated Blossomcrown (Anthocephala floriceps), known for its vibrant blue throat and crest. Blossomcrowns play essential roles in pollination, helping to fertilize flowers and sustain plant diversity in their habitats.

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