Have you ever noticed how many birds’ names begin with B? This letter brings together a diverse group of birds, from the majestic Bald Eagle to the melodious Blackbird.
In this blog, we explore 150 species of birds, starting with B. You’ll learn about their unique traits, where they live, and some interesting facts that make each bird special.
Whether you’re a birdwatcher or just someone who enjoys a little nature trivia, this guide offers a glimpse into the vibrant lives of these feathered creatures.
This blog features in-depth information about the 20 most common birds with B and a list of 130 additional birds with B.
Join us as we uncover the amazing world of “B” birds!
20 Most Common Birds Starting with B
1. Bald Eagle
The Bald Eagle, a symbol of strength and freedom, is recognized for its white head and tail, which contrast with its dark brown body and wings.
- Common Name and Scientific Name: Bald Eagle, Haliaeetus leucocephalus
- Physical Description: This is a large bird of prey with a distinctive white head and tail on adults; juvenile birds are brown.
- Habitat: Near large bodies of open water with abundant fish and tall trees for nesting.
- Geographical Range: Native to North America.
- Interesting Facts: The Bald Eagle was chosen as the United States’ national emblem in 1782.
2. Barn Owl
Known for its ghostly appearance, the Barn Owl has a heart-shaped face and an unmatched ability to hunt in darkness.
- Common Name and Scientific Name: Barn Owl, Tyto alba
- Physical Description: Pale with golden-buff colored wings and a distinctive white, heart-shaped facial disk.
- Habitat: Open habitats such as fields, farms, and grasslands.
- Geographical Range: Found almost worldwide.
- Interesting Facts: Barn Owls use exceptionally sensitive hearing to locate prey in total darkness.
3. Blue Jay
The Blue Jay is a vibrant and intelligent bird known for its complex social behavior and loud calls.
- Common Name and Scientific Name: Blue Jay, Cyanocitta cristata
- Physical Description: Bright blue upperparts with white underparts and a black ring around the neck.
- Habitat: Deciduous and coniferous forests, parks, and residential areas.
- Geographical Range: Eastern and central United States and southern Canada.
- Interesting Facts: Blue Jays are known to mimic the calls of hawks as a form of protective mimicry.
4. Barn Swallow
The Barn Swallow is a graceful bird distinguished by its deeply forked tail and agile flight. It is often seen swooping over fields and waters.
- Common Name and Scientific Name: Barn Swallow, Hirundo rustica
- Physical Description: Glossy blue back, red throat, and pale underparts, with a long forked tail.
- Habitat: Open and semi-open areas, often near water.
- Geographical Range: Widespread across the Northern Hemisphere.
- Interesting Facts: Barn Swallows are long-distance migrants, spending winters in Central and South America.
5. Blackbird
The common Blackbird is a familiar sight in gardens, with the male’s glossy black plumage and the female’s brownish coloring.
- Common Name and Scientific Name: Blackbird, Turdus merula
- Physical Description: Males are all black with a yellow eye ring and bill; females are brown with lighter streaks.
- Habitat: Woods, gardens, and parks.
- Geographical Range: Found throughout Europe and Asia, with introduced populations in Australia and New Zealand.
- Interesting Facts: Blackbirds have a rich and melodious song, often heard during early spring.
6. Barred Owl
The Barred Owl is noted for its distinctive hooting call and large, soulful eyes, making it a beloved figure in American forests.
- Common Name and Scientific Name: Barred Owl, Strix varia
- Physical Description: Sturdy body with a round head, no ear tufts, and mottled brown and white plumage.
- Habitat: Dense woods, often near water.
- Geographical Range: Eastern North America and parts of the Pacific Northwest.
- Interesting Facts: Unlike many other owls, Barred Owls are sometimes active during the day, especially when feeding their young.
7. Blue Tit
The Blue Tit, a small and agile bird, is admired for its vibrant blue and yellow plumage and acrobatic feeding habits.
- Common Name and Scientific Name: Blue Tit, Cyanistes caeruleus
- Physical Description: Bright blue and yellow coloring, with a distinctive blue cap.
- Habitat: Deciduous and mixed woodlands, gardens, and parks.
- Geographical Range: Throughout Europe and parts of Western Asia.
- Interesting Facts: Blue Tits are highly adaptable and known for their intelligent problem-solving abilities, especially in obtaining food from bird feeders.
8. Bufflehead
Buffleheads are small, buoyant waterfowl with a striking appearance, known for their bold white and black coloring.
- Common Name and Scientific Name: Bufflehead, Bucephala albeola
- Physical Description: Males have a large white patch on the back of the head, black back, and white underparts; females are more subdued.
- Habitat: Lakes, ponds, and sheltered coastal waters.
- Geographical Range: North America, breeding in Canada and wintering in the United States.
- Interesting Facts: Buffleheads are among the smallest diving ducks in North America.
9. Brown Thrasher
The Brown Thrasher is known for its reddish-brown plumage and complex vocalizations, often mimicking other birds’ songs.
- Common Name and Scientific Name: Brown Thrasher, Toxostoma rufum
- Physical Description: Bright reddish-brown above with streaked underparts and a long, rounded tail.
- Habitat: Dense brush, woodlands, and hedgerows.
- Geographical Range: Eastern and Central United States.
- Interesting Facts: Brown Thrashers are proficient singers with repertoires that can include thousands of song variations.
10. Black-capped Chickadee
Charming and friendly, the Black-capped Chickadee is beloved for its curious nature and distinctive “chick-a-dee-dee-dee” call.
- Common Name and Scientific Name: Black-capped Chickadee, Poecile atricapillus
- Physical Description: Small, with a distinctive black cap and bib, white cheeks, and fluffy appearance.
- Habitat: Deciduous and mixed forests, often visiting bird feeders in urban areas.
- Geographical Range: Throughout the northern United States and Canada.
- Interesting Facts: Chickadees are known for their remarkable memory; they can remember thousands of places where they have stored food for later retrieval.
11. Bulbul
Bulbuls are energetic, medium-sized songbirds known for their melodic songs and diverse range of species spread across different habitats.
- Common Name and Scientific Name: Bulbul, Pycnonotus spp.
- Physical Description: Generally have soft plumage that is dark or olive above and lighter beneath; many species have distinctive head patterns or crests.
- Habitat: Wide range, including gardens, forests, and urban areas.
- Geographical Range: Found primarily in Africa, with some species in Asia and the Middle East.
- Interesting Facts: Bulbuls are highly adaptable and can often be found near human settlements.
12. Blue Grosbeak
The Blue Grosbeak is a strikingly vibrant bird known for its rich blue coloring and prominent beak, used for cracking seeds.
- Common Name and Scientific Name: Blue Grosbeak, Passerina caerulea
- Physical Description: Males are bright blue with a chestnut wing bar; females are mostly brown.
- Habitat: Brushy woodlands and areas near bodies of water.
- Geographical Range: Found across the southern United States and parts of Central America during the breeding season.
- Interesting Facts: Blue Grosbeaks are quite shy despite their bright coloring and often remain hidden in dense cover.
13. Brown Pelican
The Brown Pelican is famous for its impressive bill and large throat pouch, which it uses to scoop up fish from the water.
- Common Name and Scientific Name: Brown Pelican, Pelecanus occidentalis
- Physical Description: Large birds with dark brown bodies and a lighter neck during the breeding season; famous for their large bill and expandable throat pouch.
- Habitat: Coastal waters, estuaries, and beaches.
- Geographical Range: Coasts of the Americas, from the southeastern US to northern South America.
- Interesting Facts: Brown Pelicans are one of the only two pelican species which plunge-dive to catch their food.
14. Belted Kingfisher
The Belted Kingfisher is recognized by its top-heavy appearance, shaggy crest, and characteristic blue-gray band across its white chest.
- Common Name and Scientific Name: Belted Kingfisher, Megaceryle alcyon
- Physical Description: Sturdy body with a large head and bill; males have a single blue-gray breast band, while females feature a second rusty band.
- Habitat: Near streams, rivers, lakes, and coastlines where it can fish.
- Geographical Range: Throughout North America, migrating to Central America and the northern parts of South America in winter.
- Interesting Facts: Belted Kingfishers dig burrows along riverbanks or sandbanks for nesting.
15. Brambling
The Brambling is a small, brightly colored finch that often visits bird feeders in winter, creating a delightful spectacle with its vibrant plumage.
- Common Name and Scientific Name: Brambling, Fringilla montifringilla
- Physical Description: Males have a black head, orange breast, and white belly; females and young are less brightly colored.
- Habitat: Open woodlands and forest edges, often visiting gardens in winter.
- Geographical Range: Breeds in the northern parts of Europe and Asia; winters further south across Europe and into Asia.
- Interesting Facts: Bramblings can form large flocks in the winter, sometimes numbering in the thousands.
16. Bewick’s Wren
Bewick’s Wren is a small songbird with a loud voice, known for its complex singing and persistent vocalizations.
- Common Name and Scientific Name: Bewick’s Wren, Thryomanes bewickii
- Physical Description: Small and slender with a long tail that it often cocks upwards; has a light brown back and whitish underparts.
- Habitat: Brushy areas and thickets, especially in suburban gardens and parks.
- Geographical Range: Found predominantly in the western United States, with pockets of populations in the central and eastern parts.
- Interesting Facts: Bewick’s Wrens are prolific singers whose song repertoire includes hundreds of unique patterns.
17. Black Vulture
The Black Vulture is a scavenger bird essential for the ecosystem. It consumes carrion to help control the spread of disease.
- Common Name and Scientific Name: Black Vulture, Coragyps atratus
- Physical Description: Large black bird with a bare head, short tail, and powerful wings.
- Habitat: Open and semi-open areas, including farmland and forest edges.
- Geographical Range: Widely distributed from the southeastern United States to South America.
- Interesting Facts: Unlike their relatives, the Turkish Vultures, Black Vultures rely more on sight than smell to locate food.
18. Black-throated Sparrow
The Black-throated Sparrow is a desert bird admired for its resilience and striking black-and-white face patterns.
- Common Name and Scientific Name: Black-throated Sparrow, Amphispiza bilineata
- Physical Description: Notable for its black throat and white face stripes; overall grayish body with a distinctive black and white head pattern.
- Habitat: Arid deserts and shrubby areas.
- Geographical Range: Southwestern United States into Mexico.
- Interesting Facts: These sparrows are adapted to dry environments. They can obtain moisture from food and survive long periods without water.
19. Black Kite
Black Kites are opportunistic raptors often seen gliding above urban and rural landscapes. They are known for their adaptability and resourcefulness.
- Common Name and Scientific Name: Black Kite, Milvus migrans
- Physical Description: Medium-sized raptor with a slightly forked tail and a brownish-black body.
- Habitat: A wide variety of habitats, including cities, forests, and open countryside.
- Geographical Range: Widespread across Europe, Asia, and Australia.
- Interesting Facts: Black Kites are known to snatch food from other birds in flight and are frequent visitors to landfill sites where they scavenge.
20. Bohemian Waxwing
Bohemian Waxwings are sociable birds known for their nomadic lifestyle and the distinctive red tips on their wing feathers.
- Common Name and Scientific Name: Bohemian Waxwing, Bombycilla garrulus
- Physical Description: Medium-sized bird with a crest on its head, black mask, and grey-brown body; notable for bright yellow and red feather tips.
- Habitat: Boreal forests and wooded areas, often migrating to urban areas in search of berries.
- Geographical Range: Northern parts of Europe, Asia, and North America.
- Interesting Facts: Bohemian Waxwings can ferment berries in their guts, occasionally leading to intoxication during cold winter.
130 Additional Birds Starting with B
- Blue-footed Booby
- Bee-eater
- Bush Stone-curlew
- Black Guillemot
- Bronze Mannikin
- Blue-crowned Motmot
- Black-collared Barbet
- Black-winged Stilt
- Barnacle Goose
- Broad-winged Hawk
- Bicolored Antbird
- Blyth’s Reed Warbler
- Buff-tailed Coronet
- Black-naped Oriole
- Buff-breasted Sandpiper
- Black-necked Grebe
- Bronze-winged Jacana
- Black-tailed Godwit
- Brown Honeyeater
- Blue-faced Honeyeater
- Bateleur
- Bay-backed Shrike
- Black-crowned Night Heron
- Blue-cheeked Bee-eater
- Brown Creeper
- Black-chinned Sparrow
- Bimaculated Lark
- Boreal Owl
- Buff-necked Ibis
- Black-winged Kite
- Blue-naped Mousebird
- Black-headed Grosbeak
- Blue Whistling Thrush
- Bronze Sunbird
- Black-crowned Tchagra
- Blue-and-white Flycatcher
- Brown-capped Rosy Finch
- Black-browed Albatross
- Buff-throated Saltator
- Bushlark
- Band-tailed Pigeon
- Brown Shrike
- Buff-bellied Hummingbird
- Bananaquit
- Black-and-white Warbler
- Black-faced Spoonbill
- Blue-throated Blue Flycatcher
- Black-faced Bunting
- Bluethroat
- Black-bellied Whistling Duck
- Black-headed Bunting
- Bar-tailed Godwit
- Black-tailed Tropicbird
- Black Skimmer
- Brown-headed Cowbird
- Black-throated Green Warbler
- Bearded Reedling
- Blue-capped Rock Thrush
- Bar-headed Goose
- Black Lory
- Black Swan
- Blossom-headed Parakeet
- Bearded Vulture
- Bicolored Hawk
- Bronze-tailed Thornbill
- Brown-backed Honeyeater
- Black-capped Donacobius
- Buff-winged Starfrontlet
- Barred Antshrike
- Black-chested Jay
- Brown Falcon
- Brown-chested Martin
- Budgerigar
- Blue-headed Parrot
- Black-and-yellow Broadbill
- Black Siskin
- Brown Jacamar
- Black-cheeked Woodpecker
- Broad-billed Prion
- Barbary Falcon
- Black-winged Pratincole
- Blue-winged Teal
- Bateleur Eagle
- Black-necked Crane
- Bare-throated Tiger Heron
- Blue Seedeater
- Bush Blackcap
- Black-eared Cuckoo
- Bronzed Cowbird
- Barred Warbler
- Brown-throated Parakeet
- Blue Mockingbird
- Band-rumped Storm Petrel
- Broad-tailed Hummingbird
- Black-browed Reed Warbler
- Black-legged Kittiwake
- Black-chested Buzzard-Eagle
- Brown Booby
- Black-faced Ibis
- Bare-faced Ibis
- Brown-capped Vireo
- Bay-breasted Warbler
- Blackpoll Warbler
- Black-backed Woodpecker
- Blue-winged Kookaburra
- Blue-winged Warbler
- Buller’s Shearwater
- Buff-breasted Earthcreeper
- Broad-billed Sandpiper
- Black-chinned Hummingbird
- Black-capped Vireo
- Bay Wren
- Black-cheeked Gnateater
- Bridled Tern
- Blue-winged Parrotlet
- Blue-and-gold Macaw
- Brown-throated Sunbird
- Black-winged Snowfinch
- Bridled Titmouse
- Black-faced Antthrush
- Black-throated Blue Warbler
- Bare-faced Curassow
- Blue-faced Malkoha
- Buff-crested Bustard
- Black-headed Heron
- Bronze-winged Parrot
- Brush Cuckoo
- Blue Vanga
- Black-collared Hawk
- Barred Honeyeater
Summing Up
We’ve explored an array of birds, starting with B, learning about each one’s unique traits and where they live.
These birds showcase various natural species, from the large and powerful Bald Eagle to the small, song-filled Black-capped Chickadee.
They not only brighten their environments but also contribute significantly to their ecosystems.
This exploration invites us to appreciate and observe these birds in their natural settings.
Continue discovering the birds around you, and perhaps try to identify some of these “B” birds on your next outdoor adventure.
