Birds that start with “N” come from various regions around the world, each with unique characteristics and behaviors. From the colorful Narina Trogon to the striking Northern Cardinal, these birds are fascinating to observe. Their diversity highlights the incredible variety of species in the avian world.
List of Common Birds That Start With N
| Nacunda Nighthawk | Namaqua Sandgrouse | Narina Trogon |
| Naga Wren-babbler | Namaqua Warbler | Nariño Tapaculo |
| Nahan’s Partridge | Namuli Apalis | Narrow-billed Antwren |
| Naked-faced Barbet | Nanday Parakeet | Narrow-tailed Emerald |
| Naked-faced Spiderhunter | Nankeen Kestrel | Nashville Warbler |
| Namaqua Dove | Nankeen Night Heron | Natal Spurfowl |
| Napo Sabrewing | Narcissus Flycatcher | Natewa Silktail |
| Narcondam Hornbill | Naretha Bluebonnet | Natterer’s Slaty Antshrike |
| Neblina Metaltail | Naumann’s Thrush | Nazca Booby |
| Nechisar Nightjar | Neblina Tapaculo | Necklaced Spinetail |
| Neddicky | Neotropic Cormorant | Nene |
| Neergaard’s Sunbird | Neotropical Palm Swift | Nepal House Martin |
| Negros Bleeding-heart Pigeon | Nepal Fulvetta | Neumann’s Starling |
| Negros Fruit Dove | New Britain Boobook | New Britain Dwarf Kingfisher |
| Negros Leaf Warbler | New Caledonian Crow | New Zealand Bellbird |
| Negros Scops Owl | New Guinea Bronzewing | New Zealand Falcon |
| Nicobar Pigeon | New Guinea Scrubfowl | New Zealand Fantail |
| Nicobar Scops Owl | New Holland Honeyeater | New Zealand Grebe |
| Night Parrot | New Ireland Boobook | New Zealand Kaka |
| Nkulengu Rail | Newell’s Shearwater | New Zealand Scaup |
| Noble Snipe | Newton’s Parakeet | New Zealand Storm Petrel |
| Noisy Friarbird | Niam-niam Parrot | Niau Kingfisher |
| Northern Bald Ibis | Nicobar Pigeon | Northern Bobwhite |
| Northern Cardinal | Northern Gannet | Northern Flicker |
| Northern Shoveler | Northern Giant Petrel | Northern Goshawk |
| Northern Fulmar | Northern Mockingbird | Northern Pintail |
Here Are Some Birds Detail
1. Northern Cardinal
The Northern Cardinal is like the rock star of the bird world. With its bright red plumage and mohawk-like crest, this bird turns heads wherever it goes. You’ll find these flashy fellas all over the eastern United States, from the chilly northeast down to the balmy southeast. They’re not picky eaters, chowing down on seeds, fruits, and the occasional insect. Cardinals are real homebodies, sticking close to their territories year-round.
Interesting Facts:
The Northern Cardinal’s vibrant red color comes from carotenoid pigments in the foods they eat. A poor diet can lead to duller feathers, so these birds are what they eat!
2. Nuthatch
The n-bird list is the nifty Nuthatch. These little acrobats of the tree world are found all across the United States, from the White-breasted Nuthatch in the east to the Pygmy Nuthatch in the west. What makes these birds so special? Well, they’ve got a pretty cool party trick – they can walk headfirst down tree trunks! This unique ability helps them spot insects and seeds that other birds might miss.
Interesting Facts:
The name “Nuthatch” doesn’t come from “hatching” nuts, as you might think. It’s actually derived from “nuthack,” referring to the bird’s habit of jamming nuts into tree bark and then hacking at them with their sharp bills.
3. Nightingale
Ah, the Nightingale – the songbird that’s been inspiring poets and musicians for centuries. While not native to the USA, this European and Asian bird has earned its place in our hearts (and on this list) through its legendary voice. Nightingales are actually rather plain-looking birds, with brown feathers that help them blend into the underbrush. But what they lack in flashy looks, they more than make up for in vocal talent.
Interesting Facts:
Despite their reputation, female nightingales don’t sing – it’s only the males that produce the famous melodies. They use their songs to attract mates and defend their territories.
4. Northern Mockingbird
Northern Mockingbird, the master impressionist of the bird world. These gray-and-white birds are found all across the United States, from the bustling cities to quiet rural areas. They’re adaptable, intelligent, and boy, do they have a lot to say! Northern Mockingbirds are famous for their ability to mimic the calls of other birds, as well as random sounds from their environment. From car alarms to creaky gates, these birds can imitate it all.
Interesting Facts:
The Northern Mockingbird is so beloved that it’s the state bird of five U.S. states: Arkansas, Florida, Mississippi, Tennessee, and Texas. It’s also featured in Harper Lee’s classic novel “To Kill a Mockingbird,” symbolizing innocence and beauty.
5. New Zealand Kiwi
New Zealand Kiwi. This quirky bird is a true oddball in the avian world. First off, it’s flightless. Secondly, it’s nocturnal. And thirdly, it’s got nostrils at the end of its long beak – a unique feature among birds! Kiwis are about the size of a chicken, with a round body covered in shaggy, hair-like feathers. They use their long beaks to probe the ground for worms and insects, relying more on their sense of smell than their eyesight to find food.
Interesting Facts:
Kiwi eggs are enormous compared to the size of the mother – they can be up to 20% of her body weight! That’s like a human giving birth to a 30-pound baby. Ouch!
6. Nene (Hawaiian Goose)
Nene, also known as the Hawaiian Goose. This bird is a true island native, found nowhere else in the world but the Hawaiian archipelago. The Nene is Hawaii’s state bird and has a fascinating story of near-extinction and recovery. These geese have adapted to life on the volcanic islands, with partially webbed feet that allow them to navigate the rough lava landscapes.
Interesting Facts:
The Nene’s call sounds like its name – a soft “nay-nay” that’s quite different from the honk of other geese. It’s like they’re politely introducing themselves!
7. Northern Harrier
Northern Harrier, a raptor with some seriously cool adaptations. These birds of prey are found across North America, from the tundra to the prairies. What sets the Northern Harrier apart from other hawks is its owl-like facial disk, which helps it hear its prey. These birds fly low over open ground, using both their keen eyesight and their sharp hearing to locate small mammals and birds.
Interesting Facts:
Northern Harriers are one of the few raptors that are polygynous – meaning one male may mate with several females in a breeding season. Talk about a busy love life!
8. Nicobar Pigeon
Nicobar Pigeon, a bird that looks like it’s dressed for a fancy party. These pigeons are large and stocky, with iridescent feathers that shimmer in shades of blue, green, and copper. They have a distinctive white tail and long, fancy neck feathers that give them a regal appearance. Nicobar Pigeons are found on small islands and coastal regions from the Nicobar Islands to New Guinea.
Interesting Facts:
Nicobar Pigeons have a special adaptation for island life – an enlarged crop (part of their digestive system) that allows them to gorge on large amounts of food when it’s available, then digest it slowly over time.
9. Needletail Swift
Needletail Swift are birds that are built for speed, with a streamlined body, long, pointed wings, and a short, stiff tail that gives them their name. Needletail Swifts are found throughout Asia and parts of Australia, where they zoom through the skies at breathtaking speeds. Some species, like the White-throated Needletail, can reach speeds of up to 105 miles per hour in level flight!
Interesting Facts:
Needletail Swifts have tiny feet that are barely strong enough for perching. Instead, they use their feet and stiff tail feathers to cling to vertical surfaces like cliff faces when they need to rest.
10. Nazca Booby
Nazca Booby. This seabird is a large member of the booby family, with striking black and white plumage and a sharp, pointed beak. Nazca Boobies are found on tropical islands in the eastern Pacific Ocean, where they spend most of their time out at sea, only coming to land to breed. These birds are expert divers, plunging into the ocean from great heights to catch fish and squid.
Interesting Facts:
The name “booby” comes from the Spanish word “bobo,” meaning “stupid fellow.” Early sailors gave these birds this name because they were so tame and easy to catch on land. Not very nice, but the name stuck!
11. New Holland Honeyeater
New Holland Honeyeater, a small but feisty bird that’s common in gardens and woodlands across southern Australia. These birds are mostly black and white, with a distinctive yellow panel in their wings and a small yellow patch behind their eyes. As their name suggests, New Holland Honeyeaters are nectar feeders, with a long, brush-tipped tongue that’s perfect for lapping up sweet nectar from flowers.
Interesting Facts:
New Holland Honeyeaters don’t just stick to nectar – they also eat insects, which provide them with necessary proteins. They’re known to catch insects in mid-air, showing off their agile flying skills.
12. Northern Flicker
Northern Flicker, a woodpecker with a twist. Unlike most of its tree-climbing cousins, the Northern Flicker spends a lot of time on the ground, using its slightly curved beak to dig for ants and beetles. These colorful birds are found across North America, from Alaska to Mexico. They’re easy to spot with their brown-spotted plumage, black bib, and red (in the west) or yellow (in the east) feathers under their wings and tail.
Interesting Facts:
Northern Flickers have a behavior called “anting,” where they rub ants on their feathers. It’s thought that this might help control parasites or soothe irritated skin during molting.
13. Nanday Parakeet
Nanday Parakeet, also known as the Black-hooded Parakeet. These chatty, colorful birds are native to South America, but they’ve also established feral populations in several parts of the United States, particularly in Florida and California. Nanday Parakeets are medium-sized parrots with bright green bodies, blue-tinted wings, and a distinctive black hood that gives them their alternate name.
Interesting Facts:
Nanday Parakeets are excellent mimics and can learn to imitate human speech and other sounds. In the wild, they use a variety of squawks, chirps, and screeches to communicate with their flock mates.
14. Napoleon Weaver
Napoleon Weaver, a small but impressive bird named after the famous French emperor. Also known as the Napoleon Golden-backed Weaver, this bird is found in parts of central Africa. The male Napoleon Weaver is a sight to behold during the breeding season, with a bright yellow body, black face mask, and chestnut-colored back. Females and non-breeding males are much more subdued in color, with streaky brown plumage that helps them blend into their grassland habitats.
Interesting Facts:
Male Napoleon Weavers are polygynous, meaning they mate with multiple females. A single male might maintain and defend a territory with several nests, each occupied by a different female.
15. Narina Trogon
The Narina Trogon is a colorful bird found in forests and woodlands across sub-Saharan Africa. Known for its bright green back, red belly, and unique black-and-white striped tail, the male Narina Trogon is a sight to behold. Females, though less vibrant, have their own beauty, with a more muted green and red coloring. These birds prefer staying hidden in the dense canopy, making them tricky to spot despite their striking colors. They are usually solitary or found in pairs and feed primarily on insects and small fruits.
Interesting Facts:
- The Narina Trogon gets its name from Narina, a Khoisan woman who was loved by French ornithologist François Le Vaillant.
- They are secretive birds, often remaining motionless for long periods, blending into their surroundings.
- Despite their tropical colors, they have a soft, hooting call that can be hard to hear over the sounds of the forest.
- The Narina Trogon’s diet includes insects like caterpillars and beetles, which they catch by quickly darting from their perch.
- They use natural tree cavities for nesting, and both parents participate in raising the young.
Conclusion
Birds that start with “N” showcase the incredible variety and beauty of the avian world. From the vibrant Northern Cardinal to the unique behaviors of the Nuthatch, each species has something fascinating to offer. Whether you’re drawn to their colors, songs, or remarkable adaptations, these birds remind us of the rich diversity in nature.
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