Learn about the impressive Birds That Start With C, including the Cattle Egret, Canada Goose, and many more below!
Are you a bird enthusiast looking to expand your knowledge? Don’t overlook the charm and uniqueness of Birds That Start with C. Whether you’re a professional ornithologist or a weekend birdwatcher, this article provides a basic understanding of this particular category of birds.
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Birds That Start With C
1. Common Cuckoo
Scientific Name: Cuculus canorus
A master of disguise, the Common Cuckoo lays its eggs in the nests of other birds. This bird prefers open woodlands and fields for its habitat. Among the names of birds that start with C, the common cuckoo is remarkable for its parasitic nesting habits.
2. Carolina Wren
Scientific Name: Thryothorus ludovicianus
The Carolina wren is a small, energetic bird with a distinctive white belly and rich, brown upperparts. It’s celebrated for its loud and complex songs, often belting out a series of sweet whistles and trills.
3. Cedar Waxwing
Scientific Name: Bombycilla cedrorum
Showcasing a crest and sleek plumage, the cedar waxwing indulges in fruits and insects. Renowned for its social nature, this bird often forms large flocks, particularly during migration. Its propensity for fruit consumption can sometimes lead to intoxication, adding an unusual twist to its behavior.
4. Cockatiel
Scientific Name: Nymphicus hollandicus
Originating from Australia, the Cockatiel is a popular pet bird cherished for its affectionate temperament. With a striking yellow crest and gray body, it’s a marvel of avian elegance. This bird is adept at mimicking simple tunes and whistles.
5. Cattle Egret
Scientific Name: Bubulcus ibis
Easily distinguishable by its white plumage, the cattle egret accompanies livestock, skillfully catching insects stirred up by the animals. This bird has an expanding range that now includes various continents beyond its African origins.
6. Canada Goose
Scientific Name: Branta canadensis
Often sighted in V-shaped flight formations, the Canada goose is an emblem of North American wildlife. This waterfowl is elegant and robust with a black neck and white chinstrap. Its honking calls are iconic, particularly during migration seasons.
7. Crested Pigeon
Scientific Name: Ocyphaps lophotes
The crested pigeon is an Australian native who adapted well to urban environments. This bird displays iridescent plumage and has a unique whistling sound made by its wing feathers during flight, capturing the attention of all who encounter it.
8. California Condor
Scientific Name: Gymnogyps californianus
With a wingspan reaching nearly ten feet, the California Condor is North America’s largest flying bird. Currently endangered, this bird acts as a scavenger that helps control disease by feeding on carcasses.
9. Common Chaffinch
Scientific Name: Fringilla Coelebs
The male chaffinch is a small European bird that turns heads with its blue-grey cap and rust-red underbelly. This bird is known for its melodious voice, which can vary from region to region.
10. Cinnamon Teal
Scientific Name: Anas cyanoptera
This small dabbling duck with a deep cinnamon hue is a true marvel of nature. Primarily feeding on aquatic plants, the cinnamon teal is most active during dusk and dawn. Its range primarily spans the Americas, including the western U.S. and South America.
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11. Citril Finch
Scientific Name:Â Serinus citrinella
Displaying vibrant shades of yellow and green, this bird is a seed-eater that enjoys forests and alpine meadows. Thus, a notable addition to this list of birds that starts with C.
12. Chinese Sparrowhawk
Scientific Name:Â Accipiter soloensis
Sleek and agile, this migratory bird is skilled at hunting smaller birds and mammals. It’s often seen soaring above forests, grasslands, and wetlands, displaying impressive aerial maneuvers.
13. Common Crane
Scientific Name: Grus grus
Symbolizing longevity and good fortune in many cultures, cranes are large, long-necked birds that start with C. They engage in courtship rituals, including bowing, jumping, and throwing small objects.
14. Common Coot
Scientific Name: Fulica atra
Despite its duck-like appearance, the coot is more closely related to the rail family. This bird is common in freshwater habitats with a distinctive white bill and forehead. It’s a proficient diver, delving underwater in search of aquatic plants.
15. Canary
Scientific Name: Serinus canaria
Famous for their vocal prowess, Canaries are small songbirds originally from the Macaronesian Islands. With colorful plumage, these birds that start with C are renowned for their melodious songs.
16. Common Curlew
Scientific Name: Numenius arquata
Showcasing a long, down-curved bill, the curlew is a wading bird with a hauntingly beautiful call. Often seen in marshy areas or along coastlines, this bird uses its unique bills to probe into mud and sand for crustaceans and invertebrates.
17. Cassowary
Scientific Name: Casuarius
Native to the tropical forests of New Guinea and nearby islands, the cassowary is a flightless bird. Distinguished by its striking blue skin and a helmet-like casque, it’s one of the most dangerous birds due to its powerful legs and sharp claws.
18. Corncrake
Scientific Name: Crex crex
The corncrake is a secretive bird typically concealed in tall grasslands and meadows. Its raspy, repetitive call serves as its most defining characteristic. Highly migratory, this bird traverses long distances from Europe to Africa.
19. Capercaillie
Scientific Name: Tetrao urogallus
Primarily residing in the conifer forests of Eurasia, the capercaillie is the largest member of the grouse family. Males sport a stunning combination of dark feathers and a white belly.
20. Carolina Chickadee
Scientific Name: Poecile carolinensis
The Carolina chickadee is recognized for its energetic behavior and distinct “chick-a-dee-dee” call. This social bird is common in deciduous and mixed forests and is known for its problem-solving abilities.
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21. Common Crossbill
Scientific Name: Loxia curvirostra
Distinguished by its unusual beak design, the crossbill uses this unique tool to extract seeds from cones, particularly those of conifers. It’s often seen in groups, flitting energetically from tree to tree in search of food.
22. Chuck-will’s-widow
Scientific Name: Antrostomus carolinensis
Active primarily at dusk and dawn, this nightjar is named for its haunting, repetitive call. It’s well-camouflaged and often roosts on the ground during the day, rising at twilight to feed on insects.
23. Cockatoo
Scientific Name: Cacatuidae
Sporting a vivid crest and colored plumage, cockatoos are the showmen of the avian world. Native to Australia, these birds that start with C are highly intelligent and social, often living in large communities.
24. Chiffchaff
Scientific Name: Phylloscopus collybita
Named for its unique “chiff-chaff” call, this avian wonder can be spotted in various natural settings, from woodlands to gardens. During migration, it covers vast distances, traveling from Europe to Africa.
25. Cotinga
Scientific Name: Cotingidae
Cotingas come in a range of striking hues, from vivid blues to radiant reds. These fruit-eating birds often perch high in the canopy, blending in seamlessly until their vibrant colors catch the light.
26. Cliff Swallow
Scientific Name: Petrochelidon pyrrhonota
Recognizable by their mud nests clinging to cliffs and buildings, cliff swallows are agile fliers that feed on flying insects. With a dark blue back and a cream-colored belly, these birds that start with C often assemble in large colonies.
27. Chough
Scientific Name: Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax
Choughs are agile fliers popular for their aerial somersaults and sharp dives. With glossy black feathers and a red bill, they usually inhabit coastal cliffs and high mountain ranges.
28. Common Eider
Scientific Name: Somateria mollissima
This large sea duck is admired for its soft and insulating down feathers. With a diet mainly consisting of mussels and crustaceans, it frequents coastal regions and often forms large flocks.
29. Chimney Swift
Scientific Name: Chaetura pelagica
Characterized by its rapid and erratic flight patterns, this bird makes nests inside chimneys and other vertical surfaces. The chimney swift is a skilled aerial hunter, capturing its prey mid-flight.
30. Cape May Warbler
Scientific Name: Setophaga tigrina
Named after Cape May, New Jersey, this migratory songbird displays intricate patterns of black streaks against a yellow backdrop. During traveling, this bird often visits coniferous forests to feed on insects.
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31. Cinnamon Quail-Thrush
Scientific Name: Cinclosoma cinnamomeum
The cinnamon quail-thrush boasts a uniquely patterned plumage. Preferring arid and semi-arid zones, this ground-dwelling bird predominantly feeds on insects and seeds.
32. Currawong
Scientific Name: Strepera
Adorned in dark plumage, currawongs are known for their melodious yet eerie calls. Primarily residing in wooded areas, they are opportunistic feeders, consuming fruits, small mammals, and insects. Hence, an excellent candidate in this list of birds that start with C.
33. Canvasback
Scientific Name: Aythya valisineria
Displaying a wedge-shaped head, the canvasback is a diving duck that frequents North American wetlands. With a specialized bill for sifting through mud, this bird consumes aquatic plants, insects, and small fish.
34. Cape Crow
Scientific Name: Corvus capensis
Endemic to the southern parts of Africa, the cape crow exhibits striking black plumage and an imposing beak. This bird uses tools to extract insects and grubs from their hiding spots.
35. Crimson Rosella
Scientific Name: Platycercus elegans
With its vivid red and blue plumage, the crimson rosella enjoys a diet of fruits and seeds. Originating in eastern and southeastern Australia, it often visits gardens, forests, and farmlands.
36. Corn Bunting
Scientific Name: Emberiza calandra
With a drab, brownish appearance, the corn bunting’s most distinguishing feature is its song, often compared to the jingling of keys. Native to Europe and Asia, this bird often flocks together, especially in winter.
37. Crested Tit
Scientific Name: Lophophanes cristatus
Sporting a distinctive crest on its head, the crested tit is a small woodland bird that captures the hearts of birdwatchers. With intricate patterns on its plumage, this bird is a year-round resident in European pine forests.
38. Coppersmith Barbet
Scientific Name: Megalaima haemacephala
Named for its distinctive call, this tropical bird boasts a combination of green, red, and yellow. Native to South Asia, the coppersmith barbet is common in gardens and wooded areas, where it carves out nest holes in trees.
39. Collared Falconet
Scientific Name: Microhierax caerulescens
This small bird has a commanding presence despite its size. Residing in the forests of South and Southeast Asia, it feeds on a diet that includes insects, small mammals, and reptiles.
40. Curve-billed Thrasher
Scientific Name: Toxostoma curvirostre
Native to the American Southwest and Mexico, this bird features a long, curved bill ideal for probing the ground for insects. Among the birds that start with C, its call is a series of sharp, whistling notes that echo across arid landscapes.
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