From common to rare, this list of Birds That Start with H reveals traits and behaviors that set each species apart!
For those with a keen eye and an affinity for feathered friends, “Birds That Start With H” is the perfect resource. This guide gives an in-depth look at these intriguing avians, from common backyard guests to rare and exotic species.
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Birds That Start With H
1. House Sparrow
Scientific Name-Â Passer domesticus
House sparrows are small birds commonly found in urban environments. They are recognized for their stout body and simple plumage. These birds that start with H are highly adaptable and often forage for scraps.
2. Harris’s Hawk
Scientific Name-Â Parabuteo unicinctus
Renowned for its hunting tactics, Harris’s hawk is predominantly found in the southwestern United States. It sports distinct reddish-brown plumage and hunts in family groups.
3. Hooded Merganser
Scientific Name-Â Lophodytes cucullatus
This diving duck is identifiable by its striking hooded crest. Native to North America, hooded merganser prefers freshwater habitats and feeds on small aquatic creatures.
4. Hermit Thrush
Scientific Name-Â Catharus guttatus
A modest bird with a complex song, the Hermit Thrush inhabits woodland areas. It possesses a reddish-brown back and a pale underbelly, setting it apart from similar species.
5. House Finch
Scientific Name-Â Haemorhous mexicanus
Prolific in North America, the House Finch thrives in urban landscapes. Males are recognizable by their bright red heads and throats, contrasting their brown bodies.
6. Hoopoe
Scientific Name-Â Upupa epops
Highlighted by a fan-like crest and long, slender bill, the Hoopoe is endemic to Africa, Asia, and Europe. Its appearance makes this avian wonder a notable mention among these birds that starts with H.
7. Horned Grebe
Scientific Name-Â Podiceps auritus
The horned grebe is a freshwater diver with red eyes and distinct tufts on the sides of its head. This creature breeds in North America and Eurasia.
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8. Herring Gull
Scientific Name-Â Larus argentatus
The herring gull features a white and gray plumage. A common sight in coastal areas, this bird enjoys a diet of fish, invertebrates, and scavenged food.
9. Harlequin Duck
Scientific Name-Â Histrionicus histrionicus
Native to North America, this sea duck is recognized for its vivid, contrasting plumage. It often breeds near fast-flowing streams and rivers.
10. Hairy Woodpecker
Scientific Name-Â Picoides villosus
This North American woodpecker sports a black and white feather pattern and a red patch on the head. It feeds on insects like hairy caterpillars, gypsy moths, ants, grasshoppers, and wood-boring beetles.
11. Hammond’s Flycatcher
Scientific Name-Â Empidonax hammondii
A migratory bird that prefers coniferous forests, Hammond’s flycatcher is a small, agile flier. Its primary diet includes a variety of insects.
12. House Martin
Scientific Name-Â Delichon urbicum
The House Martin commonly breeds in Europe and Asia. It constructs mud nests among the birds that start with H.
13. Hawfinch
Scientific Name-Â Coccothraustes coccothraustes
Popular for its robust bill capable of cracking hard seeds, the Hawfinch is endemic to Europe and Asia. It flaunts a distinctive brown, black, and white plumage.
14. Hooded Warbler
Scientific Name-Â Setophaga citrina
A migratory songbird, the Hooded Warbler breeds in the eastern United States. Males have a bright yellow face and body, with a striking black hood and bib.
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15. Hawaiian Petrel
Scientific Name-Â Pterodroma sandwichensis
Endemic to Hawaii, this seabird is a proficient glider among the birds that start with the letter H. This flying creature is most active at night and feeds primarily on small fish.
16. Hill Myna
Scientific Name-Â Gracula religiosa
Native to South Asia, the Hill Myna is adored for its ability to mimic human speech. It has glossy black plumage with bright yellow patches on its face and nape.
17. House Wren
Scientific Name-Â Troglodytes aedon
Commonly found in gardens and farmlands, the House Wren is a small, brown bird. It builds its nest in human-made structures like birdhouses.
18. Horned Lark
Scientific Name-Â Eremophila alpestris
The Horned Lark is recognizable by its tiny “horns” of feathers. Its upper parts are brown, complemented by a yellow face and black markings.
19. Honeyeater
Scientific Name-Â Meliphagidae
Native to Australia and surrounding areas, Honeyeaters are named for their preference for nectar. These birds that start with H possess a specialized tongue designed for efficient nectar extraction.
20. Humboldt Penguin
Scientific Name-Â Spheniscus humboldti
Indigenous to South America, this medium-sized penguin is adapted to cold oceanic waters. It’s distinguished by a horseshoe-shaped white band across its head and down its sides.
21. Hooded Crow
Scientific Name-Â Corvus cornix
Common in northern and eastern Europe, this avian wonder is distinguished by its two-tone plumage. It’s a highly adaptable creature with an omnivorous diet.
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22. Harpy Eagle
Scientific Name-Â Harpia harpyja
Among the largest eagles, the harpy is found in the rainforests of Central and South America. It’s known for its enormous talons and strong bill, capable of preying on large mammals.
23. Hazel Grouse
Scientific Name-Â Bonasa bonasia
This ground-dwelling small, elusive game bird prefers dense, mixed forests. It has mottled brown plumage and feeds on berries and plant material.
24. Hottentot Teal
Scientific Name-Â Spatula hottentota
Found in sub-Saharan Africa, this small dabbling duck has striking plumage with bluish-grey legs and a blue beak. It frequents shallow water bodies to consume aquatic plants.
25. Hawaiian Goose
Scientific Name-Â Branta sandvicensis
Also known as Nene, this is the world’s rarest goose among the birds that start with H. Hawaiian goose has adapted to volcanic landscapes and shows less webbing on its feet than other geese.
26. Heermann’s Gull
Scientific Name-Â Larus heermanni
Found along the west coast of North America, this medium-sized gull is recognized by its slate-gray plumage and red bill. It primarily feeds on fish and crustaceans.
27. Hyacinth Macaw
Scientific Name-Â Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus
Endemic to Neotropics, this bird is the largest among all the parrots. It has vivid blue plumage and a strong beak that can break hard-shelled nuts.
28. Hornbill
Scientific Name-Â Bucerotidae
This bird family is renowned for their large bills and casques. Mostly found in Africa and Asia, they have a varied diet ranging from fruit to small animals.
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29. Hwamei
Scientific Name- Garrulax canorus
Indigenous to East Asia, the Hwamei is a songbird with brown plumage and distinctive white eye-rings. It’s well-known for its melodious song.
30. Herons
Scientific Name-Â Ardeidae
Herons are large, water-dwelling birds with long necks and legs. They primarily feed on fish, using their long, sharp bills.
31. Himalayan Monal
Scientific Name-Â Lophophorus impejanus
The national bird of Nepal, this creature is prized for its iridescent plumage. Males display a striking combination of colors, from metallic green to orange and blue.
32. Hume’s Leaf Warbler
Scientific Name – Phylloscopus humei
Endemic to the mountainous regions of Asia, this warbler is a small, olive-brown bird. This creature is a migratory species that loves to devour insects and spiders.
33. Hooded Oriole
Scientific Name –Â Icterus cucullatus
This oriole displays a combination of vibrant yellow and black plumage. These birds that start with H often migrate in flocks and over-winter near feeders.
34. Himalayan Snowcock
Scientific Name –Â Tetraogallus himalayensis
Native to the mountain ranges of Central Asia, this bird is adapted to alpine conditions. It has mottled brown plumage and forages on a variety of plant materials.
35. Hudsonian Godwit
Scientific Name –Â Limosa haemastica
This long-billed, long-legged wader breeds in northern Canada and Alaska. It has a distinctive, two-toned bill and migrates great distances, even reaching as far as South America.
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