From Killdeer to Klages’s Antwren, this list of Birds That Start With K is your go-to resource for ornithology insights!
Looking for something a bit different in the world of birds? These types of Birds That Start with K could be exactly what you’re after. Read on to learn about these lesser-known yet intriguing bird species.
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Birds That Start with K
1. Killdeer
Scientific Name: Charadrius vociferus
The Killdeer is a medium-sized plover known for its distinctive call. These birds that start with K are common in open fields and mudflats of North America. Their diet includes insects and small crustaceans.
2. Kestrel
Scientific Name: Falco tinnunculus
Falco tinnunculus is a small falcon species in Europe, Asia, and Africa. This bird is easily recognizable by its pointed wings and tail. It often hovers in mid-air while hunting for small mammals.
3. King Eider
Scientific Name: Somateria spectabilis
Endemic to the Arctic coasts, the king eider is a large sea duck known for its ornate plumage and striking colors. This bird loves to munch on mollusks, crustaceans, and small fish. It’s well-adapted to cold climates.
4. Kurrichane Thrush
Scientific Name: Turdus libonyanus
Named after the Kuruman River in South Africa, the kurrichane thrush features gray-olive plumage, buff-orange flank, and orange beak. This bird feeds on fruits, insects, and earthworms. Among these birds that start with the letter K, this creature is monogamous and territorial.
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5. Kākāpō
Scientific Name: Strigops habroptilus
The kakapo is a large, nocturnal, flightless parrot native to New Zealand. This avian wonder captivates with green-and-brown plumage and a yellowish beak. It’s considered a critically endangered species with a distinctive musty-sweet odor.
6. Kiwi
Scientific Name: Apteryx spp.
An icon of New Zealand, kiwis are small, flightless creatures with a keen sense of smell. They have many tiny hair-like feathers, long bills, and short and stout legs. These birds that start with K are nocturnal creatures.
7. Kentish Plover
Scientific Name: Charadrius alexandrinus
The Kentish Plover is a small wading bird in Europe and Asia. It prefers sandy beaches and feeds on small invertebrates. This bird has a distinct white forehead and black eye stripe.
8. Knot
Scientific Name: Calidris canutus
Calidris canutus is a medium-sized sandpiper recognized for its long migrations from the Arctic to South America. This avian wonder survives by eating small mollusks and crustaceans.
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9. Kauaʻi ʻElepaio
Scientific Name: Chasiempis sclateri
An inhabitant of the island of Kauaʻi in Hawaii, this bird primarily feeds on insects. Its small size and fan-like tail make it stand out among the birds beginning with K. It’s considered an important species for controlling insect populations.
10. Kimberley Pipit
Scientific Name: Anthus pseudosimilis
The kimberley pipit is a small, unobtrusive bird with brown plumage. Its natural habitats include grasslands and open fields where it forages for insects. Conservation status for this species varies by region but is generally considered to be of least concern.
11. Kakamega Greenbul
Scientific Name: Arizelocichla Kakamega
Common in the forests of Kenya and Uganda, the Kakamega greenbul has yellow plumage and dark bill. This species loves to consume insects and fruits. It’s named after its primary habitat, the Kakamega Forest.
12. Kabobo Apalis
Scientific Name: Apalis kaboboensis
The Kabobo Apalis is a small songbird endemic to the Democratic Republic of Congo. Sporting slate-grey and white plumage with yellowish throat, it inhabits tropical montane forests. This bird is listed as endangered due to habitat destruction.
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13. Knysna Turaco
Scientific Name: Tauraco corythaix
Native to the forests of South Africa, the Knysna Turaco boasts an eye-catching plumage with red panels in the wings. These birds thrive on fruit, insects, and earthworms. They’re known for their loud, distinctive calls.
14. Kākā
Scientific Name: Nestor meridionalis
Endemic to New Zealand, Nestor meridionalis is a forest parrot that loves to feed on fruits, nectar, and wood-boring insects. This striking multi-colored avian creature is famous for its playful and curious nature.
15. Kererū
Scientific Name: Hemiphaga novaeseelandiae
The Hemiphaga novaeseelandiae, commonly known as the Kererū, is a bird species endemic to New Zealand. This creature is characterized by its blue-green iridescent feathers and a white breast.
16. Kea
Scientific Name: Nestor notabilis
The Kea is an alpine parrot found in New Zealand’s South Island. Popular for its intelligence and curiosity, this bird has an olive-green plumage. It needs roots, leaves, berries, nectar, and insects for survival.
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17. Kentucky Warbler
Scientific Name: Geothlypis formosa
This small songbird inhabits the forests of the southeastern U.S. It sports a bright yellow belly, olive-green back, and a black under-eye area. This bird inhabits mature deciduous forests with dense understory vegetation.
18. Kakariki
Scientific Name: Cyanoramphus novaezelandiae
Kakariki, also known as the red-crowned parakeet of the New Zealand. This bird sports emerald-green feathers, tiny red patches behind the eyes, and a red crown. The females of this species are smaller than the males.
19. Kori Bustard
Scientific Name: Ardeotis kori
A resident of Africa, the Kori Bustard is one of the largest flying birds. Primarily found in grasslands and savannas, this ground-dwelling bird is renowned for its imposing size, weighing up to 42 pounds.
20. Kittlitz’s Murrelet
Scientific Name: Brachyramphus brevirostris
Native to the coastlines of Alaska and Russia, the Kittlitz’s Murrelet is a small seabird with a short bill and rounded head. It feeds on fish and zooplankton. Due to climate change and habitat loss, this bird is now considered vulnerable.
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21. King Quail
Scientific Name: Excalfactoria chinensis
This small ground-dwelling creature is indigenous to Southeast Asia. This bird can thrive in various habitats, including grasslands, farmlands, and marshes. Excalfactoria chinensis is often kept in aviaries due to its vibrant plumage and minimal space requirements.
22. Kagu
Scientific Name: Rhynochetos jubatus
The Kagu is a flightless bird of New Caledonia, a group of islands in the South Pacific. Famous for its strikingly ash-gray plumage and peculiar crown, the Kagu is one of the most iconic species in the region. This bird is omnivorous, feasting on a diet of insects, snails, and small vertebrates.
23. Keel-billed Toucan
Scientific Name: Ramphastos sulfuratus
Keel-billed Toucan is a strikingly colorful bird endemic to the tropical rainforests of Central and South America. It has a social nature and often forms small flocks. This species is a key attraction for birdwatchers and ecotourists.
24. Kelp Gull
Scientific Name: Larus dominicanus
Kelp gull is a large seabird that can adapt to various habitats. This bird features a white body with dark gray or black wings and yellow legs. Kelp Gulls are omnivorous and opportunistic feeders, consuming a diet that includes fish, crustaceans, and even human food scraps when available.
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25. Kenrick’s Starling
Scientific Name: Poeoptera kenricki
Primarily found in East Africa, Kenrick’s starling is a medium-sized bird with dark plumage. Primarily an insectivore, Poeoptera kenricki feeds on various insects, making it beneficial for natural pest control in its habitat. This bird species is quite social, often seen foraging in flocks.
26. Kirtland’s Warbler
Scientific Name: Setophaga kirtlandii
Endemic to the United States, this small songbird prefers jack pine forests for breeding. With a unique blue-grey upper body and a bright yellow belly, it consumes insects. The bird is named after American naturalist Jared P. Kirtland.
27. Karoo Prinia
Scientific Name: Prinia maculosa
Found in the dry regions of southern Africa, the Karoo Prinia is a small bird with brown and white plumage. It primarily feeds on insects and is often found in fynbos and scrubland habitats.
28. Karoo Chat
Scientific Name: Cercomela schlegelii
The karoo chat is a common sight in the dry regions of southern Africa. It has a gray body, lighter underparts, and a gray rump. This bird’s diet consists of insects and seeds. It’s an excellent addition to this list of birds that start with K.
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29. Kalij Pheasant
Scientific Name: Lophura leucomelanos
Indigenous to South Asia, the Kalij Pheasant is loved for its bluish-black and white plumage with red facial skin. It inhabits forests and wooded areas of South and Southeast Asia.
30. Klages’s Antwren
Scientific Name: Myrmotherula klagesi
Klages’s antwren features a striking combination of black and white plumage. This bird inhabits lowland tropical forests and primarily feeds on insects. Due to habitat destruction, this bird is considered a vulnerable species.
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