Birds have some of the most unique and interesting names in the animal kingdom. From common backyard birds like cardinals and blue jays to exotic species around the world, bird names can be quite creative and memorable. In this article, we’ll explore some of the most unique, quirky, and charming bird names and discover the stories behind them.
Names Inspired by Appearance
Many bird names are derived from the distinctive physical features and color patterns in the birds’ plumage. Here are some examples:
- Scarlet macaw – Named for its vivid red and yellow feathers
- Atlantic puffin – Named for its puffy white face and stocky appearance
- Resplendent quetzal – Known for its colorful, iridescent feathers
- Greater bird-of-paradise – Has exceptionally long, ornamental tail feathers
- American robin – Named for its bright red breast
These types of descriptive names accurately capture the beautiful and striking details of a bird’s appearance. Calling attention to these visual characteristics helps distinguish between similar species.
Names That Mimic Bird Sounds
Onomatopoeia is used extensively in bird names – when the name phonetically imitates the sound the bird makes. Here are some common examples:
- Chickadee – Named for its familiar “chick-a-dee-dee” song
- Bobwhite – Mimics its “bob-WHITE” call
- Killdeer – Named for its loud “kill-DEER” cry
- Whip-poor-will – Echoes its repetitive “whip-poor-WILL” song
- Barred owl – Makes a distinctive “who cooks for you? who cooks for you-all?” hoot
These types of vivid descriptions connect the bird name directly back to the bird’s vocalizations. They help distinguish between birds based on their unique sounds and calls.
Names Based on Habitat
Some birds are named after the specific environments and regions they inhabit. For example:
- Bald eagle – Found across North America from Alaska to Florida
- Great egret – Seen in wetlands and marshes in the Americas
- Sandhill crane – Native to prairies and sandhill regions
- Atlantic puffin – Lives on the coasts and islands of the North Atlantic Ocean
- American dipper – Found along fast moving mountain streams in North America
Linking a bird name to its preferred home grounds teaches us about where the species may be found. Habitat-based names are very useful for classification and identification.
Names Based on Legends and Folklore
Some bird names originate from cultural myths and legends surrounding the species. For example:
- Phoenix – Mythical bird that is cyclically regenerated or reborn.
- Thunderbird – Legendary enormous bird said to cause thunder.
- Dodo – Named after the Portuguese word for “simpleton” based on its apparent lack of fear of humans.
- Hoatzin – Known as the “stinkbird” for its foul odor, similar to the mythical chupacabra.
- Tennessee warbler – Named by early American settlers for the State of Tennessee.
These names evoke mystical and symbolic associations that have built up around particular bird species over time. The legends make the names more memorable and distinctive.
Names That Describe Behavior
Some birds have names that directly describe their behavior patterns and feeding habits. For example:
- Killdeer – Known for faking broken wing displays to draw predators away from its nest.
- European cuckoo – Lays eggs in the nests of other bird species to be raised by foster parents (“cuckolding”).
- Oystercatcher – Specializes in prying open and eating oysters and mussels.
- Brown-headed cowbird – Notorious for laying eggs in other birds’ nests like a “nest parasite.”
- Woodpecker – Pecks on trees to excavate nest cavities and find food.
Naming a bird based on how it acts provides insight into its natural history. These types of descriptive names teach us about each species’ behavioral quirks and feeding strategies.
Fun, Whimsical, and Fanciful Names
Some bird names have a very playful, whimsical quality. These fun names are meant to spark curiosity and delight:
- Puffin – Chubby seabirds that appear “puffed up.”
- Kiwi – Flightless New Zealand bird named after the fuzzy brown kiwi fruit.
- Dodo – Ungainly flightless bird considered clumsy and comical.
- Boobies and tits – Family names derived from old English words for “foolish” and “small.”
- Feather duster of a bird – Humorous nickname for the plume-covered bird of paradise.
Using a touch of humor and creativity makes these names more engaging and human. The whimsy sparks interest in learning more about the amusingly-named species.
Names Borrowed from Other Languages
Many bird names originate from other languages and cultures, including:
- Canary – Derived from the Spanish island Canaria.
- Macaw – Borrowed from a Native Central American language.
- Cockatoo – From the Malay name for these birds, kaka(k) tua.
- Ptarmigan – Comes from the Gaelic word tarmachan.
- Albatross – Derived from the Arabic al-câdous or “the diver.”
Adopting bird names from other languages shows how species were identified by people indigenious to the bird’s native region. It celebrates global diversity in human-bird relationships.
Names Honoring People
Some birds are named in honor of prominent scientists and naturalists. For example:
- Wilson’s storm-petrel – Named after American ornithologist Alexander Wilson.
- Bewick’s wren – Named after English naturalist Thomas Bewick.
- Steller’s jay – Named after German naturalist Georg Wilhelm Steller.
- Baldwin’s oriole – Named after Smithsonian ornithologist J.H. Baldwin.
- Manx shearwater – Named for the Isle of Man, where early specimen was found.
These eponymous names give credit to the important contributions made by pioneering researchers. The names link back to influential figures in the field of ornithology.
Naming Contests and Citizen Science
Sometimes new bird species are given their common name through public naming contests and votes. Here are some examples:
- Bluebird-of-paradise – Name chosen in a BBC radio contest in 1971.
- Obamawatch – In 2008, the Spiderhunter was almost named after Barack Obama based on an online poll.
- Sira barbet – “Sira” chosen as the name by Thai princess Sirindhorn in honor of her mother.
- Yoda bat – In 2012, the public voted online to name this species after the Star Wars character.
These interactive naming campaigns generate public interest in recently discovered birds. They provide memorable and sometimes playful names.
Scientific Names in Latin or Greek
In addition to their common names, all birds are assigned a scientific name with Latin or Greek roots. For example:
- Haliaeetus leucocephalus (bald eagle) – Haliaeetus means “sea eagle”, leucocephalus means “white-headed”.
- Corvus brachyrhynchos (American crow) – Corvus means “raven”, brachyrhynchos means “short-billed”.
- Puffinus puffinus (Manx shearwater) – Puffinus is derived from the bird’s puffin-like form.
- Struthio camelus (ostrich) – Struthio means “ostrich”, camelus references the bird’s camel-like appearance.
These technical names enable precise communication between scientists across language barriers. The Greek/Latin roots provide insight into each bird’s anatomy, geography, behavior, and evolutionary relationships.
Conclusion
As we’ve seen, bird names come in many varieties – descriptive, whimsical, location-based, onomatopoeic, eponymous, and more. These creative names not only identify individual species, they also tell us about birds’ appearances, behaviors, habitats, histories, and unique quirks. Bird names provide a colorful lens through which to appreciate the diversity of the avian world.
Next time you encounter an interesting bird name, take a moment to consider what hidden insights it may contain about our feathered friends. The name may highlight the bird’s most defining qualities and connect us more deeply with its natural wonder.