A complete guide to the different types of birds, with pictures and facts.
This page is for everyone interested in knowing a bit more about birds – from budding ornithologists, to those who just want to discover more about bird life from all around the world.
Scroll down for an alphabetical list of many different types of birds from all around the world. You can click on any of the photos in the index section to find out more about a particular type of bird.
Click here to skip the introduction and go directly to the bird list.
Types of Birds
Examples of different types of birds include perching birds such as sparrows and finches; large flightless birds such as ostriches and emus; raptors such as eagles and hawks; seabirds such as gulls and terns; waterfowl such as ducks and swans; and specialists such as flamingos, penguins, woodpeckers and owls.
What Are Birds?
Birds are animals in the class Aves. In total, there around 10,000 bird species, divided into 252 families. Birds range in size from the tiny bee hummingbird to the towering common ostrich, which weighs more than most humans.
Passeriformes
The largest group of birds is the order Passeriformes. Birds in this group are called passerines, and are also known as “perching birds” or “songbirds”. There are around 6,533 passerines in 140 families. In fact, around 60% of all bird species are passerines.
Many species in the list below, including familiar birds such as crows, robins, thrushes, wrens and sparrows, are passerines. The list also contains many other bird groups, and has been created to provide an excellent overview of the many different types of birds that are alive today.
What’s your favorite type of bird? What’s your best bird sighting? Let us know in the comments section at the end of the page! We’re also happy to answer any bird-related questions you may have!
FREE North American Bird Quiz App
Use our awesome FREE North American Bird ID Quiz App for Android to learn North American species. Click HERE or on the image below to find out more.
An Alphabetical List Of Different Types of Birds With Pictures & Facts
Click on any of the images below to find out more about a particular type of bird, or scroll past the index to see information on all bird types.
Page Index
Albatrosses
- Order: Procellariiformes
- Family: Diomedeidae
Albatrosses are large birds that spend much of their lives at sea. Albatrosses are among the world’s largest flying birds.
The wandering albatross has the longest wingspan of any bird. Its average wingspan is around 3 m (9 ft. 10 in), but there are reports of individuals whose wingspans are over 5m! Wandering albatrosses are known for covering vast distances; some individuals circle the Southern Ocean three times in one year.
Sadly, many of the 21 albatross species are endangered. One of the biggest threats to albatrosses is long line fishing – the birds take bait meant for the fish, become caught on the hooks and subsequently drown.
Auks
- Order: Charadriiformes
- Family: Alcidae
Auks are a family of seabirds. The family includes several bird groups, including puffins, guillemots and murres. Auks are good swimmers; their short wings help them to “fly” through the water as well as in the air.
The great auk (Pinguinus impennis), a flightless auk species, became extinct in the mid nineteenth century as a result of overhunting.
Although auks somewhat resemble penguins, the two groups are unrelated. The groups’ similarity is a result of convergent evolution – the process by which unrelated species come to resemble each other due to similarities in their lifestyles and habitats.
Birds-Of-Paradise
- Order: Passeriformes
- Family: Paradisaeidae
Birds of paradise are famous for the elaborate and brightly-colored plumage of many of the males. There are 42 species in the birds of paradise family, Paradisaeidae. They are found in eastern Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, and Australia.
Birds Of Prey (Eagles, Hawks, Kites, Old World Vultures)
- Order: Accipitriformes
- Family: Accipitridae
Members of the family Accipitridae are also known as “birds of prey”, or “raptors”. The family contains eagles, hawks, kites, harriers and Old World vultures.
The Accipitridae use their powerful talons to dispatch their prey. Other characteristics of the group include hooked bills and excellent eyesight, which is used to locate prey while the bird is soaring high in the sky.
- You can find out more about the bald eagle here: Bald Eagle Facts
- Find out more about the harpy eagle here: Harpy Eagle Facts
Bowerbirds
- Order: Passeriformes
- Family: Ptilonorhynchidae
There are between 20 and 30 species of bowerbird, with members of the family being found in New Guinea and Australia.
Bowerbirds are famous for their courtship ritual. This involves the male bird building a highly elaborate structure – called a bower – to impress the female.
The female is highly selective, and will only choose a male whose bower comes up to scratch. Once mating is complete, the male plays no part in nest construction or the rearing of the young. (The bower is not used as a nest.)
Cassowary
- Order: Casuariiformes
- Genus: Casuarius
Cassowaries are large, flightless birds with black plumage, brightly-colored and bald necks, and bony structures on the top of their heads known as casques. The casque may help the cassowary to amplify its voice.
There are three species of cassowary: the southern cassowary, northern cassowary, and dwarf cassowary. All three species are found on the island of New Guinea; the southern cassowary (the largest and most common species) is also found in Australia.
Even the dwarf cassowary (the smallest cassowary) reaches heights of up to 4.92 ft / 1.5 m.
The family Casuariidae, to which the cassowaries belong, also contains the emu, another large flightless Australian bird.
- You can find out more about cassowaries on this page: Cassowary Facts
Condors
- Order: Cathartiformes
- Family: Cathartidae
There are two species of condor: the Andean condor and the California condor. Both belong to the New World vulture family, Cathartidae.
As its name suggests, the Andean condor is found in the Andes and the region surrounding the South American mountain range. The species has a conservation status of “Vulnerable”.
The California condor is a critically endangered species, and is one of the world’s rarest birds. In 1985, the species’ wild population was down to just nine birds. In 1987 every wild California condor was captured to take part in a breeding program.
Today, thanks to the breeding program, the species’ population numbers over 500, with around 200 birds now found in the wild.
Crows and Jays
- Order: Passeriformes
- Family: Corvidae
The crow family Corvidae contains not only crows but also birds such as jays, nutcrackers, ravens and magpies. Members of Corvidae are found on all continents apart from Antarctica.
Crows are among the most intelligent of all animals. Several species have demonstrated tool use and self-recognition in mirror tests.
The common raven is not only the largest member of the crow family, but also the largest passerine. It’s as big as – if not slightly bigger than – the common buzzard.
- You can find out more about ravens on this page: Raven Facts
Cuckoos
- Order: Cuculiformes
- Family: Cuculidae
Cuckoos are known for two things: the “cuck-oo” call of the common cuckoo, and the habit of some cuckoos of laying their eggs in the nests of other birds – a practice known as “brood parasitism”.
The common cuckoo selects its victim – usually a small bird such as a pipit or warbler – and lays its egg in the victim’s nest. After hatching, the cuckoo chick will push the other eggs or chicks out of the nest. The unsuspecting victim will continue to feed the cuckoo chick, believing it to be one of its own, despite the cuckoo chick growing to over three times the size of its “parent”.
Only around 50 of the 140 or so species in the cuckoo family Cuculidae practice brood parasitism, but it’s these bad apples that have earned the family its bad name.
Ducks, Geese and Swans
- Order: Anseriformes
- Family: Anatidae
The family Anatidae comprises between 146 and 160 species. The family contains several well-known groups of water birds, including ducks, geese and swans.
Most anatids have long necks and legs set back on the body for swimming. Male and female ducks often look very different, with the males generally having colorful plumage, especially during the breeding season.
Many anatids embark on long migrations to and from their breeding grounds.
The largest anatid is the trumpeter swan. It is the heaviest North American bird, and has a wingspan of around 3 m (10 ft.)
Eagles
- Order: Accipitriformes
- Family: Accipitridae
Eagles are large birds of prey that belong, along with birds such as hawks and Old World vultures, in the family Accipitridae. Eagles are found on every continent except for Antarctica.
There are around 60 species of eagle. They are often divided into four main types: fish eagles (including the white-tailed eagle and bald eagle), booted eagles (including the golden eagle and booted eagle), snake eagles (including the crested serpent eagle and Philippine eagle) and harpy eagles (including the harpy eagle and crested eagle).
Armed with powerful, hooked bills and large talons, eagles are known to prey on animals larger than themselves, and can fly with prey weighing several kilograms clutched in their talons.
Falcons
- Order: Falconiformes
- Family: Falconidae
There are around 66 species in the family Falconidae, which contains the falcons, caracas and kestrels. Falcons are fast, agile flyers with pointed wings. Other characteristics include hooked beaks and acute eyesight.
Unlike raptors in the family Accipitridae (i.e. hawks), falcons dispatch their prey with their beaks (rather than with their talons). A falcon’s bill has a blunt tooth on the upper mandible for this purpose.
The peregrine falcon is the world’s fastest moving animal. It has been recorded travelling at a speed of 389 km/h (242 mph) while diving.
Flamingoes
- Order: Phoenicopteriformes
- Family: Phoenicopteridae
Flamingoes are long-legged, long-necked birds known for the distinctive pink color of their plumage. This color comes from the pigments found in the flamingos’ food.
Flamingos feed with their heads held upside-down, filtering food out of the water using comb-like structures in their specially modified bills.
The greater flamingo is the largest of the six species of flamingo. It is also the most widely distributed, being found in Africa, Asia and Southern Europe.
- You can find out more about the greater flamingo here: Greater Flamingo Facts
Gamebirds (Pheasants, Partridges, Turkeys, Chickens & Related Birds)
- Order: Galliformes
- Family: Phasianidae
Members of the family Phasianidae are known as gamebirds. The family includes birds such as pheasants, partridges, and the Old World quail. Most species in the family are found in the Old World (i.e. Europe, Africa and Asia).
Gamebirds typically spend most of their time on the ground, only flying when necessary (for example to evade predators).
Several gamebirds are brightly colored. One of the most striking is the peacock, known for the highly-patterned tail feathers of the male.
Gamebirds such as pheasants have been introduced in many parts of the world for hunting and food purposes.
Goldcrests and Kinglets
- Order: Passeriformes
- Family: Regulidae
Regulidae is a family of 6 very small birds, members of which are found in both North America and Europe. The 4 species found in Europe are known as either goldcrests or firecrests. The 2 North American species are known as kinglets.
Members of Regulidae have brightly-colored crests, which can be raised as either a courtship or a threat display.
Guineafowl
- Order: Galliformes
- Family: Numididae
The 6 species in the family Numididae are all found in Africa. Guineafowl are large, pheasant-like birds that feed on insects and seeds. Guineafowl live in flocks. They mate for life and nest on the ground.
The helmeted guineafowl (Numida meleagris) is a familiar sight in urban areas of South Africa.
Gulls, Terns and Skimmers
- Order: Charadriiformes
- Family: Laridae
There are around 100 species in the family Laridae, which includes the gulls, terns and skimmers. Members of the family are found on every continent, including Antarctica. They are primarily seabirds, although some gulls are also found in cities, where they nest on rooftops rather than on cliffs.
The great black-backed gull is the world’s largest gull. This impressive gull uses its size to bully other seabirds away from their food. It is also a capable hunter in its own right.
The Arctic tern makes the longest migration of any animal, travelling between the Artic and Antarctica every year.
Think about that for a second: this relatively small bird travels 90,000 km (56,000 mi) every year, and sees two summers every year: one in the northern hemisphere; one in the southern hemisphere!
Hawks and Buzzards
- Order: Accipitriformes
- Family: Accipitridae
Both hawks and buzzards (which, in America are known as hawks) belong to the family Accipitridae. The family also contains eagles, Old World vultures, and other birds of prey.
“True hawks” belong to the subfamily Accipitrinae. These fast-flying, mostly mid-sized birds of prey are often found in woodlands.
Examples of true hawks include the sharp-shinned hawk (found in North America), the sparrowhawk (found mainly in Europe and Asia), and the goshawk (found in temperate regions throughout the northern hemisphere).
Herons and Bitterns
- Order: Pelecaniformes
- Family: Ardeidae
There are around 64 species of heron, and members of the family are found on all continents apart from Antarctica. Herons are typically medium-sized to large birds, with long legs and necks, and dagger-like bills.
The heron family includes egrets and bitterns. Unlike other long-legged & necked birds such as storks and cranes, herons fly with their necks folded rather than extended.
Hoatzin
- Order: Opisthocomiformes
- Family: Opisthocomidae
The only living member of the family Opisthocomidae is the hoatzin. This unusual and much-studied bird is found in the rainforests of South America.
Around the size of a chicken, the hoatzin has a striking crest and is herbivorous. Its chicks have claws at the bend of their wings. These are used for climbing and disappear once the bird can fly.
The hoatzin is also well-known for its unusual digestive system. The bird’s food ferments in an enlarged crop (a chamber in a bird’s throat). The unpleasant odor given off by the food as it ferments has led to the hoatzin being nicknamed the ‘stinkbird’.
Hornbills
- Order: Bucerotiformes
- Family: Bucerotidae
The hornbill family contains some of the most distinctive-looking of all birds. In many species the huge, downward-curving beaks are also brightly-colored. In some species the beak is adorned with a bony, hollow structure called a casque.
The casque’s main function varies from species to species: its uses include strengthening the bill, amplifying the bird’s call, as a weapon in fights to establish dominance, or simply as an indicator of fitness.
The great hornbill, found in India and South East Asia, is one of the best-known hornbills. Its casque is almost as long the huge bill itself.
Hummingbirds
- Order: Apodiformes
- Family: Trochilidae
Hummingbirds are small, nectar eating birds found in the Americas. They are named after the noise made by their wings, which beat at incredible speeds. (The wings of some hummingbirds beat 80 times per second!)
Hummingbirds are able to hover and even to fly backwards, flitting like insects from flower to flower. This unique flying style requires large amounts of energy. During the night, hummingbirds are known to enter a state resembling hibernation known as torpor. This helps to conserve the valuable energy they need to fly.
Hummingbirds evolved from swifts around 42 million years ago.
The world’s smallest bird is the bee hummingbird. This tiny bird is found in Cuba, and weighs around 2 g (0.071 oz.).
Kingfishers
- Order: Coraciiformes
- Family: Alcedinidae
Not all kingfishers eat fish, and many live away from water. Most, however, have large heads and strong bills. Typical behavior includes hunting from a perch and living in tunnels.
There are around 100 kingfisher species. Kingfishers are found in many parts of Europe, Asia, Australia and the Americas.
Well-known kingfisher species include the common kingfisher, found in Britain, mainland Europe, Asia and parts of Africa, and the kookaburra, found in Australia.
- You can find out more about the kookaburra here: Kookaburra Facts
Kiwis
- Infraclass: Palaeognathae
- Order: Apterygiformes
- Family: Apterygidae
The kiwis are 5 species of flightless birds found only in New Zealand.
These nocturnal birds have the smallest eyes in relation to body mass of all birds. Kiwis rely far more heavily on their senses of smell and hearing than they do on their vision, and are able to survive in the wild even if blind.
The kiwi’s nostrils are found at the far end of the bill (the kiwi is the only bird in which this arrangement is found). This allows the kiwi to smell for worms while its bill is buried in the soil.
Four of the five kiwis have the conservation status ‘Vulnerable’, with the fifth being rated ‘Near Threatened’.
The brown kiwi is the most common kiwi. It lays the biggest eggs in relation to body size of all birds.
Leaf Warblers and Allies
- Order: Passeriformes
- Family: Phylloscopidae
The leaf warblers are 77 species of small, usually olive-green / grey, insectivorous (insect-eating) Old World birds. They are highly active birds, flitting between the branches and hovering to catch insects.
Many leaf warblers are similar in appearance. The best way to identify them is often by learning their calls.
The call of the chiffchaff, pictured above, sounds just like its name!
Lyrebirds
- Order: Passeriformes
- Family: Menuridae
The two species of lyrebird, the superb lyrebird and Albert’s lyrebird, are found only in Australia. Both are predominantly land birds and poor fliers.
Lyrebirds are known for their ability to mimic sounds. This includes not only the calls of other types of birds, but also sounds made by animals such as dingoes and koalas, and environmental sounds such as car alarms and camera shutters.
Mockingbirds
- Order: Passeriformes
- Family: Mimidae
Mockingbirds are a group of New World passerines known for their ability to mimic sounds made by other birds (and other types of animals).
The only mockingbird commonly found in North America is the northern mockingbird. This species is known for its high intelligence, and can recognize individual humans.
Mockingbirds belong to the family Mimidae, along with related species such as thrashers and New World catbirds.
New Zealand Wrens
- Order: Passeriformes
- Family: Acanthisittidae
The New Zealand wrens are a family of small birds that are only found in New Zealand. All New Zealand wrens are tiny; the family includes the rifleman, the smallest bird in New Zealand.
Despite the name, New Zealand wrens are not closely related to the “true” wrens in the family Troglodytidae.
Nightjars And Nighthawks
- Order: Caprimulgiformes
- Family: Caprimulgidae
Nightjars are a group of nocturnal or crepuscular (active at dawn and dusk) birds found in many parts of the world. Several American nightjar species are known as nighthawks.
Nightjars were once known as goatsuckers due to the ancient belief that they sucked milk from goats.
Nightjars are very well camouflaged and can be difficult to see during the day. In the night they can be located by the churring song of the male.
Oilbird
- Order: Caprimulgiformes
- Family: Steatornithidae
The oilbird is a large, nocturnal bird found in northern South America. Its large eyes and the sensitive bristles on its hooked bill are adaptations for its nocturnal existence.
The oilbird is one of the very few birds capable of using echolocation. The echoes made by clicks emitted by the bird allow it to navigate in the dark.
Ostriches
- Infraclass: Palaeognathae
- Order: Struthioniformes
- Family: Struthionidae
The family Struthionidae contains just 2 species: the common ostrich and the Somali ostrich. Until 2014 the Somali ostrich was considered to be a subspecies of the common ostrich.
Both ostriches are found in Africa. In addition to being the world’s largest bird, the common ostrich is also the fastest bird on land and the bird with the largest eggs. The species also has the largest eyes of any land vertebrate.
- You can find out more about the common ostrich here: Common Ostrich Facts
Owls
- Order: Strigiformes
- Family: Strigidae
Members of the family Strigidae are also known as the ‘true owls’. Owls are found on every continent except Antarctica. The family contains around 217 species.
An owl’s wide, round face has evolved to direct sound to its ears. The ears are placed at different heights on the head – an adaptation that helps the owl to pinpoint where a sound is coming from. Owls are heavily reliant on their hearing – so much so that heavy rain (which hides the noise made by their prey) restricts their ability to hunt.
The world’s largest owl is the endangered Blakiston’s fish owl, which is found in Japan, mainland East Asia and parts of Russia.
Parrots
- Order: Psittaciformes
- Superfamily: Psittacidae
There are around 350 species of parrot, divided between 3 families, all of which are contained in the superfamily Psittacidae.
Parrots have strong, hooked beaks for breaking open seeds and nuts. The outer two toes of each foot face backwards, while the inner two toes face forwards. This is known as a ‘zygodactyl’ arrangement, and is found in other primarily tree-dwelling birds such as toucans and woodpeckers.
Macaws, such as the scarlet macaw pictured above, are a group of parrots with long tails, brightly-colored plumage, and faces that are often featherless.
Parrots are among the most intelligent of all animals.
- You can find out more about the African grey parrot on this page: African Grey Parrot Facts
- You can find out more about intelligent birds on this page: Intelligent Birds
Pelicans
- Order: Pelecaniformes
- Family: Pelecanidae
Pelicans are large fish-eating seabirds. Their bills are almost as long as their bodies, and are equipped with deep pouches.
Pelicans feed by diving into the water, filling their bill pouches with fish and seawater. After the seawater is expelled, the fish are swallowed.
The American white pelican is one of North America’s longest birds.
Penguins
- Order: Sphenisciformes
- Family: Spheniscidae
Penguins are flightless seabirds. Using their wings to ‘fly’ underwater, penguins are incredibly fast and agile swimmers. Most penguins are found in cold southern regions, but some species are found as far north as the Equator.
The world’s largest penguin is the emperor penguin. It reaches 122 cm (48 in) in height and breeds during the harsh Antarctic winter.
- You can find out more about the types of penguin here: Types of Penguin
- You can find out more about the emperor penguin here: Emperor Penguin Facts
- You can find out more about the little penguin here: Little Penguin Facts
- You can find out more about the adélie penguin here: Adélie Penguin Facts
Pigeons and Doves
- Order: Columbiformes
- Family: Columbidae
Pigeons are medium-sized, well-built birds that are found on every continent except Antarctica.
There is no scientific distinction between pigeons and doves; the name ‘dove’ is generally applied to the smaller members of Columbidae, the family to which both pigeons and doves belong.
To most of us, the most familiar pigeons are feral pigeons, found in urban environments the world over.
Feral pigeons are the descendants of domesticated rock doves that were originally bred for food. Wild rock doves – a species of pigeon that lives on sea cliffs – are still present in Europe, Africa and Asia.
Shrikes
- Order: Passeriformes
- Family: Laniidae
Shrikes are small birds that feed on insects and small vertebrates (including mammals, reptiles and other birds). They are known for their habit of storing surplus food by impaling it on thorns. The shrike’s ‘larder’ often contains the grisly remains of several of its victims.
Sparrows (New World)
- Order: Passeriformes
- Family: Passerellidae
Members of the family Passerellidae are also known as New World sparrows. The group includes not only sparrows, but also tanagers, brushfinches, juncos and related species.
Despite their name, the New World sparrows are not closely related to the old world sparrows.
Well-known and widespread New World sparrows include species such as the chipping sparrow and dark eyed junco.
Sparrows (Old World)
- Order: Passeriformes
- Family: Passeridae
Members of the old world sparrow family Passeridae are typically small, brown and grey birds with well-developed bills. Their diet consists mainly of seeds, and most also eat insects.
A number of other species known as sparrows – such as the dunnock, or “hedge-sparrow” – are not members of the family Passeridae.
The old world sparrow family’s most familiar member is the house sparrow. It is found in large numbers in many parts of the world. The species is able to live alongside humans, and is a common sight in many cities and towns.
Native to Europe and Asia, the house sparrow has also been introduced to the Americas, Australia and other regions outside of its original range, making it the world’s most widely-distributed bird.
Storks
- Order: Ciconiiformes
- Family: Ciconiidae
Storks are large waterbirds with long legs, long necks, and long bills. There are 19 species of stork, and members of the family are present in most parts of the world (storks are absent from the Polar Regions and from parts of North America and Australia).
Storks are known for building large, untidy stick nests which they use year after year.
In European folklore the white stork, which often nests on rooftops, is said to deliver babies. Couples who want to start a family are supposed to leave sweets on the windowsill in order to attract the birds.
Swallows and Martins
- Order: Passeriformes
- Family: Hirundinidae
There are between 80 and 90 birds in the family Hirundinidae. They are found on every continent except for Antarctica. Their long pointed wings enable them to catch insects in mid-flight.
The barn swallow – often simply known as the ‘swallow’ in Britain, is one of several migratory members of the family Hirundinidae. The species overwinters in Africa and in the spring migrates to Europe to breed. Its arrival is a welcome harbinger of spring.
Thrashers
- Order: Passeriformes
- Family: Mimidae
Thrashers are a group of mid-sized passerines found in the Americas. Many have distinctive long, downward-curving bills and speckled / streaked chests.
Thrashers belong to the family Mimidae, along with related species such as mockingbirds and New World catbirds. Members of this family are known as “mimids”. The largest mimid is the California thrasher.
Thrushes
- Order: Passeriformes
- Family: Turdidae
The family Turdidae (the thrush family) consists of around 170 species. Thrushes are found in most parts of the world. The family includes some of the most familiar European birds, such as the song thrush and the blackbird.
The song thrush is known for its melodic call, which features repeated phrases.
Toucans
- Order: Piciformes
- Family: Ramphastidae
The toucan family Ramphastidae contains not just the toucans, but also the toucanets and aracaris. Birds in this family have long, brightly-colored bills. The bill is lightweight and its primary use may be to control the bird’s temperature. The toucan also uses its bill to reach food without moving.
The toco toucan is the largest toucan. The keel-billed toucan, pictured above, is found in the tropical rainforests of Central and South America.
- You can find out more about toucans here: Toucan Facts
Tyrant Flycatchers
- Order: Passeriformes
- Family: Tyrannidae
There are over 400 species in the family Tyrannidae, making it the world’s biggest bird family. Tyrant flycatchers are found only in the Americas. Most are small, plain birds, but there are some brightly-colored exceptions such as the vermillion flycatcher.
Vultures (New World)
- Order: Accipitriformes
- Family: Cathartidae
The New World vulture family includes the two species of condor and other vultures found in the Americas, including the king vulture (Sarcoramphus papa) and the turkey vulture (Cathartes aura). They are scavengers that feed mainly on carrion.
New World vultures are not closely related to Old World vultures. The groups belong to separate lineages, but have evolved many of the same characteristics and fill the same niche. This is an example of convergent evolution.
Unlike their Old World counterparts, many New World vultures have an acute sense of smell. This, along with the birds’ powerful vision, is used to locate food.
The California condor is the largest land bird in North America. It became extinct in the wild during the 1980’s, but has since been re-introduced. The species remains critically endangered.
Vultures (Old World)
- Order: Accipitriformes
- Family: Accipitridae
Like eagles, hawks, and several other types of raptors, the Old World vultures belong to the family Accipitridae. However, despite similarities in appearance and behavior, the Old World vultures are not closely related to the New World vultures.
Old World vultures are scavengers that feed primarily on carrion. They locate food by sight (they lack the powerful sense of smell of some New World vultures). Some Old World vultures (including the lappet-faced vulture of Africa) also capture their own prey.
Over half of the 16 species of Old World vulture are rated either vulnerable, endangered or critically endangered.
Woodpeckers
- Order: Piciformes
- Family: Picidae
Woodpeckers are birds adapted to woodland and forest habitats. Their feet have a zygodactyl arrangement, with the outer two toes pointing backwards, and the inner two toes facing forwards.
The woodpecker family Picidae also contains sapsuckers, wrynecks and piculets.
Woodpeckers have strong bills for foraging behind bark and making holes in tree trunks. Their bills are also used to make the characteristic drumming sound that serves as a territorial call. The tongues of woodpeckers are long and sticky for collecting insects.
Wrens
- Order: Passeriformes
- Family: Troglodytidae
Although most of the world’s 88 wren species are found in the New World, they are all named after the Eurasian wren (Troglodytes troglodytes) – the only type of wren found in the Old World. This species is closely related to the Pacific wren, which is found in North America.
Most wrens are very small, brown birds.
Many birds not in the family Troglodytidae are also known as wrens. These include birds in the New Zealand wren and the Australasian wren families.
Types of Birds: Conclusion
We hope that you have enjoyed this look at the world’s birds. Let us know your favorite type of bird in the comments below!
North American Bird ID Quiz App For Android
Become an expert on North American bird species with our free ID quiz app for Android. Click HERE or on the photo below to find out more.
You can find more information on birds on the following pages:
- Birds: The Ultimate Guide
- Bird Intelligence
- Bird Vision
- Bird Feathers
- Amazing Birds
- British Birds
- Australian Birds
- On this page, we use taxonomic terms such as ‘class’, ‘order’ and ‘family’. You can find an explanation of these terms here: Animal Classification.
Text Index
- Albatrosses
- Auks
- Birds-Of-Paradise
- Birds Of Prey
- Bowerbirds
- Cassowaries
- Condors
- Crows and Jays
- Cuckoos
- Ducks, Geese and Swans
- Eagles
- Falcons
- Flamingoes
- Gamebirds (Pheasants, Partridges, Turkeys, Chickens & Related Birds)
- Goldcrests and Kinglets
- Guineafowl
- Gulls, Terns and Skimmers
- Hawks and Buzzards
- Herons and Bitterns
- Hoatzin
- Hornbills
- Hummingbirds
- Kingfishers
- Kiwis
- Leaf Warblers and Allies
- Lyrebirds
- Mockingbirds
- New Zealand Wrens
- Nightjars & Nighthawks.
- Oilbird
- Ostriches
- Owls
- Parrots
- Pelicans
- Penguins
- Pigeons and Doves
- Shrikes
- Sparrows (Old World)
- Sparrows (New World)
- Storks
- Swallows and Martins
- Thrashers
- Thrushes
- Toucans
- Tyrant Flycatchers
- Vultures (New World)
- Vultures (Old World)
- Woodpeckers
- Wrens
Types of birds information is very well. I would like to know about birds of prey classification its details. I am a Bird theme philatelist. I am collecting stamps like Birds, Animals and Sports.
A Gold Crest sits on our utility room door handle and flits about for ages at a time several times a day – I have a video. The same thing happened several years ago and continued throught the summer. The handle is very shiny and the fully glazed door reflective. It seems to like seeing itself. There is a Yew tree just the other side of a chain link fence and a small wooded area. Is this a common sight or could this behaviour be rare? Thank you
Hi,
Thank you for your comment. What an interesting observation!
We suspect that your goldcrest is trying to intimidate what it believes to be a rival.
(The Eurasian magpie is the only bird known to understand that what it sees in a mirror is a reflected image of itself rather than another bird.)
Many passerines are known to attack their own reflections, and we’re not too surprised to hear about this behaviour in goldcrests (although we haven’t heard of it personally).
We hope this helps.
Regards,
The Active Wild Team