109 Charming Birds Beginning With C (Pictures and Sounds)

Birds that start with the letter C could begin their names with similar initial letters, but they have diverse personas and appearances.

Some of them might be cheerful or majestic, while others could be secretive and quirky.

Getting to familiarize ourselves with them is a privilege that is not only about bird watching but also about discovering the quirks of nature and falling in love with our surroundings even more.

Some of the feathered friends whose name starts with the letter C might be on the verge of extinction. However, as people get more interested in this species, conservative awareness will grow along with it.

It’s an opportunity to connect with Mother Nature and appreciate the beauty in small things and the incredible world that we get to share with the avians.

Embark on the mini journey of learning about bird names that start with C!

29 Curious Birds That Start With C

The realm of birds is incredibly diverse, encompassing a wide array of sizes, colors, shapes, and more. It’s a daunting task for humans to familiarize themselves with every single species and their variations.

Therefore, let’s explore the fundamentals of a few birds whose names begin with the letter ‘C’ to engage our curiosity.

Cassia Crossbill

Source: @pittatours

• Scientific Name: Loxia sinesciuris

The Cassia Crossbill, a passerine species endemic to the South Hills and Albion Mountains in southern Idaho, is now considered critically imperiled by the NatureServe Conservation Status.

This Red Crossbill-looking species is now critically endangered due to several factors, especially limited habitat range and small population.

Climate change can affect the food availability of this species, consequently playing a huge role in their declining population.

Moreover, due to severe climate change, the potential for deforestation and wildfire can cause even more damage to the habitats of the Cassia Crossbills.

Hence, we should all work together to prevent climate change and conserve the habitat of this magnificent species.

Calandra Lark

Source: @ferranriba

• Scientific Name: Melanocorypha calandra

The Calandra Lark is celebrated among bird enthusiasts and non-enthusiasts in its range for its ability to create melodious, harmonious tunes.

It has four subspecies- Western calandra lark (M. c. calandra), Eastern calandra lark (M. c. psammochroa), M. c. gaza, and Levant calandra lark (M. c. hebraica), all of which inhabit different areas and regions from the Mediterranean and eastwards through Turkey into northern Iran and southern Russia.

It prefers habitations with open cultivation and steppe, nesting on the ground. The nests are made with grass stems and small leaves, and the edges are lined with soft materials.

Crested Caracara

Source: @francoisconstantinphotography

• Scientific Name: Caracara plancus

The Crested Caracara is a bird of prey that is known for its bold characteristics. This opportunistic species not only steals food from other raptor species but also will raid and attack other birds and reptiles when it feels necessary.

What makes its behavior intriguing is that even though its main dietary preferences lie on carcasses of dead animals, it still goes out of its way to invade other birds’ spaces to look for food.

It feeds on small mammals, small birds, amphibians, reptiles, fish, crabs, other shellfish, maggots, worms, and occasionally even fruits.

The Crested Caracara also chases after black vultures, turkey vultures, buteos, brown pelicans, ibises, and spoonbills and takes away their food and carcasses.

Calayan Rail

Source: @naturallybob

• Scientific Name: Gallirallus calayanensis

The Calayan Rail is a flightless member of the rail, moorhen, and coot family that is endemic to the Calayan Island of the Philippines.

This ground-dwelling species has unfortunately been assessed as a vulnerable species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

Due to excessive logging and agricultural conversion around its range near the primary and secondary forests on coralline limestone areas, it keeps losing its habitat.

Moreover, regular animals such as cats, dogs, and rats prey on the Calayan Rail and its nests. Hence, it is hard to take care of the birds properly, even in their own habitats.

Connecticut Warbler

Source: @divine_photography_nyc

• Scientific Name: Oporornis agilis

The Connecticut Warbler, a small songbird species, bobs its tails up and down as it looks for food, walking around the ground near its habitat.

This solitary species prefers remote areas with bogs or open deciduous woods near water, especially with poplar, spruce, tamarack, or aspen as its breeding habitat.

Their cup-shaped nests are usually made of dry grasses, stalks of weeds, and horse hairs that are well-hidden under moss or a clump of grass.

Both parents work together to take care of their nestlings and actively defend them by screeching at intruders.

California Gull

Source: @mlschreder

• Scientific Name: Larus californicus

The California Gull, a mid-sized gull species, prefers nesting in colonies and occasionally with other birds.

The nests are well-concealed in shallow depressions on the ground and are lined with vegetation and feathers.

These opportunistic feeders consume a diverse array of food, from insects to chicks of other birds, especially ducklings.

They even scavenge for food in various spots and even steal begs for food from people at parks, public beaches, and other public locations. They also follow around fishing boats or plows in fields, looking for insects to feed on.

The California Gulls also forage on vegetables and fruits, which turns them into crop pests.

Chestnut-backed Chickadee

Source: @casssiiiaaa

• Scientific Name: Poecile rufescens

The Chestnut-backed Chickadee, a small passerine species, is a permanent resident of the Pacific Northwest of the United States and western Canada, from southern Alaska to southwestern California.

However, they do exhibit seasonal movements near their range only in food search.

One of the most interesting facts about this species is that, despite being a small species, Chickadees can survive successfully in harsh, cold environments.

It basically uses nocturnal hypothermia to utilize thermal regulations in their whole body that help them get used to the environmental changes, even in winter.

During winter, it tends to move towards lower elevations, while in late summer, it moves toward relatively higher elevations.

Carolina Chickadee

Source: @momstheword12

• Scientific Name: Poecile carolinensis

The Carolina Chickadees is a small, adorable passerine species that hops around, hangs upside down, or hovers in search of their preferred food.

During summer, it tends to feed on different types of insects, while in winter, it mainly consumes seeds and berries.

They take food from feeders as well as hammer seeds to open them and occasionally store them for later.

The males and females both take part in creating a hole-shaped nest in a tree. Sometimes, they make use of natural or Woodpecker-constructed cavities.

Apart from the tree cavities, the females sometimes build nests out of moss and pieces of bark lined with hair or plant fibers.

Clay-colored Sparrow

Source: @refus_arturo

• Scientific Name:  Spizella pallida

The Clay-colored Sparrows favor shrubby open areas and jack pine woods across its distribution as their breeding habitat.

They build open cup-shaped nests with grasses that are lined with fine materials or hair and placed safely, well-concealed on the ground or in a low shrub.

They usually prefer foraging alone, except during non-nesting periods. Over this specific time, they tend to forage in small flocks.

The males may sing to claim ownership over their nesting territories, but the feeding territories remain unsecured. Hence, while nesting, they choose to feed far away from their nests.

Crimson-bellied Parakeet

Source: @parrots_meaning_of_life

• Scientific Name: Pyrrhura perlata

The Crimson-bellied Parakeet is a mid-sized member of the Psittacidae family that is primarily native to Bolivia and Brazil.

This distinctively stunning species prefers to inhabit the canopy and edges of humid terra firme forests, secondary forests, and drier lowland forests.

A major part of this non-migratory bird’s diet consists of fruits. However, from time to time, it feeds and adds flowers to its dietary requirements.

The Crimson-bellied Parakeet can create two types of calls- one is a high and rapid call, and the other is a slightly toy-trumpet-like sound. The first one can be rendered as “wrr’wur-wir-wir-wir,” while the second one is transcribed as a “peeéh” note.

Choco Toucan

Source: @birds_of_ecuador

• Scientific Name: Ramphastos brevis

The Choco Toucan is a dark chocolate-colored near-passerine species that is endemic to Colombia and Ecuador.

However, its name did not originate from its plumage color but rather from its restricted habitat in the humid Choco regions from northwestern Colombia to southwestern Ecuador.

The specific migratory patterns of the Choco Toucan can not be clearly deciphered. However, small flocks, pairs, or groups may move up and down the slopes across its region while foraging.

Their dietary preferences are unknown. However, while foraging around the forest canopies, it feeds on mainly fruits, insects, small vertebrates, etc.

Cerulean Warbler

Source: @ncbirdwatch

• Scientific Name: Setophaga cerulea

The Cerulean Warbler is a predominantly insectivorous small songbird species that is endemic to mainly Eastern North America.

This monogamous species only produces one brood per year due to its short breeding season.

Both sexes become aggressive during the breeding season toward the birds of the opposite sex.

They use different types of songs to claim their territory as well as attack when necessary. The females even destroy and attack other females and their eggs.

Both males and females choose their nesting sites and build them together in about 7-days.

The Cerulean Warbler’s preferred nesting sites are on the horizontal branches of forest canopies with proper shades of vegetation.

California Quail

Source: @sunrainsw

• Scientific Name: Callipepla californica

The California Quail, also known as the Valley Quail, is a highly sociable small ground-dwelling species that is popular for their communal baths.

A group of quail will find a suitable, soft area and use their underbellies to burrow and bathe in dust, wriggling their bodies and flapping and ruffing their feathers.

Typically, they choose places with enough sun rays to create the indentations for their dust baths.

The California Quail even often broods communally. The multifamily broods usually consist of a minimum of two female members, multiple males, and younglings.

If all the conditions are in favor, females may lay more than one clutch while leaving the hatched nestlings with the males and laying their new clutch with a different set of males.

California Thrasher

Source: @shooting_america

• Scientific Name: Toxostoma redivivum

The California Thrasher is a large member but stays well-concealed in dense covers, and even when it is in the open, it tends to run off swiftly.

Both sexes of this species create exuberant songs and mimic the species residing around its habitat.

Typically, the California Thrasher prefers singing from elevated areas and exposed perches of sagebrush, juniper bushland, and riparian and oak woodlands.

It not only goes around while staying undercover, it even forages and nests lying low in dense covers.

During foraging, it only becomes visible while consuming fruits.

Calliope Hummingbird

Source: @_whisperingwind_

• Scientific Name: Selasphorus calliope

The Calliope Hummingbird is the smallest breeding hummingbird species inhabiting the United States and Canada.

Similar to other hummingbird species,  this species also makes a distinctive humming sound that derives from the rapid beatings of its wings.

These specific humming noises are especially produced during foraging or interacting with other hummingbirds.

Moreover, it allows the birds to alert other birds of intruders, fellow foragers, or even potential mates.

Male Calliope Hummingbirds produce a buzzing sound with their rapid wing beats and employ it as part of their courtship display. During this period, they even protrude their throat feathers while facing the females.

Chestnut-collared Longspur

Source: @dwmmphotography

• Scientific Name: Calcarius ornatus

Similar to other Longspur species, the Chestnut-collared Longspur primarily prefers foraging on the ground and consuming seeds.

During summer, the adults may also feed on insects. However, the younglings are exclusively fed insects by both their parents.

As a ground-dwelling species, it creates cup-shaped nests with grasses in a shallow scrape on the ground.

The males defend and claim their nesting territories by singing and flying up when necessary.

For breeding habitat, the Chestnut-collared Longspur short and mixed grass prairies across central Canada and the north-central United States.

However, due to severe habitat loss, this species is now less common in its areas and has been listed as a vulnerable species by the IUCN.

Common Goldeneye

Source: @fredw64

• Scientific Name: Bucephala clangula

The Common Goldeneye is a mid-sized aggressive sea duck species that prefers taiga as its breeding habitat.

Moreover, if you want to spot them and look at them closely, then you should search through the lakes and rivers of boreal forests.

They are highly likely to be endemic across Canada and the northern United States, Scotland, Scandinavia, the Baltic States, and northern Russia.

However, as a migratory species, it winters at more temperate latitudes near protected coastal or open inland waters.

They create large nest cavities, especially constructed by Pileated Woodpeckerwoodpeckers or Black Woodpeckers.

Cooper’s Hawk

Source: @sasuke4422

• Scientific Name: Accipiter cooperii

The Cooper’s Hawk is a mid-sized solitary Hawk species that becomes hostile during its breeding and migration period.

Generally, they are socially monogamous, but there have been sightings of polygamous couplings, especially between two males with a single female as well as one male with two separate nearby females.

Similar to other birds of prey, they don’t have a consistent breeding system, and both sexes tend to change up their breeding and nesting sites, females more than males.

This species builds a bulky-sized platform nest, and the depth of the nest varies depending on the trees in nesting sites.

If the nest is built on conifers, then chances are they are shallow, and if it is built on broad-leafed trees, then they might be relatively deeper.

Common Ground-dove

Source: @rlswildlife

• Scientific Name: Columbina passerina

The Common Ground-Dove is a graceful, small dove species that is known for being monogamous and mating for life.

Typically, it builds its nests on the ground in vegetation. However, from time to time, it constructs nests off the ground in bushes.

The simplicity of their nests often becomes the reason behind them being so fragile. They surround the nests with plant materials and create a simple and easy structure with twigs and vegetation.

The nesting season of the Common Ground-Dove typically starts in February and lasts till October, peaking between early April and mid-May.

Cactus Wren

Source: @bird_alicious

• Scientific Name: Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus

The Cactus Wren is famed for diverse reasons, especially for being the state bird of Arizona as well as the largest living Wren Species in the United States.

One of its celebrated traits among the wren-enthusiasts is its social monogamy and the beautiful breeding display and greeting ceremony while defending their territory with their lifelong partners all year round.

The greeting ceremony includes wings and tails spread-like motion with a harsh call. The breeding display is almost identical, except made with a non-ritualized duet call.

Moreover, the intriguing fact about the Cactus Wren is that they have little to no sexual dimorphism. Hence, the males and females identify each other by their behavior.

Males tend to be relatively more aggressive and frequent singers than females.

Canada Warbler

Source: @birdslife124

• Scientific Name: Cardellina canadensis

The Canada Warbler is a small, energetic passerine bird endemic to North America.

Renowned for its striking appearance, this species possesses vibrant yellow plumage and a distinct necklace-like pattern, making it a sought-after sight for birdwatchers.

The Canada Warblers undertake impressive seasonal migrations while breeding in Canadian forests and the northeastern U.S. before commencing on a journey to their wintering grounds in Central and South America.

This neotropical migratory species primarily sustains itself by feeding on insects and thriving mostly in moist, dense woodlands.

The diverse list of insects includes beetles, mosquitoes, flies, moths, and smooth caterpillars such as cankerworms, supplemented by spiders, snails, worms, and, at least seasonally, fruit, etc.

California Scrub-jay

Source: @jimcallum

• Scientific Name: Aphelocoma californica

The California Scrub Jay is occasionally referred to as the Blue Jay species. However, it belongs to the Corvidae family of the Scrub Jay species.

The interesting fact about this Scrub Jay species is that it is one of the most intelligent animals on the planet.

Moreover, it is the only bird, apart from non-primate or non-dolphin species, that can plan ahead for its future. Previously, this trait was only thought to be present in humans.

Furthermore, they have an excellent memory that allows them to memorize the place for food caches in over 200 locations.

Caspian Tern

Source: @time_smuggler

• Scientific Name: Hydroprogne caspia

The Caspian Tern is a Tern species that prefers large lakes and ocean coasts as its breeding habitat. It is endemic to most of North America and locally in Europe, Asia, Africa, and Australasia.

This species mainly breeds during spring and summer and lays one to three eggs. These eggs usually have a stunning bluish-green color with heavy brown spots all over them. The incubation period for these eggs is 26 to 28 days.

They nest in colonies, mostly with their own species and occasionally with mixed flocks of either Tern or Gull species.

The nests are usually built on the ground in the midst of gravel, sand, or vegetation.

California Towhee

Source: @thebaldheadedbirder

• Scientific Name: Melozone crissalis

The California Towhee is a ground feeder that often forages in low scrub areas, feeding on different types of seeds, grasses, and herbs.

During the breeding season, however, the dietary preferences change from exclusively herbivorous to insectivorous, especially grasshoppers and beetles. In addition, it also consumes snails, millipedes, and spiders.

Towhees have the amusing technique of employing their beaks to strip off all the seeds from grasses at once.

The California Towhee rarely creates large flocks and favors going around in solitary or in pairs.

Being highly active on the ground, this species employs a “double scratch” method to get its food out of the soil.

Costa’s Hummingbird

Source: @beakbybeak

• Scientific Name: Calypte costae

The Costa’s Hummingbird is an adorable hummingbird species that is well-liked for its energetic and cheerful courtship displays.

Similar to other bird species, the males perform these displays, including the exhibition of a swooping and arching dive.

Moreover, they make use of the sunlight to exhibit their stunningly vibrant violet plumage to attract their mates.

These dives also produce high-pitched shrieks with their tails to gain the attention of the females.

The responsibility of creating nests relies solely on the females, who use plant fibers and spider silk to construct a cup-shaped nest.

Curve-billed Thrasher

Source: @yanirelrojas

• Scientific Name: Toxostoma curvirostre

The Curve-billed Thrasher is a mid-sized mimid whose breeding season starts in February and reaches its peak between March and May.

The weather heavily affects the start and end of the breeding season, as depending on the temperature and rainfall, the dates might vary.

Both sexes help each other build their deep cup-shaped nests in conspicuous sites, especially near cholla.

They might also find potential in mesquite, prickly pear, or yucca to the occasional oak and pine trees as their nesting site.

The duration of the nesting period can be between 3 days to 28 days. They are made out of smooth sticks, roots, coarse and fine grasses, rootlets, or hair with thorny-twigged edges.

Common Grackle

Source: @shannonbirder

• Scientific Name: Quiscalus quiscula

The relationship between humans and Common Grackles is not ideal. Due to the clearing of forests, the habitats of this species have extended rapidly.

Due to its large population and dietary inclination toward grains, it is considered a pest among farmers.

However, despite the large population, the numbers have been declining, and consequently, the Common Grackles have been assessed as a near-threatened species by the IUCN.

Thanks to being opportunistic feeders, this species does not face any problems from the incessant increasing of human populations.

However, as it feats almost nothing, it becomes a serious threat to crops and can only be controlled by birds of prey.

Cape May Warbler

Source: @casterarafaelle

• Scientific Name: Setophaga tigrina

The Cape May Warbler is a small passerine species that is mostly insectivorous, and depending on the food availability, the size of the clutches increases.

It picks on the insects or employs aerial hunting strategies to catch insects without any hassle.

Unlike most Warbler species, it has a tubular tongue that helps it feed on berry juice and nectar in winter.

Cape May Warbler’s preferred breeding habitat is near the edges of coniferous woodlands.

It creates a cup-shaped nest in dense foliage close to the tree’s trunks, especially the blank spruce.

If there is an outbreak of spruce budworms, then the Cape May Warbler is capable of laying the largest clutches among any New World Warbler species.

Chipping Sparrow

Source: @birdingwithjud

• Scientific Name: Spizella passerina

The Chipping Sparrow is a fairly tame passerine species that prefers grassy, open woodland clearings and shrubby grass fields as its breeding site.

The males arrive on the breeding grounds earlier than the females. The males start to arrive between March to mid-May, whereas the females arrive one to two weeks later.

After the arrival, the males start singing out their voices as their courtship displays to find and attract a mate.

After the mating pair is formed, the breeding season lasts from March to August.

The nest-building responsibility lies on the females, who take up to 4 days to create the nest with grass, rootlets, plant fibers, and animal hair.

80 Spectacular Bird Species Name That Starts With C

Many more bird species deserve acknowledgment because their names begin with the letter ‘C.’

As a result, we’ve compiled a list of these avian species for you to explore if you’re interested in learning about birds whose names start with ‘C.’

FAQ

If you’re interested in finding answers to commonly asked questions about birds beginning with the letter ‘C,’ you can find them in this section.

Q: What is a bird of prey that starts with C?

Ans: The group of birds named Caracaras is one of the most popular ones among the raptor species that start with C. These birds of prey are relatively slower in their adaptability and evolutionary process than the Falcons and scavenge to find their food.

Q: What is an Australian bird that starts with C?

Ans: Several Australian bird names start with C. Among them, the Channel-billed cuckoo, Chestnut-breasted mannikin, Comb-crested jacana, and Common cicada bird are the most common.

Q: What is the name of the Scottish bird that starts with C?

Ans:  One of the most precious Scottish birds that start with C is the Capercaillie.

Thoughts

Whether you’re an avid birder or just looking for some organized, fun experience by going through birds that start with the letter C, B, E, U, or H, delving into the avian world will bring an enjoyable and rewarding experience.

While the list of birds that start with C may appear lengthy, we could only cover a small portion of the topic.

Each of the mentioned birds plays a unique role in our ecosystem, contributing to the stunning beauty of nature simply through their presence.

However, unfortunately, some of the birds listed are currently at risk due to factors such as urbanization and deforestation. We cannot control the natural disasters that may pose a threat to these birds, but we can prevent human-constructed disasters.

We could be self-aware and spread awareness through social media or anything within our power about conserving these avian species and make every effort to protect these enchanting and captivating creatures, regardless of the initial letter of their name.

Remember, bird enthusiasts, every effort counts. Happy birding!

Audio Credits: xeno-canto