The world of birds is an intricate tapestry woven with an astonishing variety of species. Among the endless categories of discussions, Birds That Start With F is a fascinating subgroup that encompasses an array of species, each with its own fascinating story to tell.
Within this cluster, I have encountered birds that span a broad spectrum of sizes, shapes, and lifestyles.
That is why, today I’m here with an article that will uncover the remarkable adaptations and survival strategies that enable “F” birds to thrive in diverse ecosystems, from arid deserts and tropical rainforests to Antarctic oceans and bustling urban landscapes.
So, join us on this avian odyssey as we unravel the mysteries, celebrate the beauty, and appreciate the importance of Birds That Start With F.
Contents
16 Bird Family Names That Start With F
A lot of the common birds you know of may start with the letter F. But I have to remind you that the common name you know of generally refers to the family name of a group of birds. Here are some group names of birds that start with F along with their taxonomical name.
| Common Name | Family Name |
| Falcon | Falconidae |
| Fantail | Rhipiduridae |
| Field-tyrant | Tyrannidae |
| Finch | Fringillidae |
| Firecrest | Regulidae |
| Fiscal | Laniidae |
| Flamingo | Phoenicopteridae |
| Flatbill | Tyrannidae |
| Flicker | Picidae |
| Flowerpiercer | Thraupidae |
| Flycatcher | Vangidae |
| Fody | Ploceidae |
| Francolin | Phasianidae |
| Frigatebird | Fregatidae |
| Fruiteater | Cotingidae |
| Fulmar | Procellariidae |
17 Exotic Bird Species That Start With F
Now, I’m not here to talk about all the ordinary birds that you see almost every day. Rather, I’ve picked some of the most uncommon and exotic species of birds that you may have never heard of. So, without any more delay, let’s check them all out!
Fiji Goshawk
Source: @ultrabirds
- Scientific Name: Accipiter Rufitorques
- Status: Least Concern
Fiji Goshawks are relatively small raptors, with a length of approximately 30 to 36 cm (12 to 14 in) and a wingspan of about 60 to 70 cm (24 to 28 in).
They have a distinctive appearance with a rufous or chestnut-colored back, a white underside with barring, and a distinctive black collar around their neck, which gives them their alternative name, the Collared Goshawk.
Like all raptors, they have sharp, hooked beaks and powerful talons for capturing and killing prey. They are skilled at flying through the dense forest canopy in pursuit of prey.
Fan-Tailed Warbler
Source: @tfordphotography
- Scientific Name: Basileuterus lachrymosus
- Status: Least Concern
Fan-tailed Warbler is a small bird species belonging to the family Cisticolidae, which is a group of Old World Warblers.
They have a generally dull and cryptic appearance with brownish-grey upperparts and paler underparts. Their plumage helps them blend into grassy and reed-covered habitats. The most distinctive feature of this bird is its fan-shaped tail, which opens up like a handheld fan during display flights. The tail has dark and pale markings.
They are commonly found in wetlands, marshes, grasslands, and sometimes even rice fields.
Fairy Tern
Source: @bwshonolulu
- Scientific Name: Sternula nereis
- Status: Vulnerable
Fairy Terns are also known as Little Terns or Sooty Terns. They are small and elegant seabird species belonging to the family Laridae.
They have striking white plumage on their bodies, with a distinctive black cap on their heads extending down to their eyes. Their bills and legs are typically black. During the breeding season, they may display a black line running from their eyes down to their bills.
In flight, their wings appear mostly translucent, with a black trailing edge on the outer wing feathers.
Fulvous-Breasted Flatbill
Source: @lilamargaritaochoa
- Scientific Name: Rhynchocyclus fulvipectus
- Status: Least Concern
Fulvous-breasted Flatbills are small bird species belonging to the Tyrannidae family, which are also commonly known as the Tyrant Flycatchers.
Their upperparts are mostly olive-green, and they have a rufous or cinnamon-colored breast and belly. This fulvous or reddish-brown coloration on the underparts gives them their name. Their bill is broad and flat, which is characteristic of the flatbill group of Flycatchers.
They often have a conspicuous white crescent or eyering around their eyes. They are generally associated with riparian zones and can be found near water bodies such as rivers and streams.
Ferruginous Hawk
Source: @thescottishfalconer
- Scientific Name: Buteo regalis
- Status: Least Concern
Ferruginous Hawks are one of the largest hawk species in North America, with a length ranging from 51 to 69 cm (20 to 27 in) and a wingspan of about 122 to 152 cm (48 to 60 in).
They have variable plumage, but adults typically have a light morph with a rusty or reddish-brown coloration on their backs and wings, giving them their name. Some individuals may have a dark morph with a mostly dark coloration.
They have a pale head with a distinctive dark mustache mark below the eyes and a yellow cere.
Fire-Tailed Myzornis
Source: @wildindiain
- Scientific Name: Myzornis pyrrhoura
- Status: Least Concern
Fire-tailed Myzornis is a small and colorful bird species found in the eastern Himalayas, particularly in the countries of Bhutan, India, and Nepal.
Their upper parts, including the wings and back, are mostly olive-green. However, what sets them apart is their bright red rump and tail, which resembles a fire tail. This fiery coloration is especially prominent in males.
They have a pale blue patch on their crown, and their bill is relatively short and pointed. These birds primarily feed on small insects and their larvae, which they forage for in the forest understory and on mossy branches.
Fork-Tailed Woodnymph
Source: @jaumeporschista
- Scientific Name: Thalurania furcata
- Status: Least Concern
Fork-tailed Woodnymph is a species of Hummingbird with vibrant plumage and distinctive tail shape. These tiny birds are native to the tropical and subtropical regions of South America.
They have a brilliant green head, throat, and upperparts, while the lower belly is bright blue. The most distinctive feature is their deeply forked tail, with the outer tail feathers extending significantly beyond the central feathers.
They have relatively long, slender bills adapted for feeding on nectar. Their legs and feet are small and often not visible due to their plumage.
Flame Robin
Source: @zoes_birds
- Scientific Name: Petroica phoenicea
- Status: Least Concern
Flame Robin is a small, brightly colored bird native to Southeastern Australia and Tasmania. They are primarily non-migratory, but some populations may move altitudinally in response to changing seasons.
They have a bright orange-red or flame-colored throat, breast, and forehead, which gives them their name. Their wings and back are dark grey to black, and they have a white belly. They have small, slender, and pointed bills, and their legs and feet are black.
They forage by perching and scanning the ground for prey, which they capture by hopping or flying down to grab it.
Fischer’s Lovebird
Source: @chilli_the_lovebird
- Scientific Name: Agapornis fischeri
- Status: Near Threatened
Fischer’s Lovebirds are native to a range of habitats in East Africa, including savannas, scrublands, and woodlands. They are commonly found in arid and semi-arid regions.
They have striking plumage with a predominantly green body, bright red beak, and a blue facial mask extending from the forehead, across the eyes, and around the cheeks. They have a distinctive red or orange throat and chest.
Their wings and tail feathers may have a bluish tinge, and the flight feathers have dark tips. Males tend to be slightly larger and may have a brighter plumage.
Fish Crow
Source: @bird_maiden
- Scientific Name: Corvus ossifragus
- Status: Least Concern
The Fish Crow is native to North America and is closely related to the American Crow. They have predominantly black plumage, similar to American Crows. However, Fish Crows are slightly smaller and have a more slender build.
Their bills are shorter and stouter compared to American Crows, and they often appear slightly decurved at the tip.
One of the most distinguishing features of Fish Crows is their vocalizations. They have a distinct and nasal “caw” call that sounds different from the harsher and more varied calls of American Crows.
Fischer’s Turaco
Source: @quintaldabarroqueirazonacentro
- Scientific Name: Tauraco fischeri
- Status: Near Threatened
Unlike the Fischer’s Lovebird, which is a parrot, the Fischer’s Turaco is not closely related to Parrots but is part of the Musophagidae family, commonly known as Turacos.
Their body is primarily green, with a crimson forehead and crown, a white eye-ring, and a red eye. The wings and tail have shades of red and maroon. They have a distinctive, thick, and arched bill that is bright orange.
Fischer’s Turacos have strong, grasping feet with semi-zygodactyl toes (two toes pointing forward and two toes pointing backward), which is a characteristic feature of the Turaco family.
Fuscous Honeyeater
Source: @cam.driessens
- Scientific Name: Ptilotula fusca
- Status: Least Concern
The Fuscous Honeyeater is a small and inconspicuous bird species native to eastern and southeastern Australia. It belongs to the honeyeater family, which is known for its nectar-feeding birds.
They have relatively plain and unremarkable plumage. Their overall coloration is brownish-grey, with a slightly paler underbelly. They have a short, pointed bill. Their eyes are relatively large and dark, often appearing black.
In addition to nectar, they also feed on insects and spiders, especially during the breeding season when they need to provide protein for their chicks.
Fork-Tailed Flycatcher
Source: @likalobird
- Scientific Name: Tyrannus savana
- Status: Least Concern
Fork-tailed Flycatchers are medium-sized birds, measuring about 19 to 23 cm (7.5 to 9 in) in length, including their long tail feathers.
They have predominantly white plumage on their head, neck, and underparts, while their wings and back are dark gray to black. The most distinctive feature is their deeply forked tail, with long and slender tail feathers that extend well beyond the rest of the body.
They are skilled aerial hunters and are known for their acrobatic flights while catching insects on the wing.
Flesh-Footed Shearwater
Source: @yilanricebirb
- Scientific Name: Ardenna carneipes
- Status: Near Threatened
Flesh-footed Shearwaters are primarily pelagic birds, spending most of their lives at sea. They have a habit of long-distance oceanic flights and foraging.
Their upperparts are dark brown to blackish, and their underparts are white. One of the most distinguishing features is their namesake flesh-colored or pinkish legs and feet, which set them apart from other Shearwater species.
They have a long, slender, and hooked bill, which is dark in color, and their eyes are dark as well. Their diet consists mainly of fish, squid, and other small marine organisms.
Far Eastern Curlew
Source: @william6_dylan
- Scientific Name: Numenius madagascariensis
- Status: Endangered
Far Eastern Curlew is one of the largest shorebirds globally, with a size of about 60 to 66 cm (24 to 26 in) in length.
Their plumage is mottled brown and buff, providing effective camouflage in their coastal habitats. They have a distinctive long, down-curved bill that is brownish at the base and pink towards the tip.
The long, slender, and slightly decurved bill is their most striking feature. It helps them probe deeply into the mud and sand to extract prey. They have long legs, which are pale bluish-gray in color.
Franklin’s Gull
Source: @stevenmcclellan
- Scientific Name: Leucophaeus pipixcan
- Status: Least Concern
Franklin’s Gulls are found in a variety of freshwater and saltwater habitats during their breeding and non-breeding seasons.
During the breeding season, adults have a distinctive black hood that extends down to the nape of the neck. Their wings are dark gray, and their mantle is pale gray. They have a white underbelly, tail, and rump.
They have a relatively short and slightly curved bill that is dark red or black. Their legs are dark red or black, and they have webbed feet adapted for swimming.
Fulvous Whistling-Duck
Source: @justin_de_villeneuve
- Scientific Name: Dendrocygna bicolor
- Status: Least Concern
Fulvous Whistling-Ducks have distinct whistling calls, which are high-pitched and melodious. These vocalizations are used for communication within flocks and during flight.
They have striking plumage with a combination of tawny, buff, and brown colors. Their head and neck are usually a rich chestnut or tawny color, and the rest of their body is paler, often with a streaked appearance.
They have a distinctive pinkish or pale bill with a black tip, which sets them apart from many other duck species. Their legs and webbed feet are usually pinkish or orange.
FAQ
You must have a lot of questions swarming your mind after reading about so many uncommon bird species that start with F. That is why here are some answers to help your curiosities!
Q: What is the fastest bird among Birds That Start With F?
Ans: The Falcon holds the title of the fastest bird among those that start with the letter F. When hunting, Falcons can reach speeds of up to 240 miles per hour (386 kilometers per hour) during their high-speed stoop or hunting dive. This incredible speed allows them to chase and capture other birds in mid-air.
Q: Are there any birds that start with F known for their remarkable vocalizations?
Ans: Yes, some birds that start with F are known for their vocalizations. For example, the Fairy Tern is known for its soft, melodious calls. The Frigatebird also produces a variety of vocalizations, including guttural croaks and rattling sounds, especially during the breeding season.
Ending Thoughts
In conclusion, the world of Birds That Start With F is a fascinating and diverse one. From their physical traits to their behaviors and ecological significance, these birds enrich our understanding of the natural world and remind us of the awe-inspiring wonders that surround us in the realm of avifauna.
Each species brings its own charm, behaviors, and ecological significance to the natural world. Whether it’s their striking appearances, intriguing behaviors, or vital roles in ecosystems, Birds That Start With F remind us of the incredible beauty and wonder that birds bring to our planet.
So, the next time you spot a Finch at your feeder or hear the call of a Falcon in the sky, take a moment to appreciate the rich tapestry of avian life that surrounds us.
Audio Credits: xeno-canto
