27 Lavish And Lovely Birds That Start With L

If you look around at the most common birds you know, you may find that a good many of their names start with the letter, L!

I know, right? You have probably never noticed this fact, but start counting all the birds you know of and you will find that I am not wrong either!

However, I am not here with the common everyday birds that you already know about. Rather, I’m going to talk about all the L-birds that you probably have not heard of and have never understood!

So, fasten your seatbelts and spread your wings of imagination as we embark on this extraordinary and exotic expedition. Let’s explore the coolest birds that start with L and learn more about them!

27 Bird Names That Start With L

Before we begin, I’d like to tell you that most of these birds are considered uncommon in many regions of the world. So, even if you find the names familiar, don’t be disappointed! Because I am not here with any uninteresting facts! So, let’s jump right into it!

Lesser Hoopoe-Lark

Source: @donini_photography

• Scientific Name: Alaemon hamertoni
• Size: 14 to 16 cm (5.5 to 6.3 in)
• Locality: Somalia
• Status: Least Concern
• Breeding Season: March to June

Spotting a Lesser Hoopoe-Lark in the wild can be a rewarding and special experience for birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts alike because of their preference for arid habitats and relatively remote locations.

Recognition

Their appearance is characterized by their pale sandy-brown plumage, adorned with dark streaks on the upper parts. The underparts are pale with a buff-colored breast. One of their most striking features is the small crest on its head that resembles the larger and more well-known Hoopoe bird.

Habitat

They inhabit arid and semi-arid regions and particularly prefer desert and sandy landscapes. You can find them in open, sandy plains, stony desert areas, and sandy dunes with sparse vegetation. They are well-adapted to these harsh environments and have evolved to thrive in such arid conditions.

Leaden Flycatcher

Source: @sleemojules__

• Scientific Name: Myiagra rubecula
• Size: 14.5 to 16 cm (6 to 6.5 in)
• Locality: Northern and Eastern Australia Coasts
• Status: Least Concern
• Breeding Season: August to February and September to November

Leaden Flycatcher has a distinct call and active behavior that makes it an enjoyable sight for birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts fortunate enough to observe this delightful species in its natural habitat.

Recognition

Leaden Flycatcher typically has a leaden-gray color on its upper parts, including its head, back, and wings. The underparts are lighter in color and it’s often a pale grayish-white. It has a blackish tail with white edges and under-tail coverts.

Habitat

It inhabits a variety of forested habitats, including tropical and subtropical rainforests, woodlands, and eucalypt forests. It can also be found in more open areas, such as savannas, and is known to frequent gardens and parks.

Long-Toed Lapwing

Source: @brookebird310

• Scientific Name: Vanellus crassirostris
• Size: 31 cm (12.2 in)
• Locality: Africa
• Status: Least Concern
• Breeding Season: April to October

The Long-toed Lapwing is an active and alert bird and you can often see them running or walking with its characteristic long-toed gait in search of food.

Recognition

This bird has a combination of black, white, and gray colors on its body. The upper parts, wings, and tail are mostly black while the underparts are white. Its face is adorned with a black crown and eye stripe, and it has a white throat and chin.

Habitat

They are primarily found in wetland habitats, such as marshes, swamps, and flooded grasslands. It is well-adapted to these water-rich environments and is often seen foraging for food in shallow waters or moist muddy areas.

Laughing Kookaburra

Source: @scenebymoi

• Scientific Name: Dacelo novaeguineae
• Size: 41 to 47 cm (16 to 19 in)
• Locality: Eastern Australia
• Status: Least Concern
• Breeding Season: September to January

Laughing Kookaburra is famous for its distinctive call. Its loud, cackling laughter-like call is a signature sound in many Australian habitats and earned it the nickname “laughing jackass.”

Recognition

This one is a stout and robust bird with a large head and a sturdy beak that is well-suited for capturing and consuming prey. It has predominantly white plumage with brown and blue-gray patches on its wings and back.

Habitat

They inhabit a diverse range of environments, such as forests, woodlands, savannas, and urban areas, as long as there are suitable perching spots and access to prey. They are particularly associated with woodlands and eucalyptus forests.

Limestone Wren-babbler

Source: @jay_shrike

• Scientific Name: Gypsophila crispifrons
• Size: 15 to 16 cm (6 to 6.3 in)
• Locality: Southeast Asia
• Status: Least Concern
• Breeding Season: August to September

The Limestone Wren-Babbler is known for its secretive behavior, which makes it challenging to spot in the wild. So, if you ever happen to spot one, you’re one of the lucky ones!

Recognition

These birds have a reddish-brown crown and nape, with white streaks on their face and throat. They have a short, straight bill, and their upperparts are a mix of brown and rufous, while the underparts are generally pale and buff-colored.

Habitat

They are closely associated with limestone karst habitats, which are unique geological formations characterized by rocky outcrops, cliffs, and caves made of limestone rock. Within these limestone karst landscapes, they inhabit dense undergrowth, thickets, and forested areas.

Lilac-Breasted Roller

Source: @wenneke.reyers

• Scientific Name: Coracias caudatus
• Size: 35 to 36 cm (14 in)
• Locality: Southern Africa
• Status: Least Concern
• Breeding Season: Late April to Mid-September

Lilac-breasted Rollers employ a sit-and-wait strategy, and they perch patiently and scan the surroundings for any movement until they find their prey. So, you may be able to spot one easily if you happen to visit their range.

Recognition

They have a unique and eye-catching sky-blue plumage on their head, back, and wings while the breast and belly are a striking lilac hue. Additionally, it has a long tail with blue and green feathers, and its flight feathers display vibrant shades of blue and violet.

Habitat

You can find this magnificent bird in various savanna and woodland habitats throughout sub-Saharan Africa. It is particularly abundant in regions where there are scattered trees, open grasslands, and water sources.

Long-Tailed Duck

Source: @christernyqvistphotography

• Scientific Name: Clangula hyemalis
• Size: 44 to 60 cm (17.5 to 23.5 in)
• Locality: Across Northern America and Northern Eurasia
• Status: Vulnerable
• Breeding Season: Early Winter to Early Spring

Long-tailed Ducks are strong and agile swimmers and very capable of diving to considerable depths in search of food. Their diving behavior has even earned them the nickname “sea divers.”

Recognition

They have a compact body with a large head and a long, slender neck. They have a mostly white body with a dark back, a black breast, and a bright reddish-brown head. The most remarkable feature is its long, pointed tail feathers, which extend well beyond the body.

Habitat

They are primarily found in the Arctic tundra during the breeding season. They nest in freshwater marshes, lakes, and ponds near the coastlines of northern North America, Europe, and Asia.

Little Lorikeet

Source: @eatmad0708

• Scientific Name: Parvipsitta pusilla
• Size: 15 cm (5.9 in)
• Locality: Eastern Australia
• Status: Least Concern
• Breeding Season: May to September

Little Lorikeets are known to use their specialized tongues to extract sweet liquid from flowers. They may also feed on soft fruits and berries that complement their diet with these nutritious sources.

Recognition

They have a predominantly green plumage with a yellowish-green head and bright red patches on their forehead and chin. Their breast and belly are a striking shade of deep purple and they have a blue patch on their wings that is particularly visible during flight.

Habitat

They inhabit a range of forested habitats, like eucalypt woodlands, rainforests, and coastal scrubs. They are also known to frequent gardens and urban areas with flowering trees and shrubs.

Lyrebird

Source: @velagram3

• Scientific Name: Menura novaehollandiae
• Size: 80 to 98 cm (31 to 39 in)
• Locality: Southeastern Australia
• Status: Least Concern
• Breeding Season: June to October

Lyrebirds are among the best mimics in the avian world and can imitate a wide range of sounds they encounter in their environment, such as other bird calls, human-made noises, and even chainsaws and camera shutters.

Recognition

Lyrebirds have rich brown and dark-gray plumage on their upper parts, and their underparts are a lighter shade of gray or brown. Their heads are adorned with a crest, and they have long legs and powerful claws.

Habitat

These birds prefer habitats with a well-developed understory and a diverse array of plants, as they forage insects, spiders, small reptiles, and seeds on the forest floor. They mostly inhabit wet and dry forests, rainforests, and temperate eucalypt forests.

Lucy’s Warbler

Source: @thewildsights

• Scientific Name: Leiothlypis luciae
• Size: 9 to 12 cm (3.5 to 4.7 in)
• Locality: Southwestern North America
• Status: Least Concern
• Breeding Season: April to July

Lucy’s Warbler is an active and agile bird that is often seen flitting through branches and foliage in search of insects. Their songs are described as sweet and cheerful, a delightful sound amid the desert landscape.

Recognition

They have grayish-brown plumage on their upperparts, while the underparts are a soft pinkish-brown color, especially on the throat and breast. The wings and tail are a darker shade of brown, and it has a small, pointed bill. They also have a beautiful rose-pink crown and forehead that contrasts strikingly with their subtle plumage.

Habitat

They are found in arid and semi-arid regions with desert-like habitats, such as mesquite bosques, riparian areas, and shrubby desert scrub. They prefer nesting in cottonwood and willow trees near water sources along riverbanks and oases in otherwise arid landscapes.

Long-Tailed Manakin

Source: @jeff_ortegam

• Scientific Name: Chiroxiphia linearis
• Size: 10 cm (3.9 in)
• Locality: Western Central America
• Status: Least Concern
• Breeding Season: Late Spring to Early Summer

Long-tailed Manakins are not migratory birds and are generally year-round residents in their preferred tropical forest habitats. So, you would have to visit their particular range to meet them.

Recognition

They have vibrant plumage with a bright blue crown, back, and wings while their underparts are a vivid red. Their wings are adorned with white patches and they have elongated central tail feathers that are a deep black and can extend well beyond its body.

Habitat

They are found in lowland tropical forests and humid secondary-growth forests in Central and South America. They are often seen in the understory, hopping and fluttering between branches and regions with dense growth near streams or rivers.

Lazuli Bunting

Source: @pnw_birdnerd

• Scientific Name: Passerina amoena
• Size: 13 to 15 cm (5.1 to 5.9 in)
• Locality: Southwestern North America
• Status: Least Concern
• Breeding Season: April to June

Lazuli Buntings are known for their pleasant and melodious song that they sing from elevated perches to defend their territory and attract mates. Their songs are mostly a series of clear and musical notes that fill the air during the breeding season.

Recognition

These birds are renowned for their dazzling and eye-catching sky-blue plumage on their head, back, and wings that contrast with their rich brownish-gray underparts. They have a white belly, and their wing coverts have prominent white bars.

Habitat

They are commonly found in areas with a mix of grasslands, open woodlands, and shrubby vegetation. Their preferred habitats include meadows, streamside thickets, sagebrush areas, and foothills.

Little Blue Heron

Source: @anahata.images

• Scientific Name: Egretta caerulea
• Size: 56 to 74 cm (22 to 29 in)
• Locality: From Southern North America to Northern South America
• Status: Least Concern
• Breeding Season: March to April

As you can tell, Little Blue Herons have this name because they are one of the smaller heron species. They are known for their elegant appearance and unique coloration during different stages of their life.

Recognition

Their head, neck, and body are a slate blue-gray color, while their wings and tail have a deeper shade of blue. Their legs are long and slender, and their beak is straight and pointed. Juveniles, however, have white plumage, and they can be mistaken for Snowy Egrets during this stage.

Habitat

They inhabit freshwater and saltwater marshes, swamps, estuaries, and coastal lagoons. They are also found in tidal flats, mangrove forests, and along the edges of lakes, ponds, and rivers. They mostly prefer habitats with shallow water and abundant vegetation.

Laysan Albatross

Source: @cuenta_alterna1822

• Scientific Name: Phoebastria immutabilis
• Size: 81 cm (32 in)
• Locality: North Pacific
• Status: Near Threatened
• Breeding Season: November to July

Laysan Albatross is a large seabird from the Albatross family. They are known for their remarkable wingspan, impressive flying abilities, and unique behaviors.

Recognition

They have predominantly white plumage with black wingtips and a distinctive dark eye patch. The bill is pinkish-yellow and large which is well-suited for catching fish and squid from the ocean’s surface.

Habitat

They are native to the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands, where they breed and raise their young on remote and isolated islands. They are particularly abundant on Laysan Island, which is one of their primary breeding colonies.

Loggerhead Shrike

Source: @lisa_a_phillips_photos

• Scientific Name: Lanius ludovicianus
• Size: 20 to 25 cm (8 to 10 in)
• Locality: Southern North America
• Status: Near Threatened
• Breeding Season: March until September

Loggerhead Shrikes are fierce predators and are known for impaling their prey on thorns, barbed wire, or other sharp objects despite their relatively small and cute appearance.

Recognition

They have a compact and robust body with a large head and a strong, hooked beak. Their plumage is a combination of white and gray, with a black mask extending from its eyes to the sides of its face. The wings and tail have black and white markings, and the underparts are pale gray or white.

Habitat

They are mostly found in grasslands and shrublands farmlands and open woodlands. They prefer habitats with scattered trees or bushes as they provide suitable perching spots for hunting and nesting.

Leach’s Storm-Petrel

Source: @birdtherocknl

• Scientific Name: Hydrobates leucorhous
• Size: 20 cm (8 in )
• Locality: North Pacific and North Atlantic
• Status: Vulnerable
• Breeding Season: July

Leach’s Storm-Petrel is named after the Scottish zoologist William Elford Leach, who first described the species. These remarkable birds are well-adapted for life at sea and are known for their incredible flying abilities.

Recognition

They have a compact and streamlined body that is designed for effortless flight over the open ocean. Their plumage is mainly dark brown or black, with a white rump, and they have a distinctive white band across the base of their tail.

Habitat

They are commonly found in the North Atlantic and North Pacific Oceans, as well as other cold-water regions. During the breeding season, they come to coastal areas, particularly islands, to nest and raise their chicks.

Laughing Gull

Source: @kgallo55

• Scientific Name: Leucophaeus atricilla
• Size: 36 to 41 cm (14 to 16 in)
• Locality: The Atlantic Coast of North America, The Caribbean, and Northern South America
• Status: Least Concern
• Breeding Season: Late May to Early August

The Laughing Gull gets its name from its distinct vocalizations that sound like a series of loud and raucous laughing calls, “ha-ha-ha-ha.” These laughs are especially prominent during the breeding season when they gather in colonies.

Recognition

These birds have a white head, neck, and underparts with their wings and back showing a pale gray. They have a dark black hood on their head during the breeding season, which becomes mostly white in the non-breeding season. The bill is long and slightly curved, and their legs are a reddish-pink color.

Habitat

They are highly adaptable birds and can be found in a wide range of coastal habitats, such as sandy beaches, salt marshes, mudflats, and estuaries. They are often seen foraging along the water’s edge, searching for food in shallow waters or near human settlements and fishing boats.

Lesser Scaup

Source: @adrian.braidotti

• Scientific Name: Aythya affinis
• Size: 38–48 cm (15–19 in)
• Locality: North America
• Status: Least Concern
• Breeding Season: May and June

Lesser Scaups are diving ducks, which means they feed by diving below the water’s surface to find their food. They love to eat aquatic seeds, tubers, and plant matter, as well as insects, crustaceans, and small fish.

Recognition

They have a glossy black head and neck with a purple sheen. The back and sides are white, and the chest and sides of the breast are a rich chestnut color. The wings are gray with a distinctive white bar, and the eyes are yellow.

Habitat

Lesser Scaups can be found in freshwater habitats such as marshes, ponds, and shallow lakes in the northern parts of North America, including Alaska and Canada. They prefer areas with plenty of aquatic vegetation and submerged plants.

Lanner Falcon

Source: @annelizabeth1131

• Scientific Name: Falco biarmicus
• Size: 43 to 50 cm (17 to 20 in)
• Locality: Africa
• Status: Least Concern
• Breeding Season: February to May

Lanner Falcons are agile and fast flyers, known for their aerial hunting prowess. In addition to that, they also hunt on the ground, chasing after prey on foot. They take advantage of their sharp eyesight to spot potential prey from a distance and then pursue it with remarkable speed.

Recognition

Their upperparts are a bluish-gray to slate-gray color, while their underparts are white with fine streaks. The face is marked with a distinctive black stripe, called a “moustache,” which extends from the eyes to the sides of the beak.

Habitat

These Falcons are highly adaptable and can be found in a wide range of habitats, from open grasslands and savannas to rocky cliffs, mountains, and semi-arid regions. They are often associated with open landscapes where they can spot and pursue their prey effectively.

Laughing Dove

Source: @darabirdphotography

• Scientific Name: Spilopelia senegalensis
• Size: 25 cm (9.8 in)
• Locality: Sub-Saharan Africa, Middle-East Asia, and Western Australia
• Status: Least Concern
• Breeding Season: May to November

Laughing Doves are known to be frequent visitors to ships at sea. As ships travel over vast stretches of open water, they offer a resting spot for these doves when they need a break from flying.

Recognition

This Dove has a slender body with a pale pinkish-brown plumage that becomes lighter on the underparts. Their wings are adorned with blackish spots and a light blue patch that is visible during flight. The tail is long and has white edges and the eyes are a vibrant red, surrounded by a bluish ring.

Habitat

They are mostly found in grasslands, savannas, farmlands, urban areas, and gardens. They are known for their ability to thrive in human-altered landscapes which make them frequent visitors to parks and residential areas.

Lesser Green Leafbird

Source: @opzjon

• Scientific Name: Chloropsis cyanopogon
• Size: 14 to 21 cm (5.5 to 8.3 in)
• Locality: Southeast Asia
• Status: Near Threatened
• Breeding Season: May to August

You probably will not find Lesser Green Leafbirds in open areas or urban environments. They thrive in regions with a rich diversity of fruit-bearing trees and flowering plants that form the main components of their diet.

Recognition

This Leafbird has a slender body, a relatively long tail, and a slightly curved beak. They have a glossy emerald-green plumage on their upperparts, head, and breast that can appear iridescent under sunlight. Their wings and tail are a darker green, with a yellowish patch on the shoulder.

Habitat

They are primarily found in tropical and subtropical evergreen forests, as well as dense woodlands and secondary-growth habitats. These birds prefer areas with a dense canopy, providing them with plenty of cover and food sources.

Long-Tailed Jaeger

Source: @jaspersuijten

• Scientific Name: Stercorarius longicaudus
• Size: 38–58 cm (15–23 in)
• Locality: The High Arctic of Eurasia and North America, and the South Atlantic and Pacific
• Status: Least Concern
• Breeding Season: May to July

Long-tailed Jaeger is known to chase and harass other seabirds in an effort to steal their food, earning the nickname “skua,” which means “thief” in some languages.

Recognition

This bird has a sturdy build and pointed wings along with a long and deeply forked tail. It has a brownish-black head, neck, and upper parts, with a white crescent-shaped patch on its nape. The underparts are mostly white with a smudgy blackish pattern on the breast and sides.

Habitat

They breed in the tundra and Arctic regions of North America and Eurasia and can be found nesting on open ground near wetlands or along coastal areas. After the breeding season, they fly thousands of kilometers south to spend the winter in the open ocean.

Little Pied Cormorant

Source: @jacks_wildlifeaus

• Scientific Name: Microcarbo melanoleucos
• Size: 56 to 58 cm (22 to 23 in)
• Locality: Australia, New Zealand, and Southeast Asia
• Status: Least Concern
• Breeding Season: Spring or Early Summer

Little Pied Cormorants are expert fishers. They catch fish by diving into the water and propelling themselves underwater using their webbed feet.

Recognition

They have dark plumage with black feathers on the head, back, wings, and tail, and contrasting white underparts. Juveniles have a more mottled appearance with brownish plumage that gradually becomes darker as they mature.

Habitat

They are found in various aquatic habitats, such as freshwater lakes, rivers, ponds, swamps, and estuaries. They can also be seen along coastal areas, though they generally prefer calmer waters.

Laced Woodpecker

Source: @wingsofchange2022

• Scientific Name: Picus vittatus
• Size: 25 to 30 cm (10 to 12 in)
• Locality: Southeast Asia
• Status: Least Concern
• Breeding Season: February to July

The laced Woodpecker is well-known for its drumming behavior just like other woodpeckers. It uses its strong bill to create resonating sounds, which can be heard over long distances.

Recognition

This Woodpecker has a red crown and nape, while its forehead, cheeks, and throat are white. The breast and belly have a prominent streaked pattern, with fine white and black bars. The upper parts are mainly olive-brown, and the wings are black with white spots.

Habitat

They are typically found in forested areas, especially in the foothills and lower to middle elevations of the Himalayan mountain range. They prefer broadleaf forests, mixed forests, and pine forests. They can also be seen in wooded gardens and parklands.

Lady Amherst’s Pheasant

Source: @ushiku_1988

• Scientific Name: Chrysolophus amherstiae
• Size: 100 to 120 cm (40 to 48 in)
• Locality: Southwestern China
• Status: Least Concern
• Breeding Season: May

Lady Amherst’s Pheasants are generally shy and elusive birds. In some areas outside its native range, it has become established and can be found in private collections, zoos, or aviaries.

Recognition

Their head is adorned with a black crown and a white forehead, which extends to the sides of the face as a prominent white stripe. The cheeks and throat are a rich blue, and the neck has iridescent green and purple feathers. The long and elegant tail is mainly black with white markings and striking eye-catching “eye spots” on each feather.

Habitat

In their native range, they inhabit dense forests and montane woodlands, particularly very high elevations above sea level. These areas offer a mix of trees, shrubs, and undergrowth that provide suitable cover and food sources.

Long-Billed Crow

Source: @juuennseibatsu

• Scientific Name: Corvus validus
• Size: 45 to 53 cm (18 to 21 in)
• Locality: Indonesia
• Status: Near Threatened
• Breeding Season: March to May

The Long-billed Crow is endemic to the Maluku Islands, an archipelago within Indonesia. You can only find them in the forests of several islands, including Morotai, Obira, Kayoa, Kasiruta, Bacan, and Halmahera.

Recognition

This Crow is a large bird with a relatively short tail and has glossy and entirely black plumage. One of its most distinguishing features is its large bill, which tapers from a broad base. The legs and feet are also black. Additionally, the crow has white irises, adding to its distinctiveness.

Habitat

This crow is endemic and well-adapted to forested habitats where it can forage and nest. However, it has shown some adaptability to human-altered landscapes, such as secondary forests, partly logged areas, plantations, and cultivated regions.

Long-Billed Dowitcher

Source: @delta_eagle_eye

• Scientific Name: Limnodromus scolopaceus
• Size: 28 to 33 cm (11 to 13 in)
• Locality: Easternmost Russia, Northern Alaska, and Extreme Northwestern Canada
• Status: Least Concern
• Breeding Season: May to Late August or Early September

Long-billed Dowitchers are highly gregarious birds, and they can often be seen in large flocks during migration and on their wintering grounds. They are skilled foragers, using their sensitive bills to probe into mud or sand to locate their prey.

Recognition

This bird has a fairly long, straight bill that curves slightly upwards towards the tip. During the breeding season, they display a mottled brown and gray pattern on their upperparts, and a white underbelly. Their legs are a pale yellowish color.

Habitat

They can be found in freshwater marshes, bogs, and wet meadows in the Arctic tundra. They often choose nesting sites near shallow ponds or marshy areas where they can forage for insects, crustaceans, and other invertebrates.

FAQ

I know you have a hoard of questions cluttering in your mind. So, Let’s check out if this FAQ section answers your curiosities!

Q: What is the largest bird species that starts with L?

Ans: The Laysan Albatross (Phoebastria immutabilis) holds the title of the largest bird species with an L name. It has an impressive wingspan that can reach up to 6.6 to 7.5 feet (2 to 2.3 meters).

Q: Are there any birds with names starting with L that are kept as pets?

Ans: Some birds with names starting with L are kept as pets or in aviaries, depending on local regulations and conservation status. For example, Lady Amherst’s Pheasant is sometimes kept in captive breeding programs for ornamental purposes.

Q: Are there any songbirds among those starting with L?

Ans: Yes, some birds with names starting with L, like Larks, are songbirds known for their melodious calls and complex vocalizations.

Thoughts

So, was I right about the extraordinary and exotic part? How many of these birds did you find interesting and unique? I hope the number aligns perfectly with the headline of my article!

Whatever the number is, I think we would have to admit that birds that start with L contain the most diverse array of species with very specific ranges and behavior.

From the singing Larks to the flashy Lilac-breasted Rollers, they never fail to amaze us. They all remind us of the intricacies of nature and the delicate balance that sustains life on Earth.

So, let’s keep the magic alive and make sure that generations to come get to experience the wonder of these “L” birds and all the other incredible creatures that call our planet home.