What is the scientific names of birds? Aves is the scientific name of birds.
Bird watching and bird identification are becoming popular hobbies around the world. A big part of studying any bird is knowing its scientific name. With this article, we will focus on 100 scientific names of birds, which have been divided into groups for ease of learning. Each group will list 20 bird species ranging from common to exotic.
Table of Contents
1. Common Birds Scientific Names List
Here are some of the popular bird species that are commonly seen in urban and rural areas. These bird species names will serve as a reference for you in identifying common birds during your bird-watching trips.
| BIRDS COMMON NAME | BIRDS SCIENTIFIC NAME |
|---|---|
| House Sparrow | Passer domesticus |
| Pigeon | Columba livia |
| European Starling | Sturnus vulgaris |
| American Robin | Turdus migratorius |
| Common Crow | Corvus brachyrhynchos |
| Mallard Duck | Anas platyrhynchos |
| Northern Cardinal | Cardinalis cardinalis |
| Blue Jay | Cyanocitta cristata |
| American Goldfinch | Spinus tristis |
| Rock Pigeon | Columba livia |
| Mourning Dove | Zenaida macroura |
| Chipping Sparrow | Spizella passerina |
| Red-tailed Hawk | Buteo jamaicensis |
| Common Grackle | Quiscalus quiscula |
| Canada Goose | Branta canadensis |
| Eastern Bluebird | Sialia sialis |
| House Finch | Haemorhous mexicanus |
| American Kestrel | Falco sparverius |
| Brown Thrasher | Toxostoma rufum |
| European Goldfinch | Carduelis carduelis |
| Hen | Gallus gallus domesticus |
2. Exotic Birds Scientific Names for Birdwatchers
The birds are mostly found in tropical regions, where they are admired for their conspicuous plumage. The scientific names of bird watching further explain the excitement with which these exotic species will turn your head with their bright feather colors and features.
| BIRDS FAMILIAR NAME | BIRDS SCIENTIFIC NAME |
|---|---|
| Crowned Crane | Balearica regulorum |
| Victoria Crowned Pigeon | Goura victoria |
| Mandarin Duck | Aix galericulata |
| Golden Pheasant | Chrysolophus pictus |
| Andean Condor | Vultur gryphus |
| Harpy Eagle | Harpia harpyja |
| Wattled Crane | Bugeranus carunculatus |
| Albatross | Diomedea exulans |
| Rhinoceros Hornbill | Buceros rhinoceros |
| Macaw | Ara spp |
| African Grey Parrot | Psittacus erithacus |
| Horned Lark | Eremophila alpestris |
| Peacock | Pavo cristatus |
| Scarlet Macaw | Ara macao |
| Kingfisher | Alcedo atthis |
| Bali Mynah | Leucopsar rothschildi |
| Quetzal | Pharomachrus mocinno |
| Kea | Nestor notabilis |
| Toco Toucan | Ramphastos toco |
| Great Hornbill | Buceros bicornis |
3. Birds of Prey Scientific Names
Most birds of prey have sharp talons and strong beaks because they are recognized for their hunting skills. Scientific Names of birds of prey will help you identify them during your birding adventure.
| BIRDS FAMILIAR NAME | BIRDS BIOLOGICALS NAME |
|---|---|
| Bald Eagle | Haliaeetus leucocephalus |
| Golden Eagle | Aquila chrysaetos |
| Peregrine Falcon | Falco peregrinus |
| Red-shouldered Hawk | Buteo lineatus |
| Barn Owl | Tyto alba |
| Snowy Owl | Bubo scandiacus |
| Northern Harrier | Circus cyaneus |
| Cooper’s Hawk | Accipiter cooperii |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | Accipiter striatus |
| Turkey Vulture | Cathartes aura |
| Osprey | Pandion haliaetus |
| Eurasian Sparrowhawk | Accipiter nisus |
| Kite bird | Milvus migrans |
| Secretarybird | Sagittarius serpentarius |
| Gyrfalcon | Falco rusticolus |
| American Coot | Fulica americana |
| Vulturine Guinea Fowl | Acryllium vulturinum |
| Lesser Kestrel | Falco naumanni |
| Crested Caracara | Caracara plancus |
| Hen Harrier | Circus cyaneus |
4. Waterfowl and Aquatic Birds Scientific Names
These birds live around water sources such as oceans, seas, lakes, or rivers. The list of bird scientific names for aquatic birds is a precious guide related to the identification of these graceful animals.
| BIRDS FAMILIAR NAME | BIRDS BIOLOGICAL NAME |
|---|---|
| Barrow’s Goldeneye | Bucephala islandica |
| American Wigeon | Mareca americana |
| Great Blue Heron | Ardea herodias |
| Green Heron | Butorides virescens |
| Little Egret | Egretta garzetta |
| Great Cormorant | Phalacrocorax carbo |
| Purple Gallinule | Porphyrio martinica |
| American Bittern | Botaurus lentiginosus |
| Black-necked Swan | Cygnus melancoryphus |
| European Shag | Phalacrocorax aristotelis |
| White Pelican | Pelecanus erythrorhynchos |
| Northern Shoveler | Anas clypeata |
| Common Eider | Somateria mollissima |
| Mandarin Duck | Aix galericulata |
| Wood Duck | Aix sponsa |
| Northern Pintail | Anas acuta |
| American Black Duck | Anas rubripes |
| Tufted Duck | Aythya fuligula |
| Common Scoter | Melanitta nigra |
| Mute Swan | Cygnus olor |
5. Songbirds and Passerines Scientific Names
Most of these birds are melodious and have a powerful voice. The scientific names of the birds in this group will help people identify them better.
| BIRDS COMMON NAME | BIRDS SCIENTIFIC NAME |
|---|---|
| American Robin | Turdus migratorius |
| Song Sparrow | Melospiza melodia |
| Common Blackbird | Turdus merula |
| European Starling | Sturnus vulgaris |
| White-crowned Sparrow | Zonotrichia leucophrys |
| Northern Cardinal | Cardinalis cardinalis |
| Blue Jay | Cyanocitta cristata |
| House Finch | Haemorhous mexicanus |
| Chipping Sparrow | Spizella passerina |
| Eastern Meadowlark | Sturnella magna |
| Swainson’s Thrush | Catharus ustulatus |
| Barn Swallow | Hirundo rustica |
| Tufted Titmouse | Baeolophus bicolor |
| Eastern Bluebird | Sialia sialis |
| Ruby-throated Hummingbird | Archilochus colubris |
| Yellow Warbler | Setophaga petechia |
| Indigo Bunting | Passerina cyanea |
| Black-capped Chickadee | Poecile atricapillus |
| Red-winged Blackbird | Agelaius phoeniceus |
| Common Yellowthroat | Geothlypis trichas |
Conclusion: Why Scientific Names of Birds Matter
It is important for bird watchers, as well as ornithologists and conservationists, to know the scientific names of bird species. These names certainly provide a clear global standard for identifying birds, which is essential for their studies, monitoring, and conservation.
Therefore, these scientific names of birds also mean that one is preserving biodiversity and has begun unearthing the roles that these birds play within our ecosystems.
