Birds That Start with B – List With Pictures And Facts

Last Updated on August 27, 2026

Birds that start with the letter B bring a striking mix of colours, sounds, and behaviours to the natural world, making them an exciting group for kids to explore. If you’re searching for bird names that start with the letter ‘B’, this list is a great place to begin, covering everything from the powerful bald eagle to the tiny bee hummingbird, each with its own distinct charm. 

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This article brings together a helpful list of birds that start with ‘B’ for preschoolers and kids, complete with pictures and fun facts to make learning enjoyable. Exploring these ‘B’ letter bird names is a simple way to build vocabulary while introducing children to different habitats and species found around the world. Let’s take a look at some fascinating birds starting with B, and the interesting facts that make each one special. 

List Of Bird Names That Start With ‘B’

From birds of prey to tiny songbirds, there are plenty of interesting birds beginning with ‘B’ for kids to discover. Here is a list of some commonly known ones, along with fun facts and where you might spot them. 

1. Bald Eagle

The bald eagle is a large bird of prey known for its white head, sharp yellow beak, and powerful talons used for catching fish. 

Did You Know?

• Bald eagles build some of the largest nests of any bird, often weighing over a tonne. 
• They are not actually bald; their name comes from an old word meaning “white-headed.” 
• A bald eagle’s eyesight is about four to eight times sharper than that of a human. 
• They can fly at speeds of over 65 kilometres per hour. 

Where You Might See : Found across the United States and Canada, particularly near lakes, rivers, and coastlines. 

2. Barn Owl

The barn owl is a nocturnal bird recognised by its heart-shaped face and silent flight, making it a skilled night-time hunter. 

Did You Know?

• Barn owls can locate prey in complete darkness using sound alone. 
• They swallow their prey whole and later cough up small pellets of bone and fur. 
• A barn owl’s feathers are specially designed to muffle the sound of flight. 
• They can rotate their heads almost all the way around to look behind them. 

Where You Might See : In the United Kingdom, Europe, and parts of North America, often nesting in barns, church towers, and hollow trees. 

3. Blue Jay

The blue jay is a striking songbird known for its vivid blue feathers, bold personality, and loud, varied calls. 

Did You Know?

• Blue jays can imitate the calls of hawks to scare away other birds. 
• They often bury acorns and seeds, helping new trees grow in the process. 
• Blue jays are known to be highly intelligent and curious birds. 
• They live in small family groups and communicate using a range of sounds. 

Where You Might See : Blue jays are commonly spotted across the eastern and central United States and parts of Canada, especially in gardens and woodlands. 

4. Budgerigar

The budgerigar, often called a “budgie,” is a small, colourful parrot popular both in the wild and as a household pet. 

Did You Know?

• Budgerigars can learn to mimic human speech and everyday sounds. 
• In the wild, they travel in enormous, noisy flocks that can number in the thousands. 
• Their feathers come in shades of green, yellow, and blue. 
• Budgerigars can live for 5 to 10 years, and sometimes longer as pets. 

Where You Might See : Budgerigars are native to the grasslands and open woodlands of Australia. 

5. Bee-eater

The bee-eater is a brightly coloured bird best known for catching bees and other flying insects mid-air. 

Did You Know?

• Bee-eaters rub insects against branches to remove the stingers before eating them. 
• They nest in long tunnels that they dig into sandy riverbanks. 
• Their feathers often display shades of green, yellow, and blue. 
• Bee-eaters are highly social and often nest in large colonies. 

Where You Might See : Bee-eaters are commonly found across Africa, southern Europe, and parts of Asia, especially near rivers and open farmland. 

6. Bullfinch

The bullfinch is a plump songbird easily recognised by the male’s bright pink-red chest and stout, rounded beak. 

Did You Know?

• Bullfinches mainly feed on buds, seeds, and berries. 
• Male and female bullfinches look quite different, with females having a duller, greyish-brown chest. 
• They are known for their soft, low-pitched calls. 
• Bullfinches often form close, lifelong pairs. 

Where You Might See : Bullfinches are commonly found across the United Kingdom and much of Europe, often in woodlands, hedgerows, and gardens. 

7. Blackbird

The blackbird is a familiar garden bird, with males sporting glossy black feathers and a bright orange-yellow beak. 

Did You Know?

• Male blackbirds are known for their rich, melodic song, often heard at dawn and dusk. 
• Female blackbirds are actually brown, not black. 
• Blackbirds are excellent at finding worms and insects hidden in soil. 
• They are one of the most common garden birds across the United Kingdom. 

Where You Might See: Blackbirds are widely found across the United Kingdom and Europe, commonly seen in gardens, parks, and hedgerows. 

8. Bittern

The bittern is a secretive wetland bird known for its deep, booming call and excellent camouflage among reeds. 

Did You Know?

• Bitterns freeze with their beaks pointed skyward to blend in with surrounding reeds. 
• Their call can be heard from over a kilometre away. 
• Bitterns mainly feed on fish, frogs, and insects. 
• They are considered rare and are carefully protected in several countries. 

Where You Might See: Bitterns are found in wetlands and reedbeds across the United Kingdom, Europe, and parts of Asia. 

9. Bee Hummingbird

The bee hummingbird is the smallest bird species in the world, so tiny that it is often mistaken for a large bee. 

Did You Know?

• Bee hummingbirds weigh less than a small coin. 
• Their wings can beat up to 80 times per second. 
• They feed mainly on flower nectar and tiny insects. 
• Despite their size, they can fly forwards, backwards, and even upside down. 

Where You Might See:  In Cuba, particularly in forests and gardens with plenty of flowering plants. 

10. Bowerbird

The bowerbird is famous for the male’s elaborate skill of building decorated structures, called bowers, to attract a mate. 

Did You Know?

• Male bowerbirds decorate their bowers with colourful objects like flowers, shells, and even bottle caps. 
• Some species arrange objects by colour to make their bower more eye-catching. 
• Bowerbirds are considered among the most intelligent bird species. 
• A bower is used only for courtship, not as a nest for eggs. 

Where You Might See : In the forests of Australia and New Guinea. 

11. Bald Ibis

The bald ibis is a striking bird known for its bare, wrinkled head and long, curved beak used to probe the ground for food. 

Did You Know?

• Bald ibises were once believed to be extinct in parts of their range before conservation efforts helped them recover. 
• They travel in flocks and communicate using a range of grunting calls. 
• Their feathers often have a glossy, dark green or purple sheen. 
• Bald ibises feed mainly on insects, small reptiles, and plant matter. 

Where You Might See : Found in parts of Morocco and small reintroduced populations in Europe. 

12. Booby

The booby is a large seabird known for its bright, colourful feet and impressive high-speed dives into the ocean to catch fish. 

Did You Know?

• Some booby species have bright blue or red feet used to attract mates. 
• Boobies can dive into water from great heights at high speed without injury. 
• They are strong fliers and can travel long distances over open ocean. 
• The name “booby” is believed to come from a Spanish word meaning “clown,” due to their clumsy movements on land. 

Where You Might See: Found across tropical and subtropical coastlines, including the Galápagos Islands. 

13. Brambling

The brambling is a small finch known for its orange chest and distinctive white rump, most visible when it flies. 

Did You Know?

• Bramblings often travel in huge winter flocks, sometimes alongside chaffinches. 
• They mainly feed on beech seeds during colder months. 
• Male bramblings develop a darker head during the breeding season. 
• They breed in forests far to the north before migrating south for winter. 

Where You Might See: Commonly seen across the United Kingdom and Europe during the winter months, often in woodlands and farmland. 

14. Barn Swallow

The barn swallow is a graceful, fast-flying bird known for its deeply forked tail and long-distance migration. 

Did You Know?

• Barn swallows can travel thousands of kilometres between their breeding and wintering grounds. 
• They build cup-shaped nests from mud, often under the eaves of barns and buildings. 
• Barn swallows catch insects while flying, rarely landing to feed. 
• They are known to return to the very same nest site year after year. 

Where You Might See: Found almost worldwide, breeding across the United Kingdom, Europe, Asia, and North America. 

15. Black Swan

The black swan is a large waterbird easily recognised by its all-black feathers and striking red beak. 

Did You Know?

• Black swans mate for life and are often seen swimming in pairs. 
• They are strong swimmers but can also fly considerable distances. 
• Black swans build large nests close to the water’s edge. 
• Unlike most swans, they are known for being quite vocal, with a range of trumpeting calls. 

Where You Might See : In Australia, though they have also been introduced to parts of Europe and New Zealand. 

More ‘B’ Letter Birds

There are plenty more fascinating ‘B’ starting birds’ names beyond the ones covered above, each with its own unique features worth exploring. Here is a table with 20 additional bird names to add to the list. 

Birds That Start With ‘B’ – Chart

If you’re wondering what bird starts with the letter ‘B’, this quick chart brings together all the names covered in this article for easy reference. Simply glance through the list below to revisit your favourites.  

FAQs

1. Which ‘B’ Bird Is Known For Its Elaborate Courtship Display? 

The bowerbird is well known for building and decorating an elaborate structure called a bower to attract a mate, often using colourful objects it collects. 

2. Which Bird Starting With ‘B’ Is Considered The Smallest In The World? 

The bee hummingbird holds the title of the smallest bird species in the world and is found only in Cuba. 

3. Are All Birds Starting With ‘B’ Found Near Water?

No, while birds like the bittern and black swan are closely linked to wetlands, others, such as the blue jay and bullfinch, are commonly found in woodlands and gardens instead. 

4. Which ‘B’ Bird Is Famous For Its Powerful Eyesight And Hunting Skills? 

The bald eagle is known for its exceptionally sharp eyesight and strong talons, which make it a highly skilled hunter. 

Learning bird names starting with ‘B’ is a fun and simple way to spark curiosity about the natural world. Along the way, it also helps build kids’ vocabulary, from the powerful bald eagle to the tiny bee hummingbird, with each bird offering its own interesting facts that make learning enjoyable and memorable for young readers.