There are a number of bird species that have a color in their name. Some examples of birds with a color in their name include:
Bluebirds
There are three species of bluebirds that can be found in North America:
- Eastern Bluebird
- Western Bluebird
- Mountain Bluebird
Bluebirds get their name from the bright blue feathers on the backs of males. Females are more subdued in color. Bluebirds are small thrushes that feed on insects. They can be found in open fields, meadows, and along forest edges.
Redbirds
There are a few different birds that are referred to as redbirds:
- Northern Cardinal – This common backyard bird has bright red feathers on the face, wings, and tail.
- Summer Tanager – A bright red migratory songbird found in treetops.
- Scarlet Tanager – A medium-sized songbird with bright red body and black wings.
- Vermilion Flycatcher – A small insect-eating bird found in the southwestern U.S. and Mexico.
Male birds are usually more brightly colored in these redbird species. Females have more muted, olive coloration.
Yellowbirds
A few birds with yellow in their name include:
- Yellow Warbler – A small migratory warbler with yellow-green plumage.
- Yellow-rumped Warbler – Also known as “Butterbutts,” these warblers have bright yellow rumps.
- Yellow-headed Blackbird – A striking blackbird with a yellow head and breast.
- Yellow-bellied Sapsucker – A woodpecker named for its yellow underside.
Many birds with yellow in their name get the coloration from bright patches of feathers on their undersides, heads, or rump regions.
Blackbirds
Some species known as blackbirds include:
- Red-winged Blackbird – Abundant marsh bird with black body and red shoulder patches.
- Yellow-headed Blackbird – As mentioned above.
- Brewer’s Blackbird – Common blackbird with glossy plumage and yellow eyes.
- Rusty Blackbird – Blackbird with glossy black feathers and rust-colored accents.
There are also species known as snowbirds, white-eyes, goldfinches, and painted finches that have colors in their names. The color terms refer to prominent plumage markings that helped distinguish these bird species.
Why Do Birds Have Colors in Their Names?
There are a few reasons why many birds have colors incorporated into their common names:
- To help distinguish between similar species – For example, the yellow warbler vs. yellow-rumped warbler.
- To describe a prominent plumage feature – Such as the red wing patches of the red-winged blackbird.
- To highlight sexually dimorphic plumage – Male birds are often more colorful, so “bluebird” refers specifically to the bright blue males.
- To translate from original descriptive names – “Red cardinal” became “cardinal.”
Using color terms in names helps make birds easily identifiable. It provides a quick visual descriptor. Scientific bird names are more standardized, but common names are more colorful and descriptive.
Major Bird Families with Color Names
Some of the major bird families that contain color names for many species include:
- Warblers – Yellow warbler, yellow-rumped warbler, orange-crowned warbler, Nashville warbler, Virginia’s warbler, red-faced warbler, etc.
- Tanagers – Scarlet tanager, summer tanager, western tanager, hepatic tanager, flame-colored tanager.
- Buntings – Indigo bunting, painted bunting, lazuli bunting, varied bunting, blue bunting, orange-breasted bunting.
- Orioles – Northern oriole, hooded oriole, Altamira oriole, Audubon’s oriole.
- Grosbeaks – Blue grosbeak, evening grosbeak, rose-breasted grosbeak.
The brightly colored plumage of males in these families gives rise to many descriptive color names. The wide variation in plumage among closely related species also makes color a handy identifier.
Most Unusual Bird Names with Colors
While most color bird names are straightforward, there are some unusual, descriptive, and downright strange examples. Some of the most unusual include:
- Painted bunting – Referring to the incredibly colorful plumage.
- Red-knobbed hornbill – It has a bright red knob above its beak.
- Red-capped manakin – Males have bright red head feathers.
- Yellow-bellied sapsucker – Named for its distinctive belly.
- Red-necked phalarope – A type of shorebird with a stylish red neck.
These names all combine a color with another descriptive term to create unique common names that vividly convey a bird’s appearance.
Conclusion
In summary, many different bird species incorporate colors into their common names. This helps distinguish between similar species and highlights the beautiful and varied plumage of male birds. Bird families like warblers, tanagers, buntings, orioles, and grosbeaks contain many examples of color names. While most color names are straightforward, some unusual names like painted bunting or yellow-bellied sapsucker add descriptive flair.
