Birds that start with the letter C encompass a diverse range of species. From tiny songbirds to giant flightless birds, the birds that begin with C are a fascinating group. In this article, we will explore some of the most notable bird species that have names starting with the letter C and learn about their identification, behavior, habitat, and other interesting facts about these feathered creatures.
Canary
One of the most popular pet bird species, canaries are known for their beautiful songs and vibrant yellow plumage. These small finches measure about 5 inches in length and originate from the Canary Islands, hence their name. Some key facts about canaries include:
- There are two main types of canaries – Common or Border canaries and Fancy canaries. Border canaries have wild-type plumage while Fancy canaries have been selectively bred for their color and song variants.
- Male canaries are the singers – their songs are used to attract mates and defend territories. Female canary songs are simpler and less frequent.
- A versatile seedeater, the canary diet consists of a fortified finch seed mix containing nyjer, canary grass seed, oats, millet, and canary seed. They also enjoy greens and small bits of fruits and veggies.
- Canaries can live 10+ years with proper care and diet.
- These birds bathe frequently, and require a spacious cage, toys, and daily interaction/supervised time out of cage to thrive as pets.
Cardinal
With their sharp red plumage and crested heads, cardinals are one of the most recognized backyard birds. Here are some key facts about these songbirds:
- Northern cardinals live across eastern and central North America. Males are bright red with a black face mask while females are light brown with some red accents.
- Cardinals are non-migratory, staying put in their breeding range year-round. They tolerate cold weather quite well.
- These birds feed on insects, seeds, berries and fruits. Favorite foods include sunflower seeds, safflower, grape jelly, cherries, and dogwood berries.
- The sharp “cheer cheer cheer” call of the cardinal is a quintessential sound of the gardens and woodlands where they live.
- Mated pairs may raise 2-3 broods per breeding season. Males feed the incubating females and later, both parents feed the nestlings.
Cassowary
An enormous flightless bird native to the forests of New Guinea and northeastern Australia, the cassowary is an imposing modern relic of the dinosaurs. Here are some facts about these big birds:
- There are three living cassowary species – the southern, northern, and dwarf cassowaries. They can stand over 5 feet tall and weigh well over 100 pounds.
- Cassowaries are solitary birds that feed on fruits and small animals. Their powerful legs help them run up to 31 miles per hour through dense forest vegetation.
- These birds have sharp claws on their inner toes that can grow up to 4 inches long. They kick and slice if they feel threatened.
- Cassowaries play an important role in dispersing seeds through the forest and have coevolved with certain fruiting tree species.
- The southern cassowary is recognized as Endangered with declining populations due to habitat loss and fragmentation across its Queensland range.
Chickadee
From North America to Siberia, chickadees are charismatic little songbirds brimming with energy and personality. Let’s explore some traits of these birds starting with C:
- In North America, the most widespread chickadee species is the black-capped chickadee. This bird has distinctive black and white plumage, a black cap and throat, and a chick-a-dee-dee call.
- Most chickadee species live in family units through the winter, roaming the woods as a flock. This helps them better locate food sources like insects, seeds, and berries.
- Weighing under half an ounce, chickadees have surprisingly good spatial memory and recall where they cache individual food items.
- Chickadees are cavity nesters, nesting in abandoned woodpecker holes or manmade nest boxes. Clutch sizes range from 5 to 8 eggs.
- In winter nights, chickadees and other small birds reduce their body temperature and enter short bouts of torpor to conserve energy.
Chicken
No list of birds that start with C is complete without the chicken. Here’s an overview of some key facts about these ubiquitous domestic fowl:
- All domestic chickens descend from the Eurasian red junglefowl. Humans began domesticating chickens over 8,000 years ago.
- There are hundreds of chicken breeds exhibiting variations in size, plumage, number of toes, egg color, and more. Popular breeds include Leghorns, Brahmas, and Cochins.
- While wild male chickens crow, hens cackle after laying an egg. Roosters have spur-like nails on their legs used for fighting.
- Chickens are omnivores, feeding on grains, plants, seeds, insects, worms, larva, and more. Free-range chickens will forage for plant and animal food sources.
- In addition to meat and eggs, chickens provide fertilizer and help control pests while grazing in fields and yards.
Cockatoo
Cockatoos are iconic parrots hailing from various islands of the Australasian region. Fun facts about these vocal and affectionate birds include:
- There are over 20 species of cockatoo. Some popular ones kept as pets include the umbrella cockatoo, Moluccan cockatoo, and sulphur-crested cockatoo.
- Cockatoos are predominantly white in color but can have bold patches of pink, red, yellow, or black depending on species.
- These parrots have a massive curved bill used to crack hard nuts and seeds. Their diet also includes fruits, blossoms, insects, and roots.
- Cockatoos are highly social and live in large noisy flocks when not breeding. Pairs remain monogamous for life.
- Some cockatoos have been documented using tools like sticks or pieces of bark to reach or manipulate food items.
Cormorant
Cormorants are aquatic birds that live along coastlines, rivers, and lakes worldwide. Here are some facts about these fish-eating waterbirds:
- There are about 40 species of cormorants around the world. Most live along seashores, but some inhabit freshwater lakes and rivers.
- Cormorants have compact bodies and long hooked bills. They often perch with wings outstretched after fishing.
- They dive underwater in pursuit of fish and can swim quite deep thanks to high myoglobin levels in their muscles that store oxygen.
- Cormorants frequently nest in groups on cliffs, rocks, hillsides, and trees often alongside other colonial waterbirds.
- Some cormorant populations are threatened by habitat loss, pollution, human disturbance, and even persecution by fish farmers who view them as pests.
Crane
Cranes are some of the most stately and elegant birds on the planet. Let’s learn more about these large, long-legged wetland birds:
- There are 15 species of cranes found across North America, Eurasia, and Africa. The demoiselle crane is the smallest while the sarus crane is the tallest.
- These birds are omnivorous, feeding on plants, grains, small vertebrates, and invertebrates. They forage on land and in shallow wetlands.
- Cranes engage in elaborate dances that involve bowing, leaping, wing stretching, tosses of vegetation, and synchronized head bobs.
- Both parents help build the nest and incubate the eggs. Crane chicks, called colts, are able to swim soon after hatching.
- Half of all crane species are under threat with shrinking wetland habitats worldwide. Power lines also pose a major collision risk to low-flying cranes.
Crow
From the familiar American crow to jungle crows, these intelligent black birds are found across the world. Fun crow facts include:
- Crows are passerine songbirds in the family Corvidae along with ravens, jays, magpies, and others. There are some 40 species globally.
- These resourceful birds will eat almost anything – insects, seeds, nuts, eggs, scraps, roadkill. They use tools to pry, dig, and hammer for food.
- Crows live in family groups with offspring from prior years. They mob predators, gather around dead crows, and may hold “crow court.”
- Their iconic “caw caw” patter communicates different warnings and announcements among the flock members.
- Studies show crows never forget a human face, teaching unsafe humans to their young. They’re considered one of the smartest birds.
Conclusion
Birds with names starting in C showcase the incredible diversity of the avian world. From tiny canaries to giant cassowaries, backyard chickadees to lagoon cormorants, each species is uniquely adapted to its ecological niche. While we explored some of the most popular C birds here, there are many more fascinating species to discover. When you hear an unknown bird call or catch a glimpse of an unfamiliar feathered form, try looking it up to learn more about its identification and traits. Our avian neighbors deserve our continued curiosity, respect, and conservation efforts.
