The majority of the birds on this list that begin with the letter W are from North America. Some of the birds migrate, some only a portion of the time, and some never do.
Birds That Start with W – List of Birds Begins with the Letter ‘W’
These birds are from all over the world because the goal was to make the list as diverse as possible! Keep reading to know more about the names of birds that start with W.
Wood Duck
Scientific name: Aix sponsa
The population of these birds drastically decreased in the 19th century. In addition to its plumage, which was used to produce hats for the European market, the Wood duck was hunted for its meat. Loss of habitat also contributed to the population decline.
The wood ducks found in the southern part of their range in North America do not migrate. Birds do travel south from the northern region, though.
Western Bluebird
Scientific name: Sialia mexicana
The head, throat, wings, and tail of a male western bluebird are all beautifully blue. On their back, above their wings, and down their flanks, they feature rusty orange markings. In addition to having no blue on their throat, females will often appear duller, sometimes noticeably duller.
The U.S. bluebird home sector is quite well-known due to the fact that they are essentially the most sought-after tenants. However, they are less frequent at feeders than in backyards. In order to attract a mating pair, place a birdhouse outside.
The majority of New Mexico may be visited all year long to see Western Bluebirds. But they might not be there in the northeast, and they might just be around in the winter at the southern border. Although bluebirds don’t normally consume seeds, mealworms on a tray feeder or in a dish can tempt them to visit feeders.
White-winged scoter
Scientific name: Melanitta deglandi
These monogamous North American birds typically pair off in the late summer. White-winged scoters begin reproducing as early as age two. In close proximity to the sea, rivers, or lakes, their nests are constructed on the ground.
The female lays five to eleven eggs, which are incubated for about 25 to 30 days. They may dive as far as 25 meters to obtain food and are benthic eaters.
Wild Turkey
Scientific name: Meleagris gallopavo
Males over a year old will gobble in an effort to attract the attention of both females and rival males. Males under the age of one also engage in this activity, though much less frequently.
They make a variety of calls, including “whines,” “putts,” “kee-kees,” “clucks,” “gobbles,” and “purrs.” In spite of their weight and size, turkeys, which are native to North America, are remarkably quick and agile fliers.
Willow Ptarmigan
Scientific name: Lagopus lagopus
The willow ptarmigan is the state bird of Alaska and is found throughout Europe, Siberia, Scandinavia, Canada, Alaska, and North America. They are herbivores, and the majority of what they eat are berries, leaves, seeds, flowers, and twigs.
Due to an undeveloped cecum, the young may spend the first several years of their lives eating insects.
White-tailed Ptarmigan
Scientific name: Lagopus leucura
Another name for the white-tailed ptarmigan is the snow quail. These birds’ cryptic and variable plumage is an intriguing characteristic. They reside in Western America, Canada, and Alaska.
Its feathers are entirely white in the winter, but in the summer they are flecked with brown, white, and gray. In order to entice a female, the males of this species strut and display their tail feathers. They only reproduce for one season and are monogamous.
Western Grebe
Scientific name: Aechmophorus occidentalis
This species, which can grow to a length of around 30 inches, a weight of up to 4.5 pounds, and a wingspan of up to 40 inches, is the largest grebe in North America.
Large colonies of up to a few hundred Western grebes have been observed to nest. During ceremonies throughout the mating season, these birds will promote themselves.
White-winged Dove
Scientific name: Zenaida asiatica
For these birds, mating season is a really intriguing time. The male will coo and try to attract while circling females with their wings up and tails stretched out in an effort to attract a female.
Both parents raise their children jointly as a team. Within two to three months of leaving the nest, young doves may begin to build their own nests. Native to the Caribbean, Central America, Mexico, and North America are white-winged doves.
White-throated Swift
Scientific name: Aeronautes saxatalis
These medium-sized birds have a mainly black and white pattern on their plumage. Males and females of the same species of bird have similar plumage, thus you cannot tell the sex of the bird by looking at it.
They live in southern Arizona, southern New Mexico, southern California, western Texas, and central Mexico and do not migrate. A gregarious bird, the White-throated swift is so-called. Birds will gather in groups to forage for food and to roost together.
White-eared Hummingbird
Scientific name: Basilinna leucotis
These birds have magnificent plumage in hues of blue, green, white, brown, and metallic turquoise, along with a bill that is a vivid red. In general, females have less color than their male counterparts.
It is thought to be a fairly small hummingbird. Their primary source of nutrition, like that of other hummingbirds, is nectar from flowers and flowering plants. States like New Mexico, Arizona, and Texas in the United States occasionally see these hummingbirds.
Whooping Grane
Scientific name: Grus americana
The largest bird in North America, the whooping crane is well-known for its whooping roar. The crane species in question is regarded as endangered. There are only two native crane species in North America as well.
There are presently only 800 birds in total, including those in the wild and captivity. The Whooping crane frequently walks through fields and shallow water while foraging.
Wilson’s Plover
Scientific name: Charadrius wilsonia
The Wilson’s plover, a species that partially migrates, is prevalent on most beaches in the Americas. These birds, in addition to those found in Florida, travel to Brazil during the winter. These birds can be seen searching for food on beaches.
As they look for food, they travel slowly across the sand. Insects, sea worms, and crabs make up their food. In 1814, Scottish-American naturalist Alexander Wilson gave the Wilson’s Plover its name.
White-rumped Sandpiper
Scientific name: Calidris fuscicollis
If you want to see one of these uncommon shorebirds, go to Canada or Alaska. As their nesting place is quite ambiguous, it could be challenging in the summer. Bird watchers beware—there’s a good chance you won’t see them in the winter, too, as they tend to migrate too far south for most people to observe.
These birds are best observed in the spring and fall, usually in small flocks close to water. The female creates a cup-shaped nest. Typically, their nests are hard to find and well-hidden. Nests are well concealed amid clumps of grass or moss.
Wandering Tattler
Scientific name: Tringa incana
Crustaceans and marine worms are the main components of the Wandering tattles’ diet. These birds are renowned for their jerky, bobbing foraging behaviors. They frequently eat repeatedly in the same place.
Usually, you can observe them flying slowly over rocky shorelines. Normally, the female can lay up to four eggs. The kids are conceived and raised by both parents. These birds can be found along the Pacific coasts from Alaska to South America.
