A quick Google search of bird names that start with J provides you with an overwhelming amount of choices, and it can take time to know where to start.
While each bird lover has their preferences, some bird names seem to stand out as particularly lovely to everyone’s ears.
These 29 beautiful bird names that start with J will inspire you, whatever bird lover you are!
1. Jamaican Crow
the first on my list of bird names that start with J is the Jamaican Crows(Corvus jamaicensis), one of Jamaica’s most common birds.
They live in many habitats, including forests, grasslands, and wetlands. One of their most distinctive features is their call, which sounds like Caw! Caw!
These bird names that start with the J diet consist mainly of fruits, insects, and small animals.
Jamaican Crows are classified as a Least Concerned species because they have a stable population and occupy a large range, including most of the Caribbean Islands.
2. Jabiru
The second on my list of bird names that start with J is the Jabiru (Jabiru Mycteria), a large bird with an eagle-like body and a stork-like head. It has long, dark gray legs, yellow feet, and a long neck.
They have white plumage on the head and tail. Their wings are black and brown. The Jabiru’s beak is colored red or orange. This bird can grow to be up to six feet tall!
The average weight of this bird is approximately seven pounds. These birds live in parts of South America, such as Brazil, Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, and Venezuela.
3. Jamaican Owl
The Jamaican Owl is a small bird found in Jamaica. These bird names that start with J are often seen around the Blue Mountain region, feeding on insects, amphibians, and other small creatures.
The owl species is currently listed as vulnerable due to deforestation and habitat destruction.
The scientific name for the Jamaican Owl is Asio Grammaticus, which translates to the grammatical Owl. This may be because it’s found near schools and universities where people talk about grammar.
If you’re looking for a bird name that starts with J, this one is cool!
4. James’s Flamingo
James’s flamingos(Phoenicoparrus Jamesi) are native to the Galapagos Islands and inhabit various habitats. James’s Flamingo is named after James Island, one of the islands where they are found.
These bird names that start with J are also commonly called Galapagos flamingos, which can be confusing because there are two other species of Flamingo on the island: Greater and Lesser.
The scientific name for this bird is Phoenicoparrus jamesi, but it is more commonly known by its English name: James’s Flamingo.
James’s Flamingo has a mostly pink body with a white undertail and white patches on its wingtips.
When they take flight, their wings have black tips so they can be identified at a distance.
5. Jamaican Woodpecker
The Jamaican woodpecker(Melanerpes Radiolatus) is a member of the woodpecker family and lives in Jamaica.
It’s also known as the Red-headed Woodpecker, but it’s not related to the North American red-bellied Woodpecker.
The Jamaican Woodpecker can be found in tropical habitats near trees, where they feed on insects.
These bird names that start with J are endangered due to habitat destruction and illegal trapping for their feathers.
This bird has three subspecies: M. rufiventris from eastern Jamaica, M. subflavus from western Jamaica, and M. aterrimus from northern Jamaica.
6. Jackson’s Hornbill
Going on to the next bird names that start with J, The Jackson’s Hornbill (Tockus Jackson) is the smallest of the hornbills, standing at around 30 cm.
They are endemic to Cameroon, where they live in lowland forests and mangrove swamps.
The males have an inflatable red throat sack and a large casque on their bill; this is inflated during courtship displays to attract females.
The female will then lay two eggs on the ground or in a tree hole, which she will incubate for between twenty-six and twenty-eight days before laying another two eggs.
7. Javan Hawk-Eagle
Javan Hawk-Eagle (Spizaetus Bartelsi) is a bird found in the forests of Java and Bali.
These bird names that start with J are listed as endangered because they are hunted for their feathers, ke high-quality headdresses.
Their total population is decreasing but can be found in protected forest areas.
The females have yellowish-brown bodies, and the males have rust-colored heads and necks. They eat lizards, other birds, mammals, and frogs.
One distinguishing characteristic of this hawk-eagle is its long tail feathers. Javan Hawk-Eagle (Spizaetus Bartelsi) is an endangered bird found in the forests of Java and Bali.
8. Jambu Fruit Dove
The Jambu Fruit Dove (Ptilinopus jambu) is a bird species in the Columbidae family. It is found in Indonesia and Malaysia.
The bird’s natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests and subtropical or tropical swamps.
These bird names that start with J are commonly seen perched on tree branches while searching for food.
They are also known as the ‘Golden Pigeon‘, which translates to ‘Jambu Fruit Dove’ in Indonesian.
These bird names that start with J have a little yellow-orange patch of feathers on their wings, which is hard to spot when perched.
When it flies, it shows this beautiful patch of feathers on its wing, which makes it easy to identify from other species of doves.
9. Jacobin Cuckoo
Jacobin cuckoos, or clamator jacobinus birds, are a type of bird found in Madagascar. They’re named for their call, which sounds like the word Jacobin.
The name jacobinus is Latin for the Cuckoo.
Their calls are varied and can be heard as far as two kilometers away. These bird names that start with J generally live an average of seven years in the wild, but some have been recorded to live up to twenty-five years!
10. Javan Kingfisher
The Javan Kingfisher (Halcyon Cyanoventris) is a small, blue-green bird across the Indonesian archipelago.
These bird names that start with J are one of this region’s most common members of the Halcyon genus.
The Javan Kingfisher feeds mainly on fish and insects and uses its feet to grasp prey in water before transferring it to its beak.
These bird names that start with J are classified as Near Threatened by IUCN due to habitat loss, resulting in an estimated population decline of 40% over three generations.
The name kingfisher comes from the bird’s resemblance to kingfishers, especially when seen hunting above water for fish. They are also commonly referred to as bluebirds.
11. Japanese Robin
Japanese robins(Larvivora Akahige) are beautiful birds. These bird names that start with J are one of the most common species in Japan, where they get their name from. They can often be found in gardens, parks, forests, and wooded areas.
These bird names that start with J have a brown head and nape, blackish-brown back and wings, chestnut-brown tail, and white underparts.
These birds also have a dark pink bill with an orange base.
Their eyes are red to brown or bright yellow to greenish-yellow. Japanese robins feed mostly on insects such as beetles and butterflies but eat fruit like cherries or berries when they can find them.
12. Jamaican Blackbird
The Jamaican Blackbird(Nesopsar Nigerrimus) is a small bird, measuring between five and six inches in length, making it one of the smallest species of birds.
The female Jamaican Blackbird is slightly smaller than the male and has a brown head and back with black patches on its wing and tail feathers.
This bird feeds on insects, fruits, berries, seeds, and nectar. The Jamaican Blackbird can be found throughout Jamaica but mostly inhabits thick vegetation and forests.
These bird names that start with J typically live at lower elevations – below 1500 meters – where there are more fruiting trees than higher up in the mountains where other species of bird life exist.
This songbird is often heard singing at dawn or dusk when they congregate to feed on flowers, fruit trees, or bamboo shoots.
13. Japanese Night-Heron
The Japanese night heron, or Gorsachius Goisagi, is a medium-sized heron. It feeds on insects and small vertebrates.
This bird has two subspecies: the G. g. goisagi from Japan and the G. g. noctivagus from Taiwan and southern China.
The former is darker than the latter, has a more extensive white patch in the wing, and lacks yellow plumes at the end of its legs during the breeding season.
14. Jandaya Parakeet
The Jandaya Parakeet(Aratinga Jandaya) is a small green parrot endemic to the island of Java in Indonesia.
The species was first scientifically described in 1832 by Dutch naturalist Coenraad Jacob Temminck. It is one of the smallest parrots in the world and is found only in Java.
The name Jandaya derives from Sanskrit, meaning the bird from India. These bird names that start with J species have been observed to have a particularly friendly and curious disposition toward humans.
15. Javan Green Magpie
The Javan green magpie(Cissa thalassina) is a beautiful tropical Southeast Asian bird.
The male has a mainly light-blue head and underparts, while the female has brownish-gray upperparts and paler gray underparts.
These bird names that start with J are the only members of the genus Cissa in its family, but they are not closely related to any other passerine birds.
This species feeds on insects, fruit, and nests in tree cavities or manufactured structures.
16. Japanese Pygmy Woodpecker
The Japanese Pygmy Woodpecker (Yungipicus Kizuki) is one of the smallest woodpeckers in the world.
The bird gets its name from its resemblance to the Japanese pygmy woodcock, a bird found in Asia.
The Japanese Pygmy Woodpecker is native to East Asia and lives in forests and mountainous regions.
These bird names that start with J prefer dense mountain forests but can also be found in scrubland and other secondary-growth areas.
The Japanese Pygmy Woodpecker has a short tail and short wings for climbing tree trunks but not for flight. This makes it look like a miniature version of the Eurasian Jay.
17. Japanese Wood Pigeon
The Japanese Wood Pigeon(Columba Janthina) is an extinct pigeon species in the Columba genus. The subspecies is named Janthina, after the genus Janthina.
This bird lived on the islands of Japan and was never introduced outside of this region.
It had black plumage and a light blue patch on its neck. These bird names that start with J were not brightly colored birds, which allowed them to blend into their surroundings to escape predators.
They roost in trees at night and forage for food during the day.
18. Junin Grebe
The Junin grebe(Podiceps Taczanowskii) is native to the Amazon Basin and lives in freshwater marshes, lakes, and slow-moving streams.
These bird names start with J in Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, and French Guiana.
These bird names that start with J are named after a town called Junin in Peru. The Junin grebe is not very colorful; it has brown feathers on its head and back, while the chest is black. Their legs are yellowish-green or whitish.
19. Japanese Tit
Moving on to the next on my list of bird names that start with J, The Japanese Tit(Parus Minor) is a small bird, but they are very plump. This makes them look even smaller than they are.
These birds have distinctive black heads and white cheeks. The Japanese Tit has an orange bill and legs, which stand out against its dark grey to the black body.
Males will usually be more brightly colored than females. These bird names start with J and spend the winter in Southeast Asia before migrating north for the summer months.
The Japanese Tit prefers open areas such as meadows, parks, and gardens with trees or bushes for nesting and plenty of food sources to sustain them during their migration periods.
20. Java Sparrow
The next on my list of bird names, starting with J, is the Java Sparrow, native to Indonesia(Padda Oryzivora) and the Philippines.
They are also known as Java Rice Birds because they were once thought to feed on rice.
These bird names that start with J typically have a green body and black head, though some Java Sparrows have red, brown, or yellow bodies.
The Java Sparrow is one of the most common bird species, numbering in the tens of millions per year.
21. Japanese Waxwing
The next on my list of bird names that start with J is the Japanese Waxwing(Bombycilla Japonica), also known as the Japanese Waxwing, a small bird of the waxwing family.
These birds are mostly brown and have black plumage on their wings.
The Japanese Waxwing can be found from northern China to Japan, Korea, and eastern Russia.
They typically build their nests in forests around or near water sources or other wetland habitats where they can find food, such as berries and insects.
Japanese Waxwings fly back and forth between trees, looking for food before returning to the nest to feed their young.
This bird is a very social creature, often seen traveling in groups of twenty or more individuals.
22. Javan Pond Heron
If you’re a bird lover looking for great bird names, start with J . the Javan Pond Heron (Ardeola Speciosa).
This small heron is found in Indonesia and breeds in Southeast Asia. It’s also known as the Indian Pond-Heron or the Black-crowned Pond-Heron.
The color of its feathers varies from white to dark brown, with darker markings on its body.
You can find it in marshes, lakes, and wet paddy fields, where it hunts for fish and frogs by standing still at the water’s edge or wading through shallow waters.
These bird names that start with J make one amazing pet!
23. Javan Flameback
The Javan Flameback(Chrysocolaptes Strictus) is a member of the Racket-tailed group of birds.
It is a medium-sized bird, measuring around 48 centimeters long and weighing around 385 grams.
These bird names that start with J have a red head and breast, black patches on their wings and tail, a white belly, and dark brown wings. It has a long beak for pecking insects out of trees.
The name ‘Javan’ comes from the island of Java, where Europeans first discovered it in 1827.
24. Jungle Myna
My favorite bird name on my list that starts with J is the Jungle Myna (Acridotheres Fuscus), a bird species endemic to Southeast Asia and the Indian subcontinent.
They are often found in forests, but due to deforestation, they can now be found in urban areas.
These birds are mostly omnivorous but rely on a diet of insects and fruit for survival.
The Jungle Myna is an agricultural pest because it feeds on grain and fruit crops such as mangos, papayas, figs, and other succulent fruits.
Due to its large habitat range, the Jungle Myna is not endangered, but conservation efforts are being made to save it from becoming threatened.
25. Japanese Cormorant
The Japanese Cormorant (Phalacrocorax Capillatus) is a bird native to Japan. It has a beautiful appearance, black head and neck, white breast and back, and red underparts.
The plumage of this species changes seasonally. It looks completely black in the winter—the Japanese Cormorant nests in trees or on cliffs. Females lay a single egg, which they incubate for about 28 days.
These bird names that start with J feed mainly on fish but take crustaceans, mollusks, frogs, and aquatic insects when they can find them.
The Japanese Cormorant has been known to live up to 34 years in captivity but usually lives between 14-22 years.
26. Jungle Owlet
The next on my list of bird names that start with J is the jungle owlet(Glaucidium radiatum), found in the Amazonian region of South America.
It’s nocturnal and roosts during the day in tree cavities, often sharing them with other birds. It preys on small animals, which it catches by swooping down from a perch.
The coloration of this Owl varies considerably depending on its habitat; some can be brown or black, while others are green or olive-brown.
Jungle owlets are shy around humans and difficult to spot in their natural habitats due to their ability to camouflage well.
27. Japanese Sparrowhawk
Japanese Sparrowhawk(Accipiter gularis) is the other name for the Eurasian Sparrowhawk. It is found in China, Taiwan, Korea, Japan, and Russia.
This bird has a long tail can be as long as two-thirds of its body length.
The Japanese Sparrowhawk’s diet consists primarily of insects and small mammals. These bird names that start with J are pests to farmers because they prey on livestock and poultry.
Their prey includes small rodents like mice, rats, voles, squirrels, hares, and rabbits. They will also hunt birds such as chickens or even waterfowl if allowed.
They are seen soaring over open country or perched on branches, surveying their territory for food sources and watching for any potential prey that might come into range with their hunting skills.
28. Jacky Winter
The jacky winter(Microeca Fascinans) is a small bird about 4 inches long. They have dark brown upperparts and buff underparts.
The head is white with black stripes. The tail is black, and the wings are brownish-gray.
These bird names that start with J have a long forked tail, which they use for balance when standing on the ground or hopping along branches.
They have an upturned bill, and their legs are short and pinkish-brown. These birds live in forested areas in Central America, northern South America, and parts of the United States (including Texas).
These bird names that start with J usually occur in pairs or small groups of up to 5, and they will form large flocks if food sources are limited during the breeding season. There are three subspecies of this bird: M. F.
29. Japanese Bush Warbler
The last on my list of bird names that start with J is the Japanese bush warbler (Horornis diphone), a species of bird in the family Cettiidae.
It was formerly in the Acrocephalus, but phylogenetic studies showed it should be placed in a monotypic genus.
It is endemic to Japan, where it occurs on the main islands and some offshore islands.
Its natural habitat is temperate forests and plantations. The diet consists mainly of insects, arthropods, and other small invertebrates.
When disturbed from its perch by another bird or animal, it emits a high-pitched piu-piu sound.
