Bird Names

Birds That Start With Y | Names With Pictures & Facts

By Team NamesGlobe | Last updated: August 16, 2026

Birds That Start With Letter Y include many colorful and interesting species found in forests, wetlands, grasslands, mountains, and coastal areas. From the familiar Yellowhammer and Yellow Warbler to the striking Yellow-billed Hornbill, Yellow-headed Blackbird, and Yucatan Jay, these birds have unique colors, habitats, calls, and behaviors. This list includes common, wild, domestic, farm, water, tropical, zoo, song, colorful, and birds of prey beginning with Y. Children can use it to learn bird names, build vocabulary, complete school projects, and explore the wonderful world of birds.

List of Common Birds That Start With Y

Several familiar bird names begin with Y, especially species with “Yellow” in their common names.

  1. Yellowhammer
  2. Yellow Warbler
  3. Yellow Wagtail
  4. Yellowthroat
  5. Yellow-headed Blackbird
  6. Yellow-billed Cuckoo
  7. Yellow-billed Hornbill
  8. Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
  9. Yellow-breasted Chat
  10. Yellow-crowned Night Heron
  11. Yellow-rumped Warbler
  12. Yellow-eyed Junco
  13. Yellow-legged Gull
  14. Yellow-billed Loon
  15. Yellow-fronted Canary
  16. Yellow-bellied Prinia
  17. Yellow-bellied Fantail
  18. Yellow-bellied Sunbird
  19. Yucatan Jay
  20. Yucatan Woodpecker

The Yellowhammer is a bright yellow songbird found mainly in Europe and parts of Asia. The Yellow Warbler is a small migratory bird known for its cheerful song, while the Yellow-billed Hornbill is recognized by its large, curved bill.

Wild Birds That Start With Y

Wild birds beginning with Y live in diverse habitats, including forests, grasslands, wetlands, deserts, and coastal areas.

  1. Yellowhammer
  2. Yellow Warbler
  3. Yellow Wagtail
  4. Yellowthroat
  5. Yellow-headed Blackbird
  6. Yellow-billed Cuckoo
  7. Yellow-billed Hornbill
  8. Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
  9. Yellow-breasted Chat
  10. Yellow-crowned Night Heron
  11. Yellow-rumped Warbler
  12. Yellow-eyed Junco
  13. Yellow-legged Gull
  14. Yellow-billed Loon
  15. Yucatan Jay
  16. Yucatan Woodpecker
  17. Yelkouan Shearwater
  18. Yunnan Nuthatch
  19. Yuhina
  20. Yellow-footed Green Pigeon

The Yellow-bellied Sapsucker uses its bill to make holes in tree bark and feed on sap and insects. The Yellow-crowned Night Heron is a wetland bird that often hunts during the evening and at night.

Domestic and Pet Birds Starting With Y

There are relatively few common pet birds whose standard names begin with Y. Some colorful species may be maintained in aviaries or by bird enthusiasts.

  1. Yellow-fronted Canary
  2. Yellow-crowned Amazon
  3. Yellow-naped Amazon
  4. Yellow-collared Lovebird
  5. Yellow-bibbed Lory
  6. Yellow-streaked Lory
  7. Yellow-headed Amazon
  8. Yellow-chevroned Parakeet
  9. Yellow-faced Parrot
  10. Yellow-bellied Parrot
  11. Yellow-crowned Parakeet
  12. Yellow-fronted Tinkerbird
  13. Yellow-backed Chattering Lory
  14. Yellow-eared Parrot
  15. Yellow-billed Parrot

The Yellow-fronted Canary is a small, colorful finch-like bird associated with southern Africa. Several yellow-named parrots, including the Yellow-naped Amazon, are also known in aviculture.

Farm and Domestic Birds Beginning With Y

There are few standard poultry breeds beginning with Y. Most Y-named birds are wild species or companion and aviary birds.

  1. Yellow-fronted Canary
  2. Yellow-collared Lovebird
  3. Yellow-crowned Amazon
  4. Yellow-naped Amazon
  5. Yellow-headed Amazon
  6. Yellow-chevroned Parakeet
  7. Yellow-bibbed Lory
  8. Yellow-streaked Lory
  9. Yellow-eared Parrot
  10. Yellow-crowned Parakeet

The Yellow-fronted Canary is one of the more familiar captive-kept birds beginning with Y. However, these species should not be confused with traditional farm poultry such as chickens, ducks, geese, or turkeys.

Water Birds That Start With Y

Several Y-named birds are associated with wetlands, lakes, rivers, marshes, or the ocean.

  1. Yellow-billed Loon
  2. Yellow-legged Gull
  3. Yellow-crowned Night Heron
  4. Yelkouan Shearwater
  5. Yellow Wagtail
  6. Yellow-bellied Pratincole
  7. Yellow-billed Pintail
  8. Yellow-billed Stork
  9. Yellow-billed Spoonbill
  10. Yellow Bittern
  11. Yellow-crowned Heron
  12. Yellow-footed Green Pigeon
  13. Yellow-throated Sandgrouse
  14. Yellow-wattled Lapwing
  15. Yellow-eyed Penguin

The Yellow-billed Loon is a large waterbird that breeds in Arctic regions. The Yelkouan Shearwater is a seabird that spends much of its life at sea and returns to land to breed.

Birds of Prey That Start With Y

There are fewer classic raptors beginning with Y than with many other letters. However, some predatory or hunting birds have Y-names.

  1. Yellow-headed Caracara
  2. Yellow-billed Kite
  3. Yellow-billed Kite
  4. Yellow-eyed Hawk
  5. Yellow-throated Caracara
  6. Yellow-legged Goshawk
  7. Yellow-footed Goshawk
  8. Yellow-bellied Sea Eagle
  9. Yellow-billed Buzzard
  10. Yellow-breasted Kite

The Yellow-headed Caracara is a bird of prey found in parts of Central and South America. Caracaras are opportunistic hunters and scavengers that feed on a wide range of food.

Zoo Birds That Start With Letter Y

Zoos, aviaries, and wildlife parks may display several colorful or unusual birds beginning with Y.

  1. Yellow-billed Hornbill
  2. Yellow-crowned Amazon
  3. Yellow-naped Amazon
  4. Yellow-headed Amazon
  5. Yellow-billed Loon
  6. Yellow-crowned Night Heron
  7. Yellow-billed Stork
  8. Yellow-billed Spoonbill
  9. Yellow-legged Gull
  10. Yellow-footed Green Pigeon
  11. Yellow-throated Toucan
  12. Yellow-fronted Barbet
  13. Yellow-bellied Parrot
  14. Yellow-collared Lovebird
  15. Yellow-eared Parrot

The Yellow-billed Hornbill is an especially interesting bird for zoo visitors because of its large bill and distinctive appearance. Parrots and other colorful tropical birds may also be kept in specialist aviaries.

Songbirds That Start With Y

Many Y-named birds are songbirds known for their calls, melodies, or vocal communication.

  1. Yellowhammer
  2. Yellow Warbler
  3. Yellow Wagtail
  4. Yellowthroat
  5. Yellow-breasted Chat
  6. Yellow-rumped Warbler
  7. Yellow-eyed Junco
  8. Yellow-bellied Prinia
  9. Yellow-bellied Fantail
  10. Yellow-bellied Sunbird
  11. Yuhina
  12. Yucatan Jay
  13. Yucatan Vireo
  14. Yucatan Flycatcher
  15. Yunnan Nuthatch
  16. Yellow-fronted Canary
  17. Yellow-whiskered Greenbul
  18. Yellow-browed Warbler
  19. Yellow-throated Leafbird
  20. Yellow-throated Sparrow

The Yellowhammer has a distinctive song and is a familiar countryside bird in parts of Europe. The Yellow Warbler is another popular songbird known for its bright yellow plumage and lively calls.

Tropical Birds That Start With Y

Tropical regions contain many colorful birds beginning with Y, particularly parrots, hornbills, pigeons, and forest birds.

  1. Yellow-billed Hornbill
  2. Yellow-footed Green Pigeon
  3. Yellow-throated Toucan
  4. Yellow-crowned Amazon
  5. Yellow-naped Amazon
  6. Yellow-headed Amazon
  7. Yellow-collared Lovebird
  8. Yellow-bibbed Lory
  9. Yellow-streaked Lory
  10. Yellow-eared Parrot
  11. Yucatan Jay
  12. Yucatan Woodpecker
  13. Yuhina
  14. Yucatan Vireo
  15. Yucatan Flycatcher
  16. Yellow-fronted Barbet
  17. Yellow-throated Leafbird
  18. Yellow-whiskered Greenbul
  19. Yellow-bellied Sunbird
  20. Yellow-fronted Tinkerbird

The Yellow-billed Hornbill is a striking African bird with a large yellow bill. The Yellow-footed Green Pigeon is another colorful tropical species, with green plumage and yellowish feet.

Sea and Ocean Birds That Start With Y

Several birds beginning with Y are associated with oceans, coastlines, and marine habitats.

  1. Yelkouan Shearwater
  2. Yellow-billed Loon
  3. Yellow-legged Gull
  4. Yellow-eyed Penguin
  5. Yellow-billed Tropicbird
  6. Yellow-footed Gull
  7. Yellow-nosed Albatross
  8. Yellow-nosed Petrel
  9. Yellow-legged Kittiwake
  10. Yellow-billed Cormorant
  11. Yellow-throated Petrel
  12. Yellow-faced Petrel
  13. Yellow-winged Gull
  14. Yellow-tailed Tern
  15. Yellow-billed Shearwater

The Yelkouan Shearwater is a marine bird found around the Mediterranean and nearby waters. The Yellow-billed Loon is a large diving bird adapted to life around cold northern lakes and coastal waters.

Small Birds That Start With Y

Many Y-named birds are small songbirds, warblers, hummingbirds, and other compact species.

  1. Yellow Warbler
  2. Yellowthroat
  3. Yellow Wagtail
  4. Yellow-bellied Prinia
  5. Yellow-eyed Junco
  6. Yellow-bellied Fantail
  7. Yellow-bellied Sunbird
  8. Yellow-rumped Warbler
  9. Yellow-browed Warbler
  10. Yellow-whiskered Greenbul
  11. Yellow-throated Sparrow
  12. Yuhina
  13. Yucatan Vireo
  14. Yucatan Flycatcher
  15. Yunnan Nuthatch
  16. Yellow-fronted Canary
  17. Yellow-bellied Eremomela
  18. Yellow-bellied Hyliota
  19. Yellow-browed Camaroptera
  20. Yellow-throated Warbler

The Yellow Warbler is a small, bright yellow songbird that breeds across large parts of North America. The Yellow-browed Warbler is another tiny bird known for its distinctive yellow eyebrow stripe.

Colorful Birds That Start With Y

Many birds beginning with Y have bright yellow, green, blue, or contrasting plumage.

  1. Yellow-billed Hornbill
  2. Yellow-fronted Canary
  3. Yellow-footed Green Pigeon
  4. Yellow-crowned Amazon
  5. Yellow-naped Amazon
  6. Yellow-headed Amazon
  7. Yellow-collared Lovebird
  8. Yellow-bibbed Lory
  9. Yellow-streaked Lory
  10. Yellow-eared Parrot
  11. Yellow-throated Toucan
  12. Yellow-crowned Night Heron
  13. Yellow-headed Blackbird
  14. Yellowhammer
  15. Yellow Warbler
  16. Yucatan Jay
  17. Yellow-fronted Barbet
  18. Yellow-throated Leafbird
  19. Yellow-footed Honeyguide
  20. Yellow-backed Oriole

The Yellow-headed Blackbird is particularly striking because males have a bright yellow head that contrasts strongly with their dark body. The Yellow-crowned Amazon is another colorful bird with vivid yellow markings.

Extinct Birds That Start With Y

There are very few widely recognized extinct bird species with standard English common names beginning with Y. Some historical or regionally extinct populations may have Y-names, but they should not be presented as separate extinct species without reliable taxonomic evidence.

  1. Yunnan Lake Bird – historical record
  2. Yucatan regional bird populations – historical records
  3. Yellow-eyed Penguin – historical regional populations
  4. Yellow-billed Loon – historical regional populations
  5. Yellow-billed Cuckoo – historical regional populations
  6. Yellow-billed Hornbill – historical regional populations
  7. Yellow-legged Gull – historical regional populations
  8. Yellowhammer – historical regional populations
  9. Yellow Warbler – historical regional populations
  10. Yelkouan Shearwater – historical regional populations

A bird disappearing from one region does not necessarily mean that the species is extinct. Therefore, it is important to distinguish regional extinction from global extinction when discussing bird species.

FAQs:

1. What is a bird that starts with Y?

Some birds that start with Y are Yellowhammer, Yellow Warbler, Yellow Wagtail, Yellowthroat, Yellow-headed Blackbird, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Yellow-billed Hornbill, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Yucatan Jay, and Yucatan Woodpecker.

2. What is the most common bird that starts with Y?

The Yellow Warbler, Yellowhammer, Yellow Wagtail, and Yellowthroat are among the better-known birds beginning with Y.

3. What is a colorful bird that starts with Y?

Some colorful birds beginning with Y include the Yellow-billed Hornbill, Yellow-fronted Canary, Yellow-footed Green Pigeon, Yellow-crowned Amazon, Yellow-headed Blackbird, Yellow-collared Lovebird, and Yellow-naped Amazon.

4. What is a bird of prey that starts with Y?

The Yellow-headed Caracara and Yellow-billed Kite are examples of birds of prey beginning with Y. Caracaras and kites are predatory birds that may hunt live prey or feed opportunistically.

5. What is a water bird that starts with Y?

Some water or marine birds beginning with Y include the Yellow-billed Loon, Yellow-legged Gull, Yelkouan Shearwater, Yellow-eyed Penguin, and Yellow-billed Tropicbird.

Birds that start with Y include a fascinating variety of warblers, woodpeckers, waterbirds, parrots, hornbills, songbirds, and birds of prey. From the familiar Yellow Warbler and Yellowhammer to the striking Yellow-billed Hornbill, Yellow-headed Blackbird, and Yucatan Jay, these birds show how diverse the bird world can be. Learning bird names can help children build vocabulary, complete school projects, practice alphabet activities, and develop an interest in nature. Use this Birds That Start With Letter Y list for worksheets, quizzes, classroom activities, or general bird exploration.

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