24 Birds That Start With the Letter L (Pictures)

Today we’ll cover 24 birds that start with the letter L. Let’s dive straight in!

24 Birds That Start With L

Birds that start with L are a fascinating group, featuring a wide range of species with unique characteristics and behaviors. 

Let’s delve into 24 of these captivating avian creatures, accompanied by vivid images to help bring these birds to life.

1. Laughing Kookaburra

The Laughing Kookaburra is an iconic Australian bird known for its infectious, laughter-like call. 

These robust birds are part of the kingfisher family and are skilled hunters, feasting on a diet of insects, small mammals, and reptiles.

2. Laysan Albatross

Named after the Laysan Island in Hawaii, the Laysan Albatross is a large seabird with an impressive wingspan reaching up to 6.5 feet. 

These majestic birds can travel vast distances across the open ocean in search of food, primarily squid.

3. Least Bittern

The Least Bittern is the smallest heron species in North America. 

With their distinctive, cryptic plumage, these secretive birds are experts at blending into their marshland habitats, making them difficult to spot.

4. Lesser Black-backed Gull

The Lesser Black-backed Gull is a medium-sized gull species found across Europe and parts of Asia. 

Its name comes from the striking black coloration on its back and wings, which contrasts sharply with its white underparts.

5. Lesser Goldfinch

Native to the southwestern United States, Mexico, and Central America, the Lesser Goldfinch is a small songbird with a vivid yellow plumage. 

These social birds are often seen in flocks, feeding on seeds from various plants.

6. Lesser Scaup

The Lesser Scaup is a small diving duck that inhabits freshwater lakes and ponds across North America.

These agile birds dive underwater to catch their prey, which consists mainly of aquatic insects and plants.

7. Little Blue Heron

The Little Blue Heron is a small, slender heron species found in the Americas, from the southeastern United States to northern South America. 

Its striking blue-gray plumage and contrasting white head make it an attractive sight in its wetland habitats.

8. Little Egret

A small, elegant member of the heron family, the Little Egret can be found in wetlands throughout Europe, Africa, and Asia. 

With its striking white plumage and black legs tipped with bright yellow feet, this bird is a visual treat.

9. Little Grebe

Also known as the Dabchick, the Little Grebe is a small waterbird found in freshwater habitats across Europe, Asia, and Africa. 

Its compact body and distinctive lobed feet make it an excellent swimmer and diver.

10. Little Owl

The Little Owl is a small, nocturnal bird of prey native to Europe, Asia, and parts of Africa. 

With its piercing yellow eyes and speckled brown plumage, this owl is a skilled hunter, preying on insects, small mammals, and birds.

11. Long-billed Curlew

The Long-billed Curlew is a large, migratory shorebird found in North and Central America. 

Its most distinguishing feature is its extremely long, down-curved bill, which it uses to probe the ground for its invertebrate prey.

12. Long-eared Owl

The Long-eared Owl is a medium-sized owl species found in North America, Europe, and Asia. Its name comes from the long, feathered tufts on its head, which resemble ears. 

These nocturnal birds are skilled hunters, preying mainly on small mammals.

13. Long-tailed Duck

The Long-tailed Duck is a small sea duck found in the colder regions of the Northern Hemisphere.

Known for its striking elongated central tail feathers, this duck is a strong swimmer and can dive deep to catch its prey, such as fish and crustaceans.

14. Long-tailed Tit

The Long-tailed Tit is a small, energetic songbird native to Europe and Asia. Its most distinguishing feature is its remarkably long tail, which can be as long as its body. 

These social birds are often seen in large, noisy flocks.

15. Louisiana Waterthrush

The Louisiana Waterthrush is a migratory songbird that breeds in the eastern United States and winters in Central America and the Caribbean. 

These birds prefer wooded stream habitats, where they forage for insects and other invertebrates.

16. Lovely Fairywren

The Lovely Fairywren is a small, brightly colored songbird native to Australia. 

Males exhibit stunning blue and black plumage, while females are more subdued in color. 

These birds are often found in groups, foraging for insects in the undergrowth.

17. Lucifer Hummingbird

The Lucifer Hummingbird is a small, iridescent species found in the southwestern United States, Mexico, and Central America. 

Males have a vibrant purple throat patch and a deeply forked tail, making them easily distinguishable from other hummingbirds.

18. Long-tailed Widowbird 

The Long-tailed Widowbird is a striking African bird known for its extravagant tail feathers, which can be over three times the length of its body. 

Males use these impressive tails in elaborate aerial displays to attract females during the breeding season.

19. Luzon Bleeding-heart

The Luzon Bleeding-heart is a striking ground-dwelling pigeon native to the Philippines. 

Its name comes from the vivid red patch on its chest, which resembles a bleeding heart. 

These elusive birds are known for their shy and secretive nature.

20. Lyrebird

Lyrebirds are remarkable ground-dwelling birds native to Australia. 

They are renowned for their exceptional ability to mimic a wide range of sounds, including other birds, animals, and even human-made noises. 

Their stunning tail feathers, which resemble a lyre, give them their name.

21. Lark Bunting

The Lark Bunting is a medium-sized songbird found in the Great Plains of North America. 

Males exhibit striking black and white plumage, while females are more muted in color. 

These birds breed in grassland habitats, where they feed on seeds and insects.

22. Limpkin

The Limpkin is a large, wading bird found in wetlands throughout the Americas, from the southeastern United States to Argentina. 

Its long bill and curved shape make it well-adapted for extracting its primary food source, apple snails, from their shells.

23. Loggerhead Shrike

The Loggerhead Shrike is a predatory songbird found in North America. Its most distinguishing feature is its hooked bill, which it uses to catch and impale its prey, such as insects, small mammals, and birds, on thorns or barbed wire.

24. Long-tailed Jaeger

The Long-tailed Jaeger is a medium-sized seabird that breeds in the Arctic tundra and migrates to the open ocean. Its long central tail feathers and agile flight make it a skilled hunter, preying on fish, squid, and other seabirds.

In addition to these 24 fascinating birds, it’s interesting to explore birds that start with specific two-letter combinations. Here’s a quick overview of birds grouped by the first two letters of their names:

Birds that start with “La”

• Lappet-faced Vulture: A large, powerful vulture native to Africa and the Arabian Peninsula.
• Lapwing: A group of medium-sized wading birds known for their distinctive, rounded wings and striking plumage patterns.

Birds that start with “Le”

• Least Flycatcher: A small, agile songbird native to North America, known for its distinctive “che-bek” call.
• Lesser Flamingo: A small, brightly colored flamingo species found in Africa and parts of India.

Birds that start with “Li”

• Lilac-breasted Roller: A colorful and acrobatic bird found in sub-Saharan Africa, known for its brilliant plumage and aerial displays.
• Little Tern: A small, migratory seabird found along coastlines in Europe, Asia, and Africa.

Birds that start with “Lo”

• Long-billed Dowitcher: A medium-sized shorebird with a long, straight bill, native to North America.
• Long-legged Buzzard: A large bird of prey found throughout parts of Europe, Asia, and Africa, known for its powerful build and impressive hunting skills.

Birds that start with “Ly”

• Lyles’s Frogmouth: A nocturnal bird native to Southeast Asia, known for its cryptic plumage and frog-like call.
• Lynx Spiderhunter: A small, colorful bird found in the forests of Southeast Asia, named for its habit of hunting spiders and other insects.

FAQs About Birds That Start With L

What parrot starts with L?

The Lilac-crowned Amazon is a parrot species that starts with the letter “L.” This medium-sized parrot is known for its bright green plumage, with a lilac-blue patch on its head. Native to Mexico, it thrives in tropical and subtropical forests.

What is an Australian bird beginning with L?

The Laughing Kookaburra is a well-known Australian bird that begins with the letter “L.” This iconic bird is part of the kingfisher family and is easily recognized by its distinctive, laughter-like call. The Laughing Kookaburra is found in forests, woodlands, and suburban areas throughout eastern Australia.

Final Thoughts About Birds That Start With L

In summary, birds that start with L encompass a diverse range of species with unique features and behaviors. 

From the laughter-like call of the Laughing Kookaburra to the remarkable mimicking abilities of the Lyrebird, these captivating creatures showcase the beauty and variety of the avian world.