Sometimes you hear or read a bird’s name and have to do a double take: “Wait, their name is what?! These names can be amusing, while others make you wonder what exactly was happening when this bird was officially named. In this blog, you’ll find several birds with weird names from across the globe that you won’t believe exist!
1. Blue-footed Booby
The blue-footed booby is just one of several birds with weird names known collectively as “boobies.” Now, in our modern English language, we rarely think of birds when we hear the term “boobies.” As such, the common name of this bird and its close relatives certainly make you pause, and if you’re like me, perhaps chuckle.
The blue-footed booby got its name from its bright blue feet, which makes this bird incredibly unique. Furthermore, the term “booby” originates from the Spanish word “bobo,” meaning silly or stupid. They received this unflattering name from the little fear they show towards threats, such as humans.
2. Dickcissel
I think the name “Dickcissel” is hilarious and so fun to say. Go ahead, say it out loud with some gusto, and try not to laugh.
Dickcissels are certainly birds with weird names; however, they are beautiful with a bright yellow chest and sparrow-like wings. They breed in the central United States and winter in Central and South America. Their common name comes from their call, which sounds like dick-dick-cissel.
3. Horned Screamer
Horned Screamers aren’t just birds with weird names, they’re also just weird birds! A large wetland bird of South America, the horned screamer has a long and spiny appendage at the top of its head. This, along with its loud honking song, earned it the name “horned screamer.”
4. Fluffy-backed tit-babbler
“Fluffy-backed tit-babbler” is a mouthful, and what exactly does “fluffy-backed” mean? Of course, a bird with this type of name is certain to make the list of birds with weird names.
The fluffy-backed tit babbler is a tropical bird in the Malay Archipelago. While its back feathers are a bit more shaggy than other bird species, I wouldn’t necessarily call them “fluffy.” Plus, tit-babbler is an odd name in and of itself!
5. Red-rumped Bush-Tyrant
The name “red-rumped bush-tyrant” almost sounds like an evil character in a children’s story used to encourage them not to wander in the woods. “Don’t go far or the red-rumped bush tyrant will get you!”
These birds with weird names live in the high mountains of South America. The red-rumped bush-tyrant is rare to see as they reside above the tree-line in bushy areas.
6. Eastern Whip-poor-will
There’s no doubt that whip-poor-wills are birds with weird names. Not only do they have a unique name, but they’re also an unusual bird. Nocturnal, these Eastern North American birds sleep on the forest floor or a fallen log during the day. At night, they fill the canopy with their relentless and melodic whip-poor-will song.
7. Bananaquit
A lover of sugar, the bananaquit primarily drinks nectar from flowers and hummingbird feeders. These birds with weird names also eat fruit, such as bananas, and I guess they just don’t quit!
A common bird of the West Indies, Central, and South America, the bananaquit is a small, warbler-sized bird with a curved bill.
8. Bristled-thighed Curlew
When I first read the name “bristled-thighed” I was confused at what that meant… how could bird legs be bristled? And when looking at pictures of these sandpipers, they have normal (ish) looking legs. As such, the bristled-thighed curlew made the list of birds with weird names.
According to Cornell Lab’s All About Birds, “The name “Bristle-thighed” refers to feathers on the thigh that have narrow, extra-long shafts whose tips extend up to 5 cm (2 inches) beyond the webs of the feathers. Their function remains a mystery.”
9. Chuck-will’s-widow
The chuck-will’s-widow belongs to a group of birds with weird names called “night jars.” This group also includes the Eastern Whip-poor-will. Like its relative, the chuck-will’s-widow is named after its repetitive, nighttime call.
While it makes sense to name a bird after one of its characteristics, the name “chuck-will’s-widow” is a bit “out there” if you ask me.
10. Green-breasted Mango
Yes, the green-breasted mango is a bird, a hummingbird in fact, and not a delicious fruit. However, because these are birds with weird names that describe a fruit, you wouldn’t know that unless you live in Central or South America.
Mangos are a group of large hummingbirds with curved bills. The green-breasted mango is dark green, and the males have an indigo to dark blue throat and chest.
11. Prothonotary Warbler
The prothonotary warbler is a bird of official church business that records all important activities and events. During services, we can’t see them because they’re in the ceiling rafters, scribing the sermon with their impressively adept claws.
Actually, they’re just a bright and beautiful yellow warbler of the southeastern United States. These birds with weird names are named after “a group of official scribes in the Catholic Church who wore bright yellow hoods.”
12. Smew
“Smew” sounds like the combination of “smelly” and “ew” that you might describe when something has an abhorrent odor. It’s actually a name of a small Eurasian merganser, as unfortunate as that is for those otherwise normal-smelling ducks. Now that I think of it, I can’t remember the last time I sniffed a duck, so perhaps the name is fitting after all for these birds with weird names.
13. Oleaginous Hemispingus
This odd bird name must be loudly pronounced with much authority, otherwise other people won’t know what you’re talking about. If they’re still confused, that’s because you’re talking about birds with weird names. Specifically, a yellow-breasted, dusty green tanager of northern South America.
If you’re thinking this must be the bird’s scientific name, then I would agree with your assessment. However, as I discovered, it is not, as this bird’s scientific name is Sphenopsis frontalis.
14. Go-away bird
My first thought was that go-away birds had been shooed away so many times that their name identifies their pesky nature. But, upon further research, these birds with weird names are named after their nasally “go-away” call.
Go-away birds live across Africa, and all of them have an impressive towering crest and long tail feathers.
15. Red Wattlebird
I would be lying if I said that this weird bird name didn’t make me laugh. Wattle is just a funny word, which is why this Australian bird made the list of birds with weird names.
Apparently, A wattle refers to a small pink flap of facial skin that the red wattlebird has. While that may sound odd at first, if you look at pictures, you’ll see that this is a beautiful and interesting bird.
16. Splendid Fairywren
Ahhh the splendid fairywren, isn’t that just a delightful name for a bird? While fairywrens are birds with weird names, I also think their names are creative and playful.
Not only do Australian splendid fairywrens have interesting names, but they are also a stunning bird. The male is all blue with a dark blue belly and pale blue cheeks. A black eye streak and collar accentuates his splendid blue feathers.
17. Little Bustard
While this may sound like an insult, it’s actually the name of an Eurasian bird. Bustards are a group of birds with weird names, such as the little bustard. These open plain birds are similar to grouses and have long legs and a long neck.
18. Superb Lyrebird
The superb lyrebird is an impressive name, and this bird certainly lives up to it. Lyrebirds are birds with weird names in southeastern Australia.
The superb lyrebird is a large, ground-dwelling bird with a long and beautiful tail. They are also exceptional mimickers, and can mimic a wide variety of sounds, including chainsaws or dog barks.
19. Common Chiffchaff
“Common chiffchaff” sounds like an insult a grumpy old person would yell towards a dirt-smudged wildchild. Surprisingly, it’s the name for a nondescript, plain leaf warbler of Eurasia.
Chiffchaffs are a group of birds with weird names. While it sounds like they love to get into mischief, they are more or less ordinary little birds.
20. Willie-Wagtail
The willie-wagtail is an Oceania bird that is all black above and pearly white below. The “wagtail” part of its name comes from how it wags its tail back and forth while foraging on the ground. How it came to be called “willie” is more of a mystery.
Calling a bird “willie” is a bit funny. Not to mention the following “wagtail,” it’s no wonder this bird made it on the list of birds with weird names!
Birds with Weird Names Keep Things Fun
Birds so often fill us with awe and excitement. Why not add a little fun and laughter into the mix by learning about birds with weird names? Of course, choosing these names was a subjective process, and some names may be completely normal to you.
I might also have missed some strange bird names I didn’t know existed! If that’s the case, I would love to hear some of your favorite birds with weird names so we can share the fun together!
