Month: March 2025

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!

It’s no secret that birds are stunning creatures. Some have bold, colorful feathers while others have unique feather structures to help them stand out. With over 11,000 bird species in the world, there are tons of beautiful birds to admire. So, what are the most beautiful birds in the world?

Here are the 15 Most Beautiful Birds in the World

It can be overwhelming to look through every bird species to decide your favorite. So, we’ve compiled a list of 15 gorgeous birds for you to admire.

1. Black-backed Dwarf Kingfisher

The Black-backed Dwarf Kingfisher, also known as the Oriental Dwarf Kingfisher, has colors like a bird you would find in a cartoon. Its bold blue, yellow, and pink feathers are stunning enough to catch anyone’s eye, which is why it’s one of the most beautiful birds in existence. These birds primarily live across Southeast Asia in dense forests near bodies of water.

These beautiful birds hunt by sitting on a low perch, waiting for movement, and swooping down to catch the prey. Their swift, sudden actions allow them to quickly catch prey without their bright colors giving them away. They primarily feed on small invertebrates like insects and spiders, but they may occasionally eat small fish, frogs, and lizards too.

Despite being skilled hunters, these birds are small, measuring only 4.9 to 5.5 inches in length, a good portion of which is their long, orange bills. When it’s time to lay eggs, these birds create tunnels leading to a nesting chamber, which is where they lay and care for their clutch of three to seven eggs.

2. Resplendent Quetzal
(Beautiful National Bird of Guatemala)

The Resplendent Quetzal is the national bird of Guatemala, and it was also a sacred animal in ancient Aztec and Mayan cultures. So, it’s clear that many people have recognized this bird’s beauty. With a bold red belly and bright green feathers, including a long, majestic tail, you can find this bird in forests from Southern Mexico to Panama.

This stunning bird grows 14 to 16 inches long, but the long tail streamers on the males, which grow anywhere from 12 to 39 inches long, can make the birds look larger. During mating season, the males fly back and forth between trees to show off their flowing tail feathers. The females prefer the males with the longest feathers. When they’re not breeding, these birds typically live alone.

Resplendent Quetzals primarily eat fruit. They will hover in the air as they choose the best fruit off branches before swallowing them whole and regurgitating the pits. Chicks often eat insects in addition to fruits. Even though these birds have gorgeous green feathers, their eggs are a bold blue color.

3. Golden Pheasant

Golden Pheasants have a rainbow of brightly colored feathers, including yellow, red, orange, blue, and green. If the sun shines on their feathers for too long, their bold plumage could become faded. Luckily, the mountainous forests of Western China give them plenty of shade to protect their beautiful feathers.

Only males display this vibrant plumage. Females are mostly brown with shorter tail feathers. During mating season, females prefer the males with the boldest colors. Golden Pheasants can lay 10 to 15 eggs per clutch, which have a simple off-white exterior.

While these birds can fly short distances, they can be clumsy in the air and spend most of their time on the ground. While on the ground, they forage for a wide range of fruits, grains, and leaves. They typically roost in the trees when sleeping and avoiding predators.

4. Victoria Crowned Pigeon
(Beautiful Ground-Dwelling Bird)

Victoria Crowned Pigeons are one of the most beautiful birds in the world because of their large crown of blue feathers on top of their heads. This species was named after British Monarch Queen Victoria, which only adds to the elegance of these large pigeons. These ground-dwelling birds live in swamp forests across New Guinea.

These pigeons typically grow 24 to 28 inches long and weigh about five pounds. Males and females look almost identical, but males are slightly larger. To attract females, males sway their heads back and forth to show off their crown feathers while also fanning their tail feathers. The females usually only lay a single white egg, which is about the size of a chicken egg.

While Victoria Crowned Pigeons spend most of their time on the ground, they can fly briefly into tree canopies to sleep or hide from predators. They forage in small groups on the forest floor, picking up a variety of fallen fruits, berries, and seeds. Sadly, these beautiful birds may be more common in captivity than the wild due to an extreme loss of natural habitat.

5. Paradise Tanager

This tanager species has jet black feathers with extremely bright patches of teal, red-orange, light green, and indigo. These bright colors help the birds stand out in any environment, which can help them attract a mate. They’re native to the Amazon Rainforest, particularly in Venezuela, Peru, Colombia, Ecuador, Bolivia, and Brazil.

Paradise tanagers have a lot of colors on their tiny bodies. These birds only measure about 5 to 6 inches long when full-grown. They spend most of their time in tree canopies while hanging out in flocks of 10 to 15 birds. In some cases, flocks could include birds of other species. They forage for fruits and insects found on the underside of branches.

When it’s time to reproduce, the colorful little birds create cup-shaped nests out of vegetation and lay two eggs. The eggs are mostly white, but some have reddish-purple spots.

6. Greater Bird-of-Paradise

Male Greater Bird-of-Paradises have gorgeous flowing tails full of fluffy yellow and white feathers. They can show off their beautiful tails during mating displays to attract females. The females are smaller with duller colors, measuring about 14 inches long, while males are about 17 inches long. That doesn’t include the male tail feathers, which can reach up to three feet long.

You can find these unique birds perched on branches throughout southwest New Guinea forests. Most of the time, these birds are solitary. One male will breed with multiple females at a time. Each female builds the nest alone and lays up to seven eggs. They may also breed with the Raggiana Bird-of-Paradise, a species with similar feather patterns.

These birds eat a variety of fruits, seeds, and small insects. They often need to search the forest floor to find these, so they will quickly fly down and immediately return to the canopy afterward.

7. Indian Peafowl (Well-known Beautiful Bird)

The Indian Peafowl, more commonly known as a peacock, is one of the most iconic and coolest birds out there. The males have bright blue bodies with large green patterned feathers they can raise to attract mates and intimidate predators. The females are brown and lack the colorful tail feathers. They’re native to India and Sri Lanka, but they also roam freely at many zoos and parks around the world.

These popular birds are quite large, with the head and body reaching three to four feet long. On top of that, the tail feathers of the male can grow up to five feet long. Peacock eggs are usually white and measure about four inches long. When they hatch, males and females look identical because the males don’t fully develop colorful feathers until about three years old.

Indian Peafowls feed on a wide range of items that they find on the ground, including seeds, insects, fruits, lizards, small mammals, and even small snakes. Even though they’re typically seen walking around, they can fly up to 1,000 feet to escape predators and roost in trees.

8. Himalayan Monal (Beautiful Mountain Bird)

The Himalayan Monal is beautiful because of the male’s shiny blue, green, orange, and red feathers and metallic green crest. Female Himalayan Monals have a similar body shape but with brown feathers. During mating season, the females especially prefer the males with the most vibrant plumage.

These pheasants live at high altitudes, typically around 4,000 feet, where they spend most of the time on the ground, foraging for food. Their diet consists of a variety of insects, seeds, roots, and berries. They live across the Himalayas in Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Nepal, Tibet, and Bhutan.

They’re somewhat large, measuring 28 inches long. Their size doesn’t hold them back from flying. They typically fly to higher altitudes during the breeding season. The bright orange tails and white rumps of the males become especially visible when flying.

9. European Bee-Eater

European Bee-Eaters may be on the small side, measuring 10.6 to 11.4 inches long, but they have a lot of bold colors in a petite size. Their feather pattern includes stunning shades of blue-green, yellow, and red-brown.

Staying true to their name, these beautiful birds catch about 250 bees a day in mid-flight, hitting them on hard surfaces to remove the stinger before ingesting. They also eat wasps, hornets, and other insects.

They have a wide range, including Southern and Central Europe, Northern and Southern Africa, and Western Asia. They’re social birds that typically roost and feed with other birds of their species. When mating, they choose one mate and stay with that partner year after year. Females lay five to eight glossy, spherical eggs.

10. Gouldian Finch

Gouldian Finches look like beautiful abstract paintings. Their feathers have bold patches of red, green, purple, yellow, blue, and black. Their unique color patterns come from a mixture of genetics and external factors, like diets. Both males and females are colorful, but males have bright purple chests while the females’ chests are a softer purple like lilac.

You can find these beautiful birds across Northern Australia. They prefer to stay near water, in areas with eucalyptus trees. The birds build loose grass nests inside tree hollows, and several birds often build their nests in the same opening.

They’re highly social and sometimes travel in flocks of hundreds or even thousands, which can include other species. They fly to wherever food and water is accessible. They mostly feed on grass seeds, occasionally eating insects too.

11. Fiery-Throated Hummingbird (Beautiful Tiny Bird)

As the name implies, this hummingbird species stands out because it has bright red feathers near its throat. The rest of its feathers are a shimmering mixture of yellow, green, blue, and black. These little birds can be dominant and aggressive toward other hummingbirds, regularly defending their feeding territories.

They live in Costa Rica and western Panama, and they’re one of the smallest birds in the world, measuring only 4.1 to 4.3 inches long. So, even if you’re in those locations, they can be hard to spot.

These hummingbirds primarily feed on nectar, but their narrow bills are too short to reach into some flowers. They may pierce flowers with the tip of their bills to access the nectar. They sometimes catch insects in mid-flight as well.

12. Nicobar Pigeon

The Nicobar Pigeon has long feathers around its neck, making it look like it has a unique hairstyle. As if that wasn’t cool enough, these birds also have shimmering green and blue feathers on their bodies. While they might not look like it, these birds are the closest living relatives to the extinct Dodo bird.

These beautiful birds measure 14 to 16 inches long and weigh one to two pounds. They only lay one to two eggs at a time, which are white but sometimes have a hint of blue.

They’re native to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, many of which are uninhabited. They travel in flocks between the islands, searching for spots with the best food availability. They spend most of their time on the ground collecting seeds, fruits, and buds, but they can quickly fly away when threatened.

13. Keel-Billed Toucan (Bird with a Beautiful Bill)

The Keel-Billed Toucan is another iconic, beautiful bird. This species has a long, thick beak with green, blue, red, and orange. They’re also known as Rainbow-Billed Toucans because of their stunning colors. They have unique foot shapes, which include two toes in the front and two in the back to make it easier to climb branches.

You can spot these birds in tropical and subtropical rainforests from Southern Mexico to Colombia and Venezuela. They’re social birds that almost always hang out with other birds of the same species. They typically spend all their time in tree canopies, often resting in holes in trees.

Keel-Billed Toucans mostly eat fruits, but they may also snack on insects, lizards, tree frogs, and eggs. When eating their food, they throw it in the air and catch it in their large bills.

14. Rainbow Lorikeet (Beautiful Pet Bird)

The Rainbow Lorikeet has a fitting name because these beautiful birds have several bold colors in their feathers. Their feather patterns include dark blue, green, orange, and red. To top off the unique coloring, they have bright red bills. They typically measure 9.8 to 11.8 inches long.

While they’re native to coastal regions of Australia, they’re also kept as pets around the world. In the wild, these birds primarily eat fruit, pollen, and nectar. They have a brush-like tongue that helps them collect food from flowers.

Rainbow lorikeets typically stay with the same mate for life, sometimes joining flocks as they travel. The females lay one to three eggs per clutch, which are small and white. They primarily build their nests in tree hollows, but they may resort to rock crevices and holes in the ground if they can’t find suitable trees.

15. Scarlet Macaw

Scarlet Macaws are well-known birds because they’re highly intelligent and can mimic human speech. Most can learn five to ten human words and phrases at a time, along with some tricks.

These large birds have red, blue, and yellow feathers that make them stand out from the green plants in their habitats. They measure 33 to 35 inches long.

These beautiful birds appear in the wild from Southern Mexico to Peru and Brazil. They typically travel in flocks, sometimes flying long distances to find areas with plenty of food. They primarily eat nuts, leaves, berries, and seeds. The strong curved beaks of these parrots are perfect for breaking nuts and seeds with hard shells.

Keep an Eye Out for Beautiful Birds

Its hard not to be amazed by these beautiful birds. There are gorgeous bird species all over the world, so you might spot some of them at sanctuaries, zoos, and even in your backyard, depending on where you live. Pay attention to the birds around you, you may be lucky enough to spot one that’s on this list.

There are plenty of cartoons that showcase birds speaking like humans. While it might seem far-fetched, there are birds that talk like humans in real life too. However, only certain bird species can do it, and some can remember more words and phrases than others. So, what are some birds that talk like humans and how do they do it?

How Do Birds Talk Like Humans?

Birds that say human words aren’t technically talking. Instead, they’re just mimicking the sounds they’ve heard. They can normally repeat a few words and phrases, but you can’t hold a conversation with them. Some of the most intelligent species may use words in correct contexts, but most talking birds simply repeat the same few words they know.

Only certain birds can mimic humans because of their structure. The muscles in their throats, the shape of their beaks, and the mobility of their tongues can influence whether they’re capable of saying human words. Their intelligence and behaviors also influence their abilities to mimic. Most birds cannot talk like humans because their structures and behaviors aren’t built for it.

Amazing Birds That Talk Like Humans

All over the world, there are birds that talk like humans. Some can only imitate a few words while others can learn hundreds or even thousands. Below, you’ll find some of the various birds that can speak.

1. Eclectus (Colorful Birds That Talk)

Eclectus birds have stunning colors, with males appearing bright green and females having bold red and blue feathers. They’re native to rainforests across regions of Oceania, including Papua New Guinea, Queensland, Indonesia, and the Solomon Islands. They can speak clearly, typically learning 50 to 150 words and phrases.

2. African Grey Parrot

African grey parrots are one of the most talented talking bird species. They can learn to mimic over 1,000 words. They’re said to have the intelligence of a two to three-year-old human, so they can sometimes say sentences in the correct context. While some experienced owners keep these birds as pets, they’re native to lowland forests across west and central Africa. Their feathers are mostly gray and white, except for their bright red tails.

3. Budgerigar (Common Pet Birds That Talk)

Budgerigars, also known as budgies and parakeets, are one of the most common pet birds. Yet, they still appear in the wild across the open woodlands, scrublands, and grasslands of Australia. While budgies can’t hold conversations with humans, they can mimic words and phrases they hear. Some budgies only learn a few words while others have hundreds in their vocabulary. Budgies are usually only 7 to 8 inches tall, and they have blue, green, and/or yellow feathers.

4. Cockatiel

Cockatiels are another common pet bird native to Australia. They typically live in arid and semi-arid regions while remaining close to water. They’re known for having a tall, curved feather crest and orange cheek patches. Their mimicking capabilities are similar to a budgie’s. They all have the potential to speak like humans, but some learn a lot more words and phrases than others.

5. American Crow (North American Birds That Talk)

If you live in North America, you’ve probably seen an American crow before. They have sleek black feathers that are hard to miss. Yet, you might not think of them as birds that talk. Most people know crows for their “caw” sound, but they can also mimic over 100 sounds, including human words. So, if a crow repeats words back to you, there’s no need to panic.

6. Quaker Parrot

Quaker parrots, also known as monk parakeets, are an invasive species in North America, but they’re actually native to southern South America. These small green parrots can learn over 50 words, but some are better at mimicking sounds than others. Some may even mimic other animals, such as dogs barking. They’re on the small side and typically have beautiful green feathers.

7. Ring-Necked Parakeet

Ring-necked parakeets, also known as rose-ringed parakeets and ringneck parrots, are medium-sized green birds native to India, other areas of southern Asia, and Africa. The name comes from the dark black and pink line around their necks. When they speak, they’re particularly great at mimicking longer phrases, making it sound like they’re actually having a conversation. They’re capable of learning over 200 words.

8. Common Myna

Myna birds, such as the common myna, can mimic noises. Common mynas are native to southern Asia, but they’re invasive to other areas of the world, such as southern Florida. They have mostly dark feathers with bright yellow coloring on their beaks, legs, and around their eyes. When they fly, you can see beautiful white feathers on their extended wings. With enough repetition, these birds can learn up to 100 words.

9. Macaw (Large Birds That Talk)

Macaws are some of the most colorful birds in the world and one of the most popular birds that talk. They’re famous for mimicking human speech, and they can typically learn about 50 words. Their speech capabilities vary depending on the macaw species. These gorgeous birds live across areas of Mexico, Central America, and South America, typically in forests near rivers. Species of macaws can have red, blue, green, and/or yellow feathers.

10. Yellow-Naped Amazon

The yellow-naped Amazon is a bright green bird with a yellow patch on its neck. They’re found in forests and tropical areas of Mexico and Central America. They’re highly intelligent and social birds, making it easy for them to mimic the sounds they hear. Some of them have learned hundreds of unique words and phrases.

11. Cockatoo

Cockatoos might not have the best speech mimicking abilities, but they can pick up some words and phrases. They will typically learn about 20 to 30 words, and they don’t try to sound too similar to the human they heard those words from. These birds sometimes “babble,” meaning they repeatedly make sounds that don’t resemble exact words. While expert bird keepers might have cockatoos as pets, these crested white birds are native to most of Oceania, including Australia, Papua New Guinea, and Indonesia.

12. European Starling (Invasive Birds That Talk)

European starlings are another species of talking birds that might surprise you. They’re invasive across North America, but they’re native to parts of Europe, Asia, and North Africa, so they have a wide range. These intelligent birds are great at mimicking sounds they hear, including human speech and car alarms. While you might not hear them talk like humans often, they frequently mimic the songs and calls of other birds. You might recognize their dark feathers with light-colored speckles.

13. Hill Myna

Like the common myna, hill mynas are another species that’s great at mimicking sounds. They can learn up to 100 human words, but they might also mimic bird sounds they hear. They’re native to regions of southern Asia, including India, China, Thailand, and Malaysia. Their feathers are much darker than common mynas, but they still have distinct yellow markings.

14. Northern Mockingbird

Northern mockingbirds are small, light gray birds that live across the United States and Mexico. The name “mockingbird” describes their ability to mimic sounds, usually the calls of other bird species. However, they can also mimic sounds humans make, including words and music. They can learn about 200 songs from other birds, but they only occasionally pick up human speech.

15. Sun Conure (Vibrant Birds That Talk)

Sun conures are known for their stunning yellow, orange, and green feathers. They’re native to northeastern South America and are typically found in inland tropical habitats. These birds can mimic human words, but they have a limited vocabulary compared to other talking birds. Most of them learn a few words when around humans, but some never mimic sounds at all.

Look for Incredible Birds That Talk

While many birds that talk like humans can be pets, they also appear in the wild around the world. A few of these species are even common in North America. Next time you’re admiring birds outside, keep an eye out for local talking birds. You might be delighted to hear some birds mimicking your words.