Discover 9 Amazing Birds That Start With F

Are you looking for a specific bird that begins with the letter F? Check out this list of North American birds that start with F! You will find everything from flamingoes to types of owls to species of sparrows and hawks. Let’s dive in!

1. Flamingo – Phoenicopterus ruber

The flamingo, specifically the American flamingo, is a large wading bird native to the Americas. In fact, it is the only flamingo that naturally inhabits North America. You can find these bright pink birds in South Florida and the Florida Keys, where they live in saltwater lagoons, mudflats, and brackish lakes. They can measure up to 57 inches tall and weigh over six pounds.

2. Ferruginous Hawk – Buteo regalis

Living in the western half of the United States and Mexico, the ferruginous hawk is a raptor of open spaces, like deserts and prairies. They fly high in the sky, normally maintaining speeds between 20 and 40 miles per hour. However, these hawks can reach 150 miles per hour when diving for prey. Ferruginous hawks weigh up to 4.5 pounds and reach a height of 27 inches.

3. Field Sparrow – Spizella pusilla 

These small, warm-colored birds sing a sweet, energetic song, a common sound in the Eastern United States and Midwest. They inhabit roadsides and brushy fields, but they also like backyard bird feeders. While their population is declining from habitat loss, they are easier to find in the early morning during spring and summer.

4. Fish Crow – Corvus ossifragus

While they look like the super familiar American crow, fish crows live primarily in the Southeastern United States and along the East Coast. These birds differ from American crows due to their nasal calls and propensity for being around water. Look for them near coastlines, waterways, and lakes. They will likely be in large flocks.

5. Flammulated Owl – Psiloscops flammeolus

The flammulated owl is a tiny red and brown owl that can be difficult to find due to its size and excellent camouflage. These birds breed in scattered populations across the Western United States and winter in Mexico and Central America. They like to stay near the tops of large trees in forest habitats.

6. Florida Scrub-Jay – Aphelocoma coerulescens

As its name suggests, the Florida scrub-jay is a species that exclusively lives in Florida year-round. This bird inhabits scrub oak with sandy soil in several reserves and refuges in the state. Their population is threatened due to habit fragmentation and is currently on the endangered species list.

7. Fork-Tailed Storm-Petrel – Hydrobates furcatus

This silver seabird is a bird of cold, open waters in the North Pacific Ocean. The best way to see the fork-tailed storm-petrel is to take a birdwatching trip by boat into deep water, where you will find many seabirds foraging and flying overhead. These storm petrels like to flock around marine mammal carcasses and consume the oil. 

8. Forster’s Tern – Sterna forsteri

The Forster’s tern lives can be found across most of the United States, especially in inland regions during migration and nesting and coastlines in the winter. These birds fly over shallow marshes and seashores. And they nest further inland on salt marshes and freshwater marshes. While they look similar to the common tern, the Forster’s tern features a longer tail and black eye patch when it’s not breeding.

9. Fox Sparrow – Passerella iliaca

Named after their warm red and white plumage, the fox sparrow is a familiar bird across the United States. They like to stay on the ground, where they search for food among leaf litter. Even at bird feeders, these little sparrows prefer to stay on the ground in dense vegetation. You won’t find them very often during spring and summer because they breed in remote areas. But you are likely to spot them in winter when they inhabit backyard thickets. 

The Largest Bird That Starts With F

Flamingoes are the largest birds that start with F. The American flamingo can stand between four and five tall and weigh over six pounds.

The Fastest Bird That Starts With F

The ferruginous hawk is the fastest bird that starts with F. These birds of prey fly between 20 and 40 miles per hour, on average. But they can reach over 150 miles per hour when diving for prey.

Amazing Birds That Start With F: A Recap