Discover 18 Incredible Birds That Start With R

Are you researching birds that start with R? Check out this comprehensive list of birds that start with the letter R! You will find everything from hummingbirds and junglefowl to hawks and gulls. Let’s dive in!

Ruby-throated Hummingbird – Archilochus colubris

These bright red and green hummingbirds are native to North and Central America. They breed in the Eastern United States before migrating to Central America in the fall. You can find ruby-throated hummingbirds zipping around nectar sources, shimmering in the sunlight. You can set up feeders or plant tubular flowers to attract them.

Robin – Turdus migratorius

The robin, or American robin, is a common migratory bird in North America. These early birds like to forage on lawns, searching for juicy earthworms. You can recognize them by their brownish-grey and warm orange plumage. Or listen for their musical whistles. When in flocks, you can find them in treetops or hanging around fruiting trees.

Red-tailed Hawk – Buteo jamaicensis

The red-tailed hawk is one of North America’s most abundant hawk species. These raptors soar over fields and perch on fence posts and telephone poles. These hawks live year-round throughout most of the United States, and you are more likely to see them during the winter when hawks from Canada join populations in the US.

Rufous Hummingbird – Selasphorus rufus

The rufous hummingbird is a territorial and feisty hummingbird that likes to frequent backyard feeders and drive off other species. These bright orange birds spend spring and summer in the Northwestern United States and Canada before migrating to Mexico for the winter. They are easiest to spot in the Pacific Northwest during summer and in California during the spring.

Red-winged Blackbird – Agelaius phoeniceus

If you were to look at telephone wires or along rain-drenched roadsides, chances are you would see a red-winged blackbird. These blackbirds are a familiar species across most of the United States, where they live year-round. And during the spring and summer, they are abundant in wetlands, like cattail marshes. They may even stop by your yard during migration.

Red Junglefowl – Gallus gallus

Domesticated chickens came from red junglefowl, which are native to South Asia. The red junglefowl is a brightly colored bird, featuring feathers in orange, red, brown, gold, gray, green, and white. Compared to domestic chickens, junglefowl are smaller and shyer. And in their natural habitat, they choose to live near human settlements and forests.

Red-shouldered Hawk – Buteo lineatus

The distinctive red-shouldered hawk is easy to spot with its banded markings. You can find this majestic bird flying over tall woods and water sources. They are abundant in the Eastern United States, where they live all year. You can also find them along the West Coast, from Southern California to Southern Oregon.

Roadrunner – Geococcyx

The roadrunners include the lesser roadrunner and the greater roadrunner. And they are known for their speedy running abilities. You can find them in the Southwestern United States and Mexico, where they inhabit desert landscapes. While they can fly, they prefer to run up to 27 miles per hour to escape predators.

Rock Dove – Columba livia

Rock doves, also known as rock pigeons, are a very common sight across most of North and South America. They live throughout the United States year-round, where you will find them in urban and suburban settings. They like to live around crowded streets and other public areas, surviving off discarded food and birdseed.

Red Crossbill – Loxia curvirostra

The red crossbill is a finch is a wintering bird of the United States, except for most of the West, where it lives year-round. These birds inhabit coniferous woodlands, using their specialized beaks to break into tough cones. Listen for their sharp and metallic-sounding calls while they sit in conifer trees.

Ring-billed Gull – Larus delawarensis

If you find a seagull far away from the coast, it’s most likely a ring-billed gull. These gulls are comfortable around humans and often frequent parking lots, beaches, and anywhere there are garbage or food scraps. These birds winter along the US coasts and the South and breed in northern regions of the country.  

Red-breasted Merganser – Mergus serrator

These water birds are easily distinguishable due to their shaggy heads and their thin bill with serrations. They winter all around the US coasts and Mexico and breed in Canada and Alaska. You can also find them in large inland lakes in the United States. Along the coasts, look for the red-breasted merganser near bays and estuaries. 

Razorbill – Alca torda

The razorbill is an auk that nests on ocean cliffs in Southeast Canada and winters in the Northeastern United States. This bird has a hatchet-shaped bill, which it uses to catch fish. Razorbills dive from hundreds of feet into the water to find their meals. And they feed in large flocks close to the shore.

Roseate Spoonbill – Platalea ajaja

The bright pink roseate spoonbill can be recognized anywhere. But you will likely only find them along the Gulf of Mexico and Southern Florida in the United States. They also winter in Mexico and Central America and live year-round in South America. These birds use their spoon-shaped bills to sweep shallow water for fish and crustaceans.

Rufous Nightjar – Antrostomus rufus

The rufous nightjar is a nocturnal bird native to South America, where they live throughout the year. They are the most active at dawn and dusk, where they perch on low branches and sally out to catch flying insects. These birds live in a variety of habitats, from scrublands to the humid Amazon basin.

Red-crowned Parrot – Amazon viridigenalis

 The red-crowned parrot is a large parrot native to a small area in Northeast Mexico. You can also find them in portions of South Texas. These birds are easy to find due to their bright plumage and throaty screeches. You are more likely to spot them in the morning and evening as they travel to and from roosting sites.

Rhea – Struthio americanus

Rheas are large flightless birds related to ostriches and emus. These birds are native to South America, where they live in open land, such as grasslands and Chaco woodlands. Rheas have long necks and long necks. And they stand three to five feet tall, and weigh up to 88 pounds. They spread their eight-foot wings while they run.  

The Largest Bird That Starts With R

Rheas are the largest birds that start with the letter R. These flightless birds stand three to five feet tall, weigh up to 88 pounds, and feature wingspans of eight feet.

The Fastest Bird That Starts With R

Depending on the circumstances, there are several answers. Hummingbirds are the fastest hoverers, roadrunners are the fastest runners, and hawks are the fastest divers. Hummingbirds can flap their wings more than 80 times per second while hovering. Roadrunners can run up to 27 miles per hour, and hawks, such as the red-tailed hawk, can dive at speeds up to 120 miles per hour.

Birds That Start With R: A Recap

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