Note: This page contains affiliate links.
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases when you click on the link, but you are not charged extra.
Let’s discover the birds that start with I in our post today.
Birds are incredibly captivating creatures that have captured the imagination of humans since time immemorial. Their robust and hollow-boned physiology, complex vocalizations, and intricate feather structures have made them stand out among other animal groups, despite their small size. Birds play significant ecological roles, from seed dispersal to predation, making them critical components of any ecosystem worldwide.
Embarking on the journey to compile a list of birds proved to be a thrilling and educational experience. From studying the complexities of each species’ unique beaks to examining their migration patterns across continents, I was captivated by the diversity and intrigue of these fascinating creatures. Despite the work involved, the process was an enriching one that broadened my understanding of the avian world.
So, let’s begin exploring this list of birds starting with I!
Contents
And here’s the list of birds that begin with I letter.
The Iago Sparrow is a small gray and brown bird found exclusively on the rocky slopes of the island of Santa Cruz in the Galápagos. Notably, it is one of the six bird species endemic to the Galápagos. The species is named after its discoverer, Spanish naturalist José Iago de la Espinosa.
The Ibadan Malimbe is a brightly colored bird found mostly in the rainforests of Nigeria and Cameroon. It has a red head and underparts, with black wings and tail. The species is known for its elaborate courtship display in which the male hangs upside down while singing.
The Ibera Seedeater is a small bird found only in the wetlands of north-central Argentina. It has a brown back and white belly with a distinctive black bib. The species is known for singing from the tops of low shrubs.
The Iberian Chiffchaff is a small, olive-brown bird found in the woodlands of the Iberian Peninsula. Its name comes from the distinctive “chiff-chiff” call it makes. The species is almost indistinguishable from the Willow Warbler, but can be discerned by its slightly shorter wings and more upright posture.
The Iberian Green Woodpecker is a large, green bird found in the woodlands of the Iberian Peninsula. It has a brightly colored red head and a distinctive laugh-like call. The species is known for feeding on ants and beetles and for its adaptability to urban environments.
The Iberian Grey Shrike is a small bird found in the scrublands and woodlands of the Iberian Peninsula. It has a grey head and back with a white breast and black wings. The species is known for impaling its prey on thorns or barbed wire, earning it the nickname “butcher bird.”
The Iberian Magpie is a black and white bird found in the woodlands of the Iberian Peninsula. It has a long tail and a singsong call. The species is known for its intelligence and problem-solving abilities, and for its habit of hoarding and caching food.
The Ibisbill is a distinctive wading bird found along the riverbanks and rocky shores of high-altitude streams in Central Asia. It has a long, down-curved bill and pink, fleshy legs. The species is known for its unique hooting call and for its ability to dive underwater to search for food.
The Iceland Gull is a medium-sized, white and grey bird found in the colder regions of the Northern Hemisphere, including Iceland, Greenland, and northern Canada. The species is known for its bright white plumage and for its ability to blend in with the surrounding snow and ice.
The Icterine Greenbul is a small bird found in the woodlands and savannas of sub-Saharan Africa. It has a yellow-green back and a distinctive yellow stripe above the eye. The species is known for its melodious song and for its diet of insects and fruit.
The Icterine Warbler is an insect-eating bird found in the woodlands and hedgerows of Europe, Asia, and North Africa. It has a plain brownish-yellow back and a white belly with a distinctive yellow throat. The species is known for its rapid and varied song, which often includes imitations of other bird calls.
The Imeri Warbling Antbird is a small bird found in the underbrush of the Amazon rainforest in South America. It is brownish-black with a white belly and a distinctive red eye. The species is known for its high-pitched, trilling song and its habit of following army ant columns to feed on the insects disturbed by their passage.
The Imitator Goshawk is a large bird of prey found in the rainforests of New Guinea. It has a distinctive barred pattern of black and white on its back and wings, with a pale grey head and a red eye. The species is known for its aggressive hunting behavior and for imitating the vocalizations of other birds to lure them into attack.
The Imperial Amazon is a large, green parrot found in the rainforests of Colombia and Ecuador. It has a distinctive red patch on its forehead and a yellow bill. The species is known for its loud, screeching call and for its ability to mimic human speech.
The Imperial Shag is a seabird found along the rocky coasts of the Falkland Islands and southern Chile. It has a black head and chest with a white belly and a distinctive yellow-green patch above the eye. The species is known for its diving abilities and for its habit of roosting in large groups on rocky ledges.
The Imperial Snipe is a medium-sized wading bird found in the wetlands of eastern Asia, from Siberia to Korea and Japan. It has a mottled brown and black back with a white belly and a distinctive long, straight beak. The species is known for its distinctive drumming display during courtship.
The Imperial Woodpecker was a large, black and white woodpecker found in the pine-oak forests of Mexico until it was last confirmed in 1956. It was one of the largest woodpecker species in the world, with a distinctive red crest and black facial skin. The species is now believed to be extinct, due to habitat loss and hunting.
The Inaccessible Island Finch is a small songbird found only on the remote island of Inaccessible in the South Atlantic Ocean. It has a brownish-grey back and a white belly with a distinctive yellow throat. The species is known for its varied song, which can include imitations of other bird calls.
The Inaccessible Island Rail is a flightless bird found only on the remote island of Inaccessible in the South Atlantic Ocean. It has a drab, brownish-grey plumage and a distinctive white throat. The species is known for its elusive behavior and for its ability to survive in the harsh conditions of the island’s rocky terrain.
The Inagua Woodstar is a small hummingbird found only on the island of Great Inagua in the Bahamas. It has a metallic green back and a white belly with a distinctive iridescent purple throat. The species is known for its hovering flight and for its ability to feed on nectar from flowers.
The Inambari Gnatcatcher is a small bird found in the subtropical/tropical moist montane forest.
The Inambari Woodcreeper is a bird species that is native to South America.
The Inca Dove is a small dove found in the southwestern United States, Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean.
The Inca Flycatcher is a bird species that is native to South America.
The Inca Jay is a bird species that is native to South America.
The Inca Tern is a seabird found along the west coast of South America.
The Inca Wren is a bird species that is found in the Andes of South America.
The Indian Black-lored Tit is a small bird found in the Indian subcontinent.
The Indian Blackbird is a species of bird found in South Asia.
The Indian Blue Robin is a small bird found in the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia.
The Indian Bush Lark is a bird species found in the Indian subcontinent.
The Indian Cormorant is a bird species found in India and Southeast Asia.
The Indian Courser, also known as the Indian Courser or Cream-coloured Courser, is a bird species found in the Indian subcontinent.
The Indian Cuckoo is a bird species found in the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia.
The Indian Eagle-owl is a large bird of prey found in the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia.
The Indian Golden Oriole is a species of bird found in the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia.
The Indian Grassbird is a bird species found in the Indian subcontinent.
The Indian Grey Hornbill is a bird species found in the Indian subcontinent.
The Indian Jungle Crow, also known as the Large-billed Crow, is a bird species found in the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia.
The Indian Nightjar is a bird species found in the Indian subcontinent.
The Indian Nuthatch is a bird species found in the Indian subcontinent.
The Indian Paradise Flycatcher is a bird species found in the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia.
The Indian Peafowl is a colorful bird species found in the Indian subcontinent.
The Indian Pitta is a small bird found in the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia.
The Indian Pond Heron is a bird species found in the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia.
The Indian Robin is a bird species found in the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia.
The Indian Roller is a bird species found in the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia.
The Indian Scimitar Babbler is a bird species found in the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia.
The Indian Scops Owl is a bird species found in the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia.
The Indian Silverbill is a bird species found in the Indian subcontinent.
Delicate and graceful, the Indian Skimmer is a unique bird with a distinct beak that it uses to skim the water’s surface in search of fish.
With its characteristic yellow-tipped bill and spotted head, the Indian Spot-billed Duck is a common sight in wetlands across the country.
An elusive bird that is often difficult to spot, the Indian Spotted Creeper is beautifully patterned with black and white feathers.
A powerful bird of prey, the Indian Spotted Eagle is known for its striking appearance, with distinct white spots covering its dark brown body.
Also known as the Indian Stone Plover, this large, stocky bird has distinct markings and a unique call that is often heard at night.
Small but mighty, the Indian Swiftlet is incredibly fast and agile, making it a formidable hunter of insects on the wing.
Once a common sight in India, the Indian Vulture has suffered a steep population decline due to habitat loss and poisoning, and is now considered critically endangered.
With its distinctive white eye-ring and sweet song, the Indian White-eye is a popular bird that is often found in gardens and orchards.
A graceful seabird with a wingspan of up to 2.7 meters, the Indian Yellow-nosed Albatross is a true ocean wanderer that spends most of its life on the wing.
A stunning bird that is more often heard than seen, the male Indigo Bunting is a vibrant blue color with black wings and tail.
Known for its long, slender bill that it uses to extract nectar from flowers, the Indigo Flowerpiercer has iridescent blue-green feathers that shimmer in the sunlight.
Sporting a deep blue crown and tail, the Indigo Flycatcher is a striking bird that is known for its acrobatic hunting style.
One of the most colorful birds in Southeast Asia, the Indigo-banded Kingfisher is a stunning mix of bright blue, purple, and orange.
With its vibrant blue cap and iridescent green feathers, the Indigo-capped Hummingbird is a tiny but fierce bird that is capable of hovering in mid-air as it feeds on nectar.
Named for its distinctive call that sounds like someone hitting a piece of wood with a stick, the Indochinese Barbet is a plump bird with bright green and red feathers.
A small but beautiful bird with striking blue plumage, the Indochinese Blue Flycatcher is often found near streams and wetlands.
One of the most common birds of Southeast Asia, the Indochinese Bush Lark is a small brown bird with a distinctive song that can be heard across open grasslands.
A sleek bird with black and white plumage and a distinctive hooked bill, the Indochinese Cuckooshrike is known for its skill at catching insects on the wing.
Named for its soft, fulvous-colored feathers, the Indochinese Fulvetta is a small bird that is known for its sweet song.
One of the most distinctive birds of Southeast Asia, the Indochinese Green Magpie is a striking mix of green and blue that is often seen in pairs or small groups.
With its vibrant blue and turquoise plumage, the Indochinese Roller is a standout bird that can often be seen perched on power lines or poles.
A small songbird with a distinctive black and white head, the Indochinese Yuhina is often found in flocks that forage for insects and seeds in the forest canopy.
A small bird with a distinctive curved bill that it uses to feed on nectar and insects, the Indonesian Honeyeater is found throughout the islands of Indonesia.
A rare bird that is only found in the remote mountains of New Zealand, the Inland Dotterel is known for its cryptic plumage and distinctive call.
A small bird that is found in the arid regions of Australia, the Inland Thornbill has distinctive streaked plumage and a thick, curved bill.
Similar in appearance to the Great Egret, but slightly smaller, the Intermediate Egret is a common bird of wetlands and coastal areas across Southeast Asia.
A secretive bird that is rarely seen, the Invisible Rail is known for its unique call that makes it seem as if the bird is speaking backwards.
A striking bird with shimmering blue-green feathers, the Iphis Monarch is found only on the island of Samoa.
A small bird that is found in the Amazon rainforest, the Iquitos Gnatcatcher has a distinctive white eye-ring and a high-pitched call.
A small bird that is found in the deserts of Iraq and Saudi Arabia, the Iraq Babbler is a pale brown color with a distinctive black eye-stripe.
The Iringa Akalat is a small bird that can be found in Tanzania and is known for its brown plumage and striking white eye-ring.
The Iriomote Tit is a bird native to Japan that has a distinct bluish-grey color and can often be found in dense forests.
The Iris Lorikeet is a colorful bird species that is found throughout the forests of Papua New Guinea and is known for its vibrant plumage and long tail feathers.
The Isabela Oriole is a bird species that can only be found on the Philippine island of Luzon and is known for its vibrant yellow color and distinctive black and white stripes.
The Isabelline Bush-hen is a bird species that can be found throughout parts of Asia and Africa and is known for its distinctive brown and grey plumage.
The Isabelline Shrike is a bird of prey that is known for its sharp beak and talons and can be found throughout Africa and Asia.
The Isabelline Wheatear is a small bird species that can be found in parts of Europe and Asia and is known for its distinctive orange-brown coloring and short, pointed tail.
The Island Bronze-naped Pigeon is a bird species that can be found in parts of Southeast Asia and is known for its distinctive bright green feathers and bronzed neck.
The Island Imperial Pigeon is a large bird that can be found throughout various Pacific islands and is known for its striking white, gray, and black plumage.
The Island Leaf Warbler is a small bird species that can be found throughout various Pacific islands and is known for its bright green feathers and distinctive song.
The Island Monarch is a bird species that can be found throughout various Pacific islands and is known for its distinctive black, white, and brown plumage.
The Island Scrub Jay is a bird species that can be found in parts of California and is known for its distinctive blue feathers and aggressive behavior.
The Island Swiftlet is a bird species that is known for its swift flight patterns and can be found throughout various Pacific islands.
The Island Thrush is a bird species that can be found in the forests of Hawaii and is known for its brown and black plumage and distinctive yellow eye-ring.
The Island Whistler is a bird species that can be found in parts of Southeast Asia and is known for its distinctive whistling call and bright yellow feathers.
The Islet Kingfisher is a small bird species that can be found on various Pacific islands and is known for its distinctive blue and green plumage and sharp beak.
The Isthmian Wren is a bird species that can be found in parts of Central and South America and is known for its brown and white feathers and distinctive song.
The Italian Sparrow is a bird species that is common throughout parts of Europe and is known for its brown and grey plumage.
The Itatiaia Spinetail is a bird species that is found in the high-altitude forests of Brazil and is known for its distinctive brown plumage and long tail feathers.
The Itombwe Flycatcher is a small bird species that is native to the high-altitude forests of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and is known for its bright green feathers and distinctive call.
The Ituri Batis is a bird species that can be found in the tropical forests of central Africa and is known for its dark plumage and distinctive white eye-ring.
The Ivory Gull is a bird species that can be found in the Arctic and is known for its striking white feathers and black eyes.
The Ivory-backed Woodswallow is a small bird species that can be found in parts of Australia and is known for its distinctive ivory-colored feathers.
The Ivory-billed Aracari is a bird species that can be found in parts of Central and South America and is known for its bright colors and distinctive bill shape.
The Ivory-billed Coucal is a bird species that can be found in parts of Southeast Asia and is known for its distinctive black and white plumage and long, curved bill.
The Ivory-billed Woodcreeper is a bird species that can be found in Central and South America and is known for its distinctive white and brown plumage and long, curved beak.
The Ivory-billed Woodpecker is a bird species that is unfortunately presumed extinct and was native to the forests of the southeastern United States.
The Ivory-breasted Pitta is a bird species that can be found in the forests of Indonesia and is known for its brightly colored plumage and distinctive call.
The Izu Thrush is a bird species that can be found on the Izu Islands of Japan and is known for its brown plumage and unique song.
And that’s our list of I birds.
Amidst the vast array of species, narrowing down the list of birds for this article was no easy feat. To achieve an accurate representation, I spent countless hours pouring over research and analyzing data to ensure each bird was accurately categorized and described. With every addition, I felt a sense of accomplishment knowing that each bird represented was deserving of its place on the list.
In sum, birds are an integral part of the circle of life, and their presence is a blessing to the world we live in. They play a vital role in the functioning of our planet’s ecosystems, and their inherent beauty and grace serve to inspire us every day. As we face the challenge of environmental degradation, it is imperative that we take steps to safeguard the survival of birds and their habitats. We must respect the connection between birds and the environment, and learn to live sustainably and responsibly with these amazing creatures in our midst.
Hope this post on bird names beginning with I alphabet has been useful to you!