How Many Common Birds Can You Name?

By: Lauren Lubas
Estimated Completion Time
3 min
How Many Common Birds Can You Name?
Image: Vicki Jauron, Babylon and Beyond Photography/Moment/Getty Images

About This Quiz

Bird watching (also known as birding) is a growing hobby for people who start to turn their eyes toward nature. Birding isn't just about seeing birds and taking pictures of them. It's also about tracking migratory patterns, learning where birds prefer to nest and figuring out where they are headed to next. This hobby is peaceful and can get really exciting (especially when you make a list of all of the different birds you want to see over time).

Whether you live in the country and see five to seven different species of bird a day, or you live in the city and see five to seven varieties of pigeons a day, you may find that you can name more common birds than you think. Some of the most common birds have recognizable traits that set them apart from every other bird you've ever seen. If you consider yourself a birding expert, you may find this quiz to be a breeze. However, even if you think of yourself as a novice in the bird watching arena, you still have a chance to pass this quiz. Either way, it's time to try your hand at this bird watching quiz and find out just how many common birds you can name.

Blue jay
Cappi Thompson/Moment/Getty Images
This bird is really this blue. What kind of bird is it?
Blue jay
Owl
Mourning dove
Robin
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Everyone can spot a blue jay from a mile away. These birds can be confused with bluebirds based on their names, but if you look at the two different birds, you will know that they look nothing alike.

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European goldfinch
Gary Chalker/Moment/Getty Images
Can you identify this bird with interesting markings?
Quail
European goldfinch
Starling
Pigeon
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The European goldfinch looks like it has fir on its wings. The smooth coloring on its feathers gives it a softer look. The tips of its wings are usually black and yellow, which is how it got its name.

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Common starling
Susan Walker/Moment/Getty Images
What is the name of this bird that sparkles?
Sparrow
Blue jay
Common starling
Cardinal
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The common starling is a very interesting looking bird. If you look close enough, you can see that it looks very much like the night sky: black and full of speckles that look like stars.

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Woodpecker
Tempau/E+/Getty Images
Do you know which bird makes a lot of noise?
Cardinal
Blue jay
American goldfinch
Woodpecker
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

While there are around 200 species and varieties of woodpecker, most of them are endangered, threatened or (in two cases) extinct. Very few woodpecker species migrate, so if their habitats are disturbed, they don't really know what to do.

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Sparrow
Sandra Standbridge/Moment/Getty Images
These little guys are found pretty much everywhere in America. What are they?
Blue jay
Sparrow
Common starling
Pigeon
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Sparrows are incredibly common birds. If you go to a Wal-Mart in the American Midwest, you can usually see them flying up in the rafters. They are definitely not on any endangered species lists.

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Hummingbird
Kathleen Reeder Wildlife Photography/Moment/Getty Images
Can you name the tiny bird that has fast wings?
Hummingbird
Goldfinch
Cardinal
Bluejay
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Hummingbirds are some of the most interesting creatures around. Their wings flap so fast, they sound like bees buzzing by you. This is obviously how they got their names. However, their beaks are the most distinctive part about them, as they are long and very thin.

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Mourning dove
sunmallia photography/Moment/Getty Images
Which bird is known across North America?
Sparrow
Hummingbird
Common starling
Mourning dove
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Mourning doves may look a lot like pigeons, but you may recognize these little guys as the turtle doves that you see around Christmas time. They are also known as rain doves by some.

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American goldfinch
JeffGoulden/E+/Getty Images
What is the name of this very yellow bird?
American goldfinch
Canary
Cardinal
Hummingbird
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

American goldfinches will migrate from Canada all the way to North Carolina. These little birds are bright yellow and hard to miss. They only weigh about a half of an ounce, but they can fly very fast.

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American Robin
Cappi Thompson/Moment/Getty Images
Do you recognize this bird with wings that are a different color than its breast?
House finch
Mourning dove
American Robin
Cardinal
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The American robin is considered a songbird that can live up to two years in the wild. These little birds are very territorial and are usually not very social in the summer when they are breeding.

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Cardinal
Vicki Jauron, Babylon and Beyond Photography/Moment/Getty Images
Can you identify this very red bird?
Blue jay
Cardinal
Nuthatches
American goldfinch
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Cardinals are usually found throughout the United States and Canada. They are the state bird of four states, including Illinois, Kentucky, Indiana and West Virginia, but they can also be found as far south as Mexico.

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Wren
Sandra Standbridge/Moment/Getty Images
These chubby birds weigh less than an ounce. What are they?
Cardinal
New World warblers
American robin
Wren
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

There are 88 species of wren spread throughout the world. These tiny birds can be a little bit of a nuisance if they are nesting near you. Depending on the species, they weigh around a quarter of an ounce.

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American crow
The Photography Factory/Moment/Getty Images
Farmers like to scare which birds away?
American crow
Cardinal
Northern cardinal
Nuthatches
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Amazingly, the American crow can live up to eight years in the wild. Additionally, it is a large bird that can weigh nearly 1.5 pounds and grow up to 21 inches in length. Farmers put up scarecrows to make it seem like people are in the fields, so the crows don't eat the seeds.

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Common raven
Wiki Commons by Drow male
What is the name of this black bird?
Common raven
Cardinal
Wren
Nuthatches
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The common raven is often confused with the American crow. However, the raven's beak is much thicker and the raven itself is much bigger, coming in at nearly five pounds and having a wingspan of nearly five feet.

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Tufted titmouse
Susan Wiltse/Moment/Getty Images
Do you know the name of this stout bird?
Tufted titmouse
Cardinal
Wren
Raven
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Don't laugh at its name, the tufted titmouse has a cry that confuses its predators. Its cry fades off as though the bird is flying away, but it isn't. This makes predators think that it has gone in a different direction.

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Bluebird
Larry Keller, Lititz Pa./Moment/Getty Images
Can you name this bird with interesting colors?
Cardinal
Blue jay
Bluebird
Crow
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The common bluebird mainly eats insects, but some species have been known to be omnivorous. Most species are found in North America, but they can also be found in Canada and Nicaragua.

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Red-tailed hawk
Eric Lowenbach/Moment/Getty Images
What kind of hawk is this?
Bluebird
Red-tailed hawk
Mohawk
Shawk
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

While many think that the red-tailed hawk can only be found in the United States and Canada, they have been known to go as far south as the West Indies and Panama. These birds of prey have wingspans that reach nearly five feet.

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Red-winged blackbird
KenCanning/E+/Getty Images
This bird looks like its wearing shoulder pads. Can you name it?
Sparrow
Bluebird
Red-winged blackbird
Downy woodpecker
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

These distinguishable birds might not look like much when they are at rest, but when they are in flight, their red wings show off for the world. They are gorgeous birds that are about medium in size.

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Heron
J.M.F. Almeida/Moment/Getty Images
Which bird has a really long neck?
Redbird
Blackbird
Bluebird
Heron
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

There are 64 species of Herons that are generally found near freshwater. These birds have long necks to help them catch fish, which is what they prefer to eat. Their wingspans can reach nearly 6.5 feet.

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Northern mockingbird
Jody Trappe Photography/Moment/Getty Images
Do you know the name of this small gray bird?
Blue jay
Mockingjay
Northern mockingbird
Southern mockingbird
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

While a Northern mockingbird's wingspan can only reach about ten inches, you can spot it right away, because it has darker wings and a tail that have white tips. This beauty can be found in the south during rougher winters.

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Swallow
1001slide/E+/Getty Images
Can you identify this bird that can sometimes be found in Antarctica?
Starling
Swallow
Mockingbird
Grackle
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The swallow can fly at up to 40 miles per hour. It does help that the bird only weighs about a half of an ounce. These birds are able to run as well, though they can't run as fast as they fly.

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Black-capped chickadee
KenCanning/E+/Getty Images
These birds look like they're wearing helmets. What are they?
Black-capped chickadee
Heron
White-breasted nuthatch
Swallow
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The black-capped chickadee is the state bird of Massachusetts. It's a small bird, but it looks pretty aerodynamic with its small thin tail and fascinating markings. The cap on its head helps it avoid predators.

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Common grackle
Gary W. Carter/Corbis/Getty Images Plus/Getty Images
What is the name of this shiny bird?
Blackbird
Common grackle
Raven
Blue jay
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

As tree-dwelling birds found in North America, the common grackle is known to be found in large numbers (and definitely not on an endangered species list). They are smaller birds, only reaching about a foot in length.

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Dark-eyed junco
Gary Carter/Corbis/Getty Images
Do you know the name of this small bird with long tail feathers?
Woodpecker
Grackle
Blackbird
Dark-eyed junco
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The dark-eyed junco is a bird that is very close to the sparrow. It measures about 6.5 inches in length, but only weighs just over a half of an ounce. They can be found in North America, and as far north as the Arctic.

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Thrush
Sandra Standbridge/Moment/Getty Images
These guys can be found all over the world. Do you know what kind of bird it is?
Thrush
Common blackbird
Dark-eyed junco
Song sparrow
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

There are different species of thrush, including the American robin. These songbirds have distinct voices that carry. They are usually found on forest floors, sifting through brush and undergrowth.

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Brown-headed cowbird
Russell Burden/Photodisc/Getty Images
The name of this bird is very interesting ... just like its color. What is it?
Bluebird
Brown-headed cowbird
Common raven
Grackle
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

While the brown-headed cowbird's name is quite the mouthful, these birds are actually very common in the subtropical areas of North America. They can also be found in the southern United States and Mexico.

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Northern flicker
©Owen Bale/Moment/Getty Images
Which bird has really cool markings all over its body?
Thrush
Junco
Great blue heron
Northern flicker
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

These spotted birds can be found in the warmer parts of North America, Cuba and the Cayman Islands. They are actually a species of woodpecker, but unlike most woodpeckers, northern flickers migrate.

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Great horned owl
Vicki Jauron, Babylon and Beyond Photography/Moment/Getty Images
What kind of owl is this?
Great horned owl
White owl
Snow owl
Northern flicker
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

You may know the great horned owl as the tiger owl or hoot owl, but this large owl is one of the most common found in the United States. Great horned owls usually mate when the weather is cold in January and February.

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Waxwing
Tze-hsin Woo/Moment/Getty Images
Can you name this common bird that has the same look as a Cardinal?
Thrush
Common crow
Waxwing
Blue jay
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

These little birds look very much like blue jays and cardinals, but they are a pale gray and tan color, and some even have yellow bellies and tips on their tails. They are often found in North and Central America.

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Pigeon
Pauline Lewis/Moment/Getty Images
Do you recognize this bird that thrives in America's cities?
Mourning dove
Owl
Hawk
Pigeon
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

If you live in a large city, you probably think that pigeons are the grossest animals on the planet. However, pigeons are actually incredibly intelligent creatures ... why do you think they live in cities? Where else are people going to throw food on the ground for free?

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Pygmy nuthatch
Cultura/Jouko van der Kruijssen/Cultura/Getty Images
This bird looks like a cartoon, but can you identify it?
Northern cardinal
Blue jay
Robin
Pygmy nuthatch
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The pygmy nuthatch is a very small bird. It only weighs just over a quarter of an ounce and is about four inches long. These little birds have pale blue wings and white bellies. Their wings have black tips.

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Great egret
mauribo/E+/Getty Images
What is the name of this long-necked bird found around the world?
Great egret
Flamingo
Chipper
Starling
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The great egret can be found pretty much everywhere, including Asia, Africa, and North and South America. They have also been spotted in Southern Europe. They prefer fish, but they don't mind eating frogs and mice as well.

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American kestrel
Nature's Gifts Captured/Moment/Getty Images
Can you name this wild looking bird?
Northern cardinal
American kestrel
Brown-headed cowbird
Song sparrow
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

An American kestrel is actually a falcon. They are the smallest falcons that are found in North America, weighing in at only about 4 ounces. These birds are not endangered by any means, as they are birds of prey.

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Downy woodpecker
Vicki Jauron, Babylon and Beyond Photography/Moment/Getty Images
Do you know what kind of woodpecker this is?
Gret egret
Downy woodpecker
Wild turkey
Eurasian siskin
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The downy woodpecker is the smallest species of woodpecker that can be found in North America. They weigh just less than one ounce, but they are the ones that you will probably see in your feeder in your backyard.

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Turkey vulture
Patrick Gijsbers/E+/Getty Images
This wildly large bird is a bird of prey. Can you name it?
Turkey vulture
Great horned owl
Chicken
Peacock
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Turkey vultures are often found in North America, and if you've ever passed one on the road, you probably felt very unsafe, even if you were in your car. These beasts are frightening to look at, to say the least.

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Turkey
Mimi Ditchie Photography/Moment/Getty Images
Which bird is a Thanksgiving treat?
Finch
Turkey
American kestrel
Great egret
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Turkeys have gone down in history as the only animals that the President of the United States has pardoned every year. While it's a fun joke, Turkeys are a great way to feed a lot of people, as they grow quickly and produce a lot of meat.

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Swan
Vicki Jauron, Babylon and Beyond Photography/Moment/Getty Images
This beautiful creature has books written about it. What is it?
Goose
Swan
Woodpecker
Heron
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

You can usually find a swan near a freshwater lake. They feed on fish and are closely related to geese and ducks. A swan can reach over 25 pounds with a wingspan of nearly nine feet (for certain species).

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Cooper's hawk
Tze-hsin Woo/Moment Open/Getty Images
Do you know what kind of hawk this is?
Seahawk
Mohawk
Flying hawk
Cooper's hawk
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

We all know that hawks are birds of prey, but the method that the Cooper's hawk uses is a little intense. It will catch a bird out of midair and squeeze it over and over again until it dies.

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White-crowned sparrow
Michael Mike L. Baird flickr.bairdphotos.com/Moment Open/Getty Images
Can you identify this bird with stripes on its head?
Blatimore oriole
Turkey vulture
Siskin
White-crowned sparrow
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A white-crowned sparrow has a gray face along with a cap on its head that has black and white stripes. This cap looks a little bit like a crown, which is how this bird got its name.

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Baltimore oriole
pchoui/E+/Getty Images
What is the name of this bird that has a baseball team named after it?
Baltimore oriole
Bluejay
Redwing
Cardinal
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

While Baltimore orioles eat nectar and fruits in the fall, they feed mostly on insects in the summertime. These vibrant birds are very small, but can be spotted from a mile away because of their color.

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Mallard
John Dickson/Moment/Getty Images
Which duck has a green head?
Marbled duck
Goose
Mallard
Swan
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Mallards are a very common species of duck found throughout North and South America as well as Eurasia and North Africa. These ducks prefer freshwater lakes and usually feed on small fish.

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You Got:
/40
Vicki Jauron, Babylon and Beyond Photography/Moment/Getty Images