Did you know that a bird can “moonwalk” better than Michael Jackson?
The Lance-tailed Manakin performs an elaborate backward dance to win over potential mates, demonstrating nature’s remarkable choreography.
From the raucous call of the Laughing Kookaburra to the critically endangered Laysan Duck, which has fewer than a few hundred individuals left in the wild, birds whose names begin with “L” showcase nature’s incredible diversity.
These feathered wonders span six continents, from the mountain forests of China to the Hawaiian archipelago, and exhibit fascinating adaptations.
The Lappet-faced Vulture’s powerful beak is used for scavenging, and the Laysan Albatross can soar thousands of miles across the Pacific Ocean.
Common Bird Names with “L”
1. Laced Woodpecker
The Laced Woodpecker is a striking bird found in Southeast Asia. Recognizable by its black and white striped plumage, it thrives in forested regions and feeds on insects hidden in tree bark.
- Origin: Native to the tropical forests of Southeast Asia.
- Health Benefits: Woodpeckers play an important role in pest control by feeding on wood-boring insects.
- Fun Fact: Known for its rhythmic drumming on trees, the Laced Woodpecker uses its strong beak to tap and drum at a rapid pace to communicate.
2. Ladder-backed Woodpecker
This small woodpecker, easily identified by its striped black-and-white back, is found in North and Central America. It typically dwells in desert and woodland habitats.
- Origin: Native to the southwestern United States and parts of Mexico.
- Health Benefits: Helps reduce the insect population by feeding on termites, ants, and beetles.
- Fun Fact: The Ladder-backed Woodpecker is one of the few woodpeckers that do not rely on large trees for food and nesting.
3. Lady Amherst’s Pheasant
Lady Amherst’s Pheasant is known for its colorful and iridescent feathers. Native to China, it is often kept in aviaries due to its striking appearance.
- Origin: Native to China, particularly in the mountainous regions of Sichuan.
- Health Benefits: This bird helps maintain ecosystem balance by consuming a variety of insects and plants.
- Fun Fact: Named after Lady Amherst, who first introduced the pheasant to England in the 19th century.
4. Laggar Falcon
The Laggar Falcon is a medium-sized bird of prey found in parts of South Asia. It hunts small mammals and birds, using its speed and precision in flight.
- Origin: Found across the Indian subcontinent and parts of the Middle East.
- Health Benefits: A natural pest controller, it helps keep rodent populations in check.
- Fun Fact: The Laggar Falcon is known for its impressive aerial displays during the breeding season.
5. Lake Duck
The Lake Duck is a species commonly found in South America. It is adaptable and thrives in freshwater lakes and coastal regions.
- Origin: Native to South America, particularly in Argentina and Chile.
- Health Benefits: Ducks contribute to natural water purification by consuming aquatic plants and insects.
- Fun Fact: Known for its unique, long tail feathers, which it uses to maneuver in the water with ease.
6. Lance-tailed Manakin
This brightly colored bird is known for its distinctive tail feathers. The Lance-tailed Manakin is found in Central America and is known for its elaborate courtship rituals.
- Origin: Native to Central and South America, primarily in rainforests.
- Health Benefits: Helps pollinate various plants by feeding on fruits and insects.
- Fun Fact: Males perform a high-energy “moonwalk” dance to attract mates during the breeding season.
7. Lanner Falcon
The Lanner Falcon is a medium-sized bird of prey, recognized by its striking plumage and swift hunting abilities. It preys on birds and small mammals.
- Origin: Found in parts of Europe, Africa, and Asia.
- Health Benefits: A natural predator of pests such as rodents and smaller birds.
- Fun Fact: The Lanner Falcon is known for its speed, reaching up to 60 miles per hour when hunting.
8. Lapland Longspur
The Lapland Longspur is a small songbird known for its striking appearance and melodious calls. It is primarily found in northern latitudes, especially during migration.
- Origin: Native to the Arctic regions of North America and Eurasia.
- Health Benefits: Important for maintaining insect populations in tundra and grassland ecosystems.
- Fun Fact: During migration, the Lapland Longspur forms large flocks, making impressive formations in the sky.
9. Lappet-faced Vulture
The Lappet-faced Vulture is a large scavenger known for its bald head and powerful beak. It plays a key role in cleaning up carcasses in its habitat.
- Origin: Found in Africa and parts of the Middle East.
- Health Benefits: Helps prevent the spread of disease by cleaning up animal carcasses.
- Fun Fact: The Lappet-faced Vulture is one of the largest vultures in Africa and can carry off large pieces of carrion.
10. Laughing Dove
This small dove is known for its unique, soft cooing sound, which resembles a laugh. It is commonly found in tropical and subtropical regions.
- Origin: Native to Africa and the Middle East.
- Health Benefits: Doves help in seed dispersal and contribute to maintaining healthy plant populations.
- Fun Fact: The Laughing Dove gets its name from its distinctive call, which sounds like gentle laughter.
11. Laughing Falcon
The Laughing Falcon is a bird of prey found in Central and South America. It is recognized for its loud, human-like laughter-like call.
- Origin: Native to Central and South America, primarily in tropical forests.
- Health Benefits: A predator of small mammals and reptiles, helping control their populations.
- Fun Fact: Its distinctive “laughing” call can often be heard echoing through the forest during the day.
12. Laughing Gull
This gull is known for its loud, laughing call that it often emits in flight. It is commonly found along coastal regions of North America.
- Origin: Found along the coasts of North and South America.
- Health Benefits: Gulls are scavengers, helping to clean up waste and prevent the spread of disease.
- Fun Fact: Laughing Gulls are one of the most vocal seabird species, often heard before they are seen.
13. Laughing Kookaburra
The Laughing Kookaburra is famous for its raucous, laughter-like call that echoes through the Australian bush. It is a carnivorous bird known for its predatory skills.
- Origin: Native to Australia and New Guinea.
- Health Benefits: Helps keep insect and small animal populations in check.
- Fun Fact: The Laughing Kookaburra’s call is often used in movies and television to represent the sound of the Australian outback.
14. Laughing Owl
The Laughing Owl is an extinct species of owl once found in New Zealand. It was named for its unique, laughing-like call before it became extinct.
- Origin: Native to New Zealand.
- Health Benefits: As a predator, it helped control small mammal populations in its environment.
- Fun Fact: Despite its name, the Laughing Owl’s call is believed to have sounded more like a human-like laugh.
15. Laysan Albatross
The Laysan Albatross is a large seabird found in the North Pacific. Known for its long, graceful wings, it spends most of its life in flight over the ocean.
- Origin: Native to the North Pacific Ocean, particularly around the Hawaiian Islands.
- Health Benefits: Albatrosses play a role in oceanic ecosystems by helping maintain fish populations.
- Fun Fact: Laysan Albatrosses are known for their long-distance migrations, traveling thousands of miles to breed.
16. Laysan Duck
The Laysan Duck is a critically endangered species native to the Hawaiian Islands. It is known for its small size and distinctive coloration.
- Origin: Native to Laysan Island, part of the Hawaiian archipelago.
- Health Benefits: Ducks help maintain healthy wetland ecosystems by feeding on aquatic plants and insects.
- Fun Fact: Laysan Ducks are one of the rarest ducks in the world, with only a few hundred individuals left in the wild.
Some Rare Bird Names Starting with “L”
17. Laysan Finch
18. Laysan Rail
19. Lazuli Bunting
20. Lazuli Kingfisher
21. Lazuline Sabrewing
22. Lazy Cisticola
23. Leach’s Storm Petrel
24. Leaden Antwren
25. Leaden Flycatcher
26. Leaden Honeyeater
27. Leaf Lorikeet
28. Lear’s Macaw
29. Least Auklet
30. Least Bittern
31. Least Flycatcher
32. Least Grebe
33. Least Honeyguide
34. Least Nighthawk
35. Least Poorwill
36. Least Sandpiper
37. Least Seedsnipe
38. Least Storm Petrel
39. Least Tern
40. Leconte’s Sparrow
41. Leconte’s Thrasher
42. Legge’s Flowerpecker
43. Legge’s Hawk-eagle
44. Lemon Dove
45. Lemon-bellied Crombec
46. Lemon-bellied Flyrobin
47. Lemon-bellied White-eye
48. Lemon-breasted Canary
49. Lemon-browed Flycatcher
50. Lemon-chested Greenlet
51. Lemon-rumped Tanager
52. Lemon-rumped Warbler
53. Lemon-spectacled Tanager
54. Lemon-throated Barbet
55. Lemon-throated Leaf Warbler
56. Lesser Adjutant
57. Lesser Antillean Bullfinch
58. Lesser Antillean Flycatcher
59. Lesser Antillean Pewee
60. Lesser Antillean Saltator
61. Lesser Antillean Swift
62. Lesser Antillean Tanager
63. Lesser Bamboo Tyrant
64. Lesser Bird-of-paradise
65. Lesser Black-backed Gull
66. Lesser Blue-eared Starling
67. Lesser Coucal
68. Lesser Crested Tern
69. Lesser Cuckoo
70. Lesser Cuckooshrike
71. Lesser Elaenia
72. Lesser Fish Eagle
73. Lesser Flamingo
74. Lesser Florican
75. Lesser Frigatebird
76. Lesser Goldfinch
77. Lesser Grass Finch
78. Lesser Green Leafbird
79. Lesser Greenlet
80. Lesser Grey Shrike
81. Lesser Ground Cuckoo
82. Lesser Ground Robin
83. Lesser Honeyguide
84. Lesser Hoopoe-lark
85. Lesser Horned Owl
86. Lesser Hornero
87. Lesser Jacana
88. Lesser Kestrel
89. Lesser Kiskadee
90. Lesser Masked Owl
91. Lesser Masked Weaver
92. Lesser Melampitta
93. Lesser Moorhen
94. Lesser Necklaced Laughingthrush
95. Lesser Nighthawk
96. Lesser Noddy
97. Lesser Nothura
98. Lesser Prairie Chicken
99. Lesser Racket-tailed Drongo
100. Lesser Redpoll
101. Lesser Roadrunner
102. Lesser Sand Plover
103. Lesser Scaup
104. Lesser Seedcracker
105. Lesser Short-toed Lark
106. Lesser Shortwing
107. Lesser Shrike-tyrant
108. Lesser Sooty Owl
109. Lesser Spotted Drongo
110. Lesser Spotted Eagle
111. Lesser Spotted Woodpecker
112. Lesser Striped Swallow
113. Lesser Superb Bird-of-paradise
114. Lesser Swallow-tailed Swift
115. Lesser Swamp Warbler
116. Lesser Vasa Parrot
117. Lesser Violetear
118. Lesser Wagtail-tyrant
119. Lesser Whistling Duck
120. Lesser White-fronted Goose
121. Lesser Whitethroat
122. Lesser Woodcreeper
123. Lesser Yellow-headed Vulture
124. Lesser Yellow-naped Woodpecker
125. Lesser Yellowlegs
126. Lesser Yellownape
127. Lesson’s Motmot
128. Lesson’s Seedeater
129. Letitia’s Thorntail
130. Letter-winged Kite
131. Lettered Aracari
132. Levaillant’s Cisticola
133. Levaillant’s Cuckoo
134. Levaillant’s Woodpecker
135. Levant Sparrowhawk
136. Lewin’s Honeyeater
137. Lewin’s Rail
138. Lewis’s Woodpecker
139. Lichtenstein’s Sandgrouse
140. Lidth’s Jay
141. Light-crowned Spinetail
142. Light-mantled Albatross
143. Light-vented Bulbul
144. Lilac Kingfisher
145. Lilac-breasted Roller
146. Lilac-crowned Amazon
147. Lilac-crowned Fruit Dove
148. Lilac-tailed Parrotlet
149. Lilian’s Lovebird
150. Limestone Babbler
151. Limestone Leaf Warbler
152. Limestone Wren-babbler
153. Limpkin
154. Lina’s Sunbird
155. Lincoln’s Sparrow
156. Line-cheeked Spinetail
157. Line-fronted Canastero
158. Lineated Barbet
159. Lineated Foliage-gleaner
160. Lineated Woodpecker
161. Lined Antshrike
162. Lined Forest Falcon
163. Lined Quail-dove
164. Lined Seedeater
165. Lita Woodpecker
166. Little Auk
167. Little Bee-eater
168. Little Bittern
169. Little Black Cormorant
170. Little Blue Heron
171. Little Blue-backed Robin
172. Little Bronze Cuckoo
173. Little Brown Bustard
174. Little Bunting
175. Little Bustard
176. Little Buttonquail
177. Little Chachalaca
178. Little Corella
179. Little Cormorant
180. Little Crake
181. Little Crow
182. Little Cuckoo
183. Little Cuckoo-dove
184. Little Curlew
185. Little Eagle
186. Little Egret
187. Little Forktail
188. Little Friarbird
189. Little Grassbird
190. Little Grebe
191. Little Green Pigeon
192. Little Green Sunbird
193. Little Green Woodpecker
194. Little Green-backed Heron
195. Little Greenbul
196. Little Grey Flycatcher
197. Little Grey Greenbul
198. Little Grey Woodpecker
199. Little Ground Tyrant
200. Little Gull
201. Little Hermit
202. Little Inca Finch
203. Little Kingfisher
204. Little Lorikeet
205. Little Minivet
206. Little Nightjar
207. Little Owl
208. Little Paradise Kingfisher
209. Little Penguin
210. Little Pied Batis
211. Little Pied Cormorant
212. Little Pied Flycatcher
213. Little Raven
214. Little Ringed Plover
215. Little Rock Thrush
216. Little Rush Warbler
217. Little Shearwater
218. Little Slaty Antshrike
219. Little Slaty Flycatcher
220. Little Sparrowhawk
221. Little Spiderhunter
222. Little Spotted Kiwi
223. Little Stint
224. Little Sumba Hawk-owl
225. Little Swift
226. Little Tern
227. Little Thornbird
228. Little Tinamou
229. Little Wattlebird
230. Little Weaver
231. Little Wood Rail
232. Little Woodpecker
233. Little Woodstar
234. Little Woodswallow
235. Little Yellow Flycatcher
236. Littoral Rock Thrush
237. Livingstone’s Flycatcher
238. Livingstone’s Turaco
239. Lizard Buzzard
240. Loango Weaver
241. Locust Finch
242. Loggerhead Kingbird
243. Loggerhead Shrike
244. Loja Tyrannulet
245. Lompobattang Flycatcher
246. Long-bearded Honeyeater
247. Long-billed Bernieria
248. Long-billed Bush Warbler
249. Long-billed Corella
250. Long-billed Crombec
251. Long-billed Crow
252. Long-billed Cuckoo
253. Long-billed Curlew
254. Long-billed Dowitcher
255. Long-billed Forest Warbler
256. Long-billed Hermit
257. Long-billed Honeyeater
258. Long-billed Murrelet
259. Long-billed Partridge
260. Long-billed Pipit
261. Long-billed Plover
262. Long-billed Spiderhunter
263. Long-billed Starthroat
264. Long-billed Thrasher
265. Long-billed Thrush
266. Long-billed White-eye
267. Long-billed Woodcreeper
268. Long-billed Wren
269. Long-billed Wren-babbler
270. Long-crested Eagle
271. Long-crested Myna
272. Long-crested Pygmy Tyrant
273. Long-eared Owl
274. Long-legged Buzzard
275. Long-legged Pipit
276. Long-legged Thicketbird
277. Long-tailed Broadbill
278. Long-tailed Bush Finch
279. Long-tailed Bush Warbler
280. Long-tailed Cinclodes
281. Long-tailed Cisticola
282. Long-tailed Crested Flycatcher
283. Long-tailed Duck
284. Long-tailed Fantail
285. Long-tailed Finch
286. Long-tailed Fiscal
287. Long-tailed Fruit Dove
288. Long-tailed Glossy Starling
289. Long-tailed Grassfinch
290. Long-tailed Ground Dove
291. Long-tailed Ground Roller
292. Long-tailed Hawk
293. Long-tailed Hermit
294. Long-tailed Hillstar
295. Long-tailed Honey Buzzard
296. Long-tailed Jaeger
297. Long-tailed Manakin
298. Long-tailed Meadowlark
299. Long-tailed Minivet
300. Long-tailed Mockingbird
301. Long-tailed Myna
302. Long-tailed Nightjar
303. Long-tailed Paradigalla
304. Long-tailed Paradise Whydah
305. Long-tailed Parakeet
306. Long-tailed Potoo
307. Long-tailed Reed Finch
308. Long-tailed Reed Warbler
309. Long-tailed Rosefinch
310. Long-tailed Sabrewing
311. Long-tailed Shrike
312. Long-tailed Sibia
313. Long-tailed Silky-flycatcher
314. Long-tailed Starling
315. Long-tailed Sylph
316. Long-tailed Tapaculo
317. Long-tailed Thrush
318. Long-tailed Tit
319. Long-tailed Triller
320. Long-tailed Tyrant
321. Long-tailed Widowbird
322. Long-tailed Wood Partridge
323. Long-tailed Woodcreeper
324. Long-tailed Woodnymph
325. Long-toed Lapwing
326. Long-toed Stint
327. Long-trained Nightjar
328. Long-tufted Screech Owl
329. Long-wattled Umbrellabird
330. Long-whiskered Owlet
331. Long-winged Antwren
332. Long-winged Harrier
333. Longuemare’s Sunangel
334. Lord Derby’s Parakeet
335. Lord Howe Gerygone
336. Lord Howe Parakeet
337. Lord Howe Woodhen
338. Lorentz’s Whistler
339. Loria’s Satinbird
340. Loten’s Sunbird
341. Louisiade Flowerpecker
342. Louisiade Pitta
343. Louisiade Whistler
344. Louisiade White-eye
345. Louisiana Waterthrush
346. Lovely Cotinga
347. Lovely Fairywren
348. Lovely Sunbird
349. Lovely-backed Sunbird
350. Lovely-tailed Starling
351. Loveridge’s Sunbird
352. Lowland Akalat
353. Lowland Masked Apalis
354. Lowland Peltops
355. Lowland Sooty Boubou
356. Lowland Tiny Greenbul
357. Lowland White-eye
358. Luapula Cisticola
359. Lucifer Sheartail
360. Lucy’s Warbler
361. Ludwig’s Bustard
362. Ludwig’s Double-collared Sunbird
363. Lufira Masked Weaver
364. Lühder’s Bushshrike
365. Lulu’s Tody-flycatcher
366. Lunulated Antbird
367. Luzon Bleeding-heart
368. Luzon Flameback
369. Luzon Hawk-owl
370. Luzon Hornbill
371. Luzon Scops Owl
372. Luzon Striped Babbler
373. Luzon Sunbird
374. Luzon Tailorbird
375. Luzon Water Redstart
376. Lyall’s Wren
377. Lynes’s Cisticola
378. Lyre-tailed Honeyguide
379. Lyre-tailed Nightjar
381. Long-tailed Potoo
382. Long-tailed Reed Finch
383. Long-tailed Reed Warbler
384. Long-tailed Rosefinch
385. Long-tailed Sabrewing
386. Long-tailed Shrike
387. Long-tailed Sibia
388. Long-tailed Silky-flycatcher
389. Long-tailed Starling
390. Long-tailed Sylph
391. Long-tailed Tapaculo
392. Long-tailed Thrush
393. Long-tailed Tit
394. Long-tailed Triller
395. Long-tailed Tyrant
396. Long-tailed Widowbird
397. Long-tailed Wood Partridge
398. Long-tailed Woodcreeper
399. Long-tailed Woodnymph
400. Long-toed Lapwing
401. Long-toed Stint
402. Long-trained Nightjar
403. Long-tufted Screech Owl
404. Long-wattled Umbrellabird
405. Long-whiskered Owlet
406. Long-winged Antwren
407. Long-winged Harrier
408. Longuemare’s Sunangel
409. Lord Derby’s Parakeet
410. Lord Howe Gerygone
411. Lord Howe Parakeet
412. Lord Howe Woodhen
413. Lorentz’s Whistler
414. Loria’s Satinbird
415. Loten’s Sunbird
416. Louisiade Flowerpecker
417. Louisiade Pitta
418. Louisiade Whistler
419. Louisiade White-eye
420. Louisiana Waterthrush
421. Lovely Cotinga
422. Lovely Fairywren
423. Lovely Sunbird
424. Lovely-backed Sunbird
425. Lovely-tailed Starling
426. Loveridge’s Sunbird
427. Lowland Akalat
428. Lowland Masked Apalis
429. Lowland Peltops
430. Lowland Sooty Boubou
431. Lowland Tiny Greenbul
432. Lowland White-eye
433. Luapula Cisticola
434. Lucifer Sheartail
435. Lucy’s Warbler
436. Ludwig’s Bustard
437. Ludwig’s Double-collared Sunbird
438. Lufira Masked Weaver
439. Lühder’s Bushshrike
440. Lulu’s Tody-flycatcher
441. Lunulated Antbird
442. Luzon Bleeding-heart
443. Luzon Flameback
444. Luzon Hawk-owl
445. Luzon Hornbill
446. Luzon Scops Owl
447. Luzon Striped Babbler
448. Luzon Sunbird
449. Luzon Tailorbird
450. Luzon Water Redstart
Summing it up
The remarkable collection of birds beginning with “L” reveals the incredible diversity of avian life across our planet.
From the pest-controlling Laced Woodpecker to the extinction-endangered Laysan Duck, these species fill critical ecological niches as pollinators, predators, seed dispersers, and ecosystem engineers.
The “L” birds represent every habitat imaginable – forests, deserts, oceans, mountains, and wetlands – while displaying an extraordinary range of adaptations: the Laughing Kookaburra’s distinctive call, the Lanner Falcon’s 60-mph hunting speed, and the Lance-tailed Manakin’s elaborate courtship dance.
By understanding these magnificent creatures and their ecological roles, we gain greater appreciation for nature’s intricate balance and the urgent need to protect vanishing species and their habitats.
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