35 Unique Birds that Start with N (Images)

Birds that start with n can be found throughout the world. Some of these birds, such as the nighthawk, are well-known and popular while others, such as the nimble wallaroo, are less common but still interesting.

In the article below we’ll look at different species of birds beginning with n. We’ll discuss their breeding habits, plumage and more. If you are a birder, get your pet and birding journal ready. Let’s get started.

List of Birds that start with N

1. Nahan’s partridge

Measuring about 9 inches, the Nahan’s partridge is a rare bird that is found in the forests of East Africa. It is a shy bird that is rarely seen by humans. The Nahan’s partridge is a black bird with a white spots. It eats insects and fruits.

2. Namaqua dove

The Namaqua dove is another bird that starts with N. It is a strikingly beautiful bird that is found in the southern part of Africa. These birds are often a light gray or tan color with dark markings on their wings and tails. Notice the black face and throat.

Their bill is strong with hints of purple and yellow. Namaqua doves are very social birds and can be found in large flocks. They are also very vocal and can be heard cooing and whistling throughout the day. They make “ku-whooo” sounds.

3. Narina trogon

Ever heard of the Sumatran trogon? We recently discussed it in our list of birds that start with S. In this article we’ll look at a closely related bird that starts with N, the Narina trogon.

Like its other relatives it’s a brightly colored bird. It is greenish-blue above with a green head and a striking red belly. The narina trogon is a shy bird and is not often seen by humans. It feeds on insects and fruit, and can be found in trees or on the ground.

4. Natterer’s slaty antshrike

Boasting a small black beak, the natterer’s slaty antshrike is a small, secretive bird that is found in the tropical forests of Central and South America.

It is a member of the shrike family, and is related to the more familiar barred antshrike. The Natterer’s slaty antshrike is a shy bird that is seldom seen by humans. It is named for its primary food source, ants.

5. Neddicky

Another bird whose names begin with letter N is the Neddicky. Tiny and melodious, it favors the open woodlands of Africa.

It measures 4 inches, smaller than the common sparrow. It’s mostly brown with a red cap. It’s known for using cobwebs and dry grass to build ball-shaped nests. The neddicky is a songbird and its call is a series of high-pitched notes. Neddickies eat insects.

6. Nava’s wren

Widely found in Mexico, Nava’s wrens are about 6 inches long, same size as a house sparrow. They are named after the Mexican ornithologist Rafael Navarro.

The Nava’s wren is mostly brown and prefers hovering on the ground. Like most wrens it feeds on small invertebrates. This small bird produces a variety of whistling notes.

7. Nene bird

The Hawaiian goose is one of the biggest birds that start with N in this list. Also called the nene bird it is the official state bird of Hawaii. These birds are unique to Hawaii and can be found nowhere else in the world.

Nenes are closely related to Canada geese(read more about the Canada goose here). They are about 16 inches long, making them one of the smallest duck species. In comparison the largest duck is about 30 inches.

Nenes are herbivores and eat a variety of plants, including grasses, flowers, and berries. They live in grassy areas near water sources, such as ponds or rivers. Nenes mate for life and build their nests on the ground near water. The female lays 2 to 8 eggs, which both parents help to incubate. After hatching, the parents care for the young goslings until they are able to fly and fend for themselves.

8. Nepal cupwing

Found in the temperate forests of Nepal, this cupwing is a small brown from the family pnoeypgidae. This family includes other members such as the Chinese cupwing.

It is mostly brown with black spots on its chest. Like other cupwings it is tailless and difficult to see under the thick undergrowth.

9. Negros leaf warbler

The Negros leaf warbler is a small passerine bird that is endemic to the island of Negros in the Philippines. It is a member of the family phyllyoscopidae, and is closely related to the wood warbler.

The Negros leaf warbler is greyish with black stripes on its head. The male and female are similar in appearance, but the male is slightly brighter than the female. The Negros leaf warbler is territorial, and males defend their territory by singing from high perches.

10. New Britain friarbird

A native of New Guinea, the New Britain friarbird is a beautiful bird that is found in tropical montane forests. This medium size olive-gray bird has a long tail and is pale below. Note its strong black bill.

The New Britain friarbird feeds on insects and fruit, and can often be seen perched high in the trees. They are related to honeyeater birds.

11. New Caledonian crow

Black is beautiful and these birds that start with N are gorgeous. The New caledonian crow is a black bird that is known for its intelligence and problem-solving skills. Studies have shown that the New Caledonian crow can outperform other crows and even some primates in tests of intelligence.

Researchers believe that this is due to the New Caledonian crow’s tool-making abilities. These crows are able to make and use tools to solve problems, which gives them a distinct advantage over other birds.

12. Nepal house martin

Another group of black birds that starts with n is the Nepal house martin. House martins are small, swallow-like birds that are common in Nepal. They build their nests out of mud and often use man-made structures, such as chimneys and eaves, to do so.

House martins feed primarily on insects, which they catch in the air. They are migratory birds, wintering in southern Africa or Australia. Breeding takes place from March through July. Female Nepal house martins lay up to 4 white eggs that take about three weeks to hatch.

13. New Britain thicketbird

The New Britain thicketbird is one of the most recently discovered species of bird in the world. It was first discovered in 1995 by Dr. Tim Minton and his team of researchers. The thicketbird is a small, brown bird that is found only in the dense rainforest of New Britain Island, in Papua New Guinea.

Little is known about this elusive bird, but it is believed to be a shy and secretive species that prefers to stay hidden among the trees. So far, only a handful of specimens have been collected, and there is no information available on its habits or ecology. The discovery of the New Britain thicketbird underscores the importance of protecting rainforest habitats and maintaining biodiversity.

14. New Guinea thornbill

Another passerine bird from Africa is the New Guinea thornbill. It is a member of the family Acanthizidae, and is closely related to the Australian thornbill. The New Guinea thornbill is about 9 cm or 3 inches long and has a brown body with a yellowish head and chest.

The legs and feet are a dull brown. The New Guinea thornbill feeds on insects, which it gleans from tree trunks and branches. It builds a dome-shaped nest of moss or lichen, which it anchors to a tree branch. This bird is known for its high-pitched squeaks.

15. New Zealand falcon

The New Zealand falcon is a raptor found throughout the country of New Zealand. They are diurnal birds of prey that feed on small mammals, birds, and reptiles.

They are opportunistic hunters and often scavenge off of other predators’ kills. These falcons are relatively common throughout their range and are not considered to be at risk of extinction.

16. Nias hill myna

Weighing up to 13 oz, the Nias Hill Myna (scientific name Gracula robusta) is a large passerine bird found only on the island of Nias in Indonesia. It is a member of the starling family, and is similar in appearance to the common myna, but is twice as large.

The Nias Hill Myna has a black head, neck, and chest, with a white throat and belly. The wings and tail are black with white tips, and the beak is yellow. It is a vocal bird, making a variety of calls including loud whistles and harsh caws.

17. Night parrot

The night parrot or the Pezoporus occidentalis is a cryptic, nocturnal bird that is endemic to Australia and only found in remote areas of the country. Little is known about this species due to its elusive nature and the fact that it has been only sporadically seen in the wild over the past century.

The first confirmed sighting of the night parrot in more than 100 years was made in 2006, and since then there have been a few other confirmed sightings, most recently in 2013. Although there is still much to learn about this mysterious bird, recent efforts to study and protect it have given hope that it may not be too late to save the night parrot from extinction.

18. Nilgiri pipit

Measuring about 5 inches long, the Nilgiri pipit is a small bird found in the mountains of southern India. It is a resident breeder in open forest and scrub.

The upperparts are brown, streaked with black, and the underparts are white with buff flanks. These pipits breed from april – july. Females lay about three speckled eggs. This species has a loud ringing call which can be heard from some distance.

19. Norfolk robin

Small and beautiful, the Norfolk robin is a small bird that is about the size of a sparrow. It is mostly black above with a red chest and white patch on its forehead and wings. Notice the small black bill?

It comes in handy when looking for seeds, berries and insects. The Norfolk robin is common in the western Australia and can be found in open woodlands, fields, and gardens.

20. Northern bald ibis

Northern bald ibis is a critically endangered bird that once ranged throughout the Middle East and North Africa. However, due to hunting and habitat destruction, the northern bald ibis population has dwindled to just a few hundred birds.

This bird that starts with letter N has a beautiful rugged mane with a black body. It has a long curved bill and short red feet. It nests on cliff edges where females lay 2 – 4 eggs that hatch after 24 days. On average, this ibis can live up to 15 years.

21. Northern boobook

Ninox japonica or the northern boobook, is a small owl found in some Asian countries. This slender bird is about 6 oz, and there is no sexualy dimorphism. Males and females share the same plumage and traits.

They both have brown upperparts and white streaks below. Notice the huge yellow eyes. Like other boobook species it feeds on small invertebrates. They have deep “ho-ho” sounds.

22. Northern fiscal

Northern fiscal birds are a species of small passerine bird that is endemic to the highlands of Ethiopia. They are related to the shrikes and are characterized by their small stout black bill, black upperparts and white underparts and a long tail.

They are insectivores and feed mainly on spiders, caterpillars and other invertebrates. Northern fiscal birds are monogamous and typically form pairs that remain together for life. They breed from March to June, laying 2-4 eggs in a cup-shaped nest that is built in a tree or bush. The chicks fledge after 10-12 days.

23. Nubian bustard

Looking for a large bird with n in their birds names? This majestic bird is one of the largest bird in Africa. They can weigh up to 15 pounds and stand up to 3 feet tall. They have a long neck and a brown body with black and white markings on their head.

Males are larger than females. These birds live in open areas where they can find food such as insects, seeds, and berries. They are usually seen in pairs or small groups, but sometimes congregate in large flocks. Nubian bustards are migratory birds and they winter in Southern Africa.

24. Northern bentbill

The northern bentbill is a small songbird that can be found in South America. These birds are typically olive-green with a medium size bill. Northern bentbill prefer to live in dense forests near water sources, where they can find food and shelter.

They are insectivores, meaning they eat mostly insects, but they will also consume berries and other fruit. These birds are known for their quick movements and aerial displays, and they are considered to be very vocal.

25. Nubian woodpecker

Like other woodpeckers, the Nubian woodpecker is a beautiful bird with a stylish red crown. They are medium-sized bird and have an olive-brown speckled back and white and back below.

Normally seen in pairs, these birds produce loud ‘keeek’ sounds. They feed on insects, which they find by pecking into tree bark.

26. New guinea babbler

Also known as the isodore’s rufous warbler, the guinea babbler is a species of bird found in open woodlands and scrub in Africa. It is a ground-dwelling bird that feeds on a variety of things.

The guinea babbler is a sociable bird that often forms small flocks. It is a vocal bird, with a wide range of whistles that are used to communicate with other babbler flock members. You can find them in tropical moist lowland forests.

27. Narrow billed antwren

Endemic to Brazil, the narrow-billed antwren is a bird that is mostly black with white wing bars. The females are mostly brown with hints of olive color and have cinnamon underparts. It feeds on various things including spiders, which it finds by scanning the branches and leaves of trees for movement. The narrow-billed antwren is a shy bird and is not often seen by humans.

28. Northern flicker

The northern flicker is a large woodpecker that can be found in the eastern and central United States. They are easily recognized by their brown and white barred plumage. Flickers live in open woodlands, where they feed on insects and berries, especially hackberries and bayberries.

They are also known for their habit of tapping on objects to find food. Flickers mate for life and build their nests in holes in trees. They typically lay 6-8 eggs that hatch on day 12.

29. Northern catbird

Northern catbirds are typically found in deciduous and mixed forests. These birds are usually seen perched prominently at the top of a tree or shrub, where they keep a close eye out for their insect prey. Northern catbirds are also known for their beautiful songs, which can be heard during the spring and summer months.

30. Noisy pitta

Noisy pitta, a small bird found in Australia, is known for its loud calls. Measuring up to 8 inches, these birds make a variety of sounds, including whistles, trills, and warbles. While the pittas’ songs are often considered beautiful, they can also be quite annoying to people who live near the birds’ habitats.

The noisy pitta feature a green back, yellow chest and belly with a black patch. Notice the gorgeous black mask.

31. Noble snipe

With a long beak and stocky body, the noble snipe is a rare bird that can be found in wetlands throughout South America. This brown bird has a long, pointed bill and a heavily patterned brown back.

The male and female look similar, but the male is slightly brighter in color. Noble snipes are shy birds that prefer to stay hidden in the reeds. Their primary food is insects but will also eat smaller creatures. It breeds from the month of March to July.

32. New Zealand grebe

The New Zealand grebe is a diving waterbird that is endemic to New Zealand. Also known as the New Zealand dabchick, the species is mostly dull brown with a chestnut under.

They mostly eat small molluscs and sometimes crayfish and bigger fish. These birds starting with N usually live in pairs but come together in autumn and winter. Their eggs take about 23 days to hatch.

33. Northern shrike

Northern shrikes are another group of birds that start with N. They are gray and white in color with a black mask which extends from the beak to the eyes. They have a short gray-black bill and a black dagger-like protrusion on their upper mandible.

Northern shrikes are known for their habit of catching and eating other smaller birds. They build their nests in trees or shrubs and lay 3-6 eggs.

Sources:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neddicky

https://ebird.org/species/norshr4