18 Round Birds with Images (Edition 2023)

When it comes to birds, there is an ever-growing list of species that can be found in a variety of habitats around the world. Among these feathered creatures are those that appear round or plump in shape.

These round birds boast unique characteristics and behaviors that contribute to their ability to survive and thrive. From the American robin to the puffin, we will explore some of the most iconic round birds and how they have adapted to their environment.

 List of Round Birds 

1. Bearded Reedling 

The bearded reedling is one of the cutest round birds in the world. Also called the bearded tit, it is a small passerine bird that belongs to the parrotbill family.

 It is found in Europe and parts of Asia, most commonly in wetland areas, such as marshes and reed beds. The males have gray heads with black streaking down the sides of their face (mustaches) and a bright yellow bill. 

The rest of their bodies (upperparts and underparts) are orange-brown. Females are similar but lack the mustache.

Distinctive calls are another way to identify this small round bird. When bird watching, you can listen for “tue tue” and ‘chew chew’ sound. Lastly, this reedling is about 6.5 inches with a broad chest which gives it a round shaped body. 

2. Eurasian Bullfinch 

Another common bird with round body is the Eurasian Bullfinch. It is a small migratory songbird that moves, depending on the season, between Europe and Asia.

The Eurasian bullfinch male can be identified by its black round head, gray back, orange-red underparts and white undertail. Tails and wings are all black. In comparison, females and juvenile eurasian bullfinch are muted with brownish-gray bodies and a distinctive black cap. 

This species has adapted to many types of habitats such as woodlands, parks, gardens, grasslands and scrubland but it prefers open farmland. They feed mainly on seeds but will also consume flower buds and kale. These small round birds can live up to 5 years. 

3. Vulturine Guinea Fowl 

Vulturine Guinea Fowls are fascinating birds that are known for their distinctive appearance and unique behavior. 

These birds are native to sub-Saharan Africa, Kenya and Ethiopia, where they can be found in savannas, grasslands, and scrublands. They are highly social animals that typically live in large groups of about 25 birds. 

Identifying the vulturine guinea fowl is relatively easy due. These birds have long, slim necks and bare heads adorned with bluish skin. Wings, undertail, and lower back are black with white spots while the breast and belly are bright blue. 

Also, their wings are short and rounded while their tails are long and pointed. Additionally, their legs are strong and adapted for running rather than flying. 

4. Eurasian Blue Tit

Eurasian blue tits are non-migratory birds that live across Europe, Asia, and Africa. Averaging 4.7 inches, these round birds are about the same size as chickadees. 

They have a notable blue crown, white face with black mask, black throat, yellowish stomach and blue gray back and wings. 

Eurasian blue tits roost in evergreens and ivy. They are also known to live in nest boxes. When breeding, they eat spiders and other small insects. In non-breeding months these blue tits mostly consume seeds.

5. Barred buttonquail

Barred buttonquail are small round, ground-dwelling birds that are known for their   secretive nature. These birds favor grasslands and savannas.

To identify barred buttonquail, it is important to look for certain physical characteristics. These birds have buff underparts, rufous brown upperparts, and white throat and chest barred with black.  Note the gray legs and bills. 

These buttonquals are common and non-migrant. Also, these quails are not monogamous like true quails. Barred buttonquail females are polyandrous and take charge during the mating season. 

6. Long-tailed Tit

Favoring parts of Northern Europe, long-tailed tits are small round birds that tend to live in large flocks then break into pairs during the breeding season; Feb-July. 

These birds grow to 5-6 inches long with a tail that is about half the size of their round body; 3.5 inches. 

Adults are mainly black and white with hints of pink on their shoulders. Their body is short, round and fluffy, making them unique and attractive. Their main calls include sharp ‘pit’ and ‘eez-eez’. 

Unlike the buttonquails above, these tits are monogamous.  

7. Pink Robin 

With their short black bills and white forehead, pink robins are one of the most beautiful round birds in Australia. As dainty as they look, these small birds have distinctive features that set them apart from other species. 

The first feature that stands out is their color. Pink robins have distinct, vibrant pink chests and stomachs. Their upperparts and heads are black. 

Note their cute beady eyes.  Additionally, pink robins tend to be slightly larger than other common species such as blue tits or wrens – reaching up to five inches in length when fully grown.

They breed between September and January and mostly feeds on flies, beetles, and caterpillars. 

8. Horned Lark 

From the prairies of North America to airports in Asia to beaches in Africa, horned larks are one of the most widely spread round bird species in the world. 

They are overall brown with paler bellies. The males have black “horns” made up of long feathers on their heads which are the source of their name. Also note, male horned larks have yellow faces with black masks. Females have whitish faces and are duller overall. 

 These larks feed mainly on seeds, beetles, caterpillars, and grasshoppers. Baby larks are fed earthworms. How long do horned larks live? About 7 years. Also, they are great breeders, raising up to 3 broods per mating season. 

9. Australian Brushturkey

The Australian brushturkey is found in various regions of Australia. Also called bush turkeys, these birds prefer higher attitudes. To properly identify an Australian brushturkey, there are several key physical characteristics to look out for.

Firstly, this large bird has a distinctive red head with a yellow wattle that hangs from its neck. Their bodies are covered in black feathers. They also have long legs with sharp claws which they use for digging and scratching at the ground. 

Another notable feature of this bird is their large size – they can grow up to 23.5-29.5 inches long and span 33 inches. During nesting, they build large nests up to 4.9 feet which they reuse for several years. 

10. California Quail 

The California quail, often referred to as the valley quail, is a species of bird that can be found throughout much of western North America. With its distinctive head topknot and distinct plumage, the quail is easy to identify in its native habitat. 

Native to California and parts of Nevada, Arizona and New Mexico, these ground-dwelling birds prefer habitats with low shrubs and grassland areas. 

This round bird has a unique crest on top of its head which consists of several forward-sweeping feathers. The chest and back are grayish-brown while the belly has black and white scales. 

Males tend to be slightly larger than females however both genders possess similar body colorings and females have shorter head plumes. 

11. Chukar 

Chukars are a popular game bird species. They have been around for centuries in various parts of the world, but primarily inhabit areas in the Middle East and southern Asia.

In the United States, this round bird species has been introduced in Hawaii, Oregon and Washington and California. 

Chukar have a round chicken-like body with a distinct color pattern. They have sandy brown bellies and back. The flanks are white with vertical black bars. 

Their heads are usually whitish, with black masks that run down to their throat. The bill is red. Chukars eat sunflower and tansy mustard seeds. Chicks are fed insects. 

12. Veery 

Identifying veeries, a small migratory songbird, has become an increasingly important means of understanding the species and its population dynamics. The veery is a member of the thrush family, characterized by its brownish upper parts and light buffy underparts.

Also called the Wilson’s thrush, it favors deciduous woodlands across North America where it can be seen during spring and summer months.

Veeries feed on caterpillars, beetles, bugs and sometimes frogs. Fruits they like include wild cherries, strawberries and june berries. 

13. Swamp Sparrow 

Though swamp sparrows are common, their population has been declining in recent years due to loss of fresh marshes habitats. 

With its distinctive brown streaked feather patterns and bold white eyebrow, the swamp sparrow is easy to spot in its natural habitat. Sexes are the same with a rusty crown. 

Swamp sparrows are common in the eastern states. They breed in the north and migrate to the south during their non-breeding months. These small round birds feed on fruits and seeds. 

Female swamp sparrows build nests and pairs raise one or two broods. 

14. Barred Owl 

Barred owls are a common sight in mixed forests across North America. These medium-sized round birds have distinctive markings and behaviors that set them apart from other owl species.

One of the most notable features of barred owls is their striking plumage. They have mottled brown feathers on their back and below they are whitish with dark streaks.

Their eyes are large and round, giving them excellent night vision for hunting prey like rodents and small mammals. Barred owls also have a distinct hooting call that sounds like “Who cooks for you?’ ‘Who cooks for you all?” 

Barred owls can live up to 23 years and raise only one brood from Feb-March. 

15. Golden-crowned Kinglet 

Golden-crowned kinglets are one of the smallest birds in North America. Measuring about 3.5 inches, they are very active and constantly move through trees, shrubs and other foliage searching for insects to feed on. 

These tiny round birds have an olive back and are gray below. Their wings have black and white wingbars. The most prominent feature of a golden-crowned kinglet is the bright yellow or orange crest on its head that gives it its name. The crest is surrounded by black stripes, making it easy to identify even from a distance.

 Another identifying feature is their distinctive call – a high-pitched “tsee” repeated two or three times. 

When trying to differentiate between male and female golden-crowned kinglets, there isn’t much difference in appearance. However, males tend to have slightly larger crests than females.

16. Black-capped Chickadee

If you are a bird lover, then you must have come across the black-capped chickadee at some point. This bird is one of the most common species that inhabit North America’s forests and woodlands. 

This bird has a black cap on its head and black throat that sharply contrasts with its white cheeks. The back, wings, and tail feathers are all grayish-blue in color, while the underparts are off-white or cream-colored. The beak is short and stout, perfect for cracking open seeds and nuts that make up much of its diet.

Another way to spot this bird is by its distinct call; chickadee-dee-dee.

17. Hermit Thrush 

Found all over North America, the hermit thrush is a small, brown bird that can be identified by its distinctive song, which has been described as “ethereal” and “haunting.” This bird can be found in wooded areas throughout much of the continent, including both deciduous and mountain forests.

One of the key features of the Hermit Thrush is its coloring. The back and wings are brown, while the breast and belly are white with black spots. The head is also brown, but tends to be a bit darker than the rest of the body. Note the reddish tail. 

These brown round birds nest from late April to August. 

18. Dunlins 

Dunlins are small shorebirds found on nearly every continent around the world. Identifying these birds can be a challenge due to their subtle coloration and similar appearance to other shorebird species.

 However, there are several key features to look for when trying to identify dunlins in the field.

Firstly, dunlins have a distinctive shape with a fairly long bill that curves slightly downwards. Their wings are also quite pointed and they have an overall stocky appearance.

 Secondly, their plumage varies depending on the season and age of the bird. In breeding season, males have striking black bellies with rust-colored feathers on their backs while females are more subtly colored with brownish-gray feathers. 

Juvenile birds resemble females but have finer streaking on their chests and flanks.

FAQs 

What is the roundest bird? 

Bearded reedlings are one of the roundest birds in the world. Also referred to as bearded tit, it has a small body about 6.5 inches with a wide chest that gives it a round shape when perched. 

What is a bird with a rounded body and a short tail? 

Pink Robin. This small bird is about 5.3 inches with a wide chest and short tail. It’s common in Southeast Australia. 

Conclusion

There is an astonishing variety of round birds in the world. From the small, colorful bearded reedlings to the large, striking ostrich, these birds are incredibly diverse. 

While some exhibit brightly colored feathers and others have duller shades, they all share one common trait: no matter their size or color, they are bound by a shared shape. It is this diversity that makes them so fascinating and beautiful.

source:

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

https://ebird.org/species/bearee1