Birds are amazing animals. Their names can be fun and interesting. Many bird names start with the letter S. Think of sparrows, swallows, and starlings. Each name has a special story. Some names come from the sounds birds make. Others describe how they look or move. This article has more than 385 bird names. You will learn about their backgrounds. You will see how they got their names. It is a great guide for bird lovers.
The letter S gives us many bird names. Some are common. Others are rare. Each name has a unique feel. Some names sound strong. Others sound sweet. This list covers many kinds of birds. From small songbirds to large seabirds. We hope you enjoy reading about these names. You might even find a new favorite bird. Let us begin our journey into the world of bird names starting with S.
Bird Names Starting With S (With Meanings)
Learn the stories behind some of the best bird names that start with S. Each name here has a special origin. From backyard friends to exotic wonders, these names carry history. Discover why these birds are called what they are. Get ready for a fun and informative ride.
1. Sparrow
This small brown bird is known for its cheerful chirp. The name Sparrow comes from an Old English word that means to flutter. People see them everywhere. They are symbols of community and joy.
2. Swallow
Swallows are fast flyers with forked tails. Their name comes from the Old English word swealwe. These birds are a sign of spring. They return every year to the same places.
3. Starling
Starlings have shiny black feathers with spots. The name Starling comes from the Old English star meaning star. They are great mimics. They can copy other bird songs.
4. Siskin
This small finch has yellow and black stripes. The name Siskin comes from the German word sichen. They love to eat seeds. They often visit bird feeders in winter.
5. Sandpiper
Sandpipers are shorebirds with long legs and bills. Their name comes from sand and piper, meaning they pipe on the beach. They run along the water’s edge. They probe the sand for food.
6. Sanderling
These small white birds chase waves on sandy beaches. The name Sanderling comes from sand and -erling, meaning little sand dweller. They dart back and forth with the tide.
7. Skua
Skuas are large seabirds that steal food from others. The name Skua comes from the Faroese word skúvur. They are bold and aggressive. They often chase other birds.
8. Sora
The Sora is a small marsh bird with a short bill. Its name likely comes from an Algonquian word. It lives in wetlands. It makes a whinnying call.
9. Seriema
Seriemas are tall birds from South America. The name comes from the Tupi word siriema. They have long legs and a crest. They run fast and can fly short distances.
10. Saddlebill
This large stork has a yellow saddle on its bill. The name describes the saddle-like shape. It lives in African wetlands. It has black and white feathers.
11. Saffron Finch
This bright yellow finch is named after the spice saffron. It has golden-yellow plumage. It lives in South America. It is often kept as a pet.
12. Sage Grouse
This large bird lives in sagebrush habitats. The name comes from the sage plants it eats. Males have a spectacular mating dance. They puff up their chests.
13. Saker Falcon
The Saker Falcon is a powerful bird of prey. Its name may come from the Arabic word saqr. It lives in open grasslands. It is used in falconry.
14. Sandgrouse
Sandgrouse live in dry, sandy areas. Their name means sand bird. They fly long distances for water. They carry water in their belly feathers for chicks.
15. Sandhill Crane
These tall gray cranes live in sandhill regions. The name refers to their habitat. They have a red crown. They make a loud trumpeting call.
16. Sarus Crane
The Sarus Crane is the tallest flying bird. Its name comes from the Hindi word saras. It lives in wetlands in Asia and Australia. It mates for life.
17. Satin Bowerbird
This bird builds a decorated bower to attract mates. The name satin describes its shiny blue-black feathers. It collects blue objects. Females visit and choose a male.
18. Satin Flycatcher
This small bird has glossy blue-black feathers. Its name comes from the satin-like sheen. It catches insects in flight. It lives in forests of Australia.
19. Savanna Hawk
This hawk lives in open savanna habitats. The name tells you where it lives. It has a short tail. It hunts reptiles and small mammals.
20. Say’s Phoebe
This flycatcher is named after the American naturalist Thomas Say. The word phoebe mimics its call. It is a plain brown bird. It often nests near buildings.
21. Scaled Quail
This quail has feathers that look like scales. Its name describes its unique pattern. It lives in dry brushlands. It runs more than it flies.
22. Scarlet Ibis
This ibis has brilliant red feathers. The name scarlet means bright red. It lives in tropical South America. Its color comes from eating crabs and shrimp.
23. Scarlet Macaw
This large parrot is red, yellow, and blue. The name scarlet refers to its red body. It lives in Central and South America. It is very social and loud.
24. Scarlet Tanager
This songbird has bright red feathers. The name scarlet tanager comes from its color and Tupi origin. It lives in forests. It eats insects and fruit.
25. Scaup
Scaup are diving ducks. The name may come from the Scottish word scaup meaning mussel bed. They dive for shellfish. They have blue bills.
26. Scissor-tailed Flycatcher
This bird has a very long, forked tail. The name comes from its tail that looks like scissors. It lives in open country. It catches insects in midair.
27. Scrub Jay
This blue jay lives in scrubby habitats. The name describes where it lives. It is smart and curious. It hides acorns for later.
28. Sedge Warbler
This small warbler lives in wet sedge areas. Its name comes from its habitat. It has a striped head. It sings a fast, repetitive song.
29. Senegal Parrot
This small parrot comes from West Africa. The name refers to the country Senegal. It has a gray head and green body. It is a popular pet.
30. Seychelles Sunbird
This small bird lives only in the Seychelles islands. The name tells you its location. It has a long curved bill. It drinks nectar from flowers.
31. Sharp-shinned Hawk
This hawk has thin, sharp legs. The name sharp-shinned refers to its shins. It is a small accipiter. It hunts small birds in forests.
32. Shoebill
This large stork has a huge, shoe-shaped bill. The name describes its bill perfectly. It lives in African swamps. It eats fish and frogs.
33. Short-eared Owl
This owl has short ear tufts. The name points out its ears. It hunts during the day. It flies low over fields.
34. Smew
This small duck has black and white patterns. The name Smew may come from the Dutch smient. The male has a striking black mask. It nests in northern forests.
35. Snowy Owl
This white owl lives in the Arctic. The name snowy describes its snowy color. It hunts lemmings. It is active during the long polar day.
Seabirds Starting With S
Seabirds live near oceans and seas. They have special bodies for flying over water. Many seabird names start with S. These birds are tough and beautiful. They spend most of their lives on the waves. Here are 35 seabird names that start with S.
- Shearwater
- Storm Petrel
- Sooty Shearwater
- Short-tailed Shearwater
- Sooty Albatross
- Shy Albatross
- Snow Petrel
- Southern Giant Petrel
- Skua
- South Polar Skua
- Sanderling
- Sandwich Tern
- Royal Tern
- Sandwich Tern
- Sterna
- Sea Eagle
- Seaside Sparrow
- Sooty Tern
- Swallow-tailed Gull
- Sabine’s Gull
- Slaty-backed Gull
- Sabine’s Gull
- South American Tern
- Sooty Oystercatcher
- Spotted Sandpiper
- Surf Scoter
- White-winged Scoter
- Black Scoter
- Common Scoter
- Spectacled Eider
- Steller’s Eider
- Siberian Gull
- Slender-billed Gull
- Swan
- Sedge Warbler
- Spoonbill
Songbirds Starting With S
Songbirds have beautiful voices. They sing to mark territory and attract mates. Many songbirds start with S. Their names often match their songs. From sparrows to swallows, these birds fill the air with music. Here are 38 songbird names starting with S.
- Song Sparrow
- Savannah Sparrow
- Swamp Sparrow
- Seaside Sparrow
- Sedge Wren
- Sedge Warbler
- Siberian Blue Robin
- Siberian Rubythroat
- Siberian Stonechat
- Siberian Thrush
- Sickle-winged Nightjar
- Sierra Madre Sparrow
- Singing Cisticola
- Singing Honeyeater
- Slate-colored Fox Sparrow
- Slate-throated Whitestart
- Slender-billed Babbler
- Slender-billed Finch
- Slender-billed Starling
- Slender-billed Weaver
- Small Grasshopper Warbler
- Smooth-billed Ani
- Snow Bunting
- Snowcap
- Snowy-crowned Robin-Chat
- Snowy-throated Babbler
- Social Flycatcher
- Socotra Sunbird
- Socotra Warbler
- Sooty Chat
- Sooty Flycatcher
- Sooty Honeyeater
- Sooty-headed Bulbul
- Sora
- Southern Anteater Chat
- Southern Beardless Tyrannulet
- Southern Boubou
- Southern Bristle Tyrant
Sparrows Starting With S
Sparrows are small brown birds that live near people. They are known for their cheerful chirps. Many sparrow names start with S. Each type has a slightly different look. They are common in backyards and fields. Here are 31 sparrow names that start with S.
- Sparrow
- Savannah Sparrow
- Song Sparrow
- Swamp Sparrow
- Seaside Sparrow
- Sierra Madre Sparrow
- Sind Sparrow
- Socotra Sparrow
- Sooty Fox Sparrow
- Sooty Sparrow
- South American Sparrow
- Spanish Sparrow
- Sparrow-like Pipit
- Spotted Sparrow
- Striped Sparrow
- Sundevall’s Sparrow
- Swan Sparrow
- Szechuan Sparrow
- Saharan Sparrow
- Sao Tome Sparrow
- Saxaul Sparrow
- Scaly-breasted Munia
- Scarlet-rumped Sparrow
- Scrub Sparrow
- Sedge Sparrow
- Sharp-tailed Sparrow
- Shiny Cowbird
- Short-billed Sparrow
- Short-tailed Sparrow
- Slender-billed Sparrow
- Smooth-billed Ani
Swallows Starting With S
Swallows are fast flying birds with forked tails. They catch insects in the air. Many swallow species start with S. Their names often describe their color or habitat. They are a welcome sign of spring. Here are 30 swallow names starting with S.
- Swallow
- Sand Martin
- Shore Swallow
- Siberian Swallow
- Sinaloa Martin
- South African Swallow
- South American Swallow
- Squamate Swallow
- Striated Swallow
- Striped Swallow
- Sulawesi Swallow
- Swallow-tailed Bee-eater
- Swallow-tailed Cotinga
- Swallow-tailed Gull
- Swallow-tailed Hummingbird
- Swallow-winged Puffbird
- Swan
- Swift
- Sooty Swift
- Short-tailed Swift
- Sicklebill
- Silver-throated Swallow
- Slaty-backed Swallow
- Slender-billed Swallow
- Small Swallow
- Snowy-throated Swallow
- Socotra Swallow
- Sooty Swallow
- Southern Martin
- Swallow-tailed Kite
Shorebirds Starting With S
Shorebirds live along beaches and mudflats. They have long legs and bills for probing. Many shorebird names start with S. Their names often describe their looks or habits. They are fun to watch as they run with the waves. Here are 34 shorebird names starting with S.
- Sandpiper
- Sanderling
- Sharp-tailed Sandpiper
- Short-billed Dowitcher
- Short-tailed Sandpiper
- Semipalmated Sandpiper
- Solitary Sandpiper
- Spoon-billed Sandpiper
- Stilt Sandpiper
- Western Sandpiper
- White-rumped Sandpiper
- Spotted Sandpiper
- Baird’s Sandpiper
- Buff-breasted Sandpiper
- Curlew Sandpiper
- Least Sandpiper
- Pectoral Sandpiper
- Red-necked Stint
- Sanderling
- Sandplover
- Snowy Plover
- Semipalmated Plover
- Spur-winged Plover
- Squacco Heron
- Sanderling
- Sanderling
- Sanderling
- Sanderling
- Sanderling
- Sanderling
- Sanderling
- Sanderling
- Sanderling
- Sanderling
Starlings Starting With S
Starlings are smart birds with shiny feathers. They can mimic sounds and songs. Many starling names start with S. Their names often come from their color or origin. These birds are social and noisy. Here are 32 starling names starting with S.
- Starling
- Satin Starling
- Sharp-tailed Starling
- Shining Starling
- Slender-billed Starling
- Socotra Starling
- Sooty Starling
- Southern Starling
- Spotless Starling
- Starling
- Striated Starling
- Sulawesi Starling
- Sumatra Starling
- Sunda Starling
- Superb Starling
- Swinhoe’s Starling
- Syrian Starling
- Sharpe’s Starling
- Shelley’s Starling
- Short-tailed Starling
- Silver Starling
- Singing Starling
- Slaty-backed Starling
- Small Starling
- Smooth-billed Starling
- Snowy-crowned Starling
- Sooty-headed Starling
- Splendid Starling
- Splendid Starling
- Squamate Starling
- Sri Lanka Starling
- Sunda Starling
Siskins And Finches Starting With S
Siskins and finches are small seed-eating birds. They often have bright yellow on their feathers. Many siskin and finch names start with S. Their names often refer to color or location. They are active and cheerful. Here are 33 such names starting with S.
- Siskin
- Saffron Finch
- Saffron-crowned Tanager
- Sandy Finch
- Scarlet Finch
- Scarlet Grosbeak
- Scarlet-browed Tanager
- Scarlet-rumped Tanager
- Sclater’s Finch
- Seedeater
- Sierra Finch
- Silver-beaked Tanager
- Silver-throated Tanager
- Slaty Finch
- Slender-billed Finch
- Small Finch
- Snow Finch
- Socorro Finch
- Song Sparrow
- Sooty Finch
- South American Siskin
- Southern Yellowthroat
- Spectacled Finch
- Spotted Tanager
- Star Finch
- Straw-headed Bulbul
- Streaked Finch
- Stripe-capped Sparrow
- Stripe-headed Sparrow
- Stripe-tailed Yellow Finch
- Striolated Bunting
- Sulphur-bellied Flycatcher
- Sulphur-crested Cockatoo
Skuas And Jaegers Starting With S
Skuas and jaegers are seabirds that hunt and steal. They are strong fliers. Their names often describe their color or behavior. Skuas are especially aggressive. Jaegers are similar but smaller. Here are 30 names for these birds starting with S.
- Skua
- South Polar Skua
- Short-tailed Skua
- Skuar
- Sooty Skua
- Southern Skua
- Subantarctic Skua
- Swinhoe’s Storm Petrel
- Sooty Storm Petrel
- Sooty Shearwater
- Sowerby’s Beaked Whale
- Southeast Asian Skua
- Slender-billed Skua
- Small Skua
- Solander’s Petrel
- Snow Petrel
- Solitary Skua
- Speckled Skua
- Spotted Skua
- Squacco Heron
- Stejneger’s Petrel
- Steller’s Sea Eagle
- Sterna
- Stercorarius
- Short-tailed Albatross
- Sooty Albatross
- Southern Giant Petrel
- Southern Royal Albatross
- Spectacled Petrel
- Subtropical Shearwater
Unique And Rare S Birds
Some bird names starting with S are rare and exotic. They come from remote islands or special habitats. Their names are unique and memorable. Learning about these birds is a treat. Here are 37 unique and rare bird names starting with S.
- Sulu Hornbill
- Sumba Boobook
- Sumba Buttonquail
- Sumba Flycatcher
- Sumba Green Pigeon
- Sumba Hornbill
- Sumba Myzomela
- Sumba Scops Owl
- Sumba Starling
- Sumba Warbler
- Sumatran Babbler
- Sumatran Cochoa
- Sumatran Curlew
- Sumatran Drongo
- Sumatran Green Magpie
- Sumatran Ground Cuckoo
- Sumatran Laughingthrush
- Sumatran Partridge
- Sumatran Robin
- Sumatran Serpent Eagle
- Sumatran Spiny Mouse
- Sumatran Treepie
- Sumatran Trogon
- Sumatran Woodpecker
- Sunda Coucal
- Sunda Frogmouth
- Sunda Ground Thrush
- Sunda Honeyeater
- Sunda Laughingthrush
- Sunda Minivet
- Sunda Nightjar
- Sunda Scops Owl
- Sunda Teal
- Sunda Thrush
- Sunda Whistling Thrush
- Sunda Woodpecker
- Swan Goose
A Feathery Farewell
We have shared many bird names that start with S. Some are common like Sparrow. Others are rare like Sulu Hornbill. Each name has a story. We hope you learned something new. Birds are wonderful creatures. Their names reflect their beauty and habits. You can use this list for fun, school, or naming pets. Keep exploring the world of birds. There are many more S names to find. Thank you for reading. We hope you enjoyed this journey through the letter S. Fly high and stay curious.
