Birds with three letters may seem like a rarity, but there are actually several species that fit the bill. These birds come in all shapes and sizes, and they can be found all over the world.
In this article, we’ll take a look at a list of birds with 3 letter names and uncover some fascinating facts about each species. Get ready to learn about these aptly named feathered friends.
| # | Bird | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Owl | Owls are nocturnal birds of prey known for their keen vision and silent flight. They have a distinctive hooting call. |
| 2 | Jay | Jays are colorful birds known for their raucous calls and clever behavior. They are often found in forests and woodlands. |
| 3 | Emu | The emu is a large flightless bird native to Australia. It’s known for its long legs, strong running ability, and soft feathers. |
| 4 | Wren | Wrens are small, active birds with melodious songs. They are often found in gardens and woodlands, and they build intricate nests. |
| 5 | Pip | Pipits are small, ground-dwelling birds with long tails. They are known for their constant tail-bobbing behavior. |
| 6 | Ibi | Ibises are long-legged wading birds with distinctive curved bills. They are often seen near wetlands and marshes. |
| 7 | Tui | Tuis are native to New Zealand and are known for their striking iridescent plumage and a range of vocalizations, including bell-like calls. |
| 8 | Auk | Auks are seabirds known for their strong swimming and diving abilities. They have compact bodies and are excellent underwater hunters. |
| 9 | Dip | The Dipper is a small, stout bird that often bobs up and down along the edges of fast-flowing streams and rivers. They can walk underwater. |
| 10 | Ori | Orioles are brightly colored birds with melodious songs. They often build hanging nests and are found in gardens and woodlands. |
| 11 | Phe | Pheasants are ground-dwelling birds with vibrant plumage. They are often hunted for sport and are known for their elaborate courtship displays. |
| 12 | Eel | The Eel is a type of seabird, and it is known for its long, slender body and sharp beak. It feeds on fish and squid in the ocean. |
| 13 | Hen | Hens are domesticated female chickens, known for their egg-laying capabilities and clucking sounds. |
| 14 | Bob | The Bobwhite Quail is a small, ground-dwelling bird with a distinctive “bob-white” call. It’s often hunted for sport. |
| 15 | Gag | The Garganey is a small dabbling duck known for its striking breeding plumage. It migrates between Europe and Asia. |
| 16 | Ant | The Antbird is a group of small insect-eating birds found in Central and South America. They are known for their foraging habits. |
| 17 | Emo | The Emu is a large flightless bird native to Australia. It’s known for its long legs, strong running ability, and soft feathers. |
| 18 | Fin | The Zebra Finch is a small bird with distinctive black and white stripes on its face and throat. It’s a popular pet bird. |
| 19 | Lox | The Loxia is a genus of finches known for their crossed bills. They feed on seeds and are found in coniferous forests. |
| 20 | Fly | Flycatchers are small birds that catch insects on the wing. They are known for their aerial acrobatics and insectivorous habits. |
Auk
Let’s start with the auk. This seabird from the Arctic region is known for its ability to “fly” underwater using its wings to propel itself. The most well-known type of auk was the great auk, which stood about 3 feet tall and unfortunately went extinct in the mid-19th century due to overhunting.
Emu
The emu is Australia’s largest native bird, reaching up to 6 feet tall. These flightless giants can run at speeds over 30 miles per hour. Emus have shaggy brown plumage and small vestigial wings. The male incubates and raises the chicks, who will stay with dad for up to two years before maturity.
Hen
Hen is a term used for adult female chickens. These domesticated fowl are bred mainly for their meat and eggs. Hen mothers are known for their fierce devotion to their chicks, even putting their own safety at risk to defend the young birds.
Jay
Like crows, jays are corvids. Their name comes from their loud, noisy calls that sound like they are constantly jabbering. These resourceful birds cache food like acorns to save for later. Jays have stunning blue, black, and white plumage.
Owl
The owl is a nocturnal hunter with a distinctive flat face and large eyes adapted for seeing in dim light. Owls are the only birds that can rotate their heads 270 degrees. They locate prey using exceptional hearing and remain almost silent in flight thanks to specialized feathers.
Pew
The pew is a small species of finch found in Central and South America. These social seedeaters get their name from their call, which sounds like a soft, plaintive “pew.” Pews forage in flocks and build domed nests from plant fibers and leaves.
Tit
Tits are tiny songbirds recognizable by their large heads and short necks. There are numerous tit species, but most have olive green, gray, yellow, or blue plumage. These agile acrobats hang upside down while foraging. Chickadees are a type of tit.
Ibi
The ibis is a long-legged wading bird characterized by its distinctive down-curved bill. There are over 30 different ibis species found throughout the world, most predominantly in tropical regions. Ibises frequent marshes, mudflats, and wetlands, foraging for food like insects, crustaceans, small fish, and amphibians.
Most ibises have white or black plumage, sometimes with a metallic sheen. Their long, thin legs allow them to wade through shallow water to catch prey. When flying, ibises extend their necks fully and their legs trail behind. They fly with slow, deep wing beats in loose formations or singly.
So there you have it – an overview of 20 birds with short three-letter names. From the gigantic moa to the tiny tit, each of these avian species is uniquely adapted to its environment and lifestyle. Learning a little about each bird helps highlight nature’s incredible diversity. Next time you see a crow or jay, take a moment to appreciate these feathered friends with brief but beautiful names.
