25+ Birds That Start With E: Complete Guide for Bird Lovers

If you are searching for birds that start with E, you are about to discover an exciting mix of color, size, and behavior. From tiny desert owls to powerful mountain raptors, these birds live in forests, wetlands, grasslands, and even busy cities. Some are common backyard birds in the United States, while others migrate across continents as skilled migratory birds. Learning about each unique bird species helps you understand how they survive, hunt, and raise their young. Whether you love wild birds, enjoy trivia, or simply want to expand your knowledge, this complete guide to birds that start with E will give you clear, fascinating insights. Let’s explore them one by one.

List of Birds That Start With E (Quick Overview)

Eastern Bluebird

The Eastern Bluebird is one of the most loved birds that start with E in North America. It has a bright blue back and a warm orange chest. You will often see it perched on fences or wires. It feeds on insects and berries. Many people put up nest boxes to attract this gentle songbird.

Eastern Meadowlark

The Eastern Meadowlark lives in open grasslands and farms. It has a yellow belly with a bold black “V” on its chest. Its flute-like song carries far across fields. This ground-nesting wild bird feeds on seeds and insects. Habitat loss has reduced its numbers in some states.

Eastern Towhee

The Eastern Towhee prefers forest edges and thick shrubs. It scratches the ground with both feet to find food. Males have black upperparts while females appear brown. This shy backyard bird often hides in brush but sings loudly during spring.

Eastern Phoebe

The Eastern Phoebe is a small gray-brown flycatcher. It frequently wags its tail while perched. You may see it near barns, bridges, or wooded areas. It catches flying insects in midair. This adaptable North American bird often returns to the same nesting site each year.

Eastern Kingbird

The Eastern Kingbird is bold and fearless. It has dark plumage with a white-tipped tail. This bird aggressively defends its territory, even chasing larger birds away. It feeds mainly on insects. Farmers appreciate this helpful insect-eating bird during summer months.

Eastern Screech-Owl

The Eastern Screech-Owl is a small nocturnal bird found in woodlands. It comes in gray or reddish color forms. Despite its name, it produces soft trills rather than loud screeches. It hunts small mammals and insects at night. Many live quietly in suburban neighborhoods.

Eastern Whip-poor-will

The Eastern Whip-poor-will is famous for its repeating call. Its name sounds like its song. This night-active forest bird blends perfectly with leaf litter. It feeds on flying insects at dusk. You will hear it more often than you see it.

Eastern Wood-Pewee

The Eastern Wood-Pewee is a small flycatcher that lives high in forest canopies. It has plain olive-gray feathers. Its soft “pee-a-wee” call echoes through the trees. This calm migratory bird travels between North and South America each year.

Evening Grosbeak

The Evening Grosbeak is a chunky finch with a thick bill. Males show bright yellow and black colors. It prefers conifer forests in northern regions. This striking seed-eating bird sometimes visits backyard feeders during winter.

Eared Grebe

The Eared Grebe is a small diving water bird. During breeding season, golden feather tufts appear behind its eyes. It swims low in lakes and ponds. This bird feeds on aquatic insects and small crustaceans. Large flocks gather on western lakes during migration.

Raptors & Large Birds Starting With E

Eagle

Eastern Imperial Eagle

The Eastern Imperial Eagle lives mainly in Europe and Asia. It prefers open plains and steppe regions. This large raptor builds massive nests in tall trees. Sadly, habitat loss has reduced its population in many areas.

Egyptian Vulture

The Egyptian Vulture is known for its intelligence. It uses stones to break open large eggs. This behavior shows advanced problem-solving skills. It feeds mainly on carrion and helps keep ecosystems clean.

European Honey Buzzard

The European Honey Buzzard specializes in eating wasp larvae. It has thick facial feathers that protect it from stings. Unlike many raptors, it migrates long distances between Europe and Africa each year.

Emu

The Emu is a large, flightless bird from Australia. It stands nearly six feet tall. Though it cannot fly, it runs very fast. The Emu lives in open grasslands and uses strong legs for defense.

Emperor Goose

The Emperor Goose breeds in Alaska. It has beautiful gray and white plumage. This waterfowl feeds in coastal marshes and tidal flats. It migrates seasonally along northern coastlines.

Water & Shore Birds That Start With E

Elegant Tern

The Elegant Tern lives along the Pacific coast. It has a long orange bill and sharp wings. This water bird dives into the ocean to catch fish. It nests in large coastal colonies.

Eurasian Wigeon

The Eurasian Wigeon is a type of duck. It has a round head and short bill. Though native to Europe and Asia, it sometimes appears in North America during migration.

Eurasian Oystercatcher

This shorebird has a long red bill. It uses it to open shellfish along rocky shores. Its black and white body makes it easy to recognize in coastal habitats.

Eurasian Spoonbill

The Eurasian Spoonbill has a long bill shaped like a spoon. It sweeps its bill through shallow water to catch fish. This bird often nests in colonies near wetlands.

Eskimo Curlew

The Eskimo Curlew was once common in North America. Overhunting and habitat loss caused its population to collapse. Many scientists believe it may now be extinct.

European & Asian Birds Starting With E

Eurasian Collared-Dove

The Eurasian Collared-Dove spread rapidly across North America. It has a black collar marking on its neck. This adaptable bird lives in towns, farms, and suburban areas.

Eurasian Tree Sparrow

The Eurasian Tree Sparrow looks similar to the House Sparrow. It has a small black spot on its cheek. This bird prefers farmland and open countryside.

European Starling

The European Starling was introduced to the United States in the 1800s. It forms large flocks called murmurations. Its glossy feathers shine with green and purple tones.

European Robin

The European Robin has a bright orange chest. It sings throughout the year. Though common in Europe, it is not native to North America.

Eastern Olivaceous Warbler

This small songbird breeds in southern Europe. It prefers dry open woodlands. Its plain coloring helps it blend into tree branches.

Unique & Exotic Birds That Start With E

Elf Owl

The Elf Owl is the smallest owl in North America. It lives in desert regions. This tiny nocturnal bird nests in cactus cavities and feeds mostly on insects.

Emerald Toucanet

The Emerald Toucanet has bright green feathers and a colorful bill. It lives in Central American forests. This bird feeds mainly on fruit and small insects.

Ethiopian Oriole

The Ethiopian Oriole is native to parts of Africa. It has striking yellow plumage. This forest bird builds hanging nests in tall trees.

Emei Shan Liocichla

The Emei Shan Liocichla lives in mountain forests in China. It has colorful feathers and a soft song. Habitat loss threatens its population.

Quick Comparison Table of Birds That Start With E

Bird Name	Average Size	Habitat	Region	Diet
Eastern Bluebird	6–8 in	Fields	North America	Insects
Eastern Meadowlark	7–10 in	Grasslands	North America	Seeds, insects
Eastern Towhee	7–9 in	Forest edges	North America	Seeds
Eastern Phoebe	5–7 in	Open woods	North America	Insects
Eastern Kingbird	7–9 in	Fields	North America	Insects
Eastern Screech-Owl	6–10 in	Woodlands	North America	Small mammals
Eastern Whip-poor-will	8–10 in	Forests	North America	Insects
Eastern Wood-Pewee	5–6 in	Forest canopy	North America	Insects
Evening Grosbeak	7–8 in	Conifer forests	North America	Seeds
Eared Grebe	11–13 in	Lakes	North America	Aquatic insects
Eagle	28–40 in	Mountains	Worldwide	Fish, mammals
Eastern Imperial Eagle	28–33 in	Plains	Europe, Asia	Mammals
Egyptian Vulture	23–28 in	Open country	Africa, Europe	Carrion
European Honey Buzzard	20–24 in	Forests	Europe	Wasp larvae
Emu	Up to 6 ft	Grasslands	Australia	Plants
Emperor Goose	25–27 in	Coastal marshes	Alaska	Plants
Elegant Tern	16–20 in	Coast	Pacific	Fish
Eurasian Wigeon	16–20 in	Wetlands	Europe, Asia	Plants
Eurasian Oystercatcher	15–17 in	Shorelines	Europe	Shellfish
Eurasian Spoonbill	31–37 in	Wetlands	Europe, Asia	Fish
Eskimo Curlew	12–14 in	Tundra	North America	Insects
Eurasian Collared-Dove	11–12 in	Urban areas	Worldwide	Seeds
Eurasian Tree Sparrow	5–6 in	Farmland	Europe, Asia	Seeds
European Starling	7–9 in	Cities	Worldwide	Insects
European Robin	5–6 in	Gardens	Europe	Insects
Eastern Olivaceous Warbler	5–6 in	Woodlands	Europe	Insects
Elf Owl	5–6 in	Desert	USA	Insects
Emerald Toucanet	12–14 in	Rainforest	Central America	Fruit
Ethiopian Oriole	9–10 in	Forest	Africa	Insects
Emei Shan Liocichla	8–9 in	Mountain forest	China	Insects

Bird Families That Start With E

Eagles belong to the Accipitridae family. Egrets belong to the Ardeidae family. Emus belong to the Dromaiidae family. These bird families share physical features and feeding behaviors.

Understanding families helps birdwatchers identify species faster. You start noticing body shape, bill type, and flight style instead of only color. This makes learning about birds that start with E much easier.

Fun Facts about Birds That Start With E

The Eastern Whip-poor-will gets its name from its call. It repeats the same sound many times at night. European Starlings can mimic other bird sounds and even mechanical noises.

Eagles can see prey from over a mile away. Elf Owls weigh less than two ounces. These surprising facts make birds that start with E truly unforgettable.

Conclusion

You have now explored 30 incredible birds that start with E. From tiny desert owls to powerful eagles, each species plays an important role in nature.

Learning about these birds increases respect for wildlife. It also shows how diverse the natural world truly is. The next time someone asks for a bird that begins with E, you will have many answers ready.

FAQs 

What is the most common bird that starts with E?

The Eastern Bluebird and European Starling are among the most common birds that start with E in the United States.

What is the largest bird that starts with E?

The Emu is the largest bird that starts with E, standing up to six feet tall and native to Australia.

What is the smallest bird that starts with E?

The Elf Owl is the smallest, measuring about five to six inches and living in the southwestern United States.

Are any birds that start with E endangered?

Yes, species like the Eastern Imperial Eagle face threats due to habitat loss and declining food sources.

What bird that starts with E is a raptor?

The Eagle, Eastern Imperial Eagle, and Egyptian Vulture are powerful raptors that begin with the letter E.