There are many marvels in nature, and among them are the amazing creatures known as birds. With its distinct characteristics, each bird in this list of Birds That Start with M gives an insight into the vibrant and varied world of avian marvels. Discover their eating schedules, habitats, and a lot more below.
Different Types of Birds That Start With M
Mexican Jay (Aphelocoma Wollweberi)
Mexican Jays are medium-sized corvids that are native to the Mexican Central Plateau, the Sierra Madre Oriental and Occidental, the southwestern United States, and montane pine-oak woods. They have a pale grey breast and underparts with a blue head, bluish-grey mantle, wings, and tail. Males and females in adulthood have the same appearance, indicating sexual monomorphism.
Mexican Jays are omnivores by nature, and their food consists of a variety of plants, insects, tiny amphibians, and reptiles.
Magpie Goose (Anseranas Semipalmata)
The only surviving member of the Anseranatidae family of birds, the medium-sized Magpie Goose (Anseranas Semipalmata), is mostly located in southern New Guinea and northern Australia. Both sexes are similar in appearance, with the males being larger, and can be distinguished by their black and white plumage and yellowish legs.
Magpie Geese are distinguished by their loud, honking cries, which birdwatchers use to identify them in the field. They mostly eat vegetation, both on land and on water.
Maned Owl (Jubula Lettii)
The sole species of owl native to Africa is the Maned Owl (Jubula Lettii), a large-headed owl in the Jubula genus. Living in tropical and canopy evergreen rainforests in West Africa, they have distinctive feathers with white tips that resemble a mane.
Their necks are deep chestnut, with a white throat and a black face disc. As omnivores, maned owls mostly consume greenery and insects.
Marsh Sandpiper (Tringa Stagnatilis)
Small migratory waders, Marsh Sandpiper (Tringa Stagnatilis) breed in taiga wetlands from east Europe to far east Russia. While some go to Australia and Southeast Asia, others spend the winter in Africa and India.
Their breeding plumage has a greenish-brown color that fades with winter. They have a conspicuous white wedge on their back when they are in flight. The majority of marsh sandpipers’ diet is insects; they are mostly insectivores.
Milky Stork (Mycteria Cinerea)
Nestled in mangroves, peat swamps, estuaries, and freshwater environments, Milky Storks (Mycteria Cinerea) are endemic to Southeast Asia. Fish farming and timber extraction pose dangers to the population of this endangered species, according to the IUCN.
The Milky Stork is a medium-sized bird with milk-white plumage and blackish flight feathers that gleam green. Its face skin is grey or dark maroon, and it has indecent black patches. These storks, which are easily recognized by their orange legs, yellowish-orange bills, and distinctive head feathers, mostly consume catfish and mudskippers.
Macaroni Penguin (Eudyptes Chrysolophus)
One of the six species of crested penguins found in the Antarctic Peninsula and Subantarctic, macaroni penguins (Eudyptes Chrysolophus) are distinguished by their characteristic yellow crest. Their black plumage has a bluish undertone, and their legs are pink-dipped. Their rich black upper parts contrast sharply with their milk-white underparts.
Male Macaroni Penguins are larger than females even though they do not exhibit sexual dimorphism in their plumage. The primary food source for these cherished seabirds is marine life, including as krill, small fish, and several types of crabs.
Mangrove Hummingbird (Amazilia Boucardi)
The Trochilidae family’s endemic to Costa Rica, the Mangrove Hummingbird (Amazilia Boucardi), is a tropical mangrove ecosystem specialist. Unfortunately, the building of shrimp ponds and the production of charcoal are the main causes of the population’s endangerment.
Known by their common diet, tea mangrove blooms provide the nectar that these hummingbirds eat.
Mediterranean Gull (Ichthyaetus Melanocephalus)
Southern Europe and Ireland are home to Mediterranean Gulls (Ichthyaetus Melanocephalus), which breed in mixed family colonies in inland and coastal areas surrounding the Black Sea and central Turkey. They have jet-black plumes, whitish-grey wings, and a characteristic hefty, blood-red beak. They are most active throughout the winter. The main foods they eat are worms and beetle larvae.
Marbled Duck (Marmaronetta Angustirostris)
Endemic to southern Europe, Marbled Ducks (Marmaronetta Angustirostris) were originally prevalent in the Mediterranean but now also frequent the marshes of southern Iraq. Thriving in brackish wetlands, these ducks are recognized for their elegant sandy, off-white color. Marbled Ducks have a diverse diet, including seeds, insects, and aquatic grass.
Mosque Swallow (Cecropis Senegalensis)
Non-migratory Mosque Swallows (Cecropis Senegalensis) breed in sub-Saharan Africa, ranking as the heaviest in the swallow family. While their population increases, they aren’t endemic to any specific region.
These swallows, which are easily identified by their shiny blue cap and pale rufous neck, breed all year round. They are attracted to bush fires and their main source of food is termite and ant colonies.
Mottled Piculet (Picumnus Nebulosus)
Small and endemic to eastern Brazil and Argentina, the Mottled Piculet (Picumnus Nebulosus) inhabits tropical and subtropical lowlands. They can be identified by their rust-colored wings and red patches on their crowns. They also make unique chirps, hums, and whistles.
Little invertebrates have been found in their nesting stems, while their precise eating habits are still unknown. Unfortunately, habitat degradation has resulted in a steady reduction in their population, placing them in danger of becoming extinct.
Merlin (Falco Columbarius)
Merlins, part of the falcon family (Falco Columbarius), are compact birds with various subspecies found in North America and Eurasia. Some migrate to tropical and northern regions during winter, breeding in the Northern Holarctic.
Males showcase a bluish-grey back and orange underparts with reddish-brown or black highlights, while females exhibit brownish-grey upper parts and brown lower parts with a white tint. As agile predators, they predominantly prey on small mammals and insects, highlighting their adaptability within the falconidae family.
Mountain Bluebird (Sialia Currucoides)
Mountain Bluebirds, also known as Sialia Currucoides, are little birds that migrate throughout western North America where they reproduce. They spend their summers in western Canada and Alaska, while their winter hideaway is in Mexico.
Feathers differ in sexual dimorphism even if they are equal in size. Females are mostly grey with light blue wings and tails, while males have turquoise-blue upperparts, paler underparts, and a whitish belly.
These adorable birds eat insects for food in the winter and switch to berries in the summer.
Mandarin Duck (Aix Galericulata)
The mandarin duck, a medium-sized waterfowl native to the East Palearctic and a member of the Aix genus, breeds in heavily forested areas surrounding lakes, ponds, and wetlands.
Distinctive features include the males’ crimson face and a large, white crescent above their eyes, while females possess a somewhat hooked bill, pale underparts, and a small whitish flank stripe. Both genders exhibit crests, but the males’ violet crest is more prominent. Mandarin ducks primarily sustain themselves on a diet of plants and seeds.
Mourning Dove (Zenaida Macroura)
Abundant in North America, Mourning Doves are skilled fliers and serve as the national bird of the British Virgin Islands. Characterized by medium size, slender bills, rounded heads, and broad elliptical wings, these doves display sexual dimorphism. Males feature bluish-grey crowns and purplish neck patches, while slightly smaller females exhibit a more brownish body shade. Despite being omnivores, Mourning Doves primarily rely on seeds for sustenance, occasionally incorporating snails or insects into their diet.
Marsh Owl (Asio Capensis)
The Marsh Owl (Asio Capensis) is a nocturnal owl inhabiting South African grasslands, open grasslands, scrubs, and marshlands. Recognizable by their pumpkin-like heads, they possess a facial disc with a dark brown rim and polished speckles. Males have a paler coloration than females, and their tails are tipped in white. Marsh Owls contribute to the ecosystem by feeding on a diet of small invertebrates, rodents, beetles, grasshoppers, and other diminutive insects
Mottled Duck (Anas Fulvigula)
Mottled Ducks (Anas Fulvigula), medium-sized dabbling ducks, are prevalent in the Mexican Gulf. With lighter heads and necks, black bodies, and orange legs, both sexes showcase a vivid greenish-blue speculum. The male’s bill is light yellow, while the female’s is deep orange with occasional black spots. Mottled ducks employ ground grazing and dabbling in shallow waters for prey capture, predominantly feeding on aquatic insects and plants.
Melodious Warbler (Hippolais Polyglotta)
Melodious Warblers, medium-sized migratory birds, breed in northwest Africa and southwest Europe, wintering in sub-Saharan Africa. Thriving in open forests and shrublands, adults exhibit yellow underparts, a simple brownish back, brown legs, and a solid, pointed beak. Sexually monomorphic, they produce a pleasant gurgling sound and primarily feed on insects, occasionally indulging in fruit.
Mountain Pygmy-Owl (Glaucidium Gnoma)
Endemic to Central America, the Mountain Pygmy-Owl (Glaucidium Gnoma) thrives in humid pine evergreen forests of mountainous regions. With a brown facial disk and whitish eyebrows, they flaunt greyish-brown or brown upperparts adorned with polished white spots. Their nocturnal habits extend to active hunting during dusk and dawn, targeting small insects, reptiles, small mammals, and fellow birds.
Mute Swan (Cygnus Olor)
One of the heaviest flying birds, Mute Swans (Cygnus Olor), are indigenous waterfowl to the Eurosiberian region. They are occasionally spotted as uncommon visitors in North Africa. Living in temperate Europe, males are larger and have noticeable beak knobs; when they become older, their feathers turn orange-brown.
Mute Swans are strictly vegetarians and eat mostly crops such as oilseeds and wheat.
Mallard (Anas Platyrhynchos)
Mallards (Anas Platyrhynchos), medium-sized dabbling ducks, are abundant in the Northern and Southern hemispheres, particularly common in the southern parts of North America. Thriving in diverse climates, from Arctic Tundra to Subtropical regions, males flaunt a yellowish-orange bill with light black, while females typically showcase a dark black to mottled orange one.
These waterfowls exhibit distinctive purplish-blue speculum feathers, easily noticeable in flight. Primarily feeding on insects, seeds, and plant matter, Mallards adapt to various environments.
Mikado Pheasant (Syrmaticus Mikado)
Native to Taiwan, Mikado Pheasants (Syrmaticus Mikado) live in mountainous areas and thickets, exhibiting a solitary lifestyle and perpetual alertness. They keep a varied diet of leaves, fruits, and invertebrates and prefer short flights for foraging.
Although poaching and hunting have led to a drop in population, conservation efforts are still in full swing. Mikado Pheasants have characteristic blue and white wing markings on top of a red face. Males are noticeably bigger than females, demonstrating sexual dimorphism.
Mediterranean Flycatcher (Muscicapa Tyrrhenica)
Migratory songbirds, the Mediterranean Flycatcher (Muscicapa Tyrrhenica), breed in Sardinia and Corsica and spend the winter in Africa. With a pointed black bill and whitish underparts, they have a greyish-brown body, long wings, and tails, and they prefer wooded habitats.
These flycatchers are slender, have an erect stance, hunt insects from perches, and make a gentle, high-pitched call.
Mottled Owl (Ciccaba Virgata)
The Mottled Owl (Ciccaba Virgata), a medium-sized species in Central and South America, occupies regions from Mexico to Brazil and Argentina. Commonly found in rainforests, pine forests, and woodlands, these owls exhibit sexual dimorphism, with females notably larger than males. Lacking ear tufts, they showcase a polished brown back and white underparts with vertical lines on the chest and throat. Nocturnal hunters, Mottled Owls prey on small mammals, birds, reptiles, and insects.
Martial Eagle (Polemaetus Bellicosus)
The Martial Eagle (Polemaetus Bellicosus), the sole species in the Polemaetus genus, is native to sub-Saharan Africa, recognized for its ability to soar for long hours. Classified as Endangered due to low reproductive rates, these eagles thrive in open woodlands, woodland edges, and thorn bushes.
Remarkably sexually dimorphic, Martial Eagles employ unique hunting techniques as opportunistic predators, preying on mammals, birds, and reptiles.
Masked Booby (Sula Dactylatra)
Large seabird of the Sulidae family, the Masked Booby (Sula Dactylatra) is found from the Arabian Peninsula and East Africa to Sumatra and Western Australia. These birds, which go by other names like “Masked Gannet” and “Blue-faced Booby,” have fluid-shaped bodies, long, pointed bills and tails, and thin wings. Their throat and face have bluish-black skin, giving their plumage a mask-like white appearance.
Despite having comparable plumage, females exhibit sexual dimorphism in terms of size, with larger, heavier birds. Fish is the main source of food for Masked Boobies.
Mistletoebird (Dicaeum Hirundinaceum)
Native to the Americas, the Mistletoebird (Dicaeum Hirundinaceum) is a parasitic species that feeds on mistletoe trees. It belongs to the Dicaeidae family. Through their excrement, they help the fruits of the plant germinate. They eat on these fruits.
Males have a blue-black head, white belly, and a crimson tone under the tail. They fly quickly far above the canopy. Feathers on females are white and grey, with a crimson tint beneath the tail.
Malabar Grey Hornbill (Ocyceros Griseus)
Only found in India’s Western Ghats, the Malabar Grey Hornbill (Ocyceros Griseus) is one of the tiniest hornbills in Asia. Regretfully, for unknown reasons, their population density has been dropping.
Males have red beaks, females have yellow beaks, and they have brown-grey wings with whitish stripes. Easily identified by their characteristic laughing/cracking sound, Malabar Hornbills eat mostly forest fruits and sometimes small mammals.
Metallic Pigeon (Columba Vitiensis)
A member of the Columbidae family, the Metallic Pigeon (Columba Vitiensis) is found in tropical woods with multiple subspecies in eastern Indonesia, Fiji, the Philippines, and New Guinea.
Both sexes have the same green head, vivid purple plumage, and yellowish bill, and they both have a high-pitched “coo.” The main food sources for these pigeons are fruits, grains, and berries, which helps to explain their population’s constant increase.
Masked Finch (Poephila Personata)
Small songbirds found in northern Australia called Masked Finches (Poephila Personata) are said to have come from India. This species, which is expanding in number, is widely distributed and thrives in Australian savannahs and grasslands.
Masked Finches are predominantly grass seed eaters, with their cinnamon-brown plumage, black face, yellow bill, and either a white or black tail. The mornings are when these little, gregarious birds are most vocal.
People Who Read This Also Read:
