List of least concern birds facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

Birds are amazing creatures that live all over the world! But did you know that some birds are doing really well, while others need our help? The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) keeps track of how many animals are safe and how many are in danger.

In December 2019, the IUCN looked at many bird species. They found that a huge number, about 76.9% of all the birds they checked, are considered 'least concern'. This means these birds are not currently at risk of disappearing. It's great news because it shows that many bird populations are strong and healthy!

This article will tell you about some of these 'least concern' birds. We'll explore different types of birds, from penguins to parrots, and learn a little about them.

What Does 'Least Concern' Mean for Birds?

When a bird species is listed as 'least concern', it means that scientists have looked at its population and found that there are lots of them. Their numbers are stable, and they are not facing major threats right now. This is the best conservation status a species can have!

Cool Birds That Are 'Least Concern'

Let's meet some of the amazing birds that are doing well in the world!

Penguins: Wobbly Walkers of the Cold

Penguins are super cool birds that live mostly in the Southern Hemisphere. They can't fly, but they are fantastic swimmers! They use their wings like flippers to zoom through the water.

Some 'least concern' penguin species include:

King penguin: These are the second-largest penguins. They have bright orange patches on their heads and chests.
Little penguin: As their name suggests, these are the smallest penguins. They are found in Australia and New Zealand.
Chinstrap penguin: You can spot these penguins by the thin black line that looks like a strap under their chin.
Magellanic penguin: These penguins live in South America and are known for their black and white bands.

Procellariiformes: Ocean Wanderers

This group includes birds that spend most of their lives over the ocean, like petrels and albatrosses. They are known for their long wings, which help them glide over vast distances. There are 54 species in this group that are 'least concern'.

Petrels and Shearwaters

These birds are masters of flying over the open sea. They often come to land only to nest.

Flesh-footed shearwater: These birds have a pinkish bill and are found in the Pacific and Indian Oceans.
Northern fulmar: These birds look a bit like gulls but are related to albatrosses. They live in the North Atlantic and North Pacific.
Soft-plumaged petrel: These petrels are found in the Southern Ocean and are known for their soft, grey feathers.

Storm Petrels

These small, dark birds flutter over the waves, often looking for tiny sea creatures to eat.

Wilson's storm petrel: One of the most common seabirds, found in oceans worldwide.
European storm petrel: A small, dark storm petrel found in the North Atlantic.

Gruiformes: Cranes and Rails

This group is quite diverse, including large, elegant cranes and smaller, secretive rails. There are 98 'least concern' species in this group.

Cranes

Cranes are tall, long-legged birds known for their beautiful dances and loud calls.

Demoiselle crane: These are the smallest cranes and have a very graceful appearance.
Common crane: Found across Europe and Asia, these cranes are known for their impressive migrations.

Rails and Coots

Rails are often shy birds that live in marshy areas, while coots are more commonly seen on open water.

Eurasian coot: A common water bird with a distinctive white shield on its forehead.
Common moorhen: These birds are often found near ponds and rivers, with a red shield on their face.

Parrots: Colorful and Clever Birds

Parrots are famous for their bright colors and ability to mimic sounds. There are 226 'least concern' parrot species.

Cockatoos

Cockatoos are a type of parrot known for their crests and playful personalities.

Sulphur-crested cockatoo: These large, white parrots have a striking yellow crest.
Galah: Also known as the Rose-breasted cockatoo, they are pink and grey and very common in Australia.
Cockatiel: Small and popular as pets, cockatiels have a long tail and a crest.

True Parrots (Psittacids)

This is a huge group that includes many familiar parrots, parakeets, and macaws.

Blue-and-yellow macaw: Large, vibrant blue and yellow parrots from South America.
Budgerigar: Small, green and yellow parakeets, very popular as pets.
Crimson rosella: Beautiful red and blue parrots found in southeastern Australia.
Senegal parrot: Small, green parrots with a grey head and orange belly, from West Africa.
Rainbow lorikeet: Known for their incredibly colorful feathers, these lorikeets feed on nectar.

Accipitriformes: Birds of Prey

This group includes many powerful birds of prey that hunt during the day, like eagles, hawks, and vultures. There are 163 'least concern' species.

Eagles and Hawks

These birds are known for their sharp eyesight and strong talons.

Golden eagle: A large, powerful eagle found across the Northern Hemisphere.
Red-tailed hawk: A common hawk in North America, easily recognized by its reddish tail.
Bald eagle: The national bird of the United States, known for its white head and tail.

Kites and Harriers

Kites are often seen gliding gracefully, while harriers hunt low over open fields.

Black kite: A very common and widespread bird of prey, often seen near human settlements.
Hen harrier: A slender bird of prey that hunts by flying low over grasslands.

Owls: Night Hunters

Owls are fascinating birds of prey known for their nocturnal habits and excellent hearing and vision. There are 160 'least concern' owl species.

Barn Owls

Barn owls are known for their heart-shaped faces and silent flight.

Barn owl: One of the most widespread bird species, found almost everywhere except Antarctica.

Typical Owls (Strigidae)

This is the largest family of owls, with many different sizes and types.

Eurasian eagle-owl: One of the largest owls in the world, with distinctive ear tufts.
Little owl: A small, compact owl often seen in open countryside.
Ferruginous pygmy owl: A tiny owl with a "false face" on the back of its head to fool predators.
Barred owl: Known for its "Who cooks for you?" call, found in North America.

Pigeons and Doves: Common City Dwellers and Forest Birds

Pigeons and doves are found all over the world, from busy cities to quiet forests. They are known for their cooing sounds and often eat seeds and fruits.

Rock dove: This is the wild ancestor of the common city pigeon you see everywhere!
Eurasian collared dove: A very successful species that has spread widely across Europe and Asia.
Mourning dove: A common bird in North America, known for its sad-sounding call.
Pacific imperial pigeon: A large, beautiful pigeon found on islands in the Pacific.

Swallows: Acrobats of the Air

Swallows are small birds known for their amazing aerial skills. They catch insects while flying.

Barn swallow: One of the most recognizable swallows, known for its long, forked tail and graceful flight. They build mud nests on buildings.
Common house martin: These swallows build cup-shaped mud nests under eaves of houses.
Tree swallow: Found in North America, these iridescent blue-green swallows often nest in tree cavities.

Woodpeckers: Drummers of the Forest

Woodpeckers are famous for pecking holes in trees to find insects or create nests. Their strong beaks and special skulls help them withstand the impact.

Black woodpecker: A very large, all-black woodpecker with a red cap, found in Europe and Asia.
Acorn woodpecker: These unique woodpeckers store acorns in holes they drill in trees, creating "granary trees."
Downy woodpecker: The smallest and most common woodpecker in North America.
European green woodpecker: A large, green woodpecker that often feeds on ants on the ground.