# Are there any common bird names that begin with the letter "X"? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [September 13, 2006, 3:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-common-bird-names-that-begin-with-the-letter-x/372493 "2006-09-13T03:04:21Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![cruel\_butterfly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/5daacb/32.png) [@cruel\_butterfly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cruel_butterfly)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2006, 3:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-common-bird-names-that-begin-with-the-letter-x/372493/1 "2006-09-13T03:04:21Z")
Some friends gave my two-year-old son an alphabet set made out of that quarter-inch-thick dense foam. Each piece is about the size of a CD, cut in the shape of an animal, and features the corresponding letter of the alphabet as a pop-out in the middle. The alligator has a letter “A” that pops out. “B” for bear. And so on. It all made perfect sense to me as I spread them out on the floor (to make sure I had them all, of course) until I came to the “X.” The animal is a bird of some sort. 😕 I can’t think of a bird name that begins with “X” and it’s really bugging me. Oh, I’m sure that somewhere out there, there’s a species that begins with “X,” but this alphabet is a child’s toy. If it were the Fisher Price Taxonomy Alphabet, the bear would have a “U” on it instead of a “B.” So what the heck kind of bird were they trying to represent? Or were they just hoping that parents wouldn’t pay attention? ---
**Author:** ![Cunctator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/43a26b/32.png) [@Cunctator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cunctator)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2006, 3:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-common-bird-names-that-begin-with-the-letter-x/372493/2 "2006-09-13T03:08:15Z")
I don’t know how common they are, but I came across this bird once in a scrabble game: [xenops](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xenops) ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2006, 3:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-common-bird-names-that-begin-with-the-letter-x/372493/3 "2006-09-13T03:15:39Z")
There are in fact two kinds of birds whose common English name begins with X, the [Xenops](http://www.avesphoto.com/website/pictures/XENPLN-1.jpg), with five species (Plain Xenops, Streaked Xenops, Slender-billed Xenops, Rufous-tailed Xenops, and Great Xenops), and the White-naped Xenopsaris. The common name is based on the scientific name (although the Great Xenops is actually in the genus _Megaxenops_ ). ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2006, 3:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-common-bird-names-that-begin-with-the-letter-x/372493/4 "2006-09-13T03:17:03Z")
Xenops are actually pretty common here in Panama; I see a few almost every time I go birding in forest. It’s sort of like a creeper; its in a tropical family called the Furnariidae, or Ovenbirds. ---
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2006, 3:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-common-bird-names-that-begin-with-the-letter-x/372493/5 "2006-09-13T03:19:33Z")
Yep, it’s Xenops (sez the mommy.) If you do a Google image search on Xenops, the first image in the third row is a childish drawing of a bird which says “X is for Xenops.” And it’s also on this [license plate frame](http://www.cafepress.com/buy/heat%20wave/-/pv_design_prod/p_storeid.57161596/pNo_57161596/id_12437446/opt_/pg_/c_/fpt_) from Cafe Press. I’m not sure when this started - sometime in the past 15 years, 'cause my son learned “X is for X-ray” or “X is for Xylephone” back in the early 90’s, and my toddler daughter’s books have xenopses. (Help me out here, it IS pronounced “ZEE-nahps”, isn’t it? I’m never sure when I’m reading aloud to her.) ---
**Author:** ![cruel\_butterfly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/5daacb/32.png) [@cruel\_butterfly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cruel_butterfly)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2006, 3:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-common-bird-names-that-begin-with-the-letter-x/372493/6 "2006-09-13T03:23:40Z")
Not that this means much, but I’ve never heard of any of those birds. I’m not an ornithologist, however, and I respectfully appreciate the feedback. I’m so excited to add “xenops” to my toddler’s vocabulary. ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2006, 3:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-common-bird-names-that-begin-with-the-letter-x/372493/7 "2006-09-13T03:25:58Z")
Yes, ZEE-nops is how we pronounce it. That’s undoubtedly the bird that is meant. There are over 20 Latin generic names that begin with X, but Xenops and [Xenopsaris](http://www.fotosaves.com.ar/Passeriformes/Cotingidae/Tijerilla_Ceibas_Oct2001x.jpg) are the only English common names that do, and Xenops are a lot more common and widespread than the Xenopsaris. ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2006, 3:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-common-bird-names-that-begin-with-the-letter-x/372493/8 "2006-09-13T03:27:23Z")
[QUOTE=cruel butterfly] Not that this means much, but I’ve never heard of any of those birds. [/QUOTE] It’s not surprising, since they are only found in the tropics. But they do solve the requirement for an animal whose name begins with X. ---
**Author:** ![cruel\_butterfly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/5daacb/32.png) [@cruel\_butterfly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cruel_butterfly)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2006, 3:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-common-bird-names-that-begin-with-the-letter-x/372493/9 "2006-09-13T03:34:30Z")
Not that I didn’t take **Cunctator** ’s word for it, but as I hit “submit” to start this thread, I swear I was thinking, “I wonder how long it’ll take for **Colibri** to pop in on this one?” Apparently, not long. ---
**Author:** ![Cervaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cervaise/32/16693_2.png) [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2006, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-common-bird-names-that-begin-with-the-letter-x/372493/10 "2006-09-13T14:11:31Z")
[QUOTE=Colibri] the [Xenops](http://www.avesphoto.com/website/pictures/XENPLN-1.jpg) [/QUOTE] Apropos of not very much, is it true that hobbyist birders sometimes refer to a critter like as an El Beebee? As in LBB, for little brown bird, when one doesn’t get a good enough look at it to know what it is. ---
**Author:** ![Bobotheoptimist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/919ad9/32.png) [@Bobotheoptimist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bobotheoptimist)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2006, 2:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-common-bird-names-that-begin-with-the-letter-x/372493/11 "2006-09-13T14:18:48Z")
Xenops are fond of the first name Xavier, btw. The also like to x-plore ([cite](http://www.stormpay.com/stormpay/user/user_auctions.php?l=133053379&r=P3Y9bCZjPTk0) ) ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2006, 2:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-common-bird-names-that-begin-with-the-letter-x/372493/12 "2006-09-13T14:23:06Z")
[QUOTE=Cervaise] Apropos of not very much, is it true that hobbyist birders sometimes refer to a critter like as an El Beebee? As in LBB, for little brown bird, when one doesn’t get a good enough look at it to know what it is. [/QUOTE] Yes, that’s pretty common. Also LBJ, for Little Brown Job, and sometimes LGB for Little Gray Bird. There are other shorthands for very common species, such as TV for Turkey Vulture, or, around here, TK for Tropical Kingbird. ---
**Author:** ![ChipsNDip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ad7895/32.png) [@ChipsNDip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ChipsNDip)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2006, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-common-bird-names-that-begin-with-the-letter-x/372493/13 "2006-09-13T15:35:02Z")
We have an “animal alphabet” puzzle, and had to learn quite a few new bird names to finish it with our toddler. We thought Q would be quail, but it turned out to be Quetzal. And U was Umbrella Bird. I blame the “save the rainforest” folks for trying to raise awareness of tropical bird species… 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![xanthous](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/53a042/32.png) [@xanthous](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xanthous)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2006, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-common-bird-names-that-begin-with-the-letter-x/372493/14 "2006-09-13T19:41:40Z")
I don’t think anyone mentioned it here, but there is also a Xantus’s Murrelet, however it’s not too common, as it’s pelagic and only comes inland to the southern Cal region to breed. ---
**Author:** ![Monty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/monty/32/47_2.png) [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2006, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-common-bird-names-that-begin-with-the-letter-x/372493/15 "2006-09-13T23:01:28Z")
I’ve thought for years now that Xavier was a pretty common middle name. Most of the guys I know who are Catholic and have the first name Francis have the middle name of Xavier. Every one of them I know goes by Frank. Can’t say as I blame them. ---
**Author:** ![Opus1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/858c86/32.png) [@Opus1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Opus1)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2006, 5:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-common-bird-names-that-begin-with-the-letter-x/372493/16 "2006-09-14T05:32:35Z")
Another X bird is the Xeme, Latin name Xema Sabinii, also called Sabine’s gull. Link: [http://www.neseabirds.com/sabinegull.htm](http://www.neseabirds.com/sabinegull.htm) ---
**Author:** ![Monty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/monty/32/47_2.png) [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2006, 5:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-common-bird-names-that-begin-with-the-letter-x/372493/17 "2006-09-14T05:49:27Z")
Oops. Thought it said “common first names.” I’m going to have to clean these glasses more often! ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2006, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-common-bird-names-that-begin-with-the-letter-x/372493/18 "2006-09-14T16:32:40Z")
X-parrot. ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2006, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-common-bird-names-that-begin-with-the-letter-x/372493/19 "2006-09-14T16:35:05Z")
[QUOTE=Monty] Oops. Thought it said “common first names.” I’m going to have to clean these glasses more often! [/QUOTE] But how many birds do you know named Xavier? ---
**Author:** ![CC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f1d935/32.png) [@CC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CC)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2006, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-common-bird-names-that-begin-with-the-letter-x/372493/20 "2006-09-14T17:19:12Z")
[QUOTE=runner pat] X-parrot. [/QUOTE] Don’t you mean X- patriot? They fly the coop.