How To Say Bird In French

Learning new words in a different language can be fun and useful. If you are interested in French, you might want to start with something simple and interesting, like learning how to say “bird.” This word is often used in everyday conversations and can also help you talk about animals, nature, or hobbies. Knowing how to say “bird” will bring you a step closer to understanding French better.

In this article, you’ll learn how to say “bird” in French, explore other ways to refer to it, and understand how to use these words in sentences. By the end, you’ll also have fun exercises to practice what you’ve learned. Let’s begin!

Ways to Say “Bird” in French

The word “bird” in French is often used to describe the beautiful creatures we see flying in the sky. Whether you’re talking about nature, a pet, or a bird-themed art piece, knowing how to say it in French adds an elegant touch to your vocabulary. Below, we’ll explore the different ways to say “bird” in French, along with their meanings and examples of how to use them.

1. Oiseau

Pronunciation: wah-zoh
Meaning: Bird (general term).
In a Sentence:

  • J’ai vu un bel oiseau dans le jardin. (I saw a beautiful bird in the garden.)
  • Les oiseaux chantent chaque matin. (The birds sing every morning.)

2. Petit oiseau

Pronunciation: puh-tee wah-zoh
Meaning: Little bird.
In a Sentence:

  • Un petit oiseau est entré par la fenêtre. (A little bird came through the window.)
  • Les enfants ont nourri un petit oiseau dans le parc. (The children fed a little bird in the park.)

3. Oisillon

Pronunciation: wah-zee-yohn
Meaning: Baby bird or nestling.
In a Sentence:

  • L’oisillon attend que sa mère lui apporte de la nourriture. (The baby bird waits for its mother to bring food.)
  • Il y avait plusieurs oisillons dans le nid. (There were several baby birds in the nest.)

4. Colibri

Pronunciation: koh-lee-bree
Meaning: Hummingbird.
In a Sentence:

  • Le colibri vole rapidement entre les fleurs. (The hummingbird flies quickly between the flowers.)
  • Avez-vous déjà vu un colibri en vrai? (Have you ever seen a hummingbird in real life?)

5. Moineau

Pronunciation: mwah-noh
Meaning: Sparrow.
In a Sentence:

  • Un moineau est perché sur la branche. (A sparrow is perched on the branch.)
  • Les moineaux aiment visiter notre terrasse. (The sparrows like to visit our terrace.)

6. Perroquet

Pronunciation: peh-roh-keh
Meaning: Parrot.
In a Sentence:

  • Le perroquet répète les mots que je dis. (The parrot repeats the words I say.)
  • J’aimerais avoir un perroquet comme animal de compagnie. (I would like to have a parrot as a pet.)

7. Corbeau

Pronunciation: kor-boh
Meaning: Crow.
In a Sentence:

  • Un corbeau noir a volé au-dessus de la forêt. (A black crow flew over the forest.)
  • Les corbeaux sont souvent associés à des contes mystiques. (Crows are often associated with mystical tales.)

8. Hirondelle

Pronunciation: ee-rohn-del
Meaning: Swallow (bird species).
In a Sentence:

  • Une hirondelle annonce souvent l’arrivée du printemps. (A swallow often signals the arrival of spring.)
  • Les hirondelles construisent leurs nids sous les toits. (Swallows build their nests under roofs.)

9. Aigle

Pronunciation: egg-luh
Meaning: Eagle.
In a Sentence:

  • L’aigle plane majestueusement dans le ciel. (The eagle soars majestically in the sky.)
  • Un aigle a été aperçu près des montagnes. (An eagle was spotted near the mountains.)

10. Flamant rose

Pronunciation: fla-mahn roze
Meaning: Flamingo.
In a Sentence:

  • Le flamant rose est un oiseau très élégant. (The flamingo is a very elegant bird.)
  • Nous avons vu des flamants roses au zoo. (We saw flamingos at the zoo.)

11. Hibou

Pronunciation: ee-boo
Meaning: Owl.
In a Sentence:

  • Le hibou chasse la nuit. (The owl hunts at night.)
  • Avez-vous entendu le hibou hooter hier soir? (Did you hear the owl hooting last night?)

12. Cygne

Pronunciation: seen
Meaning: Swan.
In a Sentence:

  • Le cygne nage gracieusement sur le lac. (The swan swims gracefully on the lake.)
  • Les cygnes sont souvent vus comme des symboles de beauté. (Swans are often seen as symbols of beauty.)
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13. Faucon

Pronunciation: foh-kohn
Meaning: Falcon.
In a Sentence:

  • Le faucon est un chasseur très agile. (The falcon is a very agile hunter.)
  • J’ai observé un faucon avec des jumelles. (I watched a falcon with binoculars.)

14. Pingouin

Pronunciation: pan-gwan
Meaning: Penguin.
In a Sentence:

  • Les pingouins vivent dans des régions froides. (Penguins live in cold regions.)
  • Un pingouin glissait sur la glace. (A penguin was sliding on the ice.)

15. Paon

Pronunciation: pahn
Meaning: Peacock.
In a Sentence:

  • Le paon a déployé ses plumes pour impressionner. (The peacock spread its feathers to impress.)
  • Nous avons vu un paon dans le jardin botanique. (We saw a peacock in the botanical garden.)

16. Merle

Pronunciation: mehr-luh
Meaning: Blackbird.
In a Sentence:

  • Le merle chante tôt le matin. (The blackbird sings early in the morning.)
  • Un merle s’est posé sur la haie. (A blackbird landed on the hedge.)

17. Pie

Pronunciation: pee
Meaning: Magpie.
In a Sentence:

  • La pie est connue pour sa curiosité. (The magpie is known for its curiosity.)
  • Une pie a volé un objet brillant. (A magpie stole a shiny object.)

18. Canard

Pronunciation: kah-nar
Meaning: Duck.
In a Sentence:

  • Les canards adorent nager dans l’étang. (Ducks love swimming in the pond.)
  • Un canard suivait sa mère partout. (A duck was following its mother everywhere.)

19. Goéland

Pronunciation: goh-eh-lahn
Meaning: Seagull.
In a Sentence:

  • Le goéland volait au-dessus de la plage. (The seagull was flying over the beach.)
  • Les goélands pêchent souvent près des bateaux. (Seagulls often fish near boats.)

20. Autruche

Pronunciation: oh-troosh
Meaning: Ostrich.
In a Sentence:

  • L’autruche est l’oiseau le plus grand du monde. (The ostrich is the largest bird in the world.)
  • Une autruche courait rapidement dans le désert. (An ostrich was running quickly in the desert.)

21. Albatros

Pronunciation: al-bah-troh
Meaning: Albatross.
In a Sentence:

  • L’albatros est célèbre pour ses longs vols au-dessus de l’océan. (The albatross is famous for its long flights over the ocean.)
  • Un albatros suivait le bateau pendant des heures. (An albatross followed the ship for hours.)

22. Rouge-gorge

Pronunciation: rooj-gorzh
Meaning: Robin.
In a Sentence:

  • Le rouge-gorge chante dans les arbres près de la maison. (The robin sings in the trees near the house.)
  • Un rouge-gorge a fait son nid dans mon jardin. (A robin built its nest in my garden.)

23. Grive

Pronunciation: greev
Meaning: Thrush.
In a Sentence:

  • La grive aime chercher des vers dans le sol. (The thrush likes to search for worms in the soil.)
  • J’ai vu une grive dans la forêt ce matin. (I saw a thrush in the forest this morning.)

24. Vautour

Pronunciation: voh-toor
Meaning: Vulture.
In a Sentence:

  • Le vautour est un charognard essentiel pour l’écosystème. (The vulture is a scavenger essential for the ecosystem.)
  • Nous avons observé un vautour en plein vol. (We observed a vulture in flight.)

25. Héron

Pronunciation: eh-rohn
Meaning: Heron.
In a Sentence:

  • Le héron pêche des poissons près de la rivière. (The heron fishes near the river.)
  • Un héron se tenait immobile dans l’eau. (A heron stood still in the water.)

26. Toucan

Pronunciation: too-kahn
Meaning: Toucan.
In a Sentence:

  • Le toucan est connu pour son grand bec coloré. (The toucan is known for its large colorful beak.)
  • J’ai vu un toucan lors de mon voyage en Amazonie. (I saw a toucan during my trip to the Amazon.)

27. Martin-pêcheur

Pronunciation: mar-tan peh-shur
Meaning: Kingfisher.
In a Sentence:

  • Le martin-pêcheur plonge rapidement pour attraper des poissons. (The kingfisher dives quickly to catch fish.)
  • Un martin-pêcheur a été aperçu près du lac. (A kingfisher was spotted near the lake.)
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28. Pélican

Pronunciation: peh-lee-kahn
Meaning: Pelican.
In a Sentence:

  • Le pélican transporte les poissons dans sa poche sous le bec. (The pelican carries fish in the pouch under its beak.)
  • Nous avons vu un pélican au bord de la mer. (We saw a pelican by the sea.)

29. Cormoran

Pronunciation: kor-moh-rahn
Meaning: Cormorant.
In a Sentence:

  • Le cormoran plonge pour attraper sa nourriture. (The cormorant dives to catch its food.)
  • Un groupe de cormorans se reposait sur les rochers. (A group of cormorants rested on the rocks.)

30. Étourneau

Pronunciation: eh-toor-noh
Meaning: Starling.
In a Sentence:

  • Les étourneaux volent souvent en grands groupes. (Starlings often fly in large groups.)
  • J’ai vu un étourneau dans l’arbre près de ma fenêtre. (I saw a starling in the tree near my window.)

31. Pivert

Pronunciation: pee-vehr
Meaning: Woodpecker.
In a Sentence:

  • Le pivert est connu pour son bruit caractéristique. (The woodpecker is known for its distinctive noise.)
  • Un pivert tambourinait contre le tronc de l’arbre. (A woodpecker was drumming against the tree trunk.)

32. Autour

Pronunciation: oh-toor
Meaning: Goshawk.
In a Sentence:

  • L’autour est un rapace rapide et puissant. (The goshawk is a fast and powerful bird of prey.)
  • Un autour a été vu dans les montagnes. (A goshawk was seen in the mountains.)

33. Buse

Pronunciation: buhz
Meaning: Buzzard.
In a Sentence:

  • La buse plane souvent dans le ciel à la recherche de proies. (The buzzard often soars in the sky searching for prey.)
  • J’ai photographié une buse près des champs. (I photographed a buzzard near the fields.)

34. Fauvette

Pronunciation: foh-vet
Meaning: Warbler.
In a Sentence:

  • La fauvette chante merveilleusement au printemps. (The warbler sings beautifully in spring.)
  • Une fauvette s’est posée sur le buisson. (A warbler landed on the bush.)

35. Grue

Pronunciation: grew
Meaning: Crane.
In a Sentence:

  • La grue migre souvent sur de longues distances. (The crane often migrates over long distances.)
  • Nous avons vu une grue dans les marais. (We saw a crane in the marshes.)

Other Ways to Say “Bird” in French

Here are some alternative ways to refer to birds in French. These phrases provide variety and can be useful in different contexts.

Other Ways to SayPronunciationMeaningExample Sentences
Oiseau de proiewah-zoh duh proyBird of preyL’aigle est un oiseau de proie. (The eagle is a bird of prey.)
Plumeauplew-mohSmall bird (literally “little feather”)J’ai trouvé un plumeau dans le jardin. (I found a little bird in the garden.)
Volatilevoh-lah-teelFowl or birdLes volailles de la ferme incluent des canards et des poules. (Farm fowl include ducks and hens.)
Oiseau chanteurwah-zoh shan-teurSongbirdLe merle est un oiseau chanteur. (The blackbird is a songbird.)
Rapacerah-passRaptor or bird of preyLe rapace a saisi sa proie avec ses griffes. (The raptor caught its prey with its claws.)
Palmipèdepahl-mee-pedWaterfowlLes canards et les cygnes sont des palmipèdes. (Ducks and swans are waterfowl.)
Oiseau aquatiquewah-zoh ah-kwa-teekWater birdLes flamants roses sont des oiseaux aquatiques. (Flamingos are water birds.)
Oiseau migrateurwah-zoh mee-grah-teurMigratory birdLes hirondelles sont des oiseaux migrateurs. (Swallows are migratory birds.)
Grand oiseaugrahn wah-zohLarge birdLe cygne est un grand oiseau. (The swan is a large bird.)
Petit volatilepuh-tee voh-lah-teelSmall birdUn petit volatile vole près de la maison. (A small bird is flying near the house.)
AilesellWings (used metaphorically for birds)Les ailes de cet oiseau sont magnifiques. (The wings of this bird are beautiful.)
Plumeuxplew-muhFeathery (used for birds)Cet oiseau plumeux est très rare. (This feathery bird is very rare.)
Oiseau rarewah-zoh rahrRare birdCe perroquet est un oiseau rare. (This parrot is a rare bird.)
NidneeNest (metonymy for birds)Un nid contient souvent plusieurs oisillons. (A nest often holds several baby birds.)
Créature ailéecray-ah-teur ay-layWinged creatureLe hibou est une créature ailée fascinante. (The owl is a fascinating winged creature.)

Responses to “Bird” in French

When someone mentions “oiseau” or any bird-related term in French, you can respond in ways that show interest, curiosity, or agreement. These responses are great for keeping conversations engaging and natural. Below are some useful phrases and sentences you can use in reply.

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1. C’est fascinant!

Pronunciation: say fah-see-nahn
Meaning: That’s fascinating!
In a Sentence:

  • Les perroquets peuvent imiter les sons? C’est fascinant! (Parrots can mimic sounds? That’s fascinating!)

2. Vraiment?

Pronunciation: vray-mahn
Meaning: Really?
In a Sentence:

  • Tu as vu un flamant rose dans la nature? Vraiment? (You saw a flamingo in the wild? Really?)

3. Moi aussi, j’aime les oiseaux.

Pronunciation: mwah oh-see, zhem lay wah-zoh
Meaning: I also like birds.
In a Sentence:

  • Tu adores les colibris? Moi aussi, j’aime les oiseaux. (You love hummingbirds? I also like birds.)

4. Quel bel oiseau!

Pronunciation: kel bel wah-zoh
Meaning: What a beautiful bird!
In a Sentence:

  • Regarde cette hirondelle. Quel bel oiseau! (Look at that swallow. What a beautiful bird!)

5. Où l’as-tu vu?

Pronunciation: oo lah-tew voo
Meaning: Where did you see it?
In a Sentence:

  • Tu parles d’un aigle? Où l’as-tu vu? (You’re talking about an eagle? Where did you see it?)

6. C’est incroyable!

Pronunciation: say an-krwah-yah-bluh
Meaning: That’s incredible!
In a Sentence:

  • Tu as vu un albatros? C’est incroyable! (You saw an albatross? That’s incredible!)

7. Les oiseaux sont fascinants.

Pronunciation: lay wah-zoh sohn fah-see-nahn
Meaning: Birds are fascinating.
In a Sentence:

  • Tu sais que les hiboux chassent la nuit? Les oiseaux sont fascinants. (Did you know that owls hunt at night? Birds are fascinating.)

8. Peux-tu me montrer?

Pronunciation: puh-tew muh mohn-tray
Meaning: Can you show me?
In a Sentence:

  • Tu as une photo de cet oiseau rare? Peux-tu me montrer? (Do you have a picture of that rare bird? Can you show me?)

9. J’adore les oiseaux!

Pronunciation: zhah-dor lay wah-zoh
Meaning: I love birds!
In a Sentence:

  • Les cygnes sont si élégants. J’adore les oiseaux! (Swans are so elegant. I love birds!)

10. Ils sont incroyables, non?

Pronunciation: eel sohn an-krwah-yah-bluh, noh
Meaning: They are incredible, aren’t they?
In a Sentence:

  • Les perroquets peuvent parler? Ils sont incroyables, non? (Parrots can talk? They are incredible, aren’t they?)

11. Quel est ton oiseau préféré?

Pronunciation: kel eh ton wah-zoh pray-fay-ray
Meaning: What is your favorite bird?
In a Sentence:

  • Tu connais beaucoup d’oiseaux. Quel est ton oiseau préféré? (You know a lot about birds. What is your favorite bird?)

12. J’aimerais en savoir plus.

Pronunciation: zhaym-ray ahn sah-vwahr plew
Meaning: I’d like to know more.
In a Sentence:

  • Tu as étudié les oiseaux? J’aimerais en savoir plus. (You studied birds? I’d like to know more.)

13. Ils sont magnifiques.

Pronunciation: eel sohn mah-nee-feek
Meaning: They are magnificent.
In a Sentence:

  • Regarde ces flamants roses. Ils sont magnifiques. (Look at these flamingos. They are magnificent.)

14. Cela me passionne aussi.

Pronunciation: suh-lah muh pah-syon oh-see
Meaning: It fascinates me too.
In a Sentence:

  • Tu étudies les rapaces? Cela me passionne aussi. (You study birds of prey? It fascinates me too.)

15. Les oiseaux sont des merveilles.

Pronunciation: lay wah-zoh sohn day mehr-vay
Meaning: Birds are wonders.
In a Sentence:

  • Tu sais que les albatros volent pendant des mois? Les oiseaux sont des merveilles. (Did you know albatrosses fly for months? Birds are wonders.)

Exercise to Practice Saying “Bird” in French

Below are 12 fill-in-the-blank exercises to help you practice different ways to say “bird” in French. Each sentence is in French with its English translation. Fill in the blanks with the appropriate term for “bird.”

Fill-in-the-Blanks:

  1. J’ai vu un ________ dans le ciel ce matin. (I saw a bird in the sky this morning.)
  2. Le ________ noir chante chaque matin dans le jardin. (The blackbird sings every morning in the garden.)
  3. Un ________ a volé rapidement près de la rivière. (A kingfisher flew quickly near the river.)
  4. Les enfants ont donné des graines à un ________ dans le parc. (The children fed a little bird in the park.)
  5. Le ________ est connu pour son bec coloré. (The toucan is known for its colorful beak.)
  6. Les ________ migrateurs reviennent au printemps. (The migratory birds return in spring.)
  7. Un ________ énorme s’est posé sur la plage. (A large bird landed on the beach.)
  8. Le ________ pêche des poissons avec son bec. (The pelican catches fish with its beak.)
  9. Les ________ volent souvent en grands groupes. (The starlings often fly in large groups.)
  10. Un ________ rare a été vu dans les montagnes. (A rare bird was seen in the mountains.)
  11. Le ________ tambourine contre l’arbre. (The woodpecker drums against the tree.)
  12. Les ________ aquatiques adorent nager dans les étangs. (The water birds love swimming in ponds.)

Answers:

  1. oiseau
  2. merle
  3. martin-pêcheur
  4. petit oiseau
  5. toucan
  6. oiseaux
  7. grand oiseau
  8. pélican
  9. étourneaux
  10. oiseau
  11. pivert
  12. oiseaux

Conclusion

Learning how to say “bird” in French is a simple yet enjoyable way to expand your vocabulary. From the general term “oiseau” to specific names like “colibri” and “hibou,” these words can help you describe the beauty and variety of birds. They also let you engage in meaningful conversations about nature and wildlife.

By practicing the phrases and sentences provided, you’ll become more confident in using these words naturally. Keep exploring and talking about birds in French—you’ll find it rewarding and fun!

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