Birds are fascinating creatures for children to learn about! This guide covers common birds in Chinese, from familiar farm birds to beautiful wild birds.
Common Birds
Farm & Domestic Birds
- 鸡 (jī) - Chicken
- 公鸡 (gōng jī) - Rooster
- 母鸡 (mǔ jī) - Hen
- 小鸡 (xiǎo jī) - Chick
- 鸭 (yā) - Duck
Pet & City Birds
- 鸟 (niǎo) - Bird (general)
- 鸽子 (gē zi) - Pigeon/Dove
- 鹦鹉 (yīng wǔ) - Parrot
- 金丝雀 (jīn sī què) - Canary
- 麻雀 (má què) - Sparrow
Beautiful Wild Birds
Exotic & Colorful Birds
- 孔雀 (kǒng què) - Peacock
- 天鹅 (tiān é) - Swan
- 火烈鸟 (huǒ liè niǎo) - Flamingo
- 鹦鹉 (yīng wǔ) - Parrot
- 鸳鸯 (yuān yāng) - Mandarin duck
Raptors & Water Birds
- 鹰 (yīng) - Eagle
- 猫头鹰 (māo tóu yīng) - Owl
- 海鸥 (hǎi ōu) - Seagull
- 鹤 (hè) - Crane
- 企鹅 (qǐ é) - Penguin
Bird Sounds in Chinese
Learn how birds sound in Chinese:
- 鸡 - 喔喔喔
- 鸭 - 嘎嘎
- 鸟 - 叽叽喳喳
- 鸽子 - 咕咕
Fun Learning Activities
Bird Watching
Go bird watching in the park and practice naming birds in Chinese when you see them!
Bird Sound Game
Make bird sounds and have your child guess which bird it is in Chinese.
Bird Drawing
Draw different birds and label them with Chinese characters.
Feather Collection
Collect feathers and learn about different types of birds.
Useful Phrases
- 鸟儿在树上唱歌
- 孔雀的羽毛很漂亮
- 天鹅在湖里游泳
- 鸽子会飞
Cultural Note
Birds hold special meaning in Chinese culture. The crane symbolizes longevity, the peacock represents beauty and dignity, and the mandarin duck symbolizes marital fidelity. The phoenix (凤凰) is a mythical bird representing grace and virtue.
For more animal vocabulary, check out our zoo animals guide and insects vocabulary.
Character Writing Practice
Many bird characters contain the 鸟 radical, making them easier to recognize and remember. Practice writing these characters with proper stroke order.