In this video, we’ll learn how to say various bird names in Italian—the Italian names for seven familiar birds, along with their English meanings and simple pronunciation guides.
Do you know how to say swan, duck, rooster, hen, flamingo, penguin, and seagull in Italian?
Birds are a fun way to expand your Italian vocabulary, and these seven words are useful for beginners who want to talk about animals, nature, travel, and everyday life in Italian.
🦢 1. Swan — Il cigno
Italian: il cigno
English: swan
Pronunciation: CHEEN-nyoh
Example:
Il cigno è sul lago.
The swan is on the lake.
The plural is cigni — swans.
🦆 2. Duck — L’anatra
Italian: l’anatra
English: duck
Pronunciation: ah-NAH-trah
Example:
L’anatra nuota nel lago.
The duck swims in the lake.
The plural is anatre — ducks.
In this video, taken in Tampa, Florida, you notice two ducks swimming in a pool!
Two ducks are swimming in a pool.
Due anatre nuotano in una piscina.
To indicate something is unusual or unexpected, you can say che pazzesco!
🐓 3. Rooster — Il gallo
Italian: il gallo
English: rooster
Pronunciation: GAHL-loh
Example:
Il gallo canta la mattina.
The rooster crows in the morning.
The word gallo can also be used in expressions and is an important Italian vocabulary word to remember.
The rooster in this video is shown in the historical district of Ybor City, in Tampa, Florida.
🐔 4. Hen — La gallina
Italian: la gallina
English: hen
Pronunciation: gah-LEE-nah
Example:
La gallina mangia il grano.
The hen eats the grain.
The plural is galline — hens.
Notice the connection between gallo (rooster) and gallina (hen).
The baby chicks seen in this video are called pulcini.
🦩 5. Flamingo — Il fenicottero
Italian: il fenicottero
English: flamingo
Pronunciation: feh-nee-koh-TEHR-roh
Example:
Il fenicottero è rosa.
The flamingo is pink.
The plural is fenicotteri — flamingos.
🐧 6. Penguin — Il pinguino
Italian: il pinguino
English: penguin
Pronunciation: peen-GWEE-noh
Example:
Il pinguino vive in un ambiente freddo.
The penguin lives in a cold environment.
The plural is pinguini — penguins.
🐦 7. Seagull — Il gabbiano
Italian: il gabbiano
English: seagull
Pronunciation: gahb-BYAH-noh
Example:
Il gabbiano vola sopra il mare.
The seagull flies above the sea.
The plural is gabbiani — seagulls.
This is especially useful vocabulary if you’re traveling to Italy’s coastal towns and cities, where you’re likely to see plenty of gabbiani!
Italian Bird Vocabulary at a Glance
| English | Italian | Pronunciation |
| Swan | il cigno | CHEEN-nyoh |
| Duck | l’anatra | ah-NAH-trah |
| Rooster | il gallo | GAHL-loh |
| Hen | la gallina | gah-LEE-nah |
| Flamingo | il fenicottero | feh-nee-koh-TEHR-roh |
| Penguin | il pinguino | peen-GWEE-noh |
| Seagull | il gabbiano | gahb-BYAH-noh |
Practice Your Italian!
Now that you’ve learned seven new Italian bird names, try saying them without looking at the English translations.
Il cigno — l’anatra — il gallo — la gallina — il fenicottero — il pinguino — il gabbiano
How many can you remember?
Learning vocabulary in groups is a great way to build your Italian word bank. Try using these words in simple sentences of your own, especially when talking about animals, nature, travel, or places you’ve visited.
Watch the video and practice along! And if you’re learning Italian, be sure to check out the other Italian vocabulary lessons on the blog for more useful words and expressions.
Other Links of Interest
Learn Colors in Italian <—- this video taken in Colombia
How to say travel bug in Italian?
How to say skyscraper in Italian <—- this video taken in Mexico City
