Lenape Names for Birds

On this page are photos and the Lenape names for some common birds. Click on the Lenape name to hear the bird’s name as pronounced by Lenape speaker Nora Thompson Dean. For those images with a speaker icon at the bottom, you may also click on the bird’s photo to hear its call.

      
      Tànktiyas

Tufted Titmouse
(Parus bicolor)
      
      Tàskëmus

Mockingbird
(Mimus polyglottos)
      
      Chihopèkëlis

Eastern Bluebird
(Sialia sialis)
      
      Wetënteis

Scarlet Tanager
(Pirange olivacea)
      
      Wisawtayas

American Goldfinch
(Carduelis tristis)
      Tihtës

Downy Woodpecker
(Picoides pubescens)
      Sënihële

Sparrow Hawk or American Kestrel
(Falco sparverius)
      
      Hinutët

Wren
(Picoides pubescens)
      
      Chiskukus

Robin
(Turdus migratorius)
      Lelèmpëlis

Ruby-Throated Hummingbird
(Archilochus colubris)

These copyrighted photographs are used courtesy of Maslowski Wildlife Productions. We would like to thank them for giving us permission to use these fine photographs.

See also: Extinct Birds the Lenape Knew