Ornithonyms - bird nominations - play a leading role in the creation of images by Russian poets. The aim of the research is to study the features of ornithonyms in the lyrics of M. Tsvetaeva. The material of ornithonyms was collected in 925 poetic works created in the period 1906-1941. The analysis of the functions of ornithonyms was based on the classification, which includes such functions as: identification; "Illusions"; specifications; accentuation and grouping; perspectivization; aestheticization; mythologization. The use of descriptive and lingvostatic research methods made it possible to reveal that the analyzed material contains generic as well as species ornithonyms. The generic ornithonym bird was mentioned by M. Tsvetaeva 63 times (20.0% of all ornithonyms). The study identified 252 references to bird nominations as species ornithonyms, including 22 of their specific zoological species. 252 references consisted of word forms and derivatives of such ornithonyms as: sparrow, raven, dove, turtledove, goose, lark, crane, turkey, cuckoo, sandpiper, chicken, swallow, swan, eagle, rooster, parrot, owl, falcon, nightingale, owl and a hawk.