21 Black Birds with Yellow Wings [images + IDs]

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Welcome to a world where the enchanting contrast of black feathers meets the vibrant allure of yellow wings! If you’ve ever been captivated by the sight of black birds adorned with striking yellow wings, you’re in for a treat.

In this blog post, we’re embarking on a journey to explore the mesmerizing realm of black birds that flaunt these eye-catching yellow wings. These remarkable birds create a captivating visual display with their dark plumage and bright wings.

From the well-known Yellow-winged Blackbird to other captivating species, we’ll introduce you to a diverse array of black birds that share this unique feature. Through vivid descriptions and captivating images, we’ll uncover the beauty and allure that these birds bring to the avian world. Let’s dive in and explore the captivating lives of these blackbirds together!

List of Black Birds with Yellow Wings

Yellow-rumped Cacique

Scientific name: Cacicus cela
Lifespan: Typically 8-10 years

Size: Medium-sized songbird; about 10-12 inches (25-30 cm) in length
Origin: Found in Central and South America, often in lowland forests and savannas.

Yellow-rumped Cacique looks similar to the Yellow-winged Cacique but is found in a non-overlapping range in northern South America. These black birds have bright yellow wing patches, a yellow undertail, and a yellow rump. They also have pale blue eyes. Yellow-rumped Caciques nest in colonies and build hanging nests that look like suspended pouches.

Mountain Cacique

Scientific name: Cacicus chrysonotus
Lifespan: Around 6-8 years

Size: Medium-sized songbird; approximately 7-8 inches (18-20 cm) in length
Origin: Native to Central and South America, often in montane habitats.

Mountain Cacique is entirely black except for its bright yellow shoulder patches and rump. Both sexes are similar. It is found in mountain forests of the Andes, from Colombia down to Bolivia, and lives at altitudes above 1,700 meters. The Mountain Cacique is often encountered in flocks, often mixed with other birds, such as jays.

Yellow-winged Blackbird

Scientific name: Agelasticus thilius
Lifespan: Typically 3-5 years

Size: Medium-sized blackbird; around 6-7 inches (15-18 cm) in length
Origin: Found in South America, often near wetlands.

Yellow-winged Blackbird is a gorgeous blackbird found in wetlands and close to bodies of freshwater in southern South America. Males are entirely black, except for a bright yellow patch on their shoulder, which variably extends along the front of their wings. Females are dark brown with buff streaks and spots, resembling immature birds. Yellow-winged Blackbirds are very social, nesting in colonies and foraging together in small groups.

Golden-winged Cacique

Scientific name: Cacicus chrysopterus
Lifespan: Typically 8-12 years

Size: Medium-sized songbird; around 8-10 inches (20-25 cm) in length
Origin: Found in parts of Central and South America, often in forested habitats.

Golden-winged Cacique is a locally common breeding bird in mountain forests of Paraguay, Uruguay, and other parts of southern South America. These handsome birds are largely black but have a brilliant yellow patch on their inner wing, which looks like a shoulder patch when the wings are folded. They are usually found in dense forests, where they build long nests that are suspended from branches.

Yellow-winged Cacique

Scientific name: Cassiculus melanicterus
Lifespan: Around 6-8 years

Size: Medium-sized songbird; approximately 7-8 inches (18-20 cm) in length
Origin: Native to South America, particularly in tropical and subtropical regions

Yellow-winged Cacique is larger than the Golden-winged Cacique, and their ranges do not overlap. They are found only in Mexico and Guatemala, where they inhabit lowland deciduous forests. These stunning yellow and black birds are easy to identify due to their black bodies with yellow feathers on their wings, rump, and tail edges.

Yellow-shouldered Blackbird

Scientific name: Agelaius xanthomus
Lifespan: About 4-6 years

Size: Medium-sized blackbird; approximately 7-8 inches (18-20 cm) in length
Origin: Native to South America, often in grasslands and wetlands.

Yellow-shouldered Blackbird is similar in appearance to the Yellow-winged Blackbird but has a non-overlapping range and is only found in Puerto Rico, where it inhabits coastal mangrove forests. It is entirely black, except for its canary yellow shoulder patches, which are hidden when perched but flash brightly when in flight. This blackbird is also social and is often encountered in flocks.

Red-winged Blackbird

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Scientific name: Agelaius phoeniceus

Lifespan: 2-3 years
Size: 9 inches
Native to: most of North America and much of Central America.

Red-winged Blackbird is the only species on this list found in North America. It is one of the most abundant blackbird species in North America. Male Red-winged Blackbirds are black with bright yellowish-orange patches on their shoulders and upper wings. Females and juveniles are blackish-brown with white streaks. They are commonly found in open fields and near water, especially in marshes, wetlands, and around lakes. Red-winged Blackbirds are primarily seed-eaters during fall and spring but switch to feeding almost exclusively on insects during the summer. They are known for their loud and distinctive calls.

Black Siskin

Scientific name: Spinus atratus

Lifespan: Around 5-7 years
Size: Small finch; approximately 4-5 inches (10-13 cm) in length
Origin: Native to South America, often found in highland forests.

Black Siskin is a small finch found in coastal areas of the central West Coast of South America. Males are largely black, except for their bright yellow wing feathers, undertail, and tail patches. This small black finch with yellow wings is usually encountered foraging for seeds on the ground in small groups.

Yellow-bellied Siskin

Scientific name: Spinus xanthogastrus

Lifespan: Typically 4-6 years
Size: Small finch; around 4-5 inches (10-13 cm) in length
Origin: Found in parts of South America, often in montane habitats.

Yellow-bellied Siskin is a brightly colored finch found in woodland clearings and edges in northern South America. Males have a black hook and black back, contrasting with their yellow wings and belly. Females are more drab and look like small pale yellow birds, and both sexes and immature birds have the characteristic yellow wing patch.

Golden-winged Sunbird

Scientific name: Drepanorhynchus reichenowi

Lifespan: About 4-5 years
Size: Small songbird; approximately 4-5 inches (10-13 cm) in length
Origin: Native to sub-Saharan Africa, often in forested and wooded areas.

Golden-winged Sunbird is a large sunbird found in eastern Africa, where it inhabits montane forests and grassland. Males are largely black with yellow patches in their wings and tail, while females are light brown with yellow panels in their wings. These birds primarily feed on the nectar of flowers but also consume insects during the breeding season.

Regent Bowerbird

Scientific name: Sericulus chrysocephalus

Lifespan: Typically 8-10 years
Size: Medium-sized bowerbird; around 10-12 inches (25-30 cm) in length
Origin: Found in eastern Australia, often in rainforests and woodlands.

Regent Bowerbird is an eastern Australian bird that inhabits coastal rainforests. Males have a stunning appearance with their black bodies and golden crown and wings. Females and immatures look different, being light brown with a speckled breast. The males construct bowers in the jungle, where they perform courtship displays to attract females.

Golden-winged Manakin

Scientific name: Masius chrysopterus

Lifespan: Around 7-10 years
Size: Small songbird; approximately 4-5 inches (10-13 cm) in length
Origin: Native to South America, often in lowland forests.

Golden-winged Manakin is a small manakin found in high-altitude forests in the Andes of northern South America. The male is jet black except for its golden crown, and it has a golden patch on its wings that flashes brightly when it flies. Females are more inconspicuous, being drab greenish-yellow in color. The males gather in small groups for courtship displays.

Variable Oriole

Scientific name: Icterus pyrrhopterus

Lifespan: Typically 5-8 years
Size: Medium-sized songbird; about 7-8 inches (18-20 cm) in length
Origin: Found in Central and South America, often in forested habitats.

Variable Oriole is a medium-sized oriole found in forest edges and scrub land in eastern South America. The sexes are similar and look entirely black, except for their egg yolk yellow wings and thighs. There are several subspecies, some of which lack the yellow thighs or have chestnut-colored wing patches.

Epaulet Oriole

Scientific name: Icterus cayanensis

Lifespan: About 4-6 years
Size: Medium-sized songbird; approximately 7-8 inches (18-20 cm) in length
Origin: Native to South America, often in savannas and open woodlands.

Epaulet Oriole is a small oriole found in lowland rainforests in northern South America. Both sexes are alike and are generally black, with golden yellow wing bars, rump, and hood. There are several subspecies, some of which lack the yellow hood and rump.

St. Lucia Oriole

Scientific name: Icterus laudabilis

Lifespan: Typically 4-6 years
Size: Medium-sized songbird; around 8-9 inches (20-23 cm) in length
Origin: Endemic to the Caribbean island of St. Lucia.

St. Lucia Oriole is a brightly colored oriole found only on the main island of St. Lucia, south of Martinique. The male is largely black, with orange-yellow shoulders, a yellow belly, and rump. The female looks similar but is a little more drab and less brightly colored.

Hispaniolan Oriole

Scientific name: Icterus dominicensis

Lifespan: About 5-7 years
Size: Medium-sized songbird; approximately 7-9 inches (18-23 cm) in length
Origin: Endemic to the Caribbean island of Hispaniola.

Hispaniolan Oriole has a similarly restricted range to the St. Lucia Oriole and is found only on the island of Hispaniola (shared by Haiti and the Dominican Republic). Both sexes are mostly black, with yellow patches on their wings, bellies, and rump. This oriole prefers coastal rainforest but can occur up to an elevation of 700 feet and is often found nesting in palm trees.

Golden-crested Mynah

Scientific name: Ampeliceps coronatus

Lifespan: Typically 5-7 years
Size: Small mynah; about 8-9 inches (20-23 cm) in length
Origin: Found in Southeast Asia, often in forests and wooded areas.

Golden-crested Mynah is a bird found in lowland forests in Southeast Asia, from Bhutan to Malaysia. It has a glossy black body with a patch of bright yellow on the wings and a golden crown. Females look similar, but they lack the golden crown. These mynahs are often seen foraging in pairs or small groups that fly from tree to tree.

Montane Widowbird

Scientific name: Euplectes psammocromius

Lifespan: Around 2-4 years
Size: Small passerine bird; approximately 4-5 inches (10-13 cm) in length
Origin: Native to Africa, often in montane grasslands.

Montane Widowbird is similar to other widowbirds and is easily recognizable due to its extra-long tail. Males are mostly black with a yellow shoulder patch that fades into buff gray on the wings. They inhabit a range of open mountain habitats in East Africa, including grassland and marshes. The females resemble the females of other species, and the best way to identify them is by the male.

Yellow-mantled Widowbird

Scientific name: Euplectes macroura

Lifespan: Typically 2-4 years
Size: Small passerine bird; around 4-5 inches (10-13 cm) in length
Origin: Native to Africa, often in savannas and grasslands.

Yellow-mantled Widowbird has a shorter tail than the Montane Widowbird and is found across many areas of Central Africa. Males are spectacular black-and-yellow birds with a jet black body and canary yellow shoulder patches. Females look like small brown streaked sparrows and are best identified by the associated male. These birds are found in a variety of open habitats, such as moist grasslands and marshes.

Yellow Bishop

Scientific name: Euplectes capensis

Lifespan: About 4-6 years
Size: Small passerine bird; approximately 4-5 inches (10-13 cm) in length
Origin: Native to Africa, often in wetlands and grassy areas.

Yellow Bishop is a colorful weaver bird found in the southern half of Africa, particularly in the Cape region. Males are all-black apart from yellow shoulder patches on their wings and a yellow rump, while females are dark brown with light streaks. They favor open habitats, including scrubland and grassland, and are often seen foraging in small groups outside of the breeding season.

Black-and-gold Cotinga

Scientific name: Tijuca atra

Lifespan: Typically 5-8 years
Size: Small passerine bird; around 6-7 inches (15-18 cm) in length
Origin: Found in South America, often in montane forests.

Black-and-gold Cotinga is a large cotinga species with a restricted range in southeastern Brazil, particularly in montane forests close to Rio de Janeiro. Males are all black with yellow patches on their wings and bright orange beaks. Females are drab olive-green and can be easily overlooked in dense foliage.

New Holland Honeyeater

Scientific name: Phylidonyris novaehollandiae

Lifespan: About 6-9 years
Size: Small honeyeater; approximately 7-8 inches (18-20 cm) in length
Origin: Native to southeastern Australia, often in a variety of habitats including woodlands and gardens.

New Holland Honeyeater is found in the coastal habitats of southern Australia and Tasmania and is often seen in urban gardens. Both sexes look alike, with a black back, shoulders, and head, as well as yellow panels on their wings and tails. While they mainly feed on nectar, they also include insects in their diet, especially during the breeding season.

21 Black Birds with Yellow Wings [images + IDs]