The striking contrast between the colors of black and white birds gives them a distinct attraction among bird species. Therefore, everybody may appreciate the wonder of nature because of their intricate beauty.
These birds can be found in a variety of environments, from the snow-capped highlands of Alaska to the trees of the Amazon rainforest.
However, there are still a lot of black-and-white bird species that have not yet been identified worldwide. As a result, this post will provide you with a deeper look at these unusual birds, including their characteristics and behaviors.
Various Black and White Birds Types
1. Royal Tern
| Scientific Name: | Thalasseus maximus |
| Conservation Status: | Least Concern |
| Length: | 17.7–19.7 in (45–50 cm) |
| Weight: | 12.3–15.9 oz (350–450 g) |
| Wingspan: | 49–53 in (125–135 cm) |
| Lifespan: | Up to 17 years |
The great, slender, black-and-white Royal Tern is an amazing bird. When it comes to size among tern species, they are surpassed only by Caspian Terns.
Their size, unique black crest, white plumage, and bright orange bill make them easy to see amid groups of terns and gulls.
Social birds, royal terns congregate on pristine beaches in between fishing sorties and build dense colonies where they lay their eggs.
On sand beaches, bays, and waters close to the coast, they are among the first birds that you will notice. This is a species found only in the Americas, though stray individuals have been detected in southern Europe.
2. American Bushtit
| Scientific Name: | Psaltriparus minimus |
| Conservation Status: | Least Concern |
| Length: | 4–4.5 in (10.1–11.4 cm) |
| Weight: | 0.17–0.25 oz (5–7 g) |
| Wingspan: | 5.5–6.3 in (14–16 cm) |
| Lifespan: | Up to 8 years |
One of the smallest birds in North America, the American Bushtit features an almost black head and a white lower abdomen.
The length of these birds is about 4 inches. Overall, because of their grayish-brown coloring, they could also be categorized as gray bird types.
These are gregarious birds that live in groups of ten to forty birds for the whole year. While foraging, groups of American Bushtits interact with other similar-sized songbirds, including warblers, chickadees, and kinglets.
The only species of the family Aegithalidae that may be found in the New World are the American Bushtits, which are the only species under the genus Psaltriparus. In North America, they are frequently referred to as Bushtit.
3. Mute Swan
| Scientific Name: | Cygnus olor |
| Conservation Status: | Least Concern |
| Length: | 55–63 in (140–160 cm) |
| Weight: | 229–458 oz (6,492–12,984.1 g) |
| Wingspan: | 84–96 in (213–244 cm) |
| Lifespan: | Up to 40 years |
The bird known as the Mute Swan is long-necked, white, and black in color. Because it doesn’t create as much noise as other swan species, it got its moniker.
They are immediately recognized by their enormous height, flawless white plumage, and vivid orange beaks with a black ridge on top.
One of the heaviest flying birds in the world, the Mute Swan can attain speeds of up to 50 miles per hour.
Although they are common and well-known in city parks, bays, and lakes in the Pacific Northwest, Great Lakes, Northeast, and Midatlantic, mute swans are not native to North America.
In reality, I got to see these lovely animals swimming elegantly in the water when I went to a nearby park in Indiana. With their wings slightly lifted on their backs and their necks curved in an S, they appeared majestic.
The park officials cautioned us not to approach them too closely, though, as they are known to be rather hostile when defending their domain. This is particularly true when they are trying to defend a brood.
Europeans brought mute swans to North America in the 19th century to add some color to town and city lakes and ponds.
4. Snow Goose
| Scientific Name: | Chen caerulescens |
| Conservation Status: | Least Concern |
| Length: | 27.2–32.7 in (69–83 cm) |
| Weight: | 56.4–116.4 oz (1,600–3,300 g) |
| Wingspan: | 53–54.3 in (135–138 cm) |
| Lifespan: | Up to 20 years |
The snow geese, a species of goose with black and white plumage, is found throughout North America. its gorgeous white feathers covering its spherical body earn them a spot on our list of white goose breeds.
Their head is short, their neck is long and narrow, and their bill is sharp and pointed. They also have webbed feet and short legs.
Snow geese are difficult to miss because of their extreme loudness and the distinctive honking that large flocks of them produce.
The breeding range of the Snow Geese includes all of North America and Arctic Greenland. They inhabit the Pacific and mid-Atlantic coasts, ranging from British Columbia to California, throughout the winter.
5. Barn Swallow
| Scientific Name: | Hirundo rustica |
| Conservation Status: | Least Concern |
| Length: | 5.9–7.5 in (15–19 cm) |
| Weight: | 0.6–0.7 oz (17–20 g) |
| Wingspan: | 11.4–12.6 in (29–32 cm) |
| Lifespan: | Up to 8 years |
This type of swallow is the most common. It is black and white in color. The iridescent blue upper sections of their long, deeply forked tails make Barn Swallows a visually striking bird. There is a row of white spots covering the tip of their upper tail.
With the exception of a few noticeable variations, such as shorter tail streamers, duller blue breast bands and top sections, and a lighter underside hue, females resemble males in appearance.
It is a Neotropical migratory bird. It migrates south to spend the winter in Mexico, Central America, and South America in the fall, leaving behind its breeding area.
Both male and female barn swallows participate in the construction of mud nests, which are typically found against the walls of buildings and other vertical surfaces.
Interesting Fact: Barn Swallows can soar at up to 74 kilometers per hour. They frequently fly only a few inches above the ground or the sea. Moreover, they have a daily flying range of up to 600 miles!
6. Wood Stork
| Scientific Name: | Mycteria americana |
| Conservation Status: | Least Concern |
| Length: | 33–43 in (83–110 cm) |
| Weight: | 72.3–93.1 oz (2,050–2,640 g) |
| Wingspan: | 61–71 in (155–180 cm) |
| Lifespan: | Up to 18 years |
A huge, black-and-white bird with long legs, the wood stork is a member of the Ciconiidae family of birds. Their necks and heads are a dark gray color without any feathers. They are in the group of birds known for having long necks, along with numerous storks.
With the exception of the tail and a few wing feathers, which are black with a greenish-purple sheen, their plumage is mostly white. Their feet and legs are dark, and when they mate, their flesh-colored toes turn pink.
Despite their tendency to forage with their heads down and bodies horizontal, Wood Storks should stand out from other marsh birds due to their size.
Although they can be found as far north as Florida, they are native to the Caribbean and other subtropical and tropical areas of America.
7. Black Phoebes
| Scientific Name: | Sayornis nigricans |
| Conservation Status: | Least Concern |
| Length: | 6–7 in (15–18 cm) |
| Weight: | 0.5–0.8 oz (15–22 g) |
| Wingspan: | 10.6–11 in (27–28 cm) |
| Lifespan: | Up to 8 years |
The Tyrant Flycatcher family includes the Black Phoebe, a passerine bird that belongs to the little black-and-white bird group.
The underbelly of Black Phoebes is dazzling white, and their feathers are predominantly black. Their lower breasts take on a V-shape due to the white tint. Their irises are brown, while their legs, feet, and beaks are entirely black.
Since their plumage is constant throughout the year, they appear the same. Black phoebes are easily recognized by their characteristic tail-wagging motion, which involves dipping and spreading the feathers.
In North and South America, it is the most prevalent species of black and white bird. Additionally, they are indigenous to the arid and semiarid southwest of the United States, which includes southern Oregon, California, Arizona, and Texas.
In the Andean region of South America, which stretches from Colombia to Argentina and includes adjacent Mexico, black phoebes are also widely distributed.
8. Black Skimmer
| Scientific Name: | Rynchops niger |
| Conservation Status: | Least Concern |
| Length: | 15.8–19.7 in (40–50 cm) |
| Weight: | 9.3–12.9 oz (265–365 g) |
| Wingspan: | 42.9–45.3 in (109–115 cm) |
| Lifespan: | Up to 20 years |
The Black Skimmer is a long-winged, black-and-white bird. Their legs are orange, and their bill is red and black. They also fall within a large category of black birds with white streaks across their wings.
Black skimmers fly with a delicate, lovely pattern that consists of lengthy upstrokes and short downstrokes to keep them high above the water. The flight’s bounding or ranging style results from this.
To stay clean, they have frequent baths and grooming sessions in freshwater. They sleep with their heads resting in their wings, standing erect.
One species that is present in both North and South America is the black skater. Salt marshes, sandy beaches, islands, lagoons, inlets, streams, and rivers with shallow water are the places where they are primarily found.
9. American Coot
| Scientific Name: | Fulica americana |
| Conservation Status: | Least Concern |
| Length: | 15.5–16.9 in (39.4–42.9 cm) |
| Weight: | 21.2–24.7 oz (600–700 g) |
| Wingspan: | 23.0–25.0 in (58.4–63.5 cm) |
| Lifespan: | Up to 22 years |
The large, black-and-white American Coot belongs to the Rallidae family of birds. Its white face and black body are common sights on most open bodies of water in the United States, where it often mingles with ducks.
They serve as an illustration that not all objects that float are ducks. However, American Coots are members of a distinct order of birds and are not closely related to ducks.
They don’t have webbed feet like ducks do. Rather, they have long toes with wide skin lobes that they may utilize to propel themselves through the water.
Specifically, the southern Canadian provinces and the northern states of the United States—New York and Massachusetts—are home to American Coots throughout the summer. However, they happen between Florida and California in the winter.
These birds are usually found in the shallow areas of lakes, ponds, and marshes since they are freshwater oriented. Moreover, they have been observed to reside in man-made ponds situated in parks and golf courses.
10. Great White Pelicans
| Scientific Name: | Pelecanus onocrotalus |
| Conservation Status: | Least Concern |
| Length: | 55–71 in (150–180 cm) |
| Weight: | 158.7–317.5 oz (4,500–9,000 g) |
| Wingspan: | 96.1–114.2 in (244–290 cm) |
| Lifespan: | Up to 51 years |
The Great White Pelican is a large bird with a thick black bill and a large, yellow-to-orange throat pouch. It is primarily black and white in color. Their main feathers are white, with accents of black and gray.
Among the biggest flying birds in the world are Great White Pelicans. They possess the abilities of swimming and long-distance flying, which are normally only seen in a variety of bird species.
Their long, broad wings match their huge proportions. Their webbed feet, rosy-colored arms, and stumpy tails define them. Additionally, a pinkish-yellow skin patch encircles each of their eyes.
Owing to their remarkable flying skills, flocks frequently fly in a V configuration to minimize air resistance. They live in lowland areas of Africa that have access to alkaline or freshwater lakes.
Great White Pelican migrants from as far away as northern Africa and Iraq, north India, and southern Vietnam join Eastern Europeans in Kazakhstan during the breeding season.
11. Warbling Vireo
| Scientific Name: | Vireo gilvus |
| Conservation Status: | Least Concern |
| Length: | 4.7–5.1 in (12–13 cm) |
| Weight: | 0.3–0.6 oz (10–16 g) |
| Wingspan: | 7.9–8.7 in (20–22 cm) |
| Lifespan: | Up to 13 years |
Adorable little black and white bird with a thick, straight bill that is ever so slightly hooked is the Warbling Vireo. Their heads are gray with white eyebrows and smudged gray eyelines, while their belly and breasts are white.
They have a quite ordinary look and prefer to stay up in the trees, singing their loud, carol-like song. It is noteworthy that the Warbling Vireo sings nonstop far into the late summer.
Warbling Vireos are found throughout central and northern North America throughout the summertime. For these birds, the building of nests commences in April.
Fidgeting Any significant deciduous forest, aspen groves, poplars, and shade trees are home to a wide variety of avian species. Even throughout their migration, they prefer to remain in areas with bigger trees.
12. Common Loon
| Scientific Name: | Gavia immer |
| Conservation Status: | Least Concern |
| Length: | 26.0–35.8 in (66–91 cm) |
| Weight: | 88.2–215.2 oz (2,500–6,100 g) |
| Wingspan: | 40.9–51.6 in (104–131 cm) |
| Lifespan: | Up to 30 years |
The Great Northern Diver, or Common Loon, is a huge, black and white bird that is a member of the loon or diver family of birds.
Adults in breeding have a sophisticated black-and-white pattern. They have a consistent gray top half and white lower half throughout the colder months.
Although both sexes appear similar overall, men are notably larger and heavier than women.
Strong and agile swimmers, common loons dive for little fish and rise swiftly to the surface. They often only come ashore to lay their eggs because they are not as adapted to living on land.
This delicate bird requires a peaceful environment to breed on far-off freshwater lakes in the extreme north of both the United States and Canada.
During the winter and migration, you can locate them along lakes, rivers, estuaries, and coasts.
13. Eastern Towhees
| Scientific Name: | Pipilo erythrophthalmus |
| Conservation Status: | Least Concern |
| Length: | 6.8–8.2 in (17.3–20.8 cm) |
| Weight: | 1.1–1.8 oz (32–52 g) |
| Wingspan: | 7.9–11.0 in (20–28 cm) |
| Lifespan: | Up to 12 years |
This big sparrow, known as the Eastern Towhee, has striking black and white patterns. Its eyes are red-brown, and it has long, black tail feathers and a short, pointed black bill.
The species’ males belong to the group of black and orange birds because of their reddish-orange flanks. They are also solitary birds that deter invaders with a range of violent actions.
Therefore, to show off the white patches on their tips, aggressive males may lift one or both of their wings, spread their wings, drop their wings, fan their tails, or flick their tails.
Southeastern Canada and the Eastern United States are home to Eastern Towhees. North American migratory populations spend the winter in the American South. They inhabit the edges of shrublands, thickets, and woodlands.
14. Spotted Towhee
| Scientific Name: | Pipilo maculatus |
| Conservation Status: | Least Concern |
| Length: | 6.7–8.3 in (17–21 cm) |
| Weight: | 1.2–1.7 oz (33–49 g) |
| Wingspan: | 8.7–11.0 in (22–28 cm) |
| Lifespan: | Up to 11 years |
The enormous black and white Spotted Towhee is a type of New World sparrow. Their striking red eyes, dull pink legs, and long, dark fan tail with white tips are what set them apart.
Adult males can be recognized by their white belly, red flanks, white patches on the back, white wing bars, and dark head and upper body.
Females, on the other hand, are gray and dark brown in color as opposed to black, yet they still have the same overall appearance.
They were called Rufous-sided Towhees for a long time, and some thought they belonged to the same species as the spotless Eastern Towhees.
However, in contrast to their Eastern cousins, Spotted Towhees favor dry habitats.
Some studies believe that the Spotted Towhees’ noticeable white markings on their backs help them blend in with the sunlight-dappled foliage.
Spotted Towhees that breed can be found throughout western North America. Parks, residential gardens, chaparral, thickets, and dry upland forests are among their habitats.
15. Eastern Kingbird
| Scientific Name: | Tyrannus tyrannus |
| Conservation Status: | Least Concern |
| Length: | 7.5–9.1 in (19–23 cm) |
| Weight: | 1.2–1.9 oz (33–55 g) |
| Wingspan: | 13.0–15.0 in (33–38 cm) |
| Lifespan: | Up to 10 years |
Within the Tyrant Flycatcher family, the Eastern Kingbird is a huge, black and white bird. Their tail, which has a black tip and a white tip, resembles a business suit because of their dark gray upper body.
In grassy areas, Eastern Kingbirds frequently perch on wires. From there, they will either swoop down to hunt insects in the air or slowly flutter over the grasses.
During the summer, Eastern Kingbirds mostly consume flying insects and create a nesting area that they fiercely protect from other kingbird species.
But during the winter, they live quite differently in the Amazon, traveling in flocks and subsisting mostly on fruit.
Breeding in North America, eastern kingbirds migrate to South America in the winter. They would rather reside in grassy areas, ideally close to water.
These birds can be found in a variety of habitats, including fields, orchards, marshes, woodland clearings, forests, and city parks.
16. Northern Flicker
| Scientific Name: | Colaptes auratus |
| Conservation Status: | Least Concern |
| Length: | 11.0–12.2 in (28–31 cm) |
| Weight: | 3.9–5.6 oz (110–160 g) |
| Wingspan: | 16.5–20.1 in (42–51 cm) |
| Lifespan: | Up to 9 years |
Often called the Common Flicker, the Northern Flicker is a medium-sized, black-and-white member of the woodpecker family.
They have a light brown breast with black patterns and a black bib covering their upper chest. There are black bars on the tip of their white tail.
Male identification is aided by a band that resembles a mustache at the base of the beak. This is where you can distinguish between male and female Northern Flickers.
Similar to other woodpeckers, the Northern Flicker utilizes drumming to defend its territory and communicate with other birds. As a result, they occasionally hammer on metal objects to produce the most noise.
These birds are widespread across most of North America, from the tree line in Canada and Alaska to south Nicaragua.
Northern Flickers can be seen in a variety of locations, including parks, yards, agricultural fields, groves, cleared areas, and burned regions.
17. Gila Woodpecker
| Scientific Name: | Melanerpes uropygialis |
| Conservation Status: | Least Concern |
| Length: | 8.7–9.4 in (22–24 cm) |
| Weight: | 1.8–2.8 oz (51–79 g) |
| Wingspan: | 15.8–16.5 in (40–42 cm) |
| Lifespan: | Up to 10 years |
The medium-sized Gila Woodpecker is indigenous to the desert regions of Mexico and the United States. These birds’ backs and wings are covered in black and white bars and dots that resemble zebra patterns.
The bird’s belly is gray, but its head, neck, and chest are all tan in color. Their dark tail feathers have white stripes running through them.
Tiny red crowns are seen on males. In the meanwhile, youngsters and females share the similar appearance but lack the adult males’ characteristic red crowns. Their white patches on their wings are seen when they are flying.
One may hear Gila Woodpeckers from a considerable distance. Male Gila Woodpeckers can be extremely aggressive during the breeding season, often attacking other bird species.
Whether it’s a low desert shrub or a dry forest, they remain in the same spot all year round. Additionally, cottonwood trees near rivers and moist lowland woods may be home to these birds.
18. Tufted Titmouse
| Scientific Name: | Baeolophus bicolor |
| Conservation Status: | Least Concern |
| Length: | 5.5–6.3 in (14–16 cm) |
| Weight: | 0.6–0.9 oz (18–26 g) |
| Wingspan: | 7.9–10.2 in (20–26 cm) |
| Lifespan: | Up to 13 years |
Native to North America, the Tufted Titmouse is a black and white songbird that is among the smallest members of the tit and chickadee family. Its sides are an earthy reddish tint, its head is white, and its upper body is gray.
These birds look calm and eager, which goes well with their large black eyes and short, round mouths as they dart through trees, dangle from twigs, and land at bird feeders.
They leave their mark as one of the nation’s brushy-crested birds as well.
Upon witnessing Tufted Titmice in their native environment, I have seen that these birds utilize pre-existing tree holes for nesting purposes, as they are unable to dig their own. They are able to survive by using the holes and cracks that woodpeckers have previously created.
Because Tufted Titmice do not migrate, it is usually easy for me to detect these birds whenever I visit the eastern part of the United States, where they live year-round.
Their natural habitats are open spaces like parks and lawns as well as mixed and deciduous forests.
19. Blackpoll Warbler
| Scientific Name: | Setophaga striata |
| Conservation Status: | Near Threatened |
| Length: | 4.9–5.9 in (12.5–15 cm) |
| Weight: | 0.4–0.5 oz (12–13 g) |
| Wingspan: | 8.3–9.1 in (21–23 cm) |
| Lifespan: | Up to 8 years |
A member of the black-and-white New World warbler family is the blackpoll warbler. The small bird is about the same weight as a ballpoint pen. Its striking black crown contrasts with its white cheeks and wing bars.
Blackpoll, male Summer warblers are distinguished from other birds by their black and white heads, which feature black crowns and white faces. Their backs are speckled with dark brown.
However, adult females have grayish faces and crowns, looking like washed-out replicas of their male counterparts, and lack the distinctive head patterns of summer males.
During their spring migration, Blackpoll Warblers can be spotted in the eastern United States, although their natural habitat is the woodlands of the northern United States and Canada.
Blackpoll Warblers prefer to build their nests in wooded areas or at higher altitudes on mountains in the southern portion of their breeding territory.
Furthermore, when not at their nesting grounds, these birds can be observed foraging on deciduous trees and bushes.
20. Willow Flycatcher
| Scientific Name: | Empidonax traillii |
| Conservation Status: | Least Concern |
| Length: | 5.1–6.7 in (13–17 cm) |
| Weight: | 0.4–0.6 oz (11–16 g) |
| Wingspan: | 7.5–9.4 in (19–24 cm) |
| Lifespan: | Up to 4 years |
The Willow Flycatcher is a unique-sounding, black-and-white bird. Flycatchers do not inherit their songs from their parents, in contrast to many other species. Rather, flycatcher chicks are born knowing their tunes by heart.
Researchers use the songs of the birds to distinguish between the four recognized subspecies of Willow Flycatchers, as it is practically hard to do so in the wild.
Willow Flycatchers usually build their nests in dense forest close to streams or other water sources. It is known that they build their nests near the edges of woods and in dry, brushy thickets.
During the winter months, they are usually found near water in open spaces with shrubs, meadows, and the edges of tropical forests. Even though the Southwestern subspecies is widely distributed throughout the country, it is officially listed as endangered.
21. Dark-eyed Juncos
| Scientific Name: | Junco hyemalis |
| Conservation Status: | Least Concern |
| Length: | 5.5–6.3 in (14–16 cm) |
| Weight: | 0.6–1.1 oz (18–30 g) |
| Wingspan: | 7.1–9.8 in (18–25 cm) |
| Lifespan: | Up to 11 years |
The Shadowy-eyed Distinguished by its huge, dark eyes, rounded head, short, strong beak, and comparatively long, elongated tail, Junco is a moderately sized black and white sparrow.
Their underbellies and outer tails are white, but their upper bodies and chests are dark gray. They therefore belong to our list of black birds that have white bellies as well.
Compared to the males, the females are slightly smaller and browner. Their bill is often pale pink in color.
Ground-dwelling birds are known as dark-eyed Juncos. In the forests, they skip around the undersides of trees and shrubs, or they roam onto lawns in search of fallen seeds.
In the summer, they can be found all the way up to the Arctic. While some people go even farther south, others stay put all year round.
They may reproduce well in open woodlands, roadsides, shrublands, and forests that are either coniferous or mixed. They can be found in thickets, on the edges of woodlands, and close to settlements during the winter.
22. Hairy Woodpecker
| Scientific Name: | Leuconotopicus villosus |
| Conservation Status: | Least Concern |
| Length: | 7.1–10.2 in (18–26 cm) |
| Weight: | 1.4–3.4 oz (40–95 g) |
| Wingspan: | 13.0–16.1 in (33–41 cm) |
| Lifespan: | Up to 15 years |
The Hairy Woodpecker is a little but fierce bird that forages near large tree trunks. This monochrome bird has a military appearance because to its beautifully striped head and upright, straight-backed posture on tree trunks.
The Hairy Woodpecker has a predominantly black upper body and wings, with white or light-colored patches on the back. Its black tail has white feathers on the outside.
Adult males have one or two red patches on the back of their heads, whereas juvenile males usually have a reddish-orange crown. They can join the group of birds with red heads because of this characteristic.
Hairy Woodpeckers can be found in the Bahamas, Canada, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Puerto Rico, and the United States. The majority of these birds reside there year-round.
Mature deciduous, coniferous, mixed forests, woods, forest borders, and groves next to rivers are among their habitats. They can also be found in parks, gardens, and cities.
23. Loggerhead Shrike
| Scientific Name: | Lanius ludovicianus |
| Conservation Status: | Least Concern |
| Length: | 7.9–9.1 in (20–23 cm) |
| Weight: | 1.2–1.8 oz (35–50 g) |
| Wingspan: | 11.0–12.6 in (28–32 cm) |
| Lifespan: | Up to 12 years |
A songbird that behaves more like a hawk than a songbird is the Loggerhead Shrike. These birds have black heads and black wings with white markings; otherwise, they are gray overall.
They are known as Butcherbirds because of their carnivorous diet, which includes frogs, insects, reptiles, small animals, and even other birds.
The Loggerhead Shrike is found in much of Mexico, southern Canada, and the United States.
Loggerhead Shrikes like open habitats with scattered bushes and trees, but they can also be found in very short, sparsely vegetated areas or heavily forested areas with large clearings.
Fun Fact: A large animal the size of themselves can be carried by and killed by loggerhead shrimp. They carry the larger animals by their feet when they can’t fit them in their beaks. Some of their victims are kept in storage or displayed at a location, like a tree, after being eaten.
24. Black-necked Stilt
| Scientific Name: | Himantopus mexicanus |
| Conservation Status: | Least Concern |
| Length: | 13.8–15.3 in (35–39 cm) |
| Weight: | 5.3–6.2 oz (150–176 g) |
| Wingspan: | 28.1–29.7 in (71.5–75.5 cm) |
| Lifespan: | Up to 20 years |
With its elegant black and white plumage, slim black bill, and long pink legs, the Black-necked Stilt is one of the most stunning shorebirds. They are included in our list of birds with long legs because of their legs.
During mating season, males’ wings and backs have a greenish sheen. However, in females, this is either nonexistent or less apparent. Rather, these areas start to seem brownish. Other than these variations, males and females seem to be the same.
One of the most frequent shorebirds observed in American marshes and along beaches is the black-necked stilt.
They are almost often found close to shallow bodies of water, whether they are freshwater or saltwater.
This species can be found in coastal California, the interior west of the United States, the Caribbean, the Galápagos Islands, the Gulf Coast from Texas to Florida, and Ecuador.
25. Carolina Chickadee
| Scientific Name: | Poecile carolinensis |
| Conservation Status: | Least Concern |
| Length: | 3.9–4.7 in (10–12 cm) |
| Weight: | 0.3–0.4 oz (8–12 g) |
| Wingspan: | 5.9–7.9 in (15–20 cm) |
| Lifespan: | Up to 11 years |
In North America, one can frequently spot the Carolina Chickadee, a little black and white bird that is a member of the Paridae family of birds.
Black-capped chickadees and Carolina chickadees share a similar look; both have a black bib and cap, gray back and wings, and a white underside.
However, shorter, more squared-off tails, darker wings, and less noticeable white fringes on secondary feathers are characteristics that set Carolina Chickadees apart.
These birds usually travel and forage in flocks with other birds that are similar in size and form, unless it’s breeding season. Despite being a swarming species, they usually spread out as they eat.
The United States is home to Carolina Chickadee breeding grounds. They are long-term residents who don’t move, not even in the midst of bitterly cold northern weather.
These small birds can be found in urban parks, suburban backyards, and deep forests.
26. Black-billed Cuckoo
| Scientific Name: | Coccyzus erythropthalmus |
| Conservation Status: | Least Concern |
| Length: | 11.0–12.2 in (28–31 cm) |
| Weight: | 1.4–2.3 oz (40–65 g) |
| Wingspan: | 13.4–15.8 in (34–40 cm) |
| Lifespan: | Up to 4 years |
A species of the Cuculidae family native to the New World is the Black-billed Cuckoo. These birds have a long brown tail and a black bill that is somewhat downcurved. They are primarily black and white in color.
Moreover, they have a pale sandy brown throat and a white breast and abdomen. There are striking similarities between men and women.
The black-billed Like other birds, cuckoos usually build their own nests and raise their young on their own, however they do occasionally deposit their eggs in other birds’ nests.
Their breeding area is extensive, extending from Texas in the south to Florida in the north, and from Alberta in the west to Nova Scotia in the east.
Mostly found on the fringes of mature or mixed deciduous woods, these birds are also occasionally found in coniferous forests. Additionally, they are far more prevalent in areas of relatively younger woods that are thicketed and shrubbed.
27. Black-billed Magpies
| Scientific Name: | Pica hudsonia |
| Conservation Status: | Least Concern |
| Length: | 17.7–23.6 in (45–60 cm) |
| Weight: | 5.1–7.4 oz (145–210 g) |
| Wingspan: | 22.1–24.0 in (56–61 cm) |
| Lifespan: | Up to 6 years |
There are just four songbirds in North America with tails that are at least half as long as their bodies, and the Black-billed Magpie is one of them. Their wings and tail have hints of blue or green, but their main colors are black and white.
In addition, they often hunt large predators such as wolves in order to steal from or scavenge their kills.
The black-billed The western parts of North America are home to magpies. They are not migratory, but during the breeding season they do occasionally venture into other areas.
These birds prefer large open areas with sparse shrubs and trees. They live in the margins of forests, meadows, farms, grasslands, prairies, and thickets around streams.
Fun Fact: To feed on the ticks that sometimes infect huge mammals like moose or cattle, Black-billed Magpies will occasionally land on these animals.
28. Downy Woodpeckers
| Scientific Name: | Dryobates pubescens |
| Conservation Status: | Least Concern |
| Length: | 5.5–6.7 in (14–17 cm) |
| Weight: | 0.7–1.0 oz (21–28 g) |
| Wingspan: | 9.8–11.8 in (25–30 cm) |
| Lifespan: | Up to 11 years |
The smallest woodpecker in North America is the Downy Woodpecker. They have a white back, throat, and belly, with white dots on their wings, and a black upper body and wings.
Downy Woodpeckers have white outer feathers with black bands, in addition to a black tail. While mature males wear a black cap with a red patch on the back of their heads, juvenile birds wear red caps.
Rather than singing, Downy Woodpeckers pound on various metal and wood objects to create a loud drumming sound.
Their primary diet consists of insects, berries, grains, acorns, sunflower seeds, sap, and suet from bird feeders.
The continental United States and Canada are home to downy woodpeckers, with the exception of the Hawaiian Islands, the Southwestern United States, and the northern regions of Alaska and Canada.
They inhabit parks, orchards, suburban backyards, and deciduous forests as their primary habitat.
29. Eastern Wood-Pewee
| Scientific Name: | Contopus virens |
| Conservation Status: | Least Concern |
| Length: | 5.3–5.9 in (13.5–15 cm) |
| Weight: | 0.3–0.7 oz (10–19 g) |
| Wingspan: | 9.1–10.2 in (23–26 cm) |
| Lifespan: | Up to 7 years |
The Eastern Wood-Pewee is a little tyrant flycatcher found in North America. These birds have a grayish-white throat, breast, and belly, and are primarily black with some white barring on their wings.
These flycatchers are small and quick, and they use their perches on dead branches high in the canopy to chase insects in the air.
It could be challenging to distinguish between different flycatcher species. On the other hand, Pewees are easily identified by their longer wings and general grayer appearance.
Their breeding range encompasses the central and southeast regions of Canada as well as the southern United States. In the northwest of the region, in Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Peru, and Brazil, they spend the colder months.
As long as there is some sort of open area for them to fly around, breeding Eastern Wood Pewees can be found in practically any form of forest, even small woodlots.
These birds can be found in practically every forest or forested region, and they are migratory.
30. Pileated Woodpecker
| Scientific Name: | Dryocopus pileatus |
| Conservation Status: | Least Concern |
| Length: | 15.8–19.3 in (40–49 cm) |
| Weight: | 8.8–12.3 oz (250–350 g) |
| Wingspan: | 26.0–29.5 in (66–75 cm) |
| Lifespan: | Up to 13 years |
One of the biggest and most striking black-and-white birds on the continent is the Pileated Woodpecker. These birds have a vivid red cap and a striking white stripe running down their necks, giving them a jet black appearance.
The whiteness of the wings stands out more when in flight. Like all woodpeckers, these birds fly straight and powerfully.
In addition, adult females have a black line from the base of their throat to the tip of their bill, whereas adult males have a red line.
Once a pair of Pileated Woodpeckers marks their territory, they usually stay together all year. All year round, they are territorial, but in the winter, they are less hostile to outsiders.
Across Canada, the eastern United States, and even portions of the western United States, Pileated Woodpeckers are common. These birds are found in densely forested parks and woodland areas.
Fun Fact: The Pileated Woodpecker is a swift percussionist that can tap holes in old, decaying trees at a rate of 11 to 30 taps per second.
Read more: 25 Stunning Bird with Red Head
31. Black-crowned Night Heron
| Scientific Name: | Nycticorax nycticorax |
| Conservation Status: | Least Concern |
| Length: | 22.8–26.0 in (58–66 cm) |
| Weight: | 25.6–35.8 oz (727–1,014 g) |
| Wingspan: | 45.3–46.5 in (115–118 cm) |
| Lifespan: | Up to 30 years |
The stocky, black-and-white Black-crowned Night Heron has a habit of sitting or standing with its head tucked between its shoulders.
Its legs and neck are shorter than those of other herons. The mature birds have stunning black and gray plumage, complemented by exquisite white head feathers.
An adult’s head will produce two long white plumes during the mating season. Though women often have smaller frames, both sexes appear similar overall.
All continents have Black-crowned Night Herons, with the exception of Antarctica and Australia.
Because of its great adaptability, this heron may live in a variety of wet areas, including lakes, mudflats, and freshwater marshes.
Moreover, Night of Black Crown One type of bird that is known to chirp at night is the herons.
32. Northern Mockingbird
| Scientific Name: | Mimus polyglottos |
| Conservation Status: | Least Concern |
| Length: | 8.3–10.2 in (21–26 cm) |
| Weight: | 1.6–2.0 oz (45–58 g) |
| Wingspan: | 12.2–13.8 in (31–35 cm) |
| Lifespan: | Up to 20 years |
The black-and-white Northern Mockingbird is a songbird that is well-known for its ability to imitate. This is reflected in the meaning of their scientific name, which means many-tongued mimic.
These birds have gray upperparts and white underparts. They have a long, narrow bill, a black tail with white feathers on the outside, and white patches that resemble bars on their wings. The appearance is the same for both genders.
They may openly threaten other birds who dare to violate their territory by prancing toward them with their legs out and flaunting their beautiful white wing patches. They will sing incessantly, sometimes even at night.
The range of the Northern Mockingbird extends from Alaska to Florida, and from the Gulf Coast to the border with Mexico. Additionally, they are present across the Caribbean.
The edges of woods and open, sparsely wooded areas are preferred by Northern Mockingbirds.
33. Red-naped Sapsucker
| Scientific Name: | Sphyrapicus nuchalis |
| Conservation Status: | Least Concern |
| Length: | 7.5–8.3 in (19–21 cm) |
| Weight: | 1.1–2.3 oz (32–66 g) |
| Wingspan: | 16.1–16.9 in (41–43 cm) |
| Lifespan: | Up to 3 years |
The Red-naped Sapsucker is a black and white woodpecker with a sweet taste. To gather the sweet, flowing sap from willow, birch, and aspen trees, they drill exact, tiny rows of holes in the trees.
They are not sap-sucking birds, despite their name; rather, they are made to drink it. Their tongue is shorter and less protruding than that of other woodpeckers.
Black bodies with white markings below the waist and on the rump, a black line through the eye, and a red spot on the neck characterize red-naped sapsuckers.
Adult males have a red patch at the base of their throats, while females have white upper and red lower throats.
Red-handed For breeding, sapsuckers favor the mixed forests of North America’s Great Basin and Rocky Mountains. They will make their nest in a hole in a dead tree.
Read more: 25 Stunning Bird with Red Head
34. Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
| Scientific Name: | Polioptila caerulea |
| Conservation Status: | Least Concern |
| Length: | 3.9–4.3 in (10–11 cm) |
| Weight: | 0.2–0.3 oz (4.8–8.9 g) |
| Wingspan: | 6–6.3 in (15–16 cm) |
| Lifespan: | Up to 4 years |
The little, black-and-white Blue-gray Gnatcatcher is found in scrublands and broadleaf woodlands.
Males reach maturity with blue-gray upperparts, white underparts, a slender dark bill, and long, black tails with white ends.
In addition, youngsters and females are more olive than blue. Both genders have white eye rings.
The ability of the Blue-gray Gnatcatcher to mimic the high, nasal pitch of other birds’ songs has earned it the nickname Little Mockingbird.
The Blue-gray Gnatcatcher’s breeding habitats extend from southern Ontario to the eastern, southwestern, and Mexican regions.
Despite the fact that gnatcatchers are a widespread and expanding species as they go northeast, they are the only ones that breed in Eastern North America.
35. Yellow-rumped Warbler
| Scientific Name: | Setophaga coronata |
| Conservation Status: | Least Concern |
| Length: | 4.7–5.5 in (12–14 cm) |
| Weight: | 0.4–0.5 oz (12–13 g) |
| Wingspan: | 7.5–9.1 in (19–23 cm) |
| Lifespan: | Up to 10 years |
With its eye-catching black and white plumage, the Yellow-rumped Warbler is a familiar sight throughout North America.
Yellow-rumped Warblers frequently hunt in the canopies of medium-sized trees. Though they do occasionally consume berries and other fruits, especially during the winter, their primary source of diet is insects.
Their distinctive features include black and blue striped backs and vivid yellow patches on the crown, sides, and rump.
While females are frequently less vivid and may have a brownish hue, males have remarkable shading.
In open coniferous forests and at the edges of forests, Yellow-rumped Warblers can be spotted in the warmer months.
The Yellow-rumped Warbler favors more open woodlands and shrubby environments, including coastal vegetation, parks, and suburban areas, throughout the fall and winter.
36. Red-bellied Woodpecker
| Scientific Name: | Melanerpes carolinus |
| Conservation Status: | Least Concern |
| Length: | 8.6–10.2 in (22–26 cm) |
| Weight: | 2.0–3.2 oz (56–91 g) |
| Wingspan: | 13.0–16.5 in (33–42 cm) |
| Lifespan: | Up to 12 years |
The Red-bellied Woodpecker is a small, black and white member of the Picidae family of birds. The reddest part of their plumage is most evident on the head, so their common name is a little misleading.
These species can be identified by their mature forms, which have a mostly soft gray face and underparts and a black and white barred pattern across their back, wings, and tail.
While females have a red patch over their bill and on their nape, males have a red cap that runs from their bill to their nape.
The Red-bellied Woodpeckers consume various insects such as beetle larvae, grasshoppers, and ants. They also eat fruits, beechnuts, and acorns. They use their bill to search for insects in the branches and trunks of trees.
Red-bellied Woodpeckers can be found from Florida to Canada in the eastern United States. These birds can be found frequently in urban parks, gardens, and groves as well as rural and suburban areas.
Read more: 25 Stunning Bird with Red Head
37. Red-headed Woodpecker
| Scientific Name: | Melanerpes erythrocephalus |
| Conservation Status: | Least Concern |
| Length: | 7.5–9.1 in (19–23 cm) |
| Weight: | 2.0–3.2 oz (56–91 g) |
| Wingspan: | 16.1–16.5 in (41–42 cm) |
| Lifespan: | Up to 12 years |
Because of the striking contrast between its crimson head and white body, as well as the black and white patterns on its wings, the stunning Red-headed Woodpecker has been compared like a flying checkerboard.
Adult males and females have the same appearance. The only difference between juveniles and adults’ patterns is that juveniles’ heads are entirely gray.
When defending their area, red-headed woodpeckers are very territorial. They’ve been known to break into duck nest boxes and puncture the eggs within, take eggs from other birds, and destroy nests.
They live in North America’s temperate zones. Their breeding sites are also the vast landscapes of east-central United States and southern Canada.
Pine savannahs and other woodlands with open understory habitats are preferred by red-headed woodpeckers.
Additionally, they are found in a variety of habitats, including as open pine forests, tree rows in agricultural areas, and standing timber in wetlands such as beaver swamps.
We also talk about these species in our list of red-headed black birds.
Read more: 25 Stunning Bird with Red Head
38. White-headed Woodpecker
| Scientific Name: | Leuconotopicus albolarvatus |
| Conservation Status: | Least Concern |
| Length: | 8.2–9 in (21–23 cm) |
| Weight: | 2–2.3 oz (55–65 g) |
| Wingspan: | 16.1–16.9 in (41–43 cm) |
| Lifespan: | Up to 10 years |
The White-headed Woodpecker is unique among woodpecker species in that it is restricted to the steep pine woods of British Columbia and the Western United States. Their plumage is black, and their head is white.
A red patch on their heads serves as a telltale sign for male birds. The blackish-gray bill, gray legs and feet, and deep brown-red eyes are characteristics of White-headed Woodpeckers.
When foraging, they usually cling to the bottoms and edges of pine cones to keep the sticky sap off their feathers.
In addition, they don’t create as much noise as they eat as some other woodpeckers do, but their springtime drumming is audible for a considerable distance.
They are found all over eastern North America. These birds like open coniferous wooded mountains, particularly those with abundant ponderosa and sugar pine.
39. Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
| Scientific Name: | Sphyrapicus varius |
| Conservation Status: | Least Concern |
| Length: | 7.1–8.7 in (18–22 cm) |
| Weight: | 1.5–1.9 oz (43–55 g) |
| Wingspan: | 13.4–15.8 in (34–40 cm) |
| Lifespan: | Up to 8 years |
In eastern North America, there is only one species of sapsucker bird, and that is the Yellow-bellied Sapsucker. These birds’ striking black-and-white contrast gives them a beautiful appearance.
The crimson foreheads of Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers are characteristic of both sexes, albeit the females’ are less noticeable.
These birds have a short, straight bill that ends in a point that resembles a chisel. The bill is dark gray or black. Their legs have a gray-blue to gray-green hue.
Up to a height of around 6,500 feet, deciduous and evergreen forests are home to Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers.
They prefer more open regions in the winter, but dense stands of tiny trees, such as aspens, are preferred during the nesting season. These sapsuckers may occasionally visit bird feeders in quest of suet.
Pro Tip: Examine the color of the throat and chin of Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers to identify their gender. For females, these should be white, while for men, red.
Read more: 25 Stunning Bird with Red Head
40. Black-and-white Warbler
| Scientific Name: | Mniotilta varia |
| Conservation Status: | Least Concern |
| Length: | 4.3–5.1 in (11–13 cm) |
| Weight: | 0.3–0.5 oz (8–15 g) |
| Wingspan: | 7.1–8.7 in (18–22 cm) |
| Lifespan: | Up to 11 years |
Within the genus Mniotilta, the Black-and-white Warbler is the only species of New World warbler. The black and white stripes that run from their head to their tail make these unusual birds easy to identify.
The cheeks and throats of male Black-and-white Warblers are remarkably streaked with black. Females and juveniles have more muted plumages without the distinctive streaking seen in males.
An aggressive species, black-and-white warblers will fiercely defend their territory against other birds such as American Redstarts, Red-breasted Nuthatches, and black-capped chickadees.
In North America’s north and east, they reproduce. These birds are migratory, spending the winter months in Florida, northern South America, and Peru.
Additionally, they hinder a range of settings. These birds occasionally build their nests in swampy woods in addition to mixed and deciduous woodlands.
41. American Oystercatcher
| Scientific Name: | Haematopus palliatus |
| Conservation Status: | Least Concern |
| Length: | 16.5–20.5 in (42–52 cm) |
| Weight: | 14.1–24.7 oz (400–700 g) |
| Wingspan: | 32–35 in (81–89 cm) |
| Lifespan: | Up to 17 years |
With its remarkable black and white plumage and long, broad orange beaks, the American Oystercatcher is a wading bird.
Their black head and breast are starkly contrasted with their grayish-black tail, wings, and back. When they fly, their inner wing feathers and white underparts are visible.
The eyes of these birds have orange orbital bands and yellow irises. Their legs are long and have a pink hue.
The only birds in their habitat that can successfully crack and open large mollusks like oysters and clams are American oystercatchers.
For sustenance, they mostly rely on clams, oysters, and other marine invertebrates. Because salt marshes and barrier beaches are the ideal habitats for these birds, they are confined there.
From New England to northern Florida, the Atlantic coast of North America is home to American oystercatchers. They are also present on Florida’s Gulf Coast.
42. Rose-breasted Grosbeak
| Scientific Name: | Pheucticus ludovicianus |
| Conservation Status: | Least Concern |
| Length: | 7.1–8.3 in (18–21 cm) |
| Weight: | 1.4–1.7 oz (39–49 g) |
| Wingspan: | 11.4–13.0 in (29–33 cm) |
| Lifespan: | Up to 24 years |
The Rose-breasted The medium-sized bird Grosbeak consumes seeds from the Cardinalidae family. Their black heads and white bellies contrast sharply with the bright rose-red patch on their breasts.
Rose-breasted Grosbeaks are beloved by many birdwatchers due to their charming robin-like sounds.
Therefore, their unique singing has been likened to that of a drunken robin trained in opera, according to a number of contemporary bird watchers.
Rose-breasted Grosbeaks typically consume fruits, seeds, and buds from trees, including wild plums. They are also regularly observed visiting a bird feeder, where they consume unsalted sunflower, safflower, and peanut seeds.
In large parts of Canada and the northern United States, these birds breed.
Rose-Breasted Grosbeaks can be found in open deciduous and mixed forests, parks, gardens, marshes, streams, ponds, and plantations.
43. Black-capped Chickadees
| Scientific Name: | Poecile atricapillus |
| Conservation Status: | Least Concern |
| Length: | 4.7–5.9 in (12–15 cm) |
| Weight: | 0.3–0.5 oz (9–14 g) |
| Wingspan: | 6.3–8.3 in (16–21 cm) |
| Lifespan: | Up to 12 years |
The Paridae family of birds includes the little, North American native Black-capped Chickadee. These adorable little black-and-white birds have a huge, spherical head perched on a petite body.
Their remarkable features include black wings, a gray back, white cheeks, a black hat and bib, and white undersides with buffy sides.
One of the simplest birds to attract to feeders filled with peanuts, sunflower seeds, and suet is the black-capped chickadee. If you place some feeders outside the window, they will visit the hanging feeders and gladly eat from them.
These avians do not migrate. Throughout the spring and summer, they live in couples, and in the fall and winter, they live in small flocks of six to ten birds.
Black-capped Chickadees prefer habitats in grassy regions, parks, open woods, cottonwood thickets, and deciduous tree populations, where they seek out perfect nesting spots such as holes in dead trees or stumps.
44. White-breasted Nuthatches
| Scientific Name: | Sitta carolinensis |
| Conservation Status: | Least Concern |
| Length: | 5.1–5.5 in (13–14 cm) |
| Weight: | 0.6–1.1 oz (18–30 g) |
| Wingspan: | 7.9–10.6 in (20–27 cm) |
| Lifespan: | Up to 12 years |
The largest nuthatch among them is the White-breasted Nuthatch, which is restricted to North America. These birds are primarily black above and white below when they are in flight, with the exception of their wings.
With a large head, a powerful beak, a short tail, and robust feet, their body is hefty. The way that the black or gray cap and neck frame the faces of White-breasted Nuthatches gives the impression that they are hooded.
They are a little, agile bird that mostly eats insects, however it also occasionally consumes big, meaty seeds.
The way they hatch out seeds is by pressing large nuts and acorns into tree bark and then striking them with their pointed bills, which is how they got their common name.
Moreover, old woods and the borders of woodland are home to this bird. While they can be found in coniferous forests, deciduous trees like oak, maple, hickory, and basswood are the ones that they are more likely to encounter.
45. Black-throated Gray Warbler
| Scientific Name: | Setophaga nigrescens |
| Conservation Status: | Least Concern |
| Length: | 4.3–5.1 in (11–13 cm) |
| Weight: | 0.3–0.3 oz (7–10 g) |
| Wingspan: | 7.5–7.8 in (19–19.7 cm) |
| Lifespan: | Up to 6 years |
The Black-throated Gray Warbler is an intriguing bird with black-patterned gray and white feathers.
Their patterning and the small yellow patch between their eye and beak make them easy to identify. The backs of both sexes are gray, and their wings are speckled with black and white belly.
Gray with a black heart When they are foraging, warblers are amiable birds that are simple to identify. They hunt in groups with other species rather often. They consume insects that are found on the ground or in small trees, primarily caterpillars.
The western portion of North America, southwest British Columbia, and the entire Pacific coast are home to Black-throated Gray Warbler breeding grounds.
For their breeding grounds, they favor chaparral, dry open oak forests, and other scrublands with a brushy understory. They are most frequently seen in or close to pinyon pines, junipers, and oaks.
46. Ladder-backed Woodpecker
| Scientific Name: | Dryobates scalaris |
| Conservation Status: | Least Concern |
| Length: | 6.3–7.1 in (16–18 cm) |
| Weight: | 0.7–1.7 oz (21–48 g) |
| Wingspan: | 12.2–13.0 in (31–33 cm) |
| Lifespan: | Up to 4 years |
The ladder-supported The woodpecker’s wings and back are barred in a pattern reminiscent of ladder rungs. White and black are their main colors. Their cream-colored breast and flanks are speckled with black, and they have a black tail.
Their otherwise buffy white face is broken up by a pair of black lines that meet at their neck and go from their bill to their eye. The crowns of males are usually redder, while those of females are usually darker.
These species are present in several parts of Mexico, the southwest United States, and sporadic areas of Central America south of Nicaragua.
ladder-supported Arid habitats such as pinyon-juniper woodlands, thorn forests, and scrubby deserts are home to woodpeckers. They make their nests in tree cavities, but in drier areas, a large cactus would do.
47. Acorn Woodpecker
| Scientific Name: | Melanerpes formicivorus |
| Conservation Status: | Least Concern |
| Length: | 7.5–9.1 in (19–23 cm) |
| Weight: | 2.3–3.2 oz (65–90 g) |
| Wingspan: | 13.8–16.9 in (35–43 cm) |
| Lifespan: | Up to 17 years |
The peculiar habit of the black-and-white Acorn Woodpecker bird is to store acorns in tree cavities. With a white face, a brilliant red cap, and a black patch on their bill, their color is mostly black.
In many aspects, these woodpeckers are unique. They congregate in large colonies, save acorns for the winter, and nurture their young in unison.
The group’s members gather a lot of acorns & use them to plug holes they’ve made in trees or telephone poles.
They are year-round residents of oak forests, open oak groves close to the shore, mixed woodlands, oak-pine valleys, and foothills. They do not migrate south during the winter.
The Acorn Woodpecker gets along well with humans and is found in urban areas where there are lots of acorns and secure places to store them.
Pro Tip: If the majority of your home is composed of wood, consider installing reflective tape on the foundation and pillars. This should deter Acorn Woodpeckers from turning your outside space into an acorn granary by frightening them away.
Read more: 25 Stunning Bird with Red Head
48. Black-Bellied Plover
| Scientific Name: | Pluvialis squatarola |
| Conservation Status: | Least Concern |
| Length: | 11–12 in (27–30 cm) |
| Weight: | 6.7–9.9 oz (190–280 g) |
| Wingspan: | 28–33 in (71–83 cm) |
| Lifespan: |
The Black-bellied Plover (Pluvialis squatarola) has a striking black and white look during breeding season. Males are white and dark gray, juvenile in appearance when not breeding. They are found all across the world, from North America and Europe to Northern Asia, the Arctic, and are frequently spotted alone or in flocks near beaches.
Primarily inhabiting tundra environments, they hardly go inland, favoring coastal regions from North America to the Arctic and all over Europe.
49. American Avocet
| Scientific Name: | Recurvirostra americana |
| Conservation Status: | Became protected |
| Length: | 16–20 in (40–51 cm) |
| Weight: | 9.7–14.8 oz (275–420 g) |
| Wingspan: | 27–30 in (68–76 cm) |
| Lifespan: |
The American Avocet (Recurvirostra americana) has eye-catching black, yellow, and red plumage during the breeding season. Their wings and underbelly stay white and black, but their head and neck turn a brilliant red.
Their preferred food source, shrimp, typically locates them along the Eastern coast of North America, specifically in Eastern Canada, Eastern United States, and the Gulf of Mexico.
50. Nuttall’s Woodpecker
| Scientific Name: | Dryobates nuttallii |
| Conservation Status: | Least Concern |
| Length: | 6.3–7.1 in (16–18 cm) |
| Weight: | 1.1–1.6 oz (30–45 g) |
| Wingspan: | 10–13 in (25–38 cm) |
| Lifespan: |
With its striking black and white plumage, which includes white wing bands and a black and white head, the Nuttall’s Woodpecker stands out. Males’ crowns could be crimson.
Only found in California, they produce clutch sizes of a few eggs in cavities and flourish in a variety of wooded environments throughout the state. They are found only in small areas in California, yet their populations remain steady there.
51. Heermann’s Gull
| Scientific Name: | Larus heermanni |
| Conservation Status: | Preserved |
The Heermann’s Gull is a visually spectacular bird of prey, with bright gray bellies, black and gray wings scarlet beaks to highlight the white heads.
In the Gulf of California and the West Coast. These creatures are widespread and consume insects and small fish commonly located near the shore. In coastal areas, Heermann’s Gulls lay their eggs in ground-based colonies. They are usually observed in big, fierce flocks.
52. Great Black-Backed Gull
| Scientific Name: | Larus marinus |
| Conservation Status: | Least Concern |
| Length: | 25–31 inch (64–79 cm) |
| Weight: | 1 lb 10 oz – 5 lb 1 oz(0,75–2,3 kg) |
| Wingspan: | 4ft 17 inch–5ft 7 inch (1,5–1,7 m) |
| Lifespan: | up to 27 years |
With a maximum length of 31 inches, Great Black-backed Gulls (Larus marinus) are the biggest gulls in the world. Their beaks are either dark orange or yellow-orange, and they have predominantly white bodies with black and gray wings.
They are opportunistic feeders that prey on fish, carrion, and other things. They are found in coastal locations. Many migrate for the winter, simply crossing the Atlantic Ocean, while some remain put. Dispersed throughout Northern Europe, Greenland, Iceland, and the Eastern US.
Have you ever seen these adorable white and black birds perched on your feeder or on a tree? Tell us about your experience in the space provided for comments below! Please feel free to ask us any questions you may have regarding these birds!
Further Readings
- Black Birds with Red Heads
- Black Birds with Red Eyes
- Black Birds with white Beaks
- Black Birds with Green Heads
- Black Birds with White Bellies
- Black Birds with White Spots
- Black Birds with Orange Wings
- Black Birds with Blue Heads
- Black Birds with Yellow Heads
- Black Birds with Gray Heads
- Black Birds with Blue Heads
- Black Birds with Black Beaks
- Black Birds With White Stripes On Wings
![19 Astonishing White birds in Florida [Images + IDs]](https://birdsology.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/39-600x400.jpg.webp)
![20 beautiful blackbirds with blue heads [With Images]](https://birdsology.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/24-600x400.jpg.webp)
![18 Black Birds with Green Heads [Images + IDs]](https://birdsology.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/48848629877_06e3f472c4_b-600x400.jpg.webp)
