15 White Birds with Black Tipped Wings [Images + IDs]

Birds come in an array of colors and patterns, each with its own unique charm. Among them, some birds sport a striking and elegant look: they are mostly white but have wings with bold black tips. These feathered beauties create a mesmerizing contrast that captures the eye and the heart. In this blog post, we will embark on a journey to explore the world of white birds with black tipped wings. We’ll delve into what makes them stand out, where they make their homes, and what fuels their flights.

List of White Birds with Black Tipped Wings

Bali Myna

• Scientific name: Leucopsar rothschildi
• Lifespan: Information not readily available.
• Wingspan: Information not readily available.
• Native to: Bali and nearby Indonesian islands.

The Bali Myna, scientifically named Leucopsar rothschildi, is a critically endangered bird species that hails from the Indonesian island of Bali. It is renowned for its striking appearance, characterized by pristine white plumage with distinct blue eye rings and black tips on its wings and tail. The Bali Myna’s elegant appearance has earned it the nickname “Bali Starling.”

This beautiful bird is endemic to Bali and a small neighboring island, Nusa Penida. Unfortunately, it faces severe threats from habitat loss due to deforestation, illegal wildlife trade, and other factors. Conservation efforts, including captive breeding and habitat preservation, are underway to save this iconic species from extinction.

The Bali Myna’s plight serves as a symbol for the broader challenges of preserving biodiversity in the face of habitat destruction and illegal wildlife trade.

Pied Imperial Pigeons

• Scientific name: Ducula bicolor
• Lifespan: Information not readily available.
• Wingspan: Information not readily available.
• Native to: Islands and coastal regions in Southeast Asia and the western Pacific.

The Pied Imperial Pigeon, scientifically known as Ducula bicolor, is a distinctive pigeon species found across a vast range, encompassing parts of Southeast Asia, northern Australia, and various islands in the western Pacific Ocean. Its name is derived from its striking black-and-white plumage, which makes it easily distinguishable.

These pigeons play an essential ecological role as seed dispersers in their ecosystems. Their diet primarily consists of fruits, and they are known for their impressive ability to swallow large fruits whole and disperse the seeds as they move from place to place. This behavior aids in the regeneration of the forests they inhabit.

Pied Imperial Pigeons are social birds that often gather in large flocks, creating a remarkable sight when they take to the skies. They are generally found in a variety of habitats, including coastal regions, mangroves, and tropical forests.

Snow Goose

• Scientific name: Anser caerulescens
• Lifespan: Typically around 10 to 15 years
• Wingspan: Approximately 135 to 165 cm (53.1 to 65 inches)
• Native to: North America, including Canada and the United States.

Appearance: Snow Geese are medium to large waterfowl with distinctive white plumage, though they may have a grayish wash on their bodies. Their bills are pink with a black “grinning patch” on the front. During flight, their black wingtips are visible.

Habitat: These geese breed in the Arctic tundra and migrate south during the winter. They can be found in a variety of wetland habitats, including lakes, ponds, and marshes, during migration and winter.

Behavior: Snow Geese are herbivorous and feed on plant material such as grasses, sedges, and aquatic plants. They often forage by upending in shallow water or grazing in fields.

Range: They have a wide range that extends from the Arctic regions of North America to the southern United States during the winter. They are known for their impressive long-distance migrations.

Swallow-tailed kite

• Scientific name: Elanoides forficatus
• Lifespan: about 6 years
• Size: 24-inch
• Native to: southeastern United States to eastern Peru and northern Argentina

Appearance: Swallow-tailed Kites are striking raptors with distinctive black and white plumage. They have a white head, body, and tail, with black wings and a deeply forked tail. Their long wings and streamlined shape make them graceful in flight.

Habitat: These kites prefer forested habitats, including wetlands, riparian areas, and hardwood forests, where they hunt for insects and small vertebrates.

Behavior: Swallow-tailed Kites are known for their acrobatic flight, which includes catching insects in mid-air or plucking them from leaves. They are primarily insectivorous but may also consume small vertebrates.

Range: Swallow-tailed Kites breed in the southeastern United States and parts of Central and South America. They migrate to South America during the winter.

American White Pelican

• Scientific name: Pelecanus
• Lifespan: 15 – 25 years
• Size: 48 inches
• Native to: all continents except Antarctica
• Beak length is typically 8 to 12 inches (20 to 30 cm)

Appearance: American White Pelicans are large waterbirds with predominantly white plumage. They have a distinctive long, orange bill with a pouch, which they use for catching fish. During breeding season, they develop a fibrous plate on their bill.

Habitat: These pelicans inhabit freshwater habitats, such as lakes, marshes, and rivers, and are known for their cooperative fishing behavior.

Behavior: American White Pelicans are piscivorous, primarily feeding on fish. They are often seen foraging in groups, using a coordinated effort to corral and catch fish.

Range: They breed in North America, primarily in the western United States and Canada, and migrate south to parts of the United States and Central America during the winter.

White Ibis

Image Source

• Scientific name: Eudocimus albus
• Lifespan: 25 to 27 years
• Size: 21 to 28 inches
• Native to: Virginia via the Gulf Coast of the United States

Appearance: White Ibises are medium-sized wading birds with white plumage, long legs, and a long, curved bill. During the breeding season, adults have a patch of red skin around their eyes and a reddish bill. Immature birds have more brownish plumage.

Habitat: They are commonly found in a variety of wetland habitats, including marshes, swamps, estuaries, and coastal lagoons.

Behavior: White Ibises are omnivorous, feeding on a diet that includes aquatic invertebrates, small fish, crustaceans, and even small amphibians. They use their long bills to probe and forage in mud and shallow water.

Range: White Ibises are native to the southeastern United States and parts of Central and South America. They are known for their distinctive foraging flocks, often seen probing the mud in unison.

Whooping Crane

The Whooping Crane is the tallest bird in North America and it represents the importance of safeguarding endangered species. Because of extensive hunting, the Whooping Crane was almost wiped out in the early 20th century.

By the mid-20th century, the Whooping Crane became one of the most endangered birds in North America, with only 21 wild birds remaining by 1941. Strict protections have helped the species recover, but it is still one of the rarest bird species in North America.

The Whooping Crane is protected in Canada, the United States, and Mexico. There are two groups of Whooping Cranes that migrate and one group that doesn’t migrate. The largest flock is also the only one that naturally migrates.

Image Source

• Scientific name: Grus americana
• Lifespan: 22 to 30 years
• Size: 5 feet tall
• Native to: Canada and America

Appearance: Whooping Cranes are large, elegant birds with white plumage and black wingtips. They have a distinctive red crown and facial skin. Their long legs are black, and they have a long, slender bill.

Habitat: These cranes are often associated with wetlands, including marshes, grasslands, and shallow lakes. They are highly territorial during the breeding season.

Behavior: Whooping Cranes are omnivorous, feeding on a diet that includes aquatic plants, small mammals, and insects. They are known for their distinctive, trumpet-like calls and elaborate courtship dances.

Range: Whooping Cranes are one of the rarest bird species in North America and are found in select breeding areas in the United States and Canada. Conservation efforts have been made to protect and reintroduce this critically endangered species.

Ring-billed Gull 

• Scientific name: Larus delawarensis
• Lifespan: Typically around 12 to 15 years
• Wingspan: Approximately 96 to 110 cm (37.8 to 43.3 inches)
• Native to: North America, often seen near inland and coastal waters.

Appearance: Ring-billed Gulls are medium-sized gulls with a distinctive black ring encircling their yellow bill, which gives them their name. During the breeding season, their head, neck, and underparts are white, and they have gray wings with black wingtips. In non-breeding plumage, they have brown streaking on their heads.

Habitat: These gulls are highly adaptable and can be found in a wide range of habitats, including lakes, rivers, coastal areas, and urban environments.

Behavior: Ring-billed Gulls are opportunistic feeders, consuming a varied diet that includes fish, insects, crustaceans, and even scavenging at landfills. They are often seen in parking lots and near water bodies, foraging for food.

Range: They breed in northern North America and migrate to southern and coastal areas in the United States and Mexico during the winter.

Laughing Gull

• Scientific name: Leucophaeus atricilla
• Lifespan: 22 years old
• Size: 14–16 in
• Native to: North and South America

Appearance: Laughing Gulls are medium-sized gulls with a striking black head during the breeding season, a white eye ring, and a red bill. Their body is white, and their wings are gray with black wingtips. In non-breeding plumage, their head turns white with dark streaks.

Habitat: They are primarily found in coastal areas, including beaches, estuaries, and marshes, as well as inland lakes and ponds.

Behavior: Laughing Gulls are known for their distinctive, loud “laughing” calls. They are skilled at catching fish and are often seen swooping over the water’s surface or scavenging for food on beaches.

Range: Laughing Gulls breed along the southeastern coast of the United States and in the Caribbean. They migrate to Central and South America during the non-breeding season.

Herring Gull

• Scientific name: Larus argentatus
• Lifespan: Up to 30 years or more
• Size: Large; 22-26 inches (56-66 cm) in length, wingspan of 49-60 inches (124-152 cm)
• Origin: Native to North America, Europe, and Asia; thrives in coastal and inland regions near water bodies.

Appearance: Herring Gulls are large gulls with a pale gray mantle, white head and body, and yellow bill with a red spot near the tip. They have pink legs and pink skin around their eyes.

Habitat: Herring Gulls are versatile and can be found in a variety of coastal and inland habitats, including beaches, cliffs, harbors, and urban areas.

Behavior: They are opportunistic feeders, scavenging for a wide range of food, including fish, carrion, and even human scraps. They are known for their distinct “laughing” calls.

Range: Herring Gulls have a wide distribution, breeding along the coastlines of North America, Europe, and Asia. They are commonly seen in coastal cities and towns and are one of the most familiar gull species.

Bonaparte’s Gull 

• Scientific name: Chroicocephalus philadelphia
• Lifespan: Typically around 10 to 15 years
• Wingspan: Approximately 76 to 86 cm (29.9 to 33.9 inches)
• Native to: North America, often found near inland and coastal waters.

Appearance: Bonaparte’s Gulls are small, elegant gulls with a black head during the breeding season, which turns white with a dark ear spot in non-breeding plumage. They have a slender, pointed bill and distinctive black wingtips.

Habitat: These gulls are often found near freshwater habitats, including lakes, rivers, and boreal forest ponds during the breeding season. They can also be seen along coastlines during migration and winter.

Behavior: Bonaparte’s Gulls primarily feed on insects, small fish, and plankton. They are agile flyers and can be seen hovering over water bodies while foraging.

Range: They breed in northern North America, including Canada and Alaska, and migrate to the coastlines of the United States and Central and South America during the non-breeding season.

Franklin’s Gull

• Scientific name: Leucophaeus pipixcan
• Lifespan: Typically around 10 to 15 years
• Wingspan: Approximately 76 to 86 cm (29.9 to 33.9 inches)
• Native to: North and South America, including parts of Canada and the United States.

Appearance: Franklin’s Gulls are medium-sized gulls with a striking appearance. During the breeding season, adults have a black head that contrasts with a white eye ring and a reddish bill. Their body is gray, and their wings have a white trailing edge. In non-breeding plumage, their head turns white with dark streaking.

Habitat: These gulls are primarily found in freshwater habitats, including marshes, lakes, and ponds during the breeding season. During migration and in winter, they can be seen along coastal areas, estuaries, and agricultural fields.

Behavior: Franklin’s Gulls are known for their graceful flight and are often seen in large flocks, especially during migration. They are opportunistic feeders, consuming a diet that includes insects, small fish, crustaceans, and plant matter.

Range: They breed in the northern Great Plains of North America, mainly in Canada and the northern United States, and migrate to Central and South America for the winter.

California Gull

• Scientific name: Larus californicus
• Lifespan: Typically around 10 to 15 years
• Wingspan: Approximately 110 to 130 cm (43.3 to 51.2 inches)
• Native to: Western North America, including the western United States.

Appearance: California Gulls are large, elegant gulls with a distinctive black wingtip pattern. In breeding plumage, they have a white head, neck, and body, with gray wings and a yellow bill. Non-breeding adults have a brownish-gray mantle.

Habitat: They are commonly found along the coastlines of western North America, including California, the Great Basin, and inland lakes. They also inhabit agricultural fields and landfills.

Behavior: California Gulls are opportunistic feeders, scavenging for food in various habitats. They are known for their association with plowing tractors, where they catch insects and small rodents exposed during fieldwork.

Range: California Gulls breed in the western United States and southwestern Canada. They migrate to wintering grounds along the Pacific coast and even as far south as Mexico.

Northern Gannet

• Scientific name: Morus bassanus
• Lifespan: about 35 years
• Size: 40 inches
• Native to: Canadian colonies: three in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, Quebec, and three in the North Atlantic off the coast of Newfoundland

Appearance: Northern Gannets are large seabirds known for their striking appearance. They have a predominantly white plumage with black wingtips and a pale yellowish head. Adults have a long, pointed bill that is slightly blue-gray.

Habitat: These gannets are pelagic birds, primarily found in the North Atlantic Ocean. They nest in large colonies on rocky cliffs and islands, especially in the northern parts of Europe and North America.

Behavior: Northern Gannets are skilled divers, plunging headfirst into the ocean from great heights to catch fish, mainly herring and mackerel. They have excellent vision, which helps them locate prey beneath the water.

Range: Northern Gannets breed in colonies on both sides of the North Atlantic, from the United Kingdom and Ireland to eastern Canada. They migrate south during the non-breeding season.

Snow Bunting

• Scientific name: Plectrophenax nivalis
• Lifespan: Typically around 2 to 4 years
• Wingspan: Approximately 26 to 31 cm (10.2 to 12.2 inches)
• Native to: Arctic and subarctic regions, including North America and Eurasia.

Appearance: Snow Buntings are small, sparrow-sized birds with distinctive plumage. In the breeding season, males have a pure white body with a black back and wings and a contrasting white wing patch. Females have more subdued markings. In winter, both sexes develop more brown and streaked plumage.

Habitat: Snow Buntings breed in the high Arctic tundra. During the winter, they migrate south and can be found in open areas like farmlands, coastal dunes, and even along roadsides.

Behavior: These birds are highly social and often forage in flocks. They primarily feed on seeds, especially during the winter months, and are known for their habit of searching for food in snowy fields.

Range: Snow Buntings breed in the Arctic regions of North America and Eurasia. In winter, they migrate south and can be found across the northern United States, Canada, Europe, and Asia.

Each of these bird species has unique characteristics and adaptations that enable them to thrive in their specific habitats and ecosystems.

Final Thoughts on White Birds with Black Tipped Wings

As we wrap up our journey through the world of birds, we’ve uncovered the timeless elegance of white birds with black tipped wings. These avian wonders, with their striking contrast, remind us of the harmonious beauty that nature creates.

Throughout our exploration, we’ve not only celebrated their unique appearances but also gained insights into their habitats, behaviors, and soaring adventures. These birds are living examples of the artistry and diversity that grace our natural world.

List of White Birds with Black Tipped Wings

• Bali Myna
• Pied Imperial Pigeons
• Snow Goose
• Swallow-tailed Kite
• American White Pelican
• White Ibis
• Whooping Crane
• Ring-billed Gull
• Laughing Gull
• Herring Gull
• Bonaparte’s Gull
• Franklin’s Gull
• California Gull
• Northern Gannet
• Snow Bunting