There are a number of bird species that have brown and black feathers. To identify a specific bird, it is important to consider the size, shape, distribution and specific pattern of the brown and black coloration.
Birds With Brown and Black Feathers
Here are some common bird species in North America that are mostly brown and black in color:
- Red-winged Blackbird – Medium sized songbird with black body and bright red shoulder patches on wings.
- Common Grackle – Long tailed blackbird with purple-blue iridescent feathers on head and breast.
- Brown-headed Cowbird – Stocky blackbird with brown head and throat.
- European Starling – Stocky black bird with iridescent purple, green and blue feathers in breeding season.
- Red-tailed Hawk – Large predatory bird with brown upperparts and white underparts with dark belly band. Red tail.
- Cooper’s Hawk – Medium sized hawk with black crown, blue-gray upperparts and white underparts with reddish barring.
- Sharp-shinned Hawk – Small hawk with slate gray upperparts and white underparts with reddish barring.
- American Crow – All black songbird with black legs, bill and eyes.
- Common Raven – All black corvid with massive bill, shaggy throat feathers.
- Great Horned Owl – Large owl with brown and black mottling, ear tufts and yellow eyes.
- Barred Owl – Grayish brown owl with vertical brown and white barring on breast and horizontal barring on belly.
There are many more species of birds that have brown and black coloration. To identify the specific species, it is necessary to look at the size, proportions, behavior and specific plumage details of the bird.
Identifying Birds by Size
The overall size of a brown and black bird can help narrow down its possible identity. Here are some size categories:
- Very small (sparrow sized) – Bushtit, Bewick’s Wren, House Wren
- Small (robin sized) – Spotted Towhee, Song Sparrow, Canyon Wren
- Medium (crow sized) – Red-winged Blackbird, Common Grackle, Brown-headed Cowbird
- Large (hawk sized) – Red-tailed Hawk, Cooper’s Hawk
- Very large (goose sized) – Common Raven, Great Horned Owl
In addition to the overall size, pay attention to key proportions like the size of the bill, wings and tail which can help identify species.
Identifying Birds by Shape and Proportions
The silhouette and shape of a bird can quickly narrow down what species it might be. Look for these distinguishing features:
- Plump body, short tail – Quail, Grouse, Wild Turkey
- Tubby body, round head, short tail – Sparrow, Junco, Blackbird
- Streamlined body, pointed wings – Swallow
- Large headed, short tailed – Woodpecker
- Hooked beak, curved talons – Hawk, Falcon
- Long legs, neck and bill – Heron, Egret
- Compact body, large rounded head – Owl
Be sure to note specific traits like crest on head, long tail, long beak, short legs which can all help identify the species.
Identifying Birds by Plumage Patterns
The specific pattern of brown and black on a bird can confirm what species it is. Look for these unique plumage markings:
- Red shoulder patches – Red-winged Blackbird
- White wing bars – Junco
- Spotted underparts – Towhee
- Blue head – Common Grackle
- Brown cap and throat – Brown-headed Cowbird
- Red tail – Red-tailed Hawk
- Barring on chest and/or belly – Sparrow, Owl
- Streaking on breast – Starling, maybe a Meadowlark
Also note the shade and gloss of the black and brown. Iridescent or glossy feathers indicate a starling, grackle or other blackbird. A velvety brown head is more likely a hawk or eagle.
Identifying Birds by Behavior
Paying attention to how a bird moves and acts can provide more clues to what it is:
- Hopping on ground – Sparrow, Towhee
- Walking on ground – Quail, Grouse
- Wading in water – Heron, Egret
- Swimming – Coots, grebes
- Perched upright – Woodpecker, chickadee
- Soaring – Hawk, Eagle
- Swift direct flight – Pigeon, Dove
- Bounding flight – Woodpecker
- Undulating flight – Swallow, Swift
- Gregarious flocks – Blackbird, Starling, Grackle
- Solitary – Hawk, Heron, Owl
- Song and call notes
Putting together the bird’s manner of moving, whether it is alone or in a flock and any vocalizations can confirm what species it is. Use a bird guide or app to learn the typical sounds for local species.
Conclusion
Identifying a brown and black colored bird takes a process of elimination based on its key characteristics. The size, proportions, plumage details, behavior and habitat can all help pinpoint whether it is a blackbird, sparrow, hawk, owl or other species. With practice, bird watchers can quickly recognize the distinctive features of common birds they encounter. Paying close attention and using field guides leads to more rewarding birding adventures.
Bird Identification Table
Bird Name | Size | Distinctive Traits | Behavior | Habitat |
---|---|---|---|---|
Red-winged Blackbird | Medium | Red shoulder patches, conical bill | Gregarious, soaring flight | Marshes, meadows |
Common Grackle | Medium | Iridescent black, long tail | Flocks, walks on ground | Open country, woodland edges |
Brown-headed Cowbird | Medium | Stubby bill, brown head | Gregarious flocks | Open fields, roadsides |
Red-tailed Hawk | Large | Red tail, heavy bill | Soars, solitary | Open country, woodland edges |
American Crow | Medium-large | All black, heavy bill | Fly in flocks | Varied habitat |
This table summarizes key identification features of some common brown and black colored birds. The details can help distinguish between similar looking species.
Identifying birds takes patience and practice. With a good field guide and paying attention to key details, bird watchers can correctly identify many species. Look for size, shape, plumage patterns, behavior and habitat clues. Understanding the variation within species like males vs. females, juveniles vs. adults also helps pin down ID. Some birds can only be identified by their sounds. Over time, identification skills improve with field experience. Being able to ID common birds by sight makes birding much more rewarding.
Bird watching connects us to nature and gives a reason to explore new habitats. It is a hobby that can be enjoyed anywhere from backyards to wilderness preserves. With so much diversity in the bird world, there are always new species to see. Birding provides fresh air, exercise and a reason to travel. And identifying the birds encountered is a continual learning process and mental challenge. Well-developed observation skills allow birders to distinguish not just common species but rarer finds as well. There is always more to learn when it comes to the identification of our feathered friends.