There are a few different kinds of birds that have black and white striped wings. The most common birds with this distinctive wing pattern are the zebra finch and the great egret. Other birds that may have black and white striped wings include some species of blackbirds, magpies, and sparrows. The striking black and white wing plumage serves different functions for various bird species, including camouflage, signaling and mate attraction. Read on to learn more about birds with black and white striped wings!
Zebra Finch
The zebra finch (Taeniopygia guttata) is a small passerine bird native to Australia and Indonesia. It gets its name from the distinctive black and white barring pattern on its wings and body. The wings have black stripes with white bands in between. This black and white striped pattern provides camouflage when the bird is at rest amidst grasses and bushes. It helps the finch blend into the dappled light and shadows of its natural habitat in the grasslands of Australia.
Male zebra finches also use their black and white wing plumage to attract females. The high contrast stripes are thought to be an indicator of good health and vitality. Females will select males with the most crisp and clearly defined wing stripes as mates. So the striking wing pattern serves both a camouflage and signaling purpose in zebra finches.
Zebra Finch Facts
- Scientific name: Taeniopygia guttata
- Length: 4-4.5 inches
- Wingspan: 7-8 inches
- Weight: 0.4-0.7 oz
- Lifespan: 5-10 years
- Diet: Seeds, insects
- Habitat: Grasslands of Australia and Indonesia
The zebra finch is easy to identify by its black and white barred plumage. It has a small black beak, red eyes, and red-orange feet. The male has chestnut cheek patches and stripes on the sides of the throat. Females lack the colored cheek patches and stripes. Juveniles have a grayish appearance before molting into adult plumage.
Great Egret
The great egret (Ardea alba) is a large wading bird that also has black and white striped wings. During the breeding season, the great egret develops long plumes on its back that trail behind its body. The wings become decorated with long, dangling plumes as well. These plumes are white, while the flight feathers of the wing are black. This creates a bold striped pattern when the wings are extended.
The breeding plumage is thought to play a role in courtship displays. Male egrets will spread their wings to showcase the ornamental plumes to prospective mates. The striking black and white wings signal fitness and reproductive success when competing for females. Outside of breeding season, the plumes recede and the wings return to solid white in appearance.
Great Egret Facts
- Scientific name: Ardea alba
- Length: 37-49 inches
- Wingspan: 52-67 inches
- Weight: 2-3.6 lbs
- Lifespan: 10-15 years
- Diet: Fish, frogs, small mammals, insects
- Habitat: Marshes, wetlands, coastal regions
With its large size, all-white plumage, black legs, and yellow bill, the great egret is an elegant and unmistakable waterbird. Its black and white striped wings are only on display during breeding season. The rest of the year they appear bright white.
Other Birds with Black and White Striped Wings
While less common, other bird species can also display black and white striped wing patterns, including:
Red-Winged Blackbird
Male red-winged blackbirds have jet black bodies, with bright red and yellow shoulder patches called epaulets. The wings have distinct white stripes and bars across black flight feathers. Females are brownish-black and heavily streaked.
Eurasian Magpie
Eurasian magpies have iridescent black and white plumage. The wings have a mix of solid black flight feathers and white covert feathers, creating a striking striped pattern in flight.
White-Throated Magpie-Jay
This large Central American corvid has a black head, bright blue feathers on the crown, and a white throat and chest. Its wings are patterned with black and white stripes.
Harris’s Sparrow
A rather large sparrow with bold black stripes on its white underparts. It has variable black and white markings on its wings and back.
The Purpose of Black and White Striped Wings
As we’ve seen, the reasons behind the black and white striped wing pattern varies across different bird groups:
- Camouflage – provides concealment in dappled light (zebra finch)
- Signaling – indicates fitness for mating (great egret, zebra finch)
- Identification – aids in species recognition (magpies, red-winged blackbird)
The high contrast stripes are visually striking and memorable to both other birds and bird watchers. For some species, the patterning provides camouflage when the bird is stationary. But the stripes become conspicuous in flight, allowing for easier identification of the species.
The black and white coloration also plays a role in courtship and breeding displays. The crisp, high contrast pattern signals good health and vitality – desirable qualities for reproduction.
How Do Birds Grow Striped Feathers?
The process of feather growth and development is precisely genetically controlled in birds. Feathers begin forming while the bird is still an embryo. Unique genes are switched on that control the distribution of the black and white pigments as the feather grows.
The pigments melanin (black) and carotenoids (red, yellow) are deposited in specific patterns as the feather elongates from the follicle. For striped feathers, melanin production is alternately activated and suppressed to create the bars.
The complexity and variety of feather patterning seen in birds is made possible by the intricate molecular regulation of pigment production and placement as the feather grows. Slight genetic variations lead to novel striping patterns that natural selection can then act upon over time.
Feather Anatomy
- Rachis – central shaft of the feather
- Barbs – attached to either side of rachis, with barbules branching off of them
- Barbicels – connect the barbules together in a zipper-like fashion
- Calamus – hollow base that anchors into the feather follicle in skin
The precise alignment of melanin granules in the barbules of the feather produce the microscopic structure that scatters light to create the visual effect of striped patterning.
Mimicry of Black and White Striped Wings
Some species have evolved to mimic the recognizable black and white striped wings of successful species like the zebra finch. Mimicry provides an evolutionary advantage by deceiving predators and competitors. Some examples include:
Streak-Backed Oriole
This oriole mimics the zebra finch wing pattern. It lacks the red/orange beak and feet of true finches.
Pin-Tailed Whydah
Males mimic zebra finches to gain access to nests of estrildid finches during breeding season.
Shaft-Tailed Whydah
Another whydah species that mimics zebra finches and other grassfinches.
By studying the wing patterns of mimics, scientists gain insight into the selective pressures and advantages provided by particular plumage traits. The prevalence of black and white striped wing mimics points to the success of this strategy.
Conclusion
While many birds have adapted complex and colorful feather patterns, the simplicity of bold black and white stripes on the wings stands out. Species ranging from tiny finches to large herons utilize this high contrast wing pattern for different evolutionary benefits. The variety of functions, from camouflage to signaling, demonstrates the adaptability of this plumage trait. Whether stripes aid survival or reproductive success, this eyecatching wing pattern continues to thrive across diverse avian families. The next time you observe a bird in flight, take a closer look at its wings to see if they bear the iconic black and white stripes.