Birds come in a vast array of colors, sizes and shapes. When trying to identify a specific bird, looking for unique markings or features can be very helpful. One distinctive marking that can help point to a particular species is a black spot or patch on the chest. There are a few birds that are known for having this type of characteristic.
American Robin
One of the most well-known birds with a black chest spot is the American Robin. This common North American songbird has a familiar reddish-orange breast and belly, with a distinctive black spot right in the center of its chest. The spot contrasts sharply against its lighter colored body. The American Robin’s black bib is an important identifier.
Appearance
In addition to the black spot on its chest, the American Robin has the following appearance:
- Size: About 10 inches long with a wingspan of 14-16 inches
- Plumage: Gray-brown upperparts, reddish-orange underparts, white eye ring
- Beak: Yellow with black tip
- Legs: Long yellow legs
Habitat
American Robins are found across North America and prefer open habitats including lawns, fields, woods and mountain forests. They thrive in human-altered environments and are a common sight in backyards.
Diet
These birds eat a wide variety of invertebrates including earthworms, beetles, caterpillars and grasshoppers. They also eat a range of berries and fruits.
Nesting
Nests are cup-shaped, built of grasses and twigs and placed in trees, gutters or other elevated spots. American Robins may have up to three broods per breeding season with 3-5 eggs per clutch.
European Robin
The European Robin is a closely related species that shares the distinct black chest bib of its American cousin. As the name suggests, this species is found throughout Europe and parts of North Africa and Asia. They occupy a niche similar to the American Robin’s, thriving in human-created habitats like parks, gardens and agricultural areas.
Appearance
Key features include:
- Size: 8-9 inches long
- Plumage: Olive-brown upperparts, orange face and underparts, white eye ring, black head and tail
- Beak: Dark brown
- Legs: Brownish-red legs
Habitat
Abundant in a variety of open and semi-open habitats across its wide range. Does well in areas modified by humans.
Diet
Feeds on invertebrates like earthworms and insects as well as seeds and fruit. May forage in lawns and fields.
Nesting
Builds a neat cup nest of moss, leaves and grasses. Nests are often placed on ledges, in crevices or tree hollows. Clutch size is 4-6 eggs.
Rufous-tailed Robin
An additional robin species sporting a prominent black chest patch is the Rufous-tailed Robin. This bird lives in Central and South America in subtropical and tropical forests and woodlands.
Appearance
The Rufous-tailed Robin has:
- Size: 8 inches long
- Plumage: Grayish-brown upperparts, rufous orange underparts, black head with small white eye ring
- Beak: Black above, yellow below
- Legs: Pinkish-brown legs
Habitat
Humid broadleaf forests, woodlands, second growth, parks and gardens. Ranges from Mexico south to Peru and Brazil.
Diet
Feeds on fruits, berries and some insects.
Nesting
Builds nest in tree or shrub at a height of 7-15 feet. Constructed of grass, leaves and moss. Lays 2-4 eggs.
Black-throated Blue Warbler
In addition to robins, some types of warblers also have black chest spots. The Black-throated Blue Warbler is a small songbird that breeds in Eastern North America. Males have a striking black face and chin and a black spot on the otherwise white underparts.
Appearance
Key features of male Black-throated Blue Warblers include:
- Size: 4.5-5 inches long
- Plumage: Blue-gray back and head, black face, white underparts with distinct black spot on chest
- Beak: Small and pointed, black
- Legs: Flesh-colored
Females lack the bold black and blue plumage. They have an olive back, white underparts and a faint blackish patch on the chest.
Habitat
Breeds in deciduous and mixed forests. Winters in tropical forests of the Caribbean and Central America.
Diet
Feeds on insects and spiders gleaned from foliage in trees and shrubs.
Nesting
Female builds open cup nest on or near forest floor. Lays 3-5 eggs.
Red-vented Bulbul
A black chest patch can also be seen on the Red-vented Bulbul, a songbird found in South and Southeast Asia. This bird was introduced to parts of the Pacific and has become invasive in some regions.
Appearance
The Red-vented Bulbul has:
- Size: 7-9 inches long
- Plumage: Brownish-gray head and upperparts, white underparts with black throat, red vent
- Beak: Short black beak with pale base
- Legs: Reddish-brown
Habitat
Broad range including forests, gardens, agricultural areas and urban parks. Native to Asia but introduced in parts of Middle East, Australia and islands in Western Pacific.
Diet
Omnivorous, feeding on fruits, nectar, insects and some small vertebrates.
Nesting
Nest is a loosely woven cup placed in a tree or shrub. Lays clutch of 3-5 eggs.
Scarlet-chested Parakeet
Parakeets are also among the birds that can have black chest patches. The Scarlet-chested Parakeet is a vibrant green parakeet with bright red and blue markings on its wings and tail. It has a conspicuous black throat and upper chest.
Appearance
Key features include:
- Size: 11-12 inches long
- Plumage: Green with red forehead, blue wings and tail, scarlet chest with black patch
- Beak: Reddish-orange hooked bill
- Legs: Gray
Habitat
Lowland forests of the Amazon Basin region in South America.
Diet
Feeds on fruits, seeds, berries and some insects.
Nesting
Nests in tree cavity, laying 3-4 white eggs.
Red-capped Parrot
Another parrot species with a bold black chest marking is the Red-capped Parrot of Australia. Adult birds have vivid green plumage with bright red crowns, dark blue wings and tails, and a round black patch on the chest.
Appearance
- Size: 11-12 inches long
- Plumage: Green with bright red cap, blue wings and tail, black chest spot
- Beak: Gray-black hooked bill
- Legs: Gray
Habitat
Found in open eucalyptus woodlands and forest edges. Native to eastern and southeastern Australia.
Diet
Feeds on seeds, fruits, berries, nuts and some insects.
Nesting
Nests in tree cavity. Clutch size is usually 3-6 white eggs.
Rose-breasted Grosbeak
The Rose-breasted Grosbeak is a songbird species found in North America that is best known for the bright red triangle on the chests of adult males. But female and juvenile birds display a distinctive black spot in the center of the white chest.
Appearance
- Size: 7.5-9 inches long
- Plumage: Black head and back with white underparts. Red triangle on adult male chest. Juveniles and females have black spot on chest.
- Beak: Thick triangular beak, grayish
- Legs: Flesh-colored
Habitat
Breeds in open deciduous forests. Winters in Central America. Ranges across most of North America.
Diet
Eats insects, berries and seeds. Forages on the ground and in trees.
Nesting
Nest is an open cup built in a tree crotch near the trunk. Lays 3-5 eggs.
Scarlet-chested Sunbird
The Scarlet-chested Sunbird is a small, colorful species found in Africa. Adult males have metallic green upperparts, violet wings and tail, yellow undersides and a scarlet patch on the chest. Females have greenish upperparts, pale yellow underparts with a darker spot on the chest.
Appearance
- Size: 4-4.5 inches long
- Plumage: Metallic green above, violet wings and tail on male. Yellow below with scarlet chest spot. Female duller overall.
- Beak: Long, thin, downcurved beak
- Legs: Short, grayish legs
Habitat
Found in tropical forests, woodlands and thickets. Ranges across Sub-Saharan Africa.
Diet
Feeds on nectar as well as small insects.
Nesting
Builds a compact cup nest from plant material and spider webs. Lays 2-3 eggs.
Pin-tailed Whydah
An African species of estrildid finch, the Pin-tailed Whydah has black underparts on the male during breeding plumage. In the center of the black breast and belly is a small chestnut-brown patch.
Appearance
- Size: 5-6 inches long
- Plumage: Black head, underparts, wings and tail on breeding male. Small chestnut patch in center of breast.
- Beak: Short, thick, pale pink
- Legs: Flesh-colored
Habitat
Found in open savannas and grasslands, agricultural areas. Native to Africa.
Diet
Feeds mainly on grass seeds, but also some insects.
Nesting
Does not build own nest. Lays eggs in nests of estrildid finches.
Red-whiskered Bulbul
Another species of songbird with a spotted chest pattern is the Red-whiskered Bulbul of Asia. This bird has brown upperparts, pale underparts, a tall pointed crest, and red streaks on the face. There is also a large black throat patch that extends down to a black spot on the upper breast.
Appearance
- Size: 7-9 inches long
- Plumage: Brownish upperparts, pale underparts with black throat and chest spot. Pointed black crest.
- Beak: Short black beak
- Legs: Brownish-red
Habitat
Found in a variety of wooded and semi-open habitats. Native to tropical southern Asia but introduced in parts of Australia, Africa and islands in Indian Ocean.
Diet
Omnivorous, eating fruit and some insects.
Nesting
Builds a loose cup nest in a tree. Lays clutch of 3-5 eggs.
Other Bird Species
While the birds described above are some of the most prominent species with black chest spots or patches, there are a number of additional species that may display similar markings including:
- Chestnut-vented Nuthatch
- Hume’s Leaf Warbler
- Green-backed Sparrowlark
- Black-and-rufous Warbling Finch
- African Pied Wagtail
- Black-throated Gray Warbler
- Black-chested Snake Eagle
So in summary, while a number of birds may have dark spotting or patches on their chest and breast, some of the most iconic and easily-identifiable species with this feature include robins, some parrots, bulbuls, sunbirds, parakeets, warblers, grosbeaks and estrildid finches.
Conclusion
When trying to identify a bird species, unique markings like a black bib, spot or patch on the chest can provide helpful clues. Familiar birds that display this trait include the American Robin and European Robin. Other species with bold black chest markings include warblers, parrots, bulbuls, sunbirds, parakeets and some finches. While the coloring may differ between males and females or adults and juveniles, looking for a dark spot or patch on the breast can aid in identifying certain birds.