There are several birds that are commonly referred to as black and white birds due to their distinctive plumage patterns featuring both black and white feathers. Some of the most well-known black and white birds include:
Magpie
Magpies are medium-sized birds in the crow family known for their long tails, sharp facial patterns, and striking black and white plumage. There are several different species of magpies found throughout Europe, Asia, and North America. Some common names for magpies include Eurasian Magpie, Black-billed Magpie, Yellow-billed Magpie, Korean Magpie, and Azure-winged Magpie.
Appearance
Most magpie species share a black and white color pattern, with black feathers on the wings and tail forming a dark cloak over the back. The underparts and shoulders are white. The head is more variable among species but often features white patches on the cheeks and throat. The tail is long and makes up around half the length of the bird’s body. The sturdy bill is black and cone-shaped.
Behavior
Magpies are highly intelligent and social birds that live in small flocks. They build large, domed nests high up in trees and lay between 5-8 eggs. Magpies are omnivorous and eat a wide variety of insects, seeds, grains, nuts, fruit, small animals, and eggs. They are vocal birds with a range of calls used to communicate within their flock. Magpies are found in both rural and urban habitats across their range.
Pied Butcherbird
Butcherbirds are songbirds found mainly in Australia and the islands of Wallacea. The pied butcherbird is a black and white species with a beautiful, melodious song. Its scientific name is Cracticus nigrogularis.
Appearance
The pied butcherbird has mostly black plumage on its back, wings and tail. Its head, throat and underparts are white. There is a black bib or collar across the lower white throat. The eyes are yellow and the legs and feet are gray-black. The bill is long, hooked and gray-black. Pied butcherbirds reach 25–30 cm in length and weigh around 150 g.
Behavior
Pied butcherbirds are found in open woodlands, forests and suburban gardens across much of Australia. They are sedentary and remain in the same territory throughout the year as long as there is sufficient food. Pied butcherbirds feed on invertebrates like insects but are especially known for eating small vertebrates including lizards, frogs, mice and small birds. They hunt by perching on an open perch and swooping down on prey. Their musical, flute-like song rings out across the treetops through the day and evening.
Skylark
Skylarks are small brown and streaky birds somewhat known for their display flights high in the sky. However there are several species with a more distinctive black and white plumage pattern. These include:
Oriental Skylark
The Oriental skylark (Alauda gulgula) is a species found from eastern Asia to the Middle East. It has brown upperparts but its underparts are boldly black and white. The throat and belly are white, separated by a broad black breast band. The tail is also black with white outer tail feathers.
Eurasian Skylark
The more widespread Eurasian skylark (Alauda arvensis) has some black and white plumage features. While generally a brown streaky bird, it has a white-edged black tail. The outer tail feathers are also white with a black stripe through the middle. This gives the tail a distinctive black and white pattern in flight.
Behavior
Skylarks are best known for their displaying flight high above the ground. The male ascends vertically into the sky, fluttering and singing, before descending back to earth. Skylarks live in open country habitats including grasslands, agricultural areas and coastal dunes. They build cup nests on the ground into which they lay 3-5 eggs.
Slaty-backed Gull
The slaty-backed gull (Larus schistisagus) is a large seabird found across northeast Asia. With its grey and white plumage it earns the title of black and white bird.
Appearance
The slaty-backed gull is a very large gull, around 60–66 cm in length with a 140–165 cm wingspan. Adult birds are white with a light grey or slate grey back and wings. The wingtips are black with small white spots. The head is white with a grey smudge behind the eye. The legs are pink and the large bill is yellow with a red spot.
Behavior
Slaty-backed gulls nest in huge, noisy colonies on cliffs and rocky islands along the northern Pacific coast of Asia. Nests are built from vegetation and contain 2-3 eggs. These gulls feed along the shoreline on fish, molluscs, crustaceans, and almost anything edible they can find. At sea they readily follow fishing boats to feed on processing waste.
Ruffed Grouse
Ruffed grouse are medium-sized game birds belonging to the order Galliformes. Most ruffed grouse species have plumage in various shades of brown, grey and black. However the Iberian ruffed grouse (Bonasa bonasia) has striking black and white plumage.
Appearance
The Iberian ruffed grouse, also known as the Cantabrian capercaillie, is a subspecies found in mountain forests of northern Spain. It reaches about 18 inches (45cm) in length. It is mottled brown on the head, crest and back. The wings are patterned with brown, white and buff. The underparts are mainly white with fine darker barring on the flanks.
Behavior
Iberian ruffed grouse live in conifer and mixed woodland on mountain slopes. They forage on the ground for buds, leaves, flowers, seeds, fruits and insects. Males perform an elaborate display on their breeding grounds to attract females. The display involves erecting head feathers, fanning the tail and strutting.
Eurasian Tree Sparrow
The Eurasian tree sparrow (Passer montanus) is a small passerine bird related to the house sparrow. It has a distinct black and white head pattern.
Appearance
These sparrows reach 14–16 cm in length and have a wingspan of around 20–26 cm. They have rich chestnut upperparts and grey underparts. The head is grey with a black cap and white cheeks. They have a black patch behind the ear coverts. The tail is grey in the center with white outer tail feathers.
Behavior
Eurasian tree sparrows live in open countryside habitats across Europe and Asia. They form flocks when feeding on seeds from grasses and weeds or insects. They nest in cavities in trees, constructing a cup nest from grasses and feathers. Clutches contain 4-6 eggs.
Slaty Egret
The slaty egret (Egretta vinaceigula) is a medium-sized heron with range restricted to east and southeast Asia. Its plumage is dark grey or black and white in color.
Appearance
It reaches 70–80 cm in height with a 120–130 cm wingspan. The body plumage is dark slate-grey or black. During the breeding season it develops filoplumes or lace-like feathers on the back, neck and head. The underside of the wings and belly are white. The bill is yellow and the legs are greenish grey.
Behavior
Slaty egrets forage mainly at night in shallow water. They walk slowly with feet stirring up the water to disturb and catch fish, frogs, crustaceans and insects. They breed in small colonies, often with other heron species, nesting high in mangrove trees or on rocky islands.
Other Black and White Birds
Some other birds with black and white plumage include:
- Black-throated magpie jay
- Black-and-white warbler
- Black-and-white hawk-eagle
- Black-and-white laughingthrush
- Black-and-white cotinga
- Black-and-white monarch
- Black-and-white antbird
- Black-and-white owl
Conclusion
There are many species of birds around the world that exhibit striking black and white plumage patterns. Some of the most iconic black and white birds include magpies, pied butcherbirds, skylarks, the slaty-backed gull, the Iberian ruffed grouse, Eurasian tree sparrows, and the slaty egret. The contrasting coloration of these species serves important functions including camouflage, communication and mate attraction.
Bird Name | Scientific Name | Region |
---|---|---|
Eurasian Magpie | Pica pica | Europe, Asia |
Pied Butcherbird | Cracticus nigrogularis | Australia |
Slaty-backed Gull | Larus schistisagus | Northeast Asia |
Iberian Ruffed Grouse | Bonasa bonasia | Northern Spain |