Black birds are a common sight in North America, with many different species found across the continent. Despite their ordinary plumage, each species of black bird is unique to its environment and plays an important role in the ecosystem.
From scavenging carrion to controlling insect populations, black birds are an essential part of the natural world. In this article, we will explore 10 different types of black birds, along with brief descriptions of their characteristics and habitats.
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10 Different Types Of Black Birds
American Crow
The American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos) is a large passerine bird species of the family Corvidae. It is a common bird found throughout much of North America, inhabiting virtually all types of country from wilderness, farmland, parks, open woodland to towns and major cities, except for tundra habitat where it is replaced by the common raven.
American Crows are highly adaptable and will live in any open place that offers a few trees to perch in and a reliable source of food. They are often found in agricultural fields, lawns, garbage dumps, campgrounds, manicured lawns, athletic fields, cemeteries, and parking lots.
American Crows are omnivorous and feed on practically anything they can find, including insects, spiders, snails, earthworms, frogs, small snakes, shellfish, carrion, garbage, eggs, and young of other birds, seeds, grain, berries, and fruit. They are permanent residents in most of the US, but most Canadian birds migrate some distances southward in winter.
American Crows are easily recognizable by their all-black plumage, long legs, and heavy, straight bill. They are nearly twice the size of a Blue Jay and about two-thirds the size of a Common Raven.
European Starling
The European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris) is a medium-sized passerine bird in the starling family, Sturnidae. It is native to Europe and Asia, but was introduced to North America in the late 1800s by Shakespeare enthusiasts who wanted to introduce all the birds mentioned in his works to the continent.
European Starlings are now among the most common birds in North America, found in a wide range of open habitats, often in very close proximity to people. They are stocky black birds with short tails, triangular wings, and long, pointed bills.
In breeding season, they show purple and green iridescence on their body with a yellow bill, while in winter, bold white spots cover their entire body.
European Starlings are often regarded as pests due to their abundance and their negative impact on some native hole-nesting birds, such as bluebirds and Red-headed Woodpeckers, competing with them for nesting sites. They are boisterous, loud, and travel in large groups, often with blackbirds and grackles.
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European Starlings forage mostly on the ground in open areas, often probing in soil with their bill, and sometimes feed on fruit up in trees or catch flying insects in the air.
Common Raven
The Common Raven (Corvus corax) is a large, all-black passerine bird that is widely distributed across the Northern Hemisphere. Here are some interesting facts about the Common Raven:
Appearance:
– The Common Raven is a massive bird with a thick neck, shaggy throat feathers, and a Bowie knife-like beak.
– They have long, wedge-shaped tails and are more slender than crows, with longer, narrower wings and longer, thinner “fingers” at the wingtips.
– They are entirely black, with no visible markings, and are about half again larger than an American Crow or Chihuahuan Raven.
Behavior:
– Common Ravens are highly intelligent and have been known to solve complex problems.
– They are acrobatic fliers and are often seen doing rolls and somersaults in the air.
– They are opportunistic feeders and will eat almost anything, including carrion, insects, small mammals, and even garbage.
– They are also known to work in pairs to raid seabird colonies and attack newborn lambs.
Habitat:
– Common Ravens are found across the Arctic regions and temperate regions of North America and Eurasia, and as far south as the mountains of South America and North Africa.
– They are extremely common in woodlands, usually in coniferous forests and along rocky coastlines.
– They are highly adaptable and can survive in a variety of habitats, including arid deserts and urban areas.
Cultural significance:
– The Common Raven has been the subject of mythology, folklore, art, and literature for centuries.
– In many cultures, including the indigenous cultures of Scandinavia, ancient Ireland and Wales, Bhutan, the northwest coast of North America, and Siberia and northeast Asia, the Common Raven has been revered as a spiritual figure or godlike creature.
Overall, the Common Raven is a fascinating bird with a wide distribution and many interesting behaviors and cultural associations.
Brown-headed Cowbird
The Brown-headed Cowbird (Molothrus ater) is a small, stocky blackbird native to temperate and subtropical North America. Here are some interesting facts about the Brown-headed Cowbird:
Appearance:
– Male Brown-headed Cowbirds have glossy black plumage and a rich brown head that often looks black in poor lighting or at a distance.
– Female Brown-headed Cowbirds are gray-brown overall, without bold streaks, but slightly paler below than above.
– They have a distinctive, short, and thick-based bill that is almost finch-like in appearance.
Behavior:
– Brown-headed Cowbirds are the most common “brood parasite” in North America, meaning that females lay their eggs in the nests of other bird species, who then raise the young cowbirds.
– They are opportunistic feeders and eat mostly seeds and insects, including those of grasses, weeds, and waste grain.
– Brown-headed Cowbirds are social birds and tend to be more solitary in the mornings.
Habitat:
– Brown-headed Cowbirds are found in a wide range of habitats, including farms, fields, prairies, wood edges, river groves, and even deserts.
– They are more widespread in breeding season, in grassland, brushy country, forest edges, but tend to avoid dense unbroken forest.
– They are often seen in mixed-species blackbird flocks during winter and migration.
Overall, the Brown-headed Cowbird is a fascinating bird with a unique approach to raising its young and a distinctive appearance.
While they are often regarded as pests due to their brood parasitism, they play an important role in controlling insect populations and are an important part of many ecosystems across North America.
Red-winged Blackbird
The Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus) is a passerine bird of the family Icteridae found in most of North America and much of Central America. Here are some interesting facts about the Red-winged Blackbird:
Appearance:
– Male Red-winged Blackbirds are black with a distinctive red shoulder patch, or epaulet, that is sometimes concealed.
– Female Red-winged Blackbirds are streaked brown and often confused with sparrows.
– They are about 7-9 inches long with a wingspan of 12-15 inches.
Behavior:
– Male Red-winged Blackbirds fiercely defend their territories during the breeding season, spending more than a quarter of daylight hours in territory defense.
– They are highly vocal and have a distinctive, conk-la-ree song that is often heard in wetlands and marshes.
– Red-winged Blackbirds are omnivorous and feed on a variety of insects, seeds, and small animals.
Habitat:
– Red-winged Blackbirds are found in a wide range of habitats, including wetlands, marshes, fields, and along the edges of water.
– They are often seen perched on cattails or other tall vegetation near water.
– They are one of the most abundant birds across North America and are considered abundant and widespread.
Overall, the Red-winged Blackbird is a fascinating bird with a distinctive appearance and vocalizations. They are an important part of many ecosystems across North America and are often associated with wetlands and marshes.
Bobolink
The Bobolink (Dolichonyx oryzivorus) is a small New World blackbird and the only member of the genus Dolichonyx. Here are some interesting facts about the Bobolink:
Appearance:
– Male Bobolinks have a striking black-and-white plumage during breeding season, with a black head and back, and a white rump and underparts.
– Females are brown and streaked, with a buffy breast and a dark eye stripe.
– They are about 6-7 inches long with a wingspan of 9-10 inches.
Behavior:
– Bobolinks are known for their bubbly, tinkling song, which has been described as sounding like “R2-D2 from Star Wars”.
– They are migratory birds and breed in the summer in the northern United States and Canada, with most of the summer range in the northern U.S. They winter in southern South America, primarily Paraguay, Argentina, and Bolivia.
– Bobolinks are omnivorous and feed on a variety of insects and seeds, including rice and other grains, especially during migration.
Habitat:
– Bobolinks breed in hay and fallow fields, meadows, and tallgrass prairie.
– They prefer damp meadows and natural prairies with dense growth of grass and weeds and a few low bushes, but today most Bobolinks in eastern United States nest in hayfields.
– Migrants stop over in fields and marshes, often feeding in rice fields.
Conservation status:
– Bobolink populations are rapidly declining due to numerous factors, such as agricultural intensification and habitat loss.
– They are considered threatened in Canada, and are at risk throughout their range.
– Conservation efforts are underway to protect Bobolink habitat and raise awareness about their plight.
Overall, the Bobolink is a fascinating bird with a distinctive appearance and song. They are an important part of many ecosystems across North and South America, but their populations are declining due to habitat loss and other factors.
Black-billed Magpie
The Black-billed Magpie (Pica hudsonia) is a bird in the corvid family found in the western half of North America. Here are some interesting facts about the Black-billed Magpie:
Appearance:
– Black-billed Magpies are large, conspicuous, black-and-white birds with a long tail and bold pattern, especially visible in flight.
– They have black areas on the wings and tail showing iridescent hints of blue or blue-green.
– They range in size from 45 to 60 cm long, with a wingspan of 56 to 61 cm.
Behavior:
– Black-billed Magpies are noisy and have a habit of sitting very conspicuously at the tops of trees or fenceposts, so they can be easy to hear and see.
– They are omnivorous and feed on a variety of insects, small mammals, and seeds.
– Black-billed Magpies are known to steal food from other birds and follow predators to pick up scraps that they leave.
Habitat:
– Black-billed Magpies are found in many kinds of semi-open country in the western United States and Canada, including rangeland, conifers, streamsides, forest edges, and farms.
– They are often seen foraging on the ground and may use their bill to flip over items in search of food.
– Black-billed Magpies are common and widespread, but were killed as pests or poisoned by baits set out for predators in the early part of the 20th century.
Overall, the Black-billed Magpie is a fascinating bird with a distinctive appearance and behavior. They are an important part of many ecosystems across the western half of North America and are often associated with semi-open country.
Common Grackle
The Common Grackle (Quiscalus quiscula) is a large, lanky blackbird with a long tail and glossy-iridescent body. Here are some interesting facts about the Common Grackle:
Appearance:
– Common Grackles are taller and longer-tailed than a typical blackbird, with a longer, more tapered bill and glossy-iridescent bodies.
– They are black with a blue-green iridescence on their head and neck, and a pale yellow eye.
– They are about 11-13 inches long with a wingspan of 14-18 inches.
Behavior:
– Common Grackles are highly social and often gather in large, noisy flocks.
– They are omnivorous and feed on a variety of insects, small animals, and seeds, including crops like corn.
– Common Grackles are known to follow plows to catch invertebrates and mice, wade into water to catch small fish, and steal worms from American Robins.
Habitat:
– Common Grackles are found in a wide range of habitats, including wetlands, fields, forests, and suburban areas.
– They are often seen foraging on the ground or perched in trees.
– Common Grackles are common and widespread across North America, with an estimated total population of 97 million individuals.
Overall, the Common Grackle is a fascinating bird with a distinctive appearance and behavior. They are an important part of many ecosystems across North America and are often associated with wetlands and fields.
Black Phoebe
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The Black Phoebe (Sayornis nigricans) is a passerine bird in the tyrant-flycatcher family, found in the western half of North America. Here are some interesting facts about the Black Phoebe:
Appearance:
– The Black Phoebe has predominantly black plumage, with a white belly and undertail coverts.
– The sexes are identical in color, and juveniles have brown feather tips and brown wing-bars.
– They are about 6-7 inches long with a wingspan of 11-12 inches.
Behavior:
– Black Phoebes are highly territorial and will defend their nesting sites aggressively.
– They are insectivorous and feed on a variety of insects, including flies, bees, and wasps, which they catch in the air.
– Black Phoebes are known for their distinctive tail-pumping behavior, which they use to communicate with each other.
Habitat:
– Black Phoebes are found in a wide range of habitats, including wetlands, fields, forests, and suburban areas, but are always near water.
– They are often seen perched on low branches, rocks, and shrubs along the edges of streams, lakes, estuaries, and the seashore.
– Black Phoebes are common and conspicuous within their range, and are often associated with human development.
Conservation status:
– Black Phoebes are not considered threatened, and their populations are stable or increasing in some areas.
– They are an important part of many ecosystems across the western half of North America and are often associated with wetlands and fields.
Overall, the Black Phoebe is a fascinating bird with a distinctive appearance and behavior. They are an important part of many ecosystems across the western half of North America and are often associated with wetlands and fields.
Brewer’s Blackbird
The Brewer’s Blackbird (Euphagus cyanocephalus) is a medium-sized New World blackbird named after the ornithologist Thomas Mayo Brewer. Here are some interesting facts about the Brewer’s Blackbird:
Appearance:
– Male Brewer’s Blackbirds are glossy black with a purplish head and greenish sheen on the body.
– Female Brewer’s Blackbirds are brownish-gray with a paler throat and eyebrow.
– They are about 8-10 inches long with a wingspan of 15.5 inches.
Behavior:
– Brewer’s Blackbirds are social birds and often gather in large flocks.
– They are omnivorous and feed on a variety of insects, seeds, and small animals.
– Brewer’s Blackbirds are often mistaken for Common Grackles, but have a shorter tail and a different call.
Habitat:
– Brewer’s Blackbirds are found in a wide range of habitats, including open country, fields, and suburban areas.
– They are often seen walking on the ground with short, forward jerks of their head.
– Brewer’s Blackbirds are common and widespread across the western half of North America.
Conservation status:
– Brewer’s Blackbirds are not considered threatened, and their populations are stable or increasing in some areas.
– They are an important part of many ecosystems across the western half of North America and are often associated with open country and fields.
Overall, the Brewer’s Blackbird is a fascinating bird with a distinctive appearance and behavior. They are an important part of many ecosystems across the western half of North America and are often associated with open country and fields.
FAQS
1. What are the 10 different types of black birds?
The 10 different types of black birds are American Crow, European Starling, Common Raven, Brown-headed Cowbird, Red-winged Blackbird, Bobolink, Black-billed Magpie, Common Grackle, Black Phoebe, and Brewer’s Blackbird.
2. Where can I find blackbirds in the United States?
Blackbirds are incredibly abundant in the United States and can be found in a wide range of habitats, including wetlands, fields, forests, and suburban areas.
3. What is the difference between a Common Raven and an American Crow?
Common Ravens are larger than American Crows and have a thicker neck, shaggy throat feathers, and a Bowie knife-like beak. They also have longer, narrower wings and longer, thinner “fingers” at the wingtips.
4. Are Black Phoebes threatened?
Black Phoebes are not considered threatened, and their populations are stable or increasing in some areas.
5. What is the difference between a male and female Red-winged Blackbird?
Male Red-winged Blackbirds are all black, except for a bright red and yellow patch on their shoulders, while females are brown and heavily streaked.
6. What is the difference between a male and female Brewer’s Blackbird?
Male Brewer’s Blackbirds are glossy black with a purplish head and greenish sheen on the body, while females are brownish-gray with a paler throat and eyebrow.
7. What is the difference between a Common Grackle and a Brewer’s Blackbird?
Common Grackles are taller and longer-tailed than a typical blackbird, with a longer, more tapered bill and glossy-iridescent bodies, while Brewer’s Blackbirds have a shorter tail and a different call.
8. What is the difference between a male and female Black-billed Magpie?
Male and female Black-billed Magpies have identical black-and-white plumage.
9. What is the difference between a male and female Brown-headed Cowbird?
Male Brown-headed Cowbirds have a glossy black plumage and a rich brown head that often looks black in poor lighting or at a distance, while females are gray-brown overall, without bold streaks, but slightly paler below than above.
10. Are any of these black birds critically endangered?
While some black bird populations are declining due to habitat loss and other factors, none of the 10 types of black birds listed here are currently considered critically endangered.
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Category: Birds
