Although you’re not an avid birdwatcher, it will be impossible not to notice black-and-orange birds. Like other brightly colored birds, they are all eye-catching but still have other qualities that make them distinct.
Some of these orange-and-black birds could be quite hard to distinguish from each other, especially if you’re not that familiar with bird species. But don’t worry because you’ve come to the right place.
This article will delve into the physical characteristics, ranges, behaviors, diets, and habitats of black-and-orange birds. There will also be pictures to help you visualize how they look. Prepare to learn more below!
21 Birds That Are Orange and Black
1. Baltimore Oriole
| Scientific Name: | Icterus galbula |
| Conservation Status: | Least Concern |
| Length: | 6.7–7.5 in (17–19 cm) |
| Weight: | 1.1–1.4 oz (30–40 g) |
| Wingspan: | 9.1–11.8 in (23–30 cm) |
| Lifespan: | 6–12 years |
The Baltimore Oriole is a medium-sized songbird with a solid body, broad neck, and long legs. As a blackbird, it has a prolonged and pointed bill that is thick at the base.
Boasting black and bright orange plumage, males have an orange chest, black head and upper parts, and white wing bars. Females and juveniles have yellow-orange breasts and grayish heads and backs.
From April, Baltimore Orioles breed in the eastern and central United States. By July, this species migrates to Florida, Central America, and the Caribbean for winter.
Baltimore Orioles inhabit the canopies of shady deciduous trees. They can also be found in open forests, forest edges, orchards, and trees along waterways, as well as in backyards or parks.
The diet of Baltimore Orioles is mostly insects and fruits. You can try attracting them to your backyard with orange slices on platform feeders.
2. Varied Thrush
| Scientific Name: | Ixoreus naevus |
| Conservation Status: | Least Concern |
| Length: | 7.5–10.2 in (19–26 cm) |
| Weight: | 2.3–3.5 oz (65–100 g) |
| Wingspan: | 13.4–15.0 in (34–38 cm) |
| Lifespan: | 5–6 years |
The Varied Thrush is a songbird that is often standing horizontally in a tree or on the ground. These birds are chunky, plump-bellied, long-legged, and short-tailed. They also have a round head and a straight bill.
Male Varied Thrushes have black backs as well as orange breasts and throats. Orange stripes adorn the sides of their black head, while orange bars decorate their wings. Females are duller, having gray-brown hues on the back.
Varied Thrushes can be seen along the West Coast of the United States. Their breeding grounds are in Alaska and northwestern Canada, but they head south in winter, going as far as California.
When breeding, Varied Thrushes prefer dark underbrushes of dry conifer and mixed forests, but during winter, a lot of them settle into dense parks, backyards, or gardens.
This species mainly eats invertebrates like snails, spiders, and caterpillars, but it also consumes seeds and berries.
My interest in Varied Thrushes led me to discover that these birds also go through what is called altitudinal migration, which is another form of migration based on elevation as opposed to moving in a different direction.
Based on my research, Varied Thrushes move to the lowlands during winter and move up again to middle and higher elevations during the breeding season.
3. Orchard Oriole
| Scientific Name: | Icterus spurius |
| Conservation Status: | Least Concern |
| Length: | 5.9–7.1 in (15–18 cm) |
| Weight: | 0.6–1.0 oz (16–28 g) |
| Wingspan: | 9.8 in (25 cm) |
| Lifespan: | Up to 11 years |
An Orchard Oriole is a slender songbird with a round head, a straight and sharp bill, and a medium-length tail. This species exhibits sexual dimorphism, so males and females vary in appearance.
While male Orchard Orioles can be considered black-and-orange birds with their black head and throat and burnt orange chest, female Orchard Orioles are more greenish-yellow overall, with two white wing bars and no black hue.
During summer, Orchard Orioles frequent open forests and sparse tall trees in the central and eastern states. They can also be seen in orchards and parks. They spend winter down south in Mexico and Central America.
In their preferred habitats, like river edges, Orchard Orioles often nest in flocks, so a single tree usually has multiple nests. However, they will nest alone in less suitable dwellings.
Though mostly insectivorous, Orchard Orioles also feed on fruits and nectar from flowers.
4. Scarlet Tanager
| Scientific Name: | Piranga olivacea |
| Conservation Status: | Least Concern |
| Length: | 6.3–6.7 in (16–17 cm) |
| Weight: | 0.8–1.3 oz (23–38 g) |
| Wingspan: | 9.8–11.4 in (25–29 cm) |
| Lifespan: | 10–12 years |
A medium-sized bird with a rather stocky dimension, the Scarlet Tanager is characterized by a large head, short and wide tail, and thick, rounded bill.
Male Scarlet Tanagers have an interesting plumage. During the breeding season in spring and summer, they sport a bright orange body that becomes redder at the head with black wings and tail.
Post-breeding season, though, males molt to a plumage similar to that of female Scarlet Tanagers, which is yellowish-olive and becomes darker in the wings and tail. However, males’ wings and tails remain black.
Scarlet Tanagers frequent deciduous and mixed deciduous-conifer forests in eastern North America, usually high up in the canopy. When migrating, they can be spotted in other shrubby habitats and even in backyards.
Though mainly insectivorous, Scarlet Tanagers also eat wild and cultivated fruits. You can try to draw them to your backyard with berries and fruits in your bird feeder.
5. American Robin
| Scientific Name: | Turdus migratorius |
| Conservation Status: | Least Concern |
| Length: | 7.9–11.0 in (20–28 cm) |
| Weight: | 2.7–3.0 oz (77–85 g) |
| Wingspan: | 12.2–15.8 in (31–40 cm) |
| Lifespan: | 2–14 years |
As the largest thrush in North America, the American Robin is quite large for a songbird. Their huge size is evident in their rounded body, somewhat long tails, and long legs.
Male American Robins have black heads, grayish-brown backs, and mild orange underparts. A white patch on the lower belly and beneath the tail will be visible in flight. Female birds have paler heads and gray backs.
American Robins are one of the most common orange-and-black birds, and it’s fairly typical to see them in backyards eating earthworms, especially during spring.
These birds can be spotted across the United States and Canada. Those that breed in the United States will remain there all year, but those that breed in Canada usually migrate further south for winter. They are also one of those birds that build mud nests for breeding purposes.
Aside from earthworms, these species also consume insects, snails, and fruits. They have a wide variety of habitats ranging from woodlands, mountains, and meadows to city parks and lawns.
6. Black-headed Grosbeak
| Scientific Name: | Pheucticus melanocephalus |
| Conservation Status: | Least Concern |
| Length: | 7.1–7.5 in (18–19 cm) |
| Weight: | 1.2–1.7 oz (35–49 g) |
| Wingspan: | 12.6 in (32 cm) |
| Lifespan: | Up to 11 years |
The Black-headed Grosbeak is a bulky songbird known for its huge, tapered, and thick-based bill. They also have a large head and short but thick neck, as well as a short tail.
Male Black-headed Grosbeaks primarily sport a burnt orange-cinnamon color, with black heads and black-and-white wings. Female birds have brown upper parts and a mild orange to buffy breast with some streaking.
Black-headed Grosbeaks breed in the western United States, moving to Mexico for the winter. This species frequents mixed woodlands and edges, ideally with large trees and various undergrowth.
These shy black-and-orange birds forage for insects and seeds in dense foliage while hiding and hopping about. They also eat berries and love to eat sunflower seeds at bird feeders.
Both genders of Black-headed Grosbeaks are intense vocalists. During spring and summer, the males sing shrilling songs with short, high-pitched chip notes. Females sing a simplified version.
7. Spot-breasted Oriole
| Scientific Name: | Icterus pectoralis |
| Conservation Status: | Least Concern |
| Length: | 8.3–9.4 in (21–24 cm) |
| Weight: | 1.8 oz (50 g) |
| Wingspan: | 12–13 in (30.5–33 cm) |
| Lifespan: | Up to 12 years |
The Spot-breasted Oriole is a medium-sized songbird, with both sexes having bright orange heads and bodies. Their faces, bibs, backs, and tails are black, while the sides of their breasts are spotted black.
Juveniles are duller in hues, primarily clad in a yellowish-orange color. Their backs and tails are olive-green, while their wings are dusky. They also show very little or a complete lack of black on their faces, bibs, and breasts.
As non-migratory birds, Spot-breasted Orioles stay all year in the tropical regions of Central and South America and southern North America. They live in large groups, mostly in damp tropical forests.
Spot-breasted Orioles feed on insects and nectar from flowers, fruits, and tree sap. These orange-and-black birds will visit backyards, especially if there are fruits or nectar.
It’s quite hard to spot these bird species in their natural habitat, but they have become a common nester in suburban areas.
8. Bullock’s Oriole
| Scientific Name: | Icterus bullockiorum |
| Conservation Status: | Least Concern |
| Length: | 6.7–7.5 in (17–19 cm) |
| Weight: | 1.0–1.5 oz (29–43 g) |
| Wingspan: | 12.2 in (31 cm) |
| Lifespan: | Up to 9 years |
A Bullock’s Oriole is a medium-sized bird that also has a long, pointed, and thick-based bill. Its body is slender but strong, and its tail has a medium length.
Male adult Bullock’s Orioles are generally bright orange, including their face, which is lined with black through the eye and throat. Its upper parts are also black, and its wings have a sizable white patch.
Meanwhile, female Bullock’s Orioles have yellow-orange heads and tails. Their backs are grayish, and their covert feathers have white on the edges. Immatures are the same, but the males have a spot of black on their throats.
Bullock’s Orioles’ breeding grounds are scattered across the western half of the United States. They’re notably common in Arizona, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas, and parts of southern California.
Bullock’s Orioles mainly feed on insects, but they also eat fruit and nectar.
9. Hooded Oriole
| Scientific Name: | Icterus cucullatus |
| Conservation Status: | Least Concern |
| Length: | 7.1–7.9 in (18–20 cm) |
| Weight: | 0.8 oz (24 g) |
| Wingspan: | 9.1–11 in (23–28 cm) |
| Lifespan: | Up to 6 years |
Compared to other orioles, the Hooded Oriole has a longer and more fragile body. Their neck and tail are also long, and their black beak is arched a little downward.
Male Hooded Orioles also have orange and black coloration on their bodies. The black plumage is seen on their throats, which extends up around the eyes and down to the chest like a bib.
Males also have black wings and tails with white wing bars. Their hoods, rumps, and bellies could be bright yellow to amazing orange. Meanwhile, females are olive-yellow with gray back and fine white wing bars.
Hooded Orioles breed in the southern United States and winter in Mexico. However, some remain year-round on the Gulf Coast of Mexico and Central America.
These birds inhabit open forests with sparse vegetation, especially those that have palm trees, willows, and cottonwoods. They’re insectivores but also consume nectar, fruits, and berries.
10. Spotted Towhee
| Scientific Name: | Pipilo maculatus |
| Conservation Status: | Least Concern |
| Length: | 6.7–8.3 in (17–21 cm) |
| Weight: | 1.2–1.7 oz (33–49 g) |
| Wingspan: | 11 in (28 cm) |
| Lifespan: | Up to 11 years |
A large sparrow, the Spotted Towhee boasts a stocky body, a long, curved tail, and a thick, sharp bill. These species are a resident of the Pacific Coast year-round, and they can be seen in many parts of North America.
When it comes to appearance, males have a sooty black throat and upper parts, with a white-spotted back and wings. They have a white belly with burnt orange or orange-brown sides.
You may also check this article if you are interested in other birds that have black plumage and white bellies.
Female Spotted Towhees bear the same color pattern, but their black markings are replaced with grayish-brown or dark brown. The black tails of both sexes are edged with white.
These species typically reside in open, bushy areas that have thick underbrushes. They can also be spotted along forest edges, orchards, gardens, parks, and residential areas with scattered trees.
You can try to attract Spotted Towhees to your backyard with black oil sunflower seeds, millet, or cracked corn.
11. Blackburnian Warbler
| Scientific Name: | Setophaga fusca |
| Conservation Status: | Least Concern |
| Length: | 4.3–4.7 in (11–12 cm) |
| Weight: | 0.3–0.4 oz (8.9–12.6 g) |
| Wingspan: | 7.9–9.1 in (20–23 cm) |
| Lifespan: | Up to 8 years |
The Blackburnian Warbler is similar in shape to the common Yellow Warblers, with its little, thin, and sharp bill, sleek body, and medium-length tail.
Male Blackburnian Warblers have a bright orange throat and face, highly contrasted by black stripes. The belly also has black streaks, while the wings have black-and-white patches.
Female birds and juveniles sport pale yellow and gray or dark brown coloration. A distinct feature of these species is the dark triangles on the sides of their eyes.
These bird species breed in the northeastern United States — some as far as Virginia or North Carolina — and in Canada. During migration to their wintering grounds in South America, they can be seen in the eastern United States.
Blackburnian Warblers usually dwell in coniferous forests with spruce, balsam fir, or white pine trees. Those in mixed forests like to settle in hemlock trees.
Here’s a video of a male and female Blackburnian Warbler:
12. Flame-colored Tanager
| Scientific Name: | Piranga bidentata |
| Conservation Status: | Least Concern |
| Length: | 7.1–7.5 in (18–19 cm) |
| Weight: | 1.13–1.71 oz (32–48 g) |
| Wingspan: | 12–13.5 in (30.4–34.2 cm) |
| Lifespan: | 2–3 years |
The Flame-colored Tanager is native to Mexico and Central America, but it has started breeding in Arizona and has also been sighted in Texas. These birds usually inhabit oak and pine-evergreen woodlands in hilltops and foothills.
Appearance-wise, male Flame-colored Tanagers are quite unmistakable with their red-orange head and body and dark-streaked wings and tail. On the contrary, female birds are more yellowish-orange.
The color intensity of the males depends on where they breed. Those in western Mexico sport flame-orange hues, while those in eastern Mexico and Central America have deeper orange-red tints.
These species like to forage in the mid to upper-canopy levels, usually in pairs or alone. However, they will join other species in forming foraging groups. They feed on small arthropods and various berries.
These colorful birds breed between April and May. They create their nests out of rough materials lined with fine grass in thick vegetation.
To increase your appreciation of flame-colored birds, you can also visit this article.
13. Altamira Oriole
| Scientific Name: | Icterus gularis |
| Conservation Status: | Least Concern |
| Length: | 8.3–9.8 in (21–25 cm) |
| Weight: | 1.7–2.3 oz (47–64 g) |
| Wingspan: | 14.2 in (36 cm) |
| Lifespan: | Up to 13 years |
An Altamira Oriole is a big songbird with quite a huge head, chunky body, and long tail. Their black beak is extremely thick-based, long, and strongly pointed.
Adult Altamira Orioles have an orange head, but their yellowish-orange markings extend down to their shoulders and body. They have a black mask, wings, and tail, while the wing bars are white. Males and females are nearly alike.
Meanwhile, younger Altamira Orioles are generally more yellowish-orange, with their backs being olive-brown.
If you are fascinated by other yellowish birds that have black features, you can discover more of them here.
Altamira Orioles are a rare sighting in the United States, only ranging from southeastern Arizona and southwestern New Mexico. However, they can be spotted along Mexico, northwestern Costa Rica, and Nicaragua.
These birds prefer to forage and nest in slightly wooded areas, thorn forests, riparian areas, wildlife sanctuaries, farms, orchards, and parks.
Aside from eating insects like grasshoppers, ants, caterpillars, and crickets, Altamira Orioles also feed on small fruits and berries.
14. Vermilion Flycatcher
| Scientific Name: | Pyrocephalus rubinus |
| Conservation Status: | Least Concern |
| Length: | 5.1–5.5 in (13–14 cm) |
| Weight: | 0.39–0.49 oz (11–14 g) |
| Wingspan: | 3.1 in (7.8 cm) |
| Lifespan: | 4–5 years |
The Vermilion Flycatcher is rather small but chunky. They boast an erect posture that highlights their flat and crested heads, wide, straight, and black bills, large, rounded chests, and slim tails.
Male Vermilion Flycatchers are characterized by an orange head, chest, and underparts. A black mask that appears over the eyes spruces up their brightly colored face, while brown covers their back, wings, and tail.
Meanwhile, female birds sport brownish-gray coloration, washed with pale streaks on their breast and salmon-red tint on their underparts.
These bird species are found across North America and South America and are frequently seen in south and central Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona. Open, shrub-abundant environments are their choice of habitat.
When it comes to feeding, Vermilion Flycatchers mainly consume flying insects, which they catch mid-air from conspicuous tree branches. Larger prey are carried back to the perch and overpowered before being eaten.
Fun Fact: Vermillion Flycatchers are among the birds of North America that sport a beautiful crest on top of their heads. Males use this feature to attract potential mates and raise them to protect their territory.
15. Eastern Towhee
| Scientific Name: | Pipilo maculatus |
| Conservation Status: | Least Concern |
| Length: | 6.8–8.2 in (17.3–20.8 cm) |
| Weight: | 1.1–1.8 oz (32–52 g) |
| Wingspan: | 7.9–11 in (20–28 cm) |
| Lifespan: | Up to 12 years |
Ranging from eastern Canada to northern Florida, the Eastern Towhees are large sparrows that stay in the southeastern United States year-round. However, those from further north migrate to the south for the winter.
When it comes to physical attributes, a white belly is shared by the two genders. The male birds have black heads, throats, and backs, as well as reddish-orange sides, while females have brown markings instead of black.
Eastern Towhees look very similar to Spotted Towhees. To differentiate them, look out for the Eastern Towhee’s mainly black upper parts and a single white patch on its folded wing.
These birds frequent dense bushes, thickets, tangles, and forest edges, particularly those with an abundance of leaf litter where they can forage for insects, berries, or seeds.
Eastern Towhees will be more attracted to your backyard if you put black oil sunflower seeds, millet, or cracked corn in your platform feeders.
16. Western Tanager
| Scientific Name: | Piranga ludoviciana |
| Conservation Status: | Least Concern |
| Length: | 6.3–7.5 in (16–19 cm) |
| Weight: | 0.8–1.3 oz (24–36 g) |
| Wingspan: | 11.5 in (29 cm) |
| Lifespan: | 7–15 years |
The Western Tanager doesn’t have a dominant orange plumage, unlike others on the list. However, males sport a striking red-orange head, which is just as equally wonderful to see.
Excluding the orange feathers on its head, male Western Tanagers have predominantly yellow plumage. They have a yellow body, black wings, back, and tail. Females are more subdued with their greenish-yellow tint.
While studying Western Tanagers, I have come across what causes the red pigmentation on their face, which is due to rhodoxanthin. Interestingly, these pigment needs to be sustained through their diet.
It is believed that this pigment is passed on to them by eating insects that acquire them from plant sources.
Western Tanagers are endemic to the western United States and northern Mexico. They can be seen along the Pacific Northwest of North America, ranging from southern Alaska to central California.
These bird species are not picky when it comes to which tree they will breed on, so long as it’s in a coniferous forest. When they migrate for winter to Middle America, you’ll likely spot them in any bushy or forested areas.
Western Tanagers are mainly insectivorous but will consume some cultivated fruits and berries.
17. American Redstart
| Scientific Name: | Setophaga ruticilla |
| Conservation Status: | Least Concern |
| Length: | 4.3–5.1 in (11–13 cm) |
| Weight: | 0.2–0.3 oz (6–9 g) |
| Wingspan: | 6.3–7.5 in (16–19 cm) |
| Lifespan: | 5–10 years |
Another sleek black-and-orange bird is the American Redstart. The bills of these birds are flat and broad, while their long, striking tails form a club shape when they’re flying.
As sexually dimorphic bird species, male American Redstarts are more colorful than their female counterparts. They are largely black but have vivid orange patches on their sides, wings, and tail, as well as a white stomach.
On the other hand, females and immature males sport yellow patches in lieu of orange. Gray covers their heads and underparts, their backs and wings olive-gray, while their tails are darker gray.
American Redstarts are endemic to North America, and they breed extensively throughout the eastern United States and Canada to the northwestern United States and Canada.
They often inhabit open, forested areas, especially those with deciduous trees, looking for insects to eat. However, they also eat fruits and berries.
18. Streak-backed Oriole
| Scientific Name: | Icterus pustulatus |
| Conservation Status: | Least Concern |
| Length: | 8.25 in (21 cm) |
| Weight: | 1.3 oz (36.8 g) |
| Wingspan: | 12.5 in (31.7 cm) |
| Lifespan: | Up to 12 years |
The Streak-backed Oriole is a medium-sized, orange-and-black bird that is endemic to Mexico and Central America. However, they visit the southwestern United States on rare occasions.
Streak-backed Orioles have predominantly orange plumage. They have an orange head with a black mask and orange undersides with black streaks on the wings and tail.
Compared to Hooded Orioles, Streak-backed Orioles are a bit bigger and heavier and have straighter bills. Other distinctions are the broader white wing edges and more irregular dark streaking on the back.
The natural habitat of these birds is woodlands, grasslands, shrublands, savanna, or backyards. If a dry forest is full of mimosa trees, you’ll likely find Streak-backed Orioles there.
These orange-and-black birds primarily feed on insects and other arthropods, as well as fruits and nectar.
Streak-backed Orioles normally live alone or in pairs all year. However, during migration, they might form large flocks.
19. Western Spindalis
| Scientific Name: | Spindalis zena |
| Conservation Status: | Least Concern |
| Length: | 5.9 in (15 cm) |
| Weight: | 0.74 oz (21 g) |
| Wingspan: | 9.5 in (24.1 cm) |
| Lifespan: | 11–18 years |
The Western Spindalis is commonly found in pairs or small flocks in fruiting trees and bushes. They often keep a low profile, even if the males bear striking colors that are a delight to see.
Specifically, male Western Spindalises sport a black and horizontally striped head, made more appealing by a burnt orange throat that extends back to the nape and down to the chest. Their bellies are light gray.
Meanwhile, females bear the same pattern on their heads, only in a lighter tone of medium gray. Their upper parts are olive-gray, the bellies grayish brown, and a faint orange tint on their breasts, rumps, and shoulders.
Though they only visit occasionally, Western Spindalises can be found in extreme southern Florida.
However, they are more widespread in the western Caribbean, particularly in the Cayman Islands, Cuba, the Bahamas, etc. These birds inhabit subtropical or tropical moist lowland or montane forests.
20. Red-winged Blackbird
| Scientific Name: | Agelaius phoeniceus |
| Conservation Status: | Least Concern |
| Length: | 6.7–9.1 in (17–23 cm) |
| Weight: | 1.1–2.7 oz (32–77 g) |
| Wingspan: | 12.2–15.8 in (31–40 cm) |
| Lifespan: | Up to 15 years |
The Red-winged Blackbird is a chunky bird that has broad shoulders, a slim, tapered bill, and a medium-length tail. These boldly colored avians are one of the most abundant birds throughout North America.
Male and female Red-winged Blackbirds have very different appearances. The males are much easier to identify, with their mostly black plumage, including a black head, upper parts, underparts, and tail.
Male Red-winged Blackbirds also have distinct and eye-catching reddish-orange and yellow wing feathers. The females are dark brownish, fiercely streaked, and often have whitish eyebrows.
Red-winged Blackbird breeds in fresh and saltwater swamps, but they can also be spotted in drier pastures and old fields. In winter, these birds roost in flocks, often in crop fields, feedlots, or meadows.
During the breeding season, the males are ferocious defenders of their territories. They’ll hunt other males out of their domains and attack nest predators like horses or even humans.
21. Yellow-headed Blackbird
| Scientific Name: | Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus |
| Conservation Status: | Least Concern |
| Length: | 8.3–10.2 in (21–26 cm) |
| Weight: | 1.6–3.5 oz (44–100 g) |
| Wingspan: | 16.5–17.3 in (42–44 cm) |
| Lifespan: | 11–18 years |
The Yellow-headed Blackbird is more of a black-and-yellow bird, but it’s worth including on the list for its beautiful saffron yellow head, neck, and breast. This color appears to be almost orange during the breeding season.
Male Yellow-headed Blackbirds also sport jet-black coloration on their bodies, along with flashy white wing patches that become visible in flight. Females are more brown instead of black and have paler yellow heads.
Yellow-headed Blackbirds largely stay in the west-central United States and Canada during summer, then move to the western United States to Mexico and Central America for winter.
They prefer large marshlands, mountain grassy fields, or edges of ponds and streams as their nesting sites. They mostly spend winter in drier areas like meadows, parks, or farm fields.
As omnivores, Yellow-headed Blackbirds frequently scour the ground for spiders, grasshoppers, nuts, seeds, or grains. In summer, though, they mostly consume aquatic insects.
Which among these black and orange birds do you find fascinating? Let us know your thoughts, feedback, and any questions you may have about these birds in the comments below!
