In the world of bird species, the stark contrast between the hues of black and white birds gives them a unique appeal. Hence, their intricate beauty makes anyone appreciate the wonder of nature.
From the Amazon rainforest’s treetops to Alaska’s snow-capped mountains, these birds can be found in a range of settings.
Nevertheless, many species of black and white birds around the world still have yet to be discovered. Thus, this article will give you a closer look at these unique birds, along with their features and habits.
47 Black and White Birds
1. American Bushtit
| Scientific Name: | Psaltriparus minimus |
| Conservation Status: | Least Concern |
| Length: | 4–4.5 in (10.1–11.4 cm) |
| Weight: | 0.17–0.25 oz (5–7 g) |
| Wingspan: | 5.5–6.3 in (14–16 cm) |
| Lifespan: | Up to 8 years |
The American Bushtit, one of the tiniest birds in North America, has a head that is nearly black in color and a white lower belly.
These birds measure around 4 inches in length. Overall, they may also be classified under types of gray birds due to their grayish-brown nature.
They are social birds that spend their entire year in flocks of 10 to 40 birds. During feeding, flocks of American Bushtits mix with other small songbirds of the same kind, such as warblers, chickadees, and kinglets.
American Bushtits are the sole species classified under the genus Psaltriparus and the only species of the family Aegithalidae to be found in the New World. They are commonly referred to as Bushtit in North America.
2. Royal Tern
| Scientific Name: | Thalasseus maximus |
| Conservation Status: | Least Concern |
| Length: | 17.7–19.7 in (45–50 cm) |
| Weight: | 12.3–15.9 oz (350–450 g) |
| Wingspan: | 49–53 in (125–135 cm) |
| Lifespan: | Up to 17 years |
The Royal Tern is a huge, lean, black and white bird. They’re second only to Caspian Terns in terms of size among tern species.
They are generally simple to identify in flocks of terns and gulls due to their size, distinctive black crest, white plumage, and brilliant orange bill.
Royal Terns are social birds that get together on undisturbed beaches between fishing trips and nest in crowded colonies.
They are one of the first birds you’ll notice on sand beaches, harbors, and seas near the coast. Though stray individuals have been found in southern Europe, the species is only found in the Americas.
3. Mute Swan
| Scientific Name: | Cygnus olor |
| Conservation Status: | Least Concern |
| Length: | 55–63 in (140–160 cm) |
| Weight: | 229–458 oz (6,492–12,984.1 g) |
| Wingspan: | 84–96 in (213–244 cm) |
| Lifespan: | Up to 40 years |
The Mute Swan is a black and white bird with a very long neck. Its name comes from the fact that it doesn’t make as much noise as other types of swans.
Their huge stature, pure white plumage, and bright orange beaks with a black ridge on top make them easily recognizable.
The Mute Swan is also one of the world’s heaviest flying birds, capable of reaching up to 50 miles per hour.
Mute Swans are not native to North America, although they are widespread and well-known in city parks as well as in bays and lakes in the Pacific Northwest, Great Lakes, Northeast, and Midatlantic.
In fact, upon visiting a local park in Indiana, I was able to observe these beautiful creatures as they swam gracefully in the water. They looked majestic with the S-shaped curve of their necks and with their wings raised slightly on their backs.
However, park administrators warned us as well not to get too near them because they are known to be quite aggressive when defending their territory. This is most especially true when they have a brood to protect.
In the 19th century, Europeans transported mute swans from Europe to North America to liven up ponds and lakes in towns and cities.
4. Wood Stork
| Scientific Name: | Mycteria americana |
| Conservation Status: | Least Concern |
| Length: | 33–43 in (83–110 cm) |
| Weight: | 72.3–93.1 oz (2,050–2,640 g) |
| Wingspan: | 61–71 in (155–180 cm) |
| Lifespan: | Up to 18 years |
The Wood Stork is a large, long-legged, black-and-white bird that belongs to the family Ciconiidae. They have no feathers on their heads or necks, which is a dark gray color. Like many storks, they also belong to those birds identified with long necks.
Their plumage is primarily white except for the tail and a few wing feathers, which are black with a greenish-purple sheen. They have dark legs and feet, and their flesh-colored toes turn pink during breeding.
Although Wood Storks typically have their heads down and their bodies horizontal while foraging, their big size should make them stand out among the other marsh birds.
They are native to the Caribbean and other subtropical and tropical regions of America, but they can be seen as far north as Florida.
5. Snow Goose
| Scientific Name: | Chen caerulescens |
| Conservation Status: | Least Concern |
| Length: | 27.2–32.7 in (69–83 cm) |
| Weight: | 56.4–116.4 oz (1,600–3,300 g) |
| Wingspan: | 53–54.3 in (135–138 cm) |
| Lifespan: | Up to 20 years |
The Snow Goose is a black and white species of goose that lives in North America. Their round body is covered in stunning white feathers, giving them a spot in our list of white geese breeds.
They have a long, slender neck, a tiny head, and a sharp, pointed bill. They also have webbed feet and short legs.
Snow Geese are difficult to miss because they are extremely loud, and large flocks of them are usually accompanied by a series of honks.
The Snow Geese’s breeding range includes Arctic Greenland as well as the rest of North America. They can be found along the mid-Atlantic Coast and the Pacific Coast from British Columbia to California during the winter.
6. Barn Swallow
| Scientific Name: | Hirundo rustica |
| Conservation Status: | Least Concern |
| Length: | 5.9–7.5 in (15–19 cm) |
| Weight: | 0.6–0.7 oz (17–20 g) |
| Wingspan: | 11.4–12.6 in (29–32 cm) |
| Lifespan: | Up to 8 years |
This black and white bird is the most common swallow species. Barn Swallows are eye-catching birds because of their long, highly forked tails and iridescent blue top portions. The tip of their upper tail is covered in a row of white dots.
Females look very much like males but with a few key differences: shorter tail streamers, duller blue upper parts and breast bands, and a lighter color on the underside.
It is a migratory bird from the Neotropics. In the fall, it departs from its breeding territory and migrates south to spend the winter in Mexico, Central America, and South America.
As birds that build mud nests, both male and female Barn Swallows take part in nest construction, and these structures can mostly be found against walls of houses, buildings, and other vertical surfaces.
Fun Fact: Barn Swallows are swift fliers capable of speeds of 74 kilometers per hour. They often fly close to the ground or water, sometimes just a few inches above it. Furthermore, they can fly as far as 600 miles a day!
7. Black Phoebes
| Scientific Name: | Sayornis nigricans |
| Conservation Status: | Least Concern |
| Length: | 6–7 in (15–18 cm) |
| Weight: | 0.5–0.8 oz (15–22 g) |
| Wingspan: | 10.6–11 in (27–28 cm) |
| Lifespan: | Up to 8 years |
The Black Phoebe is a passerine bird in the Tyrant Flycatcher family, categorized under the group of small black-and-white birds.
Black Phoebes have mostly black feathers and bright white underbellies. The white color creates a V-shape in their bottom breasts. Their beaks, legs, and feet are all black, while their irises are brown.
They look the same at any time of the year since their plumage doesn’t change. Black Phoebes are easily identifiable by their distinctive tail-wagging behavior, in which these birds dip their tails and spread their feathers.
It is the most common black and white bird species in North and South America. They are also native to the arid and semiarid regions of the southwestern United States, including southern Oregon, California, Arizona, and Texas.
Black Phoebes are also widespread in the Andean area of South America, stretching from Colombia to Argentina and in neighboring Mexico.
8. Great White Pelicans
| Scientific Name: | Pelecanus onocrotalus |
| Conservation Status: | Least Concern |
| Length: | 55–71 in (150–180 cm) |
| Weight: | 158.7–317.5 oz (4,500–9,000 g) |
| Wingspan: | 96.1–114.2 in (244–290 cm) |
| Lifespan: | Up to 51 years |
The Great White Pelican is a massive bird that is black and white overall and has a big, yellow-to-orange throat pouch and a thick, black bill. Their primary feathers are white with black and gray accents.
Their massive frames are accompanied by long, broad wings. They’re characterized by stubby tails, rosy-colored limbs, and webbed feet. Also, a pinkish-yellow patch of skin surrounds each of their eyes.
Great White Pelicans are one of the world’s largest flying birds. They can fly for vast distances and even swim, skills typically associated with several different types of birds.
Because of their impressive flying abilities, flocks often fly in a V formation to reduce air resistance. Lowland areas of Africa with access to either freshwater or alkaline lakes are home to them.
During the breeding season, residents of Eastern Europe to Kazakhstan are joined by Great White Pelican migrants from as far away as northeastern Africa and Iraq, north India, and southern Vietnam.
9. Black Skimmer
| Scientific Name: | Rynchops niger |
| Conservation Status: | Least Concern |
| Length: | 15.8–19.7 in (40–50 cm) |
| Weight: | 9.3–12.9 oz (265–365 g) |
| Wingspan: | 42.9–45.3 in (109–115 cm) |
| Lifespan: | Up to 20 years |
The Black Skimmer is a black and white bird with long wings. Their bill is black and crimson, and their legs are orange. They also belong to a wide group of black birds that have white stripes on their wings.
Black skimmers have a delicate, beautiful flight pattern, staying high above the water with long upstrokes and short downstrokes. This gives the flight its bounding or ranging style.
They spend a lot of time grooming and bathing in freshwater to keep themselves clean. When sleeping in a group, they stay upright and rest their heads in their wings.
Black Skimmers are a species that can be found in both the North and South American regions. They are mostly located in salt marshes, sandy beaches and islands, lagoons, streams, inlets, and rivers with shallow water.
10. American Coot
| Scientific Name: | Fulica americana |
| Conservation Status: | Least Concern |
| Length: | 15.5–16.9 in (39.4–42.9 cm) |
| Weight: | 21.2–24.7 oz (600–700 g) |
| Wingspan: | 23.0–25.0 in (58.4–63.5 cm) |
| Lifespan: | Up to 22 years |
The American Coot is a big bird of the family Rallidae that is black and white. Its dark body and white face are typical sights on just about any open water in the United States, where it frequently mixes with ducks.
They are an example of how not everything that floats is a duck. Nonetheless, American Coots are not closely related to ducks and instead belong to a different order of birds.
Unlike ducks, they don’t have webbed feet. Instead, their lengthy toes feature broad lobes of skin that they may use to kick their way through the water.
American Coots spend the summer months in the southern provinces of Canada and the northern states of the United States, specifically New York and Massachusetts. Yet, during the winter, they occur between Florida and California.
Because they prefer freshwater, these birds tend to reside in the shallow regions of lakes, ponds, and marshes. Furthermore, they have been known to inhabit the artificial ponds found in parks and golf courses.
11. Common Loon
| Scientific Name: | Gavia immer |
| Conservation Status: | Least Concern |
| Length: | 26.0–35.8 in (66–91 cm) |
| Weight: | 88.2–215.2 oz (2,500–6,100 g) |
| Wingspan: | 40.9–51.6 in (104–131 cm) |
| Lifespan: | Up to 30 years |
The Common Loon, also known as the Great Northern Diver, is a large black and white bird that belongs to the family of birds known as loons or divers.
Breeding adults have an elegant black-and-white pattern. During the colder months, they have a uniform gray upper and white lower half.
Both genders share the same general appearance; however, males are noticeably bigger and heavier than females.
Common Loons are strong and nimble swimmers that dive for little fish and swim quickly to the surface. They are less suited to life on land and usually only come ashore to lay their eggs.
It is a sensitive bird that needs to reproduce in peace on distant freshwater lakes in the far north of the United States and Canada.
You can find them on lakes, rivers, estuaries, and coasts during the winter and migration.
12. Warbling Vireo
| Scientific Name: | Vireo gilvus |
| Conservation Status: | Least Concern |
| Length: | 4.7–5.1 in (12–13 cm) |
| Weight: | 0.3–0.6 oz (10–16 g) |
| Wingspan: | 7.9–8.7 in (20–22 cm) |
| Lifespan: | Up to 13 years |
The Warbling Vireo is an adorable small black and white bird with a thick, straight, and ever-so-slightly hooked bill. Their breasts and bellies are white, and their heads are gray with white eyebrows and smeared gray eyelines.
They are somewhat unremarkable in appearance and like to remain up in the trees as they sing their loud, carol-like sound. The Warbling Vireo’s continuous singing is notable, continuing well into the late summer months.
Throughout the summer, you can find Warbling Vireos all over central and northern North America. The month of April marks the beginning of nest building for these birds.
Warbling Vireos are common in any substantial deciduous forest, aspen groves, poplars, and shade trees. They like to stay in places with larger trees even while migrating.
13. Eastern Towhees
| Scientific Name: | Pipilo erythrophthalmus |
| 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: | 7.9–11.0 in (20–28 cm) |
| Lifespan: | Up to 12 years |
The Eastern Towhee is a large sparrow with remarkable black and white markings. It has a short, pointed black bill, long black tail feathers, and red-brown eyes.
Males of the species have reddish-orange sides, making them part of the list of black and orange birds. Furthermore, they are solitary birds that use a variety of aggressive behaviors to warn off intruders.
Hence, males that are hostile may raise one or both wings, expand their wings, lower their wings, fan their tails, or flick their tails to display the white spots on the tips.
Eastern Towhees can be found in Southeastern Canada and the Eastern United States. Migrating populations from the north spend the winter in the Southern United States. They live on the outskirts of forests, thickets, and shrublands.
14. 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: | 8.7–11.0 in (22–28 cm) |
| Lifespan: | Up to 11 years |
The Spotted Towhee is a huge black and white New World sparrow. Their distinguishing features are a long, dark fan tail with white corners, brilliant red eyes, and dull pink legs.
Male adults are identified by their dark head and upper body, white belly, red flanks, white patches on the back, and white wing bars.
On the other hand, females share the same general appearance but are dark brown and gray rather than black.
For a long time, they went by the name Rufous-sided Towhee and were assumed to be a member of the same species as the Eastern Towhees without spots.
Nonetheless, Spotted Towhees, unlike their Eastern counterparts, prefer arid environments.
According to some researchers, the Spotted Towhees’ prominent white markings on their backs aid in their ability to blend in with the undergrowth that is dappled with sunlight.
Breeding Spotted Towhees are distributed all over western North America. They are found in parks, residential gardens, chaparral, thickets, and dry upland forests.
15. Eastern Kingbird
| Scientific Name: | Tyrannus tyrannus |
| Conservation Status: | Least Concern |
| Length: | 7.5–9.1 in (19–23 cm) |
| Weight: | 1.2–1.9 oz (33–55 g) |
| Wingspan: | 13.0–15.0 in (33–38 cm) |
| Lifespan: | Up to 10 years |
The Eastern Kingbird is a large black and white bird in the Tyrant Flycatcher family. Their upper body is dark gray, and the tail is black with a white tip, making it look like a business suit.
A common behavior of Eastern Kingbirds is to rest on wires in grassy regions, from where they will either sally forth to catch insects in flight or flutter gently over the grasses.
In the summer, Eastern Kingbirds feed mostly on flying insects and establish a breeding area, which they aggressively defend against other kingbird species.
Yet, they lead a very different lifestyle throughout the winter in the Amazon, moving in flocks and feeding on fruit.
Eastern kingbirds breed all over North America and migrate to South America during the winter. They prefer to live in grassy regions, preferably near bodies of water.
Grasslands, shrublands, woodland clearings, forest borders, marshes, fields, orchards, and city parks are some places you could spot these birds.
16. Northern Flicker
| Scientific Name: | Colaptes auratus |
| Conservation Status: | Least Concern |
| Length: | 11.0–12.2 in (28–31 cm) |
| Weight: | 3.9–5.6 oz (110–160 g) |
| Wingspan: | 16.5–20.1 in (42–51 cm) |
| Lifespan: | Up to 9 years |
A medium-sized black and white bird belonging to the woodpecker family, the Northern Flicker is also known as the Common Flicker.
They have a black bib over their upper chest and a light brown breast with black markings. Their white tail tip is barred with black.
A band at the base of the beak, resembling a mustache, helps distinguish males. You can see the difference between male and female Northern Flickers here.
The Northern Flicker, like other woodpeckers, uses drumming as a means of communicating with others and protecting its territory. Hence, they sometimes hammer on metal items to create as much noise as possible.
From Canada and Alaska’s tree line to south Nicaragua, these birds can be found throughout much of North America.
Forest edges, groves, clearings, burned areas, agricultural grounds, yards, and parks are all good places to see Northern Flickers.
17. Gila Woodpecker
| Scientific Name: | Melanerpes uropygialis |
| Conservation Status: | Least Concern |
| Length: | 8.7–9.4 in (22–24 cm) |
| Weight: | 1.8–2.8 oz (51–79 g) |
| Wingspan: | 15.8–16.5 in (40–42 cm) |
| Lifespan: | Up to 10 years |
The Gila Woodpecker is a medium-sized bird native to the deserts of the United States and Mexico. These birds have zebra-like patterns of black and white spots and bars over their back and wings.
The head, neck, and chest of the bird have a tan tint, while the belly is gray. White streaks can be seen on the center tail feathers of their dark tail.
Males have small red caps. Meanwhile, females and juveniles look the same, but they don’t have the distinctive red caps that adult males do. When in flight, the white spots on their wings stand out.
Gila Woodpeckers can be heard from quite a distance. During the breeding season, male Gila Woodpeckers can be quite hostile, frequently attacking other species of birds.
They stay put in the same area year-round, whether it’s a dry forest or a low desert shrub. Also, you could come across these birds in cottonwood trees close to rivers and damp lowland forests.
18. Tufted Titmouse
| Scientific Name: | Baeolophus bicolor |
| Conservation Status: | Least Concern |
| Length: | 5.5–6.3 in (14–16 cm) |
| Weight: | 0.6–0.9 oz (18–26 g) |
| Wingspan: | 7.9–10.2 in (20–26 cm) |
| Lifespan: | Up to 13 years |
One of the smallest members of the tit and chickadee family, the Tufted Titmouse is a black and white songbird native to North America. Its head is white, its upper body is gray, and its sides are an earthy reddish color.
These birds have huge black eyes and short, round bills, giving them a peaceful yet eager appearance that complements how they dart through trees, dangle from twigs, and land at bird feeders.
They also make their mark as one of the birds that have brushy crests in the country.
Observing Tufted Titmice in their natural habitat, I have noticed that these birds use existing holes in trees as nesting sites, simply because they cannot construct their own. You can see them make do with the holes and crevices that woodpeckers have already made.
It is always easy for me to spot these birds whenever I visit the eastern portion of the United States, which is home to Tufted Titmice all year because these birds do not migrate.
Their habitats include deciduous and mixed forests and open areas like lawns and parks.
19. Blackpoll Warbler
| Scientific Name: | Setophaga striata |
| Conservation Status: | Near Threatened |
| Length: | 4.9–5.9 in (12.5–15 cm) |
| Weight: | 0.4–0.5 oz (12–13 g) |
| Wingspan: | 8.3–9.1 in (21–23 cm) |
| Lifespan: | Up to 8 years |
The Blackpoll Warbler is a bird of the New World warbler family that is black and white. It’s a little bird that weighs about as much as a ballpoint pen. Its white cheeks and wing bars contrast with its distinctive black crown.
Male Blackpoll Warblers in the summer have black crowns and white faces, identifying them as one of the birds known for their black and white heads. They are streaked with dark brown on their backs.
On the other hand, adult females lack the distinct head patterns of the summer males and have grayish crowns and faces, resembling washed-out copies of their male counterparts.
Blackpoll Warblers only live in the forests of the northern United States and Canada, yet they can be seen in the eastern United States during spring migration.
In the southern part of their breeding range, Blackpoll Warblers prefer to nest in forested areas or higher elevations of mountains.
Moreover, these birds can be found foraging on deciduous trees and shrubs when not at their breeding grounds.
20. Willow Flycatcher
| Scientific Name: | Empidonax traillii |
| Conservation Status: | Least Concern |
| Length: | 5.1–6.7 in (13–17 cm) |
| Weight: | 0.4–0.6 oz (11–16 g) |
| Wingspan: | 7.5–9.4 in (19–24 cm) |
| Lifespan: | Up to 4 years |
The Willow Flycatcher is a black and white bird with a distinctive voice. Unlike many other birds, flycatchers don’t pick up their songs from their parents. Instead, young flycatchers are born with an innate knowledge of their songs.
Since it is nearly impossible to discern the four known subspecies of Willow Flycatchers apart in the wild, researchers rely on the birds’ songs to make the distinctions.
Willow Flycatchers typically nest near streams or other water sources amongst dense vegetation. They are known to nest in dry, brushy thickets and along the borders of woodlands.
They spend the colder months in open areas with shrubs, meadows, and the borders of tropical forests, typically near water. The Southwestern subspecies are officially endangered despite being widespread across the United States.
21. Dark-eyed Juncos
| Scientific Name: | Junco hyemalis |
| Conservation Status: | Least Concern |
| Length: | 5.5–6.3 in (14–16 cm) |
| Weight: | 0.6–1.1 oz (18–30 g) |
| Wingspan: | 7.1–9.8 in (18–25 cm) |
| Lifespan: | Up to 11 years |
The Dark-eyed Junco is a black and white sparrow of moderate size, distinguished by its large, dark eyes, rounded head, short, strong beak, and relatively long, elongated tail.
Their upper parts and chests have a dark gray color, while their underbellies and outer tails are white. Hence, they are also part of our list of black birds with white bellies.
The females are a little bit smaller and browner than the males. Often, their bill has a light pinkish color.
Dark-eyed Juncos are ground-dwelling birds. They hop around the undersides of trees and shrubs in the woods or wander onto lawns searching for dropped seeds.
They can be found as far north as the Arctic during the summer. Some populations travel further south, while others remain in the same place year-round.
Coniferous or mixed forests, open woodlands, shrubland, and roadsides are all good places for them to breed. In the winter, you can find them near towns, in thickets, and on the outskirts of woodlands.
22. Hairy Woodpecker
| Scientific Name: | Leuconotopicus villosus |
| Conservation Status: | Least Concern |
| Length: | 7.1–10.2 in (18–26 cm) |
| Weight: | 1.4–3.4 oz (40–95 g) |
| Wingspan: | 13.0–16.1 in (33–41 cm) |
| Lifespan: | Up to 15 years |
Little but mighty, the Hairy Woodpecker forages around the trunks of big trees. Its upright, straight-backed stance on tree trunks and finely striped head give this black-and-white bird a military look.
The upper portion and wings of the Hairy Woodpecker are primarily black, with a white or light back and white spots. The outer feathers of its black tail are white.
Juvenile males typically have a crimson or orange-red crown, while adult males have a single or two red patches on the rear of their heads. This feature allows them to be part of the group of birds with red heads.
The Bahamas, Canada, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Puerto Rico, and the United States are among the places where Hairy Woodpeckers can be found. Most of these birds live there permanently.
They live in mature deciduous, coniferous, mixed forests, woodlands, forest borders, and groves beside rivers. You can also find them in cities, parks, and gardens.
23. Loggerhead Shrike
| Scientific Name: | Lanius ludovicianus |
| Conservation Status: | Least Concern |
| Length: | 7.9–9.1 in (20–23 cm) |
| Weight: | 1.2–1.8 oz (35–50 g) |
| Wingspan: | 11.0–12.6 in (28–32 cm) |
| Lifespan: | Up to 12 years |
The Loggerhead Shrike is a songbird that acts more like a hawk than a songbird. These birds are gray overall, with a black head and white spots on their otherwise black wings.
Their carnivorous diet consists of frogs, insects, lizards, small mammals, and even other birds, earning them the nickname Butcherbird.
Southern Canada, the United States, and much of Mexico are all home to the Loggerhead Shrike.
Loggerhead Shrikes like open territory with a few bushes and trees here and there, but they can also be found in thickly wooded areas with wide clearings or extremely short areas with almost no vegetation.
Fun Fact: Loggerhead Shrikes can carry and kill an animal as big as themselves. The animals that are too large to fit in their beaks are carried by their feet. After being eaten, some of their victims are exhibited or stored at a spot, such as a tree.
24. Black-necked Stilt
| Scientific Name: | Himantopus mexicanus |
| Conservation Status: | Least Concern |
| Length: | 13.8–15.3 in (35–39 cm) |
| Weight: | 5.3–6.2 oz (150–176 g) |
| Wingspan: | 28.1–29.7 in (71.5–75.5 cm) |
| Lifespan: | Up to 20 years |
The Black-necked Stilt is one of the most striking shorebirds thanks to its long pink legs, slender black bill, and exquisite black and white plumage. Their legs give them a spot in our article featuring birds with long legs.
Males get a greenish sheen on their backs and wings during mating season. In females, however, this is less noticeable or nonexistent. Instead, these patches take on a brownish hue. Besides these differences, males and females appear to be identical.
Black-necked Stilts are one of the most common shorebirds seen in American wetlands and along beaches.
Whether saltwater or freshwater, they can nearly always be found close to shallow bodies of water.
Coastal California, the inland west of the United States, the Gulf Coast from Texas to Florida, the Caribbean, Ecuador, and the Galápagos Islands are all places where you can find this species.
25. Carolina Chickadee
| Scientific Name: | Poecile carolinensis |
| Conservation Status: | Least Concern |
| Length: | 3.9–4.7 in (10–12 cm) |
| Weight: | 0.3–0.4 oz (8–12 g) |
| Wingspan: | 5.9–7.9 in (15–20 cm) |
| Lifespan: | Up to 11 years |
The Carolina Chickadee, a small black and white bird belonging to the tit family Paridae, is a common sight in North America.
Carolina Chickadees are similar in appearance to Black-capped Chickadees; both species have a distinctive black cap, black bib, gray wings and back, and a white underside.
Nonetheless, Carolina Chickadees can be identified by their shorter, more squared-off tails, darker wings, and less pronounced white fringes on their secondary feathers.
Unless it’s breeding season, these birds often forage and travel with a group of other birds of a similar size and shape. They tend to spread out while eating despite being a flocking species.
Breeding territories for Carolina Chickadees span the United States. They are long-term residents who stay put even when the weather in the north becomes unbearable.
These tiny birds can be found anywhere from a dense forest to a suburban backyard or a city park.
26. Black-billed Cuckoo
| Scientific Name: | Coccyzus erythropthalmus |
| Conservation Status: | Least Concern |
| Length: | 11.0–12.2 in (28–31 cm) |
| Weight: | 1.4–2.3 oz (40–65 g) |
| Wingspan: | 13.4–15.8 in (34–40 cm) |
| Lifespan: | Up to 4 years |
The Black-billed Cuckoo is a species of the Cuculidae family native to the New World. Birds of these species are predominantly black and white, with a long brown tail and a black, slightly downcurved bill.
In addition, their chest and abdomen are white, while their throat is a pale sandy brown. Similarities between males and females are uncanny.
Black-billed Cuckoos occasionally lay their eggs in other birds’ nests, but typically, they build their own nest and rear their young by themselves, as do most birds.
They have a wide breeding range, from Alberta in the west to Nova Scotia in the east and from Texas in the south to Florida in the north.
These birds are mostly found on the edges of mixed or mature deciduous woods and occasionally in coniferous forests. They also populate much more densely in shrubbed and thicketed areas of relatively younger forests.
27. Black-billed Magpies
| Scientific Name: | Pica hudsonia |
| Conservation Status: | Least Concern |
| Length: | 17.7–23.6 in (45–60 cm) |
| Weight: | 5.1–7.4 oz (145–210 g) |
| Wingspan: | 22.1–24.0 in (56–61 cm) |
| Lifespan: | Up to 6 years |
The Black-billed Magpie is one of only four songbirds in North America with a tail that is at least half as long as its body. They are primarily black and white, with touches of blue or green on their wings and tail.
Moreover, they frequently pursue huge predators like wolves to scavenge or take from their kills.
Black-billed Magpies are native to the western regions of North America. Although they are not migratory, they occasionally stray into other regions during the breeding season.
These birds favor wide spaces with little vegetation, including bushes and trees. They inhabit meadows, farms, grasslands, prairies, thickets along streams, and the borders of forests.
Fun Fact: Occasionally, Black-billed Magpies will land on large mammals, such as moose or cattle, to pick at the ticks that frequently afflict these creatures.
28. Downy Woodpeckers
| Scientific Name: | Dryobates pubescens |
| Conservation Status: | Least Concern |
| Length: | 5.5–6.7 in (14–17 cm) |
| Weight: | 0.7–1.0 oz (21–28 g) |
| Wingspan: | 9.8–11.8 in (25–30 cm) |
| Lifespan: | Up to 11 years |
The Downy Woodpecker is the smallest woodpecker found in North America. They have mostly black upper parts and wings, a white back, throat, and belly, and white spots on the wings.
In addition to a black tail, Downy Woodpeckers feature outer feathers that are white and banded with black. Juvenile birds sport a red cap, while adult males sport a black cap and a red patch on the rear of their heads.
Instead of singing, Downy Woodpeckers produces a loud drumming sound by beating on various bits of wood and metal.
They mainly eat insects, berries, sunflower seeds, grains, acorns, sap, and suet from birdfeeders.
Apart from the Hawaiian Islands, the Southwestern United States, and the northern parts of Alaska and Canada, Downy woodpeckers can be found across the continental United States and Canada.
They mostly live in deciduous forests, but they can also be seen in parks, fruit orchards, and even suburban backyards.
29. Eastern Wood-Pewee
| Scientific Name: | Contopus virens |
| Conservation Status: | Least Concern |
| Length: | 5.3–5.9 in (13.5–15 cm) |
| Weight: | 0.3–0.7 oz (10–19 g) |
| Wingspan: | 9.1–10.2 in (23–26 cm) |
| Lifespan: | Up to 7 years |
The Eastern Wood-Pewee is a North American tyrant flycatcher that is quite small in stature. They’re birds that are mostly black except for some white barring on their wings and a grayish-white throat, breast, and belly.
Little and swift, these flycatchers hunt for insects in the air from perches on dead branches high in the canopy.
Differentiating between different types of flycatchers might be difficult. However, Pewees can be easily recognized by their overall grayer appearance and longer wings.
They have a breeding territory that extends from the southeast and central parts of Canada to the southern United States. They spend the colder months in Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Peru, and Brazil in the region’s northwest.
Breeding Eastern Wood Pewees can be found in almost any type of forest, including small woodlots, so long as there is some kind of open space for them to fly around.
Further, these birds are migratory and can be found in almost any forest or wooded area.
30. Pileated Woodpecker
| Scientific Name: | Dryocopus pileatus |
| Conservation Status: | Least Concern |
| Length: | 15.8–19.3 in (40–49 cm) |
| Weight: | 8.8–12.3 oz (250–350 g) |
| Wingspan: | 26.0–29.5 in (66–75 cm) |
| Lifespan: | Up to 13 years |
The Pileated Woodpecker is one of the largest and most eye-catching black and white birds on the continent. These birds are jet black with a contrasting white stripe running down their neck and a bright red crown.
When in flight, the white color of the wings becomes more noticeable. Typical of woodpeckers, these birds have a powerful, direct flight.
Moreover, adult males have a red line running from the tip of their bill to the base of their throat, whereas adult females have a black one.
When a Pileated Woodpecker pair establishes territory, they tend to stick together for the entire year. They are territorial year-round, but during the winter, they are more lenient towards newcomers.
Pileated Woodpeckers can be seen all over Canada, the eastern United States, and even some of the western coast of the United States. These birds thrive in dense woodlands and parks with a lot of trees.
Fun Fact: Pileated Woodpeckers are speedy drummers, drilling holes in old and decaying trees with a speed of 11 to 30 taps in less than a second.
31. Black-crowned Night Heron
| Scientific Name: | Nycticorax nycticorax |
| Conservation Status: | Least Concern |
| Length: | 22.8–26.0 in (58–66 cm) |
| Weight: | 25.6–35.8 oz (727–1,014 g) |
| Wingspan: | 45.3–46.5 in (115–118 cm) |
| Lifespan: | Up to 30 years |
The Black-crowned Night Heron is a black-and-white bird with a stocky build and a habit of sitting or standing with its head tucked between its shoulders.
Compared to other herons, it has shorter legs and a shorter neck. The adult birds sport gorgeous gray and black feathers with beautiful white head feathers.
During the mating season, an adult’s head will grow two long white plumes. Both genders share the same general appearance, though females tend to be smaller.
There are breeding populations of Black-crowned Night Herons on every continent except Antarctica and Australia.
This heron is highly adaptable, making a home in various watery environments, from freshwater marshes and lakes to coastal lagoons and mudflats.
Further, Black-crowned Night Herons are known as one of the birds that tend to chirp at night.
32. Northern Mockingbird
| Scientific Name: | Mimus polyglottos |
| Conservation Status: | Least Concern |
| Length: | 8.3–10.2 in (21–26 cm) |
| Weight: | 1.6–2.0 oz (45–58 g) |
| Wingspan: | 12.2–13.8 in (31–35 cm) |
| Lifespan: | Up to 20 years |
The Northern Mockingbird is a black and white songbird that is well known for its mimicry skills. The meaning of their scientific name, which translates to many-tongued mimic, reflects this.
The underside of these birds is white, and the top is gray. They have white spots resembling bars on their wings, a long black tail with white feathers on the outside, and a long, thin bill. Both genders share the same appearance.
They will sing nonstop, sometimes even at night, and openly threaten other birds that dare to invade their territory by prancing toward them with their legs out and showing off their brilliant white wing patches.
The Northern Mockingbird is widespread from Alaska to Florida and the Gulf Coast to the Mexican border. They can be found throughout the Caribbean as well.
Northern Mockingbirds favor the fringes of forests and open, thinly forested areas.
Watch this video of a Northern Mockingbird imitating car alarm sounds to learn more about their mimicking ability:
33. Red-naped Sapsucker
| Scientific Name: | Sphyrapicus nuchalis |
| Conservation Status: | Least Concern |
| Length: | 7.5–8.3 in (19–21 cm) |
| Weight: | 1.1–2.3 oz (32–66 g) |
| Wingspan: | 16.1–16.9 in (41–43 cm) |
| Lifespan: | Up to 3 years |
This black and white woodpecker has a sweet tooth and is known as the Red-naped Sapsucker. They make precise, small rows of holes in willow, birch, and aspen trees to collect the flowing, sweet sap.
Despite their name, they are not sap-sucking birds but rather are adapted to sip it. Compared to other woodpeckers’ tongues, theirs is shorter and doesn’t stick out quite as far.
Red-naped Sapsuckers have a black body with white markings below the waist and on the rump, a black stripe through the eye, and a red spot on the neck.
Male adults have a red patch on the base of their throats, whereas females’ lower throats are red, and their upper ones are white.
Red-naped Sapsuckers prefer the mixed woods of the Rocky Mountains and Great Basin regions of North America for breeding. They will use a hole in a dead tree as a nest.
34. Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
| Scientific Name: | Polioptila caerulea |
| Conservation Status: | Least Concern |
| Length: | 3.9–4.3 in (10–11 cm) |
| Weight: | 0.2–0.3 oz (4.8–8.9 g) |
| Wingspan: | 6–6.3 in (15–16 cm) |
| Lifespan: | Up to 4 years |
The Blue-gray Gnatcatcher is a small black and white bird that inhabits broadleaf woods and scrublands.
Mature males have white underparts, a slender dark bill, and long, black tails with white edges in addition to their blue-gray upper parts.
Moreover, both females and juveniles are more olive than blue. The eye-rings of both genders are white.
The Blue-gray Gnatcatcher has been dubbed the Little Mockingbird because of its ability to imitate other birds’ songs while singing in its own high, nasal pitch.
The breeding grounds of the Blue-gray Gnatcatcher span from southern Ontario to the eastern and southwestern United States and Mexico.
They are the only species of gnatcatchers that breed in Eastern North America, even though the species are widespread and growing in number as they spread to the northeast.
35. Yellow-rumped Warbler
| Scientific Name: | Setophaga coronata |
| Conservation Status: | Least Concern |
| Length: | 4.7–5.5 in (12–14 cm) |
| Weight: | 0.4–0.5 oz (12–13 g) |
| Wingspan: | 7.5–9.1 in (19–23 cm) |
| Lifespan: | Up to 10 years |
The Yellow-rumped Warbler, with its striking black and white plumage, is a common sight across the continent of North America.
Middle-level tree canopies are a common hunting ground for Yellow-rumped Warblers. They rely mostly on insects for food, though they do eat berries and other fruits, particularly in the colder months.
They stand out thanks to their bright yellow spots on the crown, flanks, and rump, as well as their black and blue striped backs.
Males have striking shading, whereas females are often less vibrant and may have a brownish tint.
During the warmer months, Yellow-rumped Warblers can be seen in open coniferous woods and along forest borders.
During the fall and winter, the Yellow-rumped Warbler prefers more open woodlands and shrubby habitats, such as coastal vegetation, parks, and suburban areas.
36. Red-bellied Woodpecker
| Scientific Name: | Melanerpes carolinus |
| Conservation Status: | Least Concern |
| Length: | 8.6–10.2 in (22–26 cm) |
| Weight: | 2.0–3.2 oz (56–91 g) |
| Wingspan: | 13.0–16.5 in (33–42 cm) |
| Lifespan: | Up to 12 years |
The Red-bellied Woodpecker is a black and white bird of modest size that belongs to the Picidae family. Their common name is a little deceptive because the head is where the reddest area of their plumage is most noticeable.
The adult forms of these species are distinguished by a black and white barred pattern across their back, wings, and tail, with a primarily soft gray face and underparts.
Males have a red cap that extends from their bill to their nape, while females have a red patch on their nape and another above their bill.
The Red-bellied Woodpeckers’ diet consists of ants, grasshoppers, beetle larvae, and other insects. They also enjoy fruits, acorns, and beechnuts. Their bill is used to probe tree trunks and branches for insects.
The range of Red-bellied Woodpeckers extends across the eastern United States, from Florida to Canada. These birds are common in rural and suburban settings and urban parks, gardens, and groves.
37. Red-headed Woodpecker
| Scientific Name: | Melanerpes erythrocephalus |
| Conservation Status: | Least Concern |
| Length: | 7.5–9.1 in (19–23 cm) |
| Weight: | 2.0–3.2 oz (56–91 g) |
| Wingspan: | 16.1–16.5 in (41–42 cm) |
| Lifespan: | Up to 12 years |
The beautiful Red-headed Woodpecker has been called a flying checkerboard due to the contrasting black and white patterns on its wings and the stark contrast between its crimson head and white body.
Both male and female adults look the same. Juveniles have the same patterns as adults, except their heads are completely gray.
Red-headed Woodpeckers are extremely aggressive when protecting their territory. They have been known to steal eggs from other birds, ruin nests, and even break into duck nest boxes to pierce the eggs inside.
They inhabit the temperate regions of North America. The vast landscapes of southern Canada and the east-central United States also serve as their breeding grounds.
Red-headed Woodpeckers like forests with open understory habitats like pine savannahs.
They can also be found in various environments, including open pine forests, tree rows in agricultural areas, and standing timber in beaver swamps and other wetlands.
These birds are also discussed in our list of black birds with red heads.
38. White-headed Woodpecker
| Scientific Name: | Leuconotopicus albolarvatus |
| Conservation Status: | Least Concern |
| Length: | 8.2–9 in (21–23 cm) |
| Weight: | 2–2.3 oz (55–65 g) |
| Wingspan: | 16.1–16.9 in (41–43 cm) |
| Lifespan: | Up to 10 years |
Unlike most other woodpeckers, the White-headed Woodpecker can only be found in the mountainous pine forests of the Western United States and British Columbia. They have a white head and black plumage.
Male birds can be identified by a red patch on their heads. White-headed Woodpeckers have deep brown-red eyes, a blackish-gray bill, and gray legs and feet.
They typically cling to the edges and bottoms of pine cones while foraging to keep the sticky sap off their feathers.
Moreover, they make less noise while feeding than some woodpeckers, but their spring drumming can be heard from quite a distance.
They are widespread throughout eastern North America. These birds like mountains with open coniferous woods, especially those rich in ponderosa and sugar pine.
39. Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
| Scientific Name: | Sphyrapicus varius |
| Conservation Status: | Least Concern |
| Length: | 7.1–8.7 in (18–22 cm) |
| Weight: | 1.5–1.9 oz (43–55 g) |
| Wingspan: | 13.4–15.8 in (34–40 cm) |
| Lifespan: | Up to 8 years |
Only one species of sapsucker can be found in eastern North America, and that bird is the Yellow-bellied Sapsucker. These birds have a stunning appearance with their stark black-and-white contrast.
Both the male and female Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers have red foreheads; however, those of the females are less prominent.
These birds have a short, straight bill that is dark gray or black and capped with a chisel-like tip. Their legs are blue-gray to green-gray in color.
Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers can be found in deciduous and evergreen forests up to a height of around 6,500 feet.
During the breeding season, they favor dense stands of small trees like aspens, whereas in the winter, they prefer more open areas. Once in a while, these sapsuckers may visit bird feeders in search of suet.
Pro Tip: To determine the gender of Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers, look at the color of their throat and chin. These should be white in females and red in males.
40. Black-and-white Warbler
| Scientific Name: | Mniotilta varia |
| Conservation Status: | Least Concern |
| Length: | 4.3–5.1 in (11–13 cm) |
| Weight: | 0.3–0.5 oz (8–15 g) |
| Wingspan: | 7.1–8.7 in (18–22 cm) |
| Lifespan: | Up to 11 years |
The Black-and-white Warbler is the only species of New World warbler in the genus Mniotilta. These unique birds are easily identified by the black and white stripes that extend from their head to their tail.
Male Black-and-white Warblers have striking black streaks across their throats and cheeks. Compared to males, female and juvenile plumages are more subdued and lack the characteristic streaking.
Black-and-white Warblers are an aggressive species that will fiercely defend their area from other birds, including Black-capped Chickadees, Red-breasted Nuthatches, and American Redstarts.
They breed in northern and eastern North America. They are migratory birds that spend the winter in Peru, northern South America, and Florida.
They also inhibit a variety of environments. These birds make their nests in deciduous and mixed forests and even in marshy forests on occasion.
41. American Oystercatcher
| Scientific Name: | Haematopus palliatus |
| Conservation Status: | Least Concern |
| Length: | 16.5–20.5 in (42–52 cm) |
| Weight: | 14.1–24.7 oz (400–700 g) |
| Wingspan: | 32–35 in (81–89 cm) |
| Lifespan: | Up to 17 years |
The American Oystercatcher is a wading bird with a striking appearance, thanks to its black and white plumage and long, broad orange beaks.
Their grayish-black back, wings, and tail contrast sharply with their black head and chest. They have white underparts and inner wing feathers that are revealed during flight.
These birds have yellow irises and orange orbital bands on their eyes. They have long legs that are pink in color.
American Oystercatchers are the only birds in their environment to crack and open huge mollusks like oysters and clams successfully.
They rely almost entirely on oysters, clams, and other marine invertebrates for food. These birds are restricted to salt marshes and barrier beaches where their diet is best suited.
American Oystercatchers live along the Atlantic coast of North America, from New England to northern Florida. They can also be found on the Gulf Coast of Florida.
42. Rose-breasted Grosbeak
| Scientific Name: | Pheucticus ludovicianus |
| Conservation Status: | Least Concern |
| Length: | 7.1–8.3 in (18–21 cm) |
| Weight: | 1.4–1.7 oz (39–49 g) |
| Wingspan: | 11.4–13.0 in (29–33 cm) |
| Lifespan: | Up to 24 years |
The Rose-breasted Grosbeak is a medium-sized bird that eats seeds belonging to the family Cardinalidae. The vivid rose-red patch on their breasts stands out against their black heads and white bellies.
Several birdwatchers have paid tribute to the Rose-breasted Grosbeak because of their endearing, robin-like songs.
Hence, according to several modern bird watchers, their distinctive song has been compared to that of a drunk opera-trained robin.
Typically, Rose-breasted Grosbeaks eat seeds, buds, and fruits they find in trees such as wild plums. They are also frequently spotted going to a bird feeder, where they eat raw peanuts, safflower, and sunflower seeds.
These birds breed in much of Canada and the northeastern United States.
Streams, ponds, marshes, parks, gardens, and plantations are all common places to find Rose-Breasted Grosbeaks, as are open deciduous and mixed forests.
43. Black-capped Chickadees
| Scientific Name: | Poecile atricapillus |
| Conservation Status: | Least Concern |
| Length: | 4.7–5.9 in (12–15 cm) |
| Weight: | 0.3–0.5 oz (9–14 g) |
| Wingspan: | 6.3–8.3 in (16–21 cm) |
| Lifespan: | Up to 12 years |
The Black-capped Chickadee is a small bird native to North America that belongs to the tit family, the Paridae. They have a large, round head on top of a small body, making these little black-and-white birds quite endearing.
They have a striking appearance with a black cap and bib, white cheeks, a gray back, black wings, and white undersides with buffy sides.
Black-capped Chickadees are one of the easiest birds to draw to feeders for suet, sunflower seeds, and peanuts. They will happily feed from hanging feeders and even stop by the window feeders if you put some out.
These birds are non-migratory. They cohabit in pairs throughout the spring and summer and dwell in tiny flocks of 6 to 10 birds during the fall and winter.
Black-capped Chickadees are mostly home in areas with many deciduous trees, cottonwood thickets, open forests, parks, and grassy areas. They are drawn to environments with ideal nesting sites, such as holes in stumps or dead trees.
44. White-breasted Nuthatches
| Scientific Name: | Sitta carolinensis |
| Conservation Status: | Least Concern |
| Length: | 5.1–5.5 in (13–14 cm) |
| Weight: | 0.6–1.1 oz (18–30 g) |
| Wingspan: | 7.9–10.6 in (20–27 cm) |
| Lifespan: | Up to 12 years |
The White-breasted Nuthatch, found only in North America, is the largest of the nuthatches. While in flight, these birds appear black on top and white underneath, except for their wings.
Their body is bulky, with a short tail, a big head, a strong bill, and sturdy feet. White-breasted Nuthatches appear to be hooded due to how their black or gray cap and neck frame their faces.
They are a small, nimble bird that feeds primarily on insects and occasionally on large, meaty seeds.
Their popular name comes from how they hatch out seeds by pressing huge nuts and acorns into the bark of trees and then hitting them with their sharp bills.
Furthermore, this bird is a resident of old forests and woodland edges. Although they can be found in coniferous forests, they’re more commonly found in environments with deciduous trees such as maple, hickory, basswood, and oak.
45. Black-throated Gray Warbler
| Scientific Name: | Setophaga nigrescens |
| Conservation Status: | Least Concern |
| Length: | 4.3–5.1 in (11–13 cm) |
| Weight: | 0.3–0.3 oz (7–10 g) |
| Wingspan: | 7.5–7.8 in (19–19.7 cm) |
| Lifespan: | Up to 6 years |
The Black-throated Gray Warbler is an interesting bird that sports gray and white feathers with black patterns.
They are easily identifiable due to their spotting and the tiny yellow patch between their eye and beak. Both genders have gray backs and wings that are streaked with black and white bellies.
Black-throated Gray Warblers are friendly birds that are easy to spot while they forage. They frequently hunt in groups with other species. They eat insects, mainly caterpillars, found on the ground or in low trees.
Breeding grounds for Black-throated Gray Warblers can be found in the western part of North America, southwestern British Columbia, and all the way down the Pacific coast.
They prefer brushy understory habitats for their breeding grounds, including chaparral, dry open oak woods, and other scrublands. They’re most commonly found in or near oaks, junipers, and pinyon pines.
46. Ladder-backed Woodpecker
| Scientific Name: | Dryobates scalaris |
| Conservation Status: | Least Concern |
| Length: | 6.3–7.1 in (16–18 cm) |
| Weight: | 0.7–1.7 oz (21–48 g) |
| Wingspan: | 12.2–13.0 in (31–33 cm) |
| Lifespan: | Up to 4 years |
The Ladder-backed Woodpecker has a barred pattern on its back and wings that resemble ladder rungs. Their primary colors are black and white. They have a black tail and black spots on their cream-colored chest and flanks.
A pair of black lines run from their bill to their eye and meet at their neck, breaking up their otherwise buffy white face. Males typically have redder crowns, while females tend to be darker.
These species can be found in the southwestern United States, much of Mexico, and scattered locations in Central America south of Nicaragua.
Ladder-backed Woodpeckers inhabit arid environments like scrubby deserts, thorn forests, and pinyon-juniper woodlands. They nest in tree cavities, but a huge cactus will do in drier regions.
47. Acorn Woodpecker
| Scientific Name: | Melanerpes formicivorus |
| Conservation Status: | Least Concern |
| Length: | 7.5–9.1 in (19–23 cm) |
| Weight: | 2.3–3.2 oz (65–90 g) |
| Wingspan: | 13.8–16.9 in (35–43 cm) |
| Lifespan: | Up to 17 years |
The Acorn Woodpecker is a black and white bird well-known for its quirky habit of hoarding acorns in tree cavities. They are primarily black, with a bright red crown, a white face, and a black patch on their bill.
These woodpeckers are atypical in many ways: they gather in big colonies, stockpile acorns for the winter, and raise their young collectively.
Members of the group collect many acorns and use them to fill holes they’ve drilled into a tree or telephone pole.
They don’t leave for the winter and can be found in oak forests, open oak groves near the shore, mixed woods, oak-pine canyons, and foothills all year round.
The Acorn Woodpecker coexists well with people and can be found in cities with plenty of acorns and safe locations to store them.
Pro Tip: If your house is mostly made up of wood, hang shiny reflective tape on your pillars and foundations. This should scare away Acorn Woodpeckers and prevent them from transforming your exterior into an acorn granary.
Have you ever spotted these endearing black and white birds perched in a tree or on your feeder? Share your encounter with us in the comment section below! Do not hesitate to ask us any questions you may have about these avian creatures, too!
