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Black & White Birds in North America

When people seek out beautiful birds, theyā€™re often drawn to the most colorful ones. Yet, beauty is about so much more than just colors. There are a lot of stunning birds around the world with black and white feather patterns. Even just in North America, some of the most mesmerizing birds are black and white. So, what are some common black & white birds in North America to keep an eye out for?

There are lots of birds that have black and white feathers. Some are only black and white while others have hints of vibrant colors mixed in. Below are some of the most common and most memorable black & white birds living across North America.

1. Black-and-White Warbler (Striped Black & White Birds)

A Black-and-white Warbler
Image by Edward Post via Flickr.

The black-and-white warbler only has black and white feathers, but those two colors appear in a unique display of stripes that are sure to catch your eye. Youā€™ll commonly see them probing moss and bark with their tiny, sharp beaks as they search for insects to eat. When breeding, they live across Canada and parts of the United States, but they eventually migrate down to Mexico and Northern South America when theyā€™re not breeding.

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2. Common Loon (Black & White Water Birds)

A Common Loon swimming through the water.
Image by Rick Cleland via Flickr.

You can almost always find common loons near bodies of water, where they can dive under the water without causing a splash to stealthily catch fish. They breed near quiet, secluded freshwater lakes across Canada and the United States, and when theyā€™re migrating and not breeding, youā€™ll likely see them along coastlines and near estuaries, rivers, and lakes. Breeding adults have bold black feathers with white spots along their wings and bodies.

3. Black-Capped Chickadee

Spot black-capped chickadees on the Osamequin Nature Trails and Bird Sanctuary, Rhode Island.
Image by Jerry Ting via Flickr.

While the black-capped chickadee isnā€™t a completely black & white bird, it has a bold black head with a white strip in the middle. Then, its wings are gray while its body is light brown and white. Many people find these birds adorable because of their oversized round heads, which accentuate their coloring. You can find these cute birds across Canada and the Northern United States year-round because they donā€™t migrate.

4. Carolina Chickadee

A Carolina Chickadee perched on a branch.
Image by David Alexander via Flickr.

The Carolina chickadee looks almost identical to the black-capped chickadee. It has a round black-and-white head with a gray and white body. Overall, black-capped chickadees have bolder colors, but Carolina chickadees still have notable black and white markings around their faces. Carolina chickadees have a much smaller range, only living in the Southeastern United States. Since theyā€™re so similar, the black-capped chickadees and Carolina chickadees can breed to create a hybrid when in the same location.

5. Downy Woodpecker (Black & White Woodpecker)

Male and Female Downy Woodpeckers
Image by Mike Nolen via Flickr.

The Downy Woodpecker, one of North Americaā€™s most common woodpeckers, has a beautiful black and white feather pattern, including black wings with white spots. The only part of their bodies that doesnā€™t seem to match it is the tiny red patch on their heads. You can find these birds year-round across most of Canada and the United States. In the winter, these birds join flocks of other species, such as chickadees and nuthatches.

6. Hairy Woodpecker

A Hairy Woodpecker
Image by Rockytopk9 via Flickr.

Hairy woodpeckers look very similar to downy woodpeckers. They have black and white feathers, including black wings with white spots and a white belly. Like downy woodpeckers, males have a red spot on their head (although itā€™s a much lighter red than the one on the other species). They have a wide range that spreads from most of Canada to parts of Mexico. They donā€™t migrate, so you can find them across their range year-round.

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7. White-Breasted Nuthatch

Perched Bird With Seed
Image by Rockytopk9 via Flickr.

This species has a white face and belly paired with black and gray coloring on their wings and back. Theyā€™re called nuthatches because they collect large nuts and seeds, jam them into tree bark, and hit them with their sharp bills so they ā€œhatch.ā€ These birds typically stay in the same range year-round, which stretches across most of the United States, parts of Southern Canada, and inland areas of Mexico.

8. Black-Billed Magpie (Black & White Birds with Blue Wings)

A Black-billed Magpie - Iconic Corvidae of the West
Image by nickinthegarden via Flickr.

At first glance, black-billed magpies look just black and white. They have a solid black head with a black and white body. Yet, when they spread their wings, you can see that some of their feathers have a beautiful tint of blue, adding to their stunning appearance. You can find these unique birds across the Northwestern United States and Southwestern Canada. They build massive nests that can take them up to 40 days to complete.

9. Rose-Breasted Grosbeak (Male Birds are Black & White)

A Rose-breasted Grosbeak perched on a thin branch.
Image by Jfranciskay via Flickr.

Most people know the male rose-breasted grosbeaks for their bright red patch on their chests, but otherwise, their bodies are completely black and white. The females have a very different appearance with brown feather patterns. These birds breed in Canada and the Northeastern United States, and then they migrate down to Southern Mexico and Northern South America. In rare cases, rose-breasted grosbeaks create hybrids with a similar species, the black-headed grosbeak.

10. Blackpoll Warbler (Male Birds are Black & White)

A Blackpoll Warbler

Male blackpoll warblers have beautiful white feathers with black speckles and a hint of brown on their wings. Females are mostly brown and white, so they donā€™t share the same beautiful black and white coloring. They have a large range that includes Northern Canada when breeding, Eastern United States when migrating, and Northern South America during the non-breeding season. They make the longest overwater journey of any songbird (about 1,800 miles!)

11. Black Skimmer (Black & White Seabird)

Two black skimmers on a mud flat.
Image by Brian Tillotson via Flickr.

Black skimmers have black backs and white bellies. Yet, their long, red bills with black tips are one of their most notable features. While flying, they skim the water with their unique bills, catching fish whenever they feel them. The shape of their bills allows them to quickly relax their neck and close their jaws to capture fish. In North America, these birds only appear along the east and west coastlines. Populations of them also appear in parts of South America.

12. American Oystercatcher

An Oystercatcher walking across sand.
Image by frank1556 via Flickr.

American Oystercatchers have dark black heads, white bellies, and brown/gray wings. Like black skimmers, their most notable feature is their bills. These birds have narrow red-orange bills that create a unique contrast from their black and white feathers. They use their beaks to probe sandy and stony areas for oysters and other mollusks. Theyā€™re found in salt marshes and barrier beaches of North American coastlines, along with some South American coastlines.

13. Ladder-Backed Woodpecker

A Ladder-backed Woodpecker climbing up a thin tree.
Image by Hawk Person via Flickr.

Ladder-backed woodpeckers are beautiful black & white birds because of their striped and spotted patterns. The males also have large red patches on their heads, but the females do not. Unlike most woodpeckers, they typically live in deserts and thorn forests rather than woodlands. They forage among thorns and spines across Mexico and the Southwestern United States.

More Black & White Birds in North America

Thereā€™s no shortage of black & white birds in North America. Here are some more species to keep an eye out for:

  • American Coot
  • Black Phoebe
  • Black-Billed Cuckoo
  • Black-Crowned Night Heron
  • Black-Necked Stilt
  • Bufflehead
  • Mute Swan
  • Razorbill
  • Royal Tern
  • Snow Goose
  • White Pelican
  • Wood Stork
  • Yellow-Bellied Sapsucker

Have You Spotted Black & White Birds in North America?

Next time you see a black & white bird in North America, pay attention to the details. Look at its feather patterns and unique features, such as its bill, vocalizations, and habits. Black & white birds can be just as beautiful as other bird species, so make sure to admire them.

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