Birds have captivated human beings for centuries with their beauty, grace, and diversity. Among the vast array of avian species, there are several black birds with white stripes on their wings and tails that stand out for their striking appearance.
These elegant creatures showcase a captivating combination of contrasting colors, highlighting the marvels of nature’s artistry.
Here we will discuss ten remarkable black birds adorned with white stripes on their wings and tails.
Black Bird With White Stripes On Wings And Tails
There are several bird species that fit the description of a black bird with white stripes on its wings and tail including the White-browed Wagtail, Eurasian Magpie, Black-and-white Warbler, Hairy Woodpecker, Anhinga, Northern Mockingbird, Common Nighthawk, White-winged Triller, Magpie Lark, and Downy Woodpecker.
White-browed Wagtail
The White-browed Wagtail is a small black bird with white stripes on its wings and tails. It has a distinctive white stripe above its eye and long, slender wings. Found in parts of Asia, this charming species is known for its elegant aerial displays and delightful wagging tail movements. The white eyebrow accentuates the bird’s sleek appearance as it flits about near water bodies, foraging for insects.
Color: The White-browed Wagtail has a predominantly black plumage with a white stripe above its eye, contrasting beautifully with its sleek body.
Physical Description: This wagtail is a small bird, typically measuring around 7 inches (18 cm) in length. It has a slender body, long legs, and a slender black tail with white outer feathers.
Habitat and Behavior: White-browed Wagtails are commonly found near water bodies such as rivers, lakes, and ponds. They are agile and active birds, often seen hopping and wagging their long tails. They have a wide distribution across parts of Asia, including India, Sri Lanka, and Southeast Asia.
Diet: These wagtails primarily feed on insects, including flies, beetles, and aquatic invertebrates. They are known for their skillful foraging techniques, often catching insects on the wing or picking them from the ground or water surface.
Eurasian Magpie
The Eurasian Magpie (Pica pica) is a common sight in Europe and parts of Asia. Its glossy black plumage is adorned with a striking white stripe on each wing, providing a stark contrast against its jet-black feathers. Known for their intelligence and mischievous nature, these magpies possess a remarkable ability to mimic sounds and exhibit complex social behaviors.
Color: The Eurasian Magpie boasts glossy black feathers with a striking white stripe on each wing, providing a stark contrast against its jet-black plumage.
Physical Description: This magpie is a medium-sized bird, measuring about 18 inches (46 cm) in length. It has a long tail, a black bill, and brilliant white patches on its wings, visible in flight.
Habitat and Behavior: Eurasian Magpies are widespread throughout Europe and parts of Asia. They inhabit a variety of habitats, including woodlands, farmlands, and urban areas. These highly intelligent birds are known for their distinct vocalizations and their propensity for collecting and hoarding shiny objects.
Diet: The diet of Eurasian Magpies consists of a wide range of food items, including insects, small mammals, fruits, seeds, and carrion. They are also known to scavenge for food in garbage dumps and urban areas.
Black-and-white Warbler
The Black-and-white Warbler is a small black bird with white stripes on the wings and tails songbird found primarily in North America. As its name suggests, its plumage is predominantly black and white, with bold stripes running along its wings and tail. These stripes, alternating between black and white, add a unique touch to this warbler’s appearance, helping it camouflage amidst tree trunks while foraging for insects.
Color: As its name suggests, the Black-and-white Warbler displays a striking contrast of black and white plumage. It features bold black stripes on a white background, covering its body, wings, and tail.
Physical Description: This small songbird has a compact body, measuring around 4.5 to 5 inches (11-13 cm) in length. It has a slender, slightly curved bill and a black crown, while the rest of its body is adorned with black-and-white stripes.
Habitat and Behavior: Black-and-white Warblers are primarily found in deciduous forests of North America during the breeding season. They are known for their distinctive foraging behavior, as they crawl along tree trunks and branches, searching for insects in crevices.
Diet: Their diet mainly consists of insects, including beetles, caterpillars, and spiders, which they glean from the bark and foliage of trees. They are skillful at exploiting their unique foraging niche and can often be seen in acrobatic positions as they probe for food.
Hairy Woodpecker
The Hairy Woodpecker is a black bird with white stripes on wings and tails and it is found North America. With its black body and bold white stripes on its wings, this woodpecker is easily recognizable.
Its pointed beak and strong, chisel-like tongue allow it to drill into tree bark to uncover insects. The white wing stripes flash vividly as it takes flight, creating a mesmerizing spectacle.
Color: The Hairy Woodpecker showcases a black body with bold white stripes on its wings. These white stripes are highly visible during flight.
Physical Description: The Hairy Woodpecker is a medium-sized woodpecker, measuring around 9 to 10 inches (23-26 cm) in length. It has a sturdy build, a chisel-like bill, and a long black tail with white outer feathers.
Habitat and Behavior: These woodpeckers inhabit a variety of forested habitats across North America, including mixed woodlands and coniferous forests. They are adept climbers and spend much of their time foraging on tree trunks and branches, drumming and probing for insects.
Diet: Hairy Woodpeckers primarily feed on insects, including beetles, ants, and wood-boring larvae. They also consume sap, fruits, and nuts, especially during the winter when insect availability is limited.
Anhinga
The Anhinga (Anhinga anhinga), also known as the Snakebird, is a unique waterbird found in the Americas. While predominantly black, its wings feature a distinctive white stripe that spans across the lower half. The Anhinga is an exceptional swimmer and often perches with its wings outstretched to dry in the sun, showcasing the contrasting colors of its plumage.
Color: The Anhinga displays predominantly black plumage, with a striking white stripe that spans across the lower half of its wings. Its long, slender neck and head are brownish-black.
Physical Description: Anhingas are large waterbirds, measuring around 35 inches (89 cm) in length. They have a long, sharp bill and a long, snake-like neck. Their tail feathers are fan-shaped and can often be seen spread out while drying.
Habitat and Behavior: Anhingas are commonly found in freshwater habitats such as swamps, marshes, and lakes throughout the Americas. They are skilled swimmers and hunters, often seen swimming with their bodies submerged and only their neck and head above the water’s surface.
Diet: Anhingas primarily feed on fish, which they catch by spearing with their sharp beaks while swimming underwater. They also consume amphibians, reptiles, and occasionally small crustaceans.
Northern Mockingbird
The Northern Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos) is a well-known songbird in North America. Its striking black and white wings, highlighted by bold white wing bars, catch the eye as it sings its complex melodies. This bird’s ability to mimic other birds’ calls is legendary, making it a favorite among birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts.
Color: The Northern Mockingbird has a predominantly gray body with bold white wing bars, visible during flight. It also features white patches on its wings, visible in perched individuals.
Physical Description: This medium-sized songbird measures about 9 to 10 inches (23-26 cm) in length. It has a slender body, a long tail, and a slightly curved bill.
Habitat and Behavior: Northern Mockingbirds are widespread across North America and are commonly found in open habitats such as fields, gardens, and suburban areas. They are known for their remarkable vocal abilities, mimicking the songs of other birds and incorporating various sounds into their melodious repertoire.
Diet: The diet of Northern Mockingbirds primarily consists of insects, including beetles, grasshoppers, and caterpillars. They also feed on fruits, berries, and small reptiles.
Common Nighthawk
The Common Nighthawk is a black bird with white stripes on wings and tails and it’s found across North and South America. Its mottled black and gray plumage, coupled with white wing patches and distinct white bars on its tail feathers, make it a captivating sight. Nighthawks are skilled aerial acrobats, often seen darting through the night skies as they feed on flying insects.
Color: The Common Nighthawk has a mottled black and gray plumage, with distinct white wing patches and white bars on its tail feathers.
Physical Description: This medium-sized bird measures about 9 to 10 inches (23-26 cm) in length. It has a streamlined body, long pointed wings, and a short bill.
Habitat and Behavior: Common Nighthawks are crepuscular and nocturnal birds found in open habitats across the Americas. They are known for their aerial acrobatics, capturing flying insects in flight. During the day, they often rest on the ground, blending in with their surroundings.
Diet: These nighthawks primarily feed on flying insects, such as moths, beetles, and flying ants. They catch their prey by opening their wide mouths and using their specialized bristles to trap insects during flight.
White-winged Triller
The White-winged Triller (Lalage tricolor) is a small passerine bird native to Australia and parts of Southeast Asia. With its glossy black body, bold white wing patches, and white-tipped tail feathers, this triller stands out amidst its surroundings. Its melodic calls and distinctive plumage make it a sought-after sighting among bird enthusiasts.
Color: The White-winged Triller features glossy black plumage, with white patches on its wings and a white-tipped tail.
Physical Description: This small passerine bird measures about 7 inches (18 cm) in length. It has a compact body, a short bill, and a slender, black tail with white outer feathers.
Habitat and Behavior: White-winged Trillers are found in Australia and parts of Southeast Asia, inhabiting open woodlands and savannas. They are agile fliers and are often observed perching on exposed branches or wires while searching for insects.
Diet: Their diet consists mainly of insects, including grasshoppers, beetles, and caterpillars. They catch their prey by sallying out from a perch and capturing insects in mid-air.
Magpie Lark
The Magpie Lark also known as the PeeWee, is a unique black and white bird found in Australia and New Guinea. With its contrasting plumage of black on the upper body and white on the underparts, coupled with prominent white eyebrow-like stripes, this bird presents a striking appearance. Its melodious calls and mud nest-building behavior add to its charm.
Color: The Magpie Lark black and white plumage. Its upper body is black, while the underparts are white. It has a white eyebrow-like stripe above its eye.
Physical Description: This medium-sized bird measures about 10 to 11 inches (25-28 cm) in length. It has a stocky build, a long black tail, and a strong black bill.
Habitat and Behavior: Magpie Larks are native to Australia and New Guinea and are commonly found in open habitats, including grasslands, wetlands, and urban areas. They are known for their mud nest-building behavior, constructing intricate nests on tree branches or man-made structures.
Diet: Magpie Larks primarily feed on insects, including beetles, flies, and spiders. They are also known to consume small fish, tadpoles, and crustaceans when near water bodies.
Downy Woodpecker
The Downy Woodpecker is a small black bird with white stripes on wings and tails. Its black and white plumage, adorned with white spots on its wings, creates a lovely pattern against the backdrop of trees. With its small size and agile nature, this woodpecker adeptly moves along branches, pecking at the bark to find insects and larvae.
Color: The Downy Woodpecker exhibits black and white plumage, with white spots on its wings. It has a black back and wings, while its underparts are white.
Physical Description: This small woodpecker measures about 5.5 to 6.5 inches (14-17 cm) in length. It has a compact body, a short bill, and a black tail with white outer feathers.
Habitat and Behavior: Downy Woodpeckers are found in North America and inhabit various forested habitats, including woodlands, parks, and suburban areas. They are skilled climbers and spend much of their time foraging for insects on tree trunks and branches.
Diet: Their diet primarily consists of insects, including beetles, ants, and caterpillars. They also consume seeds, berries, and tree sap. Their strong bills allow them to excavate small holes in wood to find insect larvae.
FAQ
What big black bird has white stripes on its wings and tail?
The bird that matches the description of a big black bird with white stripes on its wings and tail is the Black-billed Magpie. It has black feathers with white stripes on its wings and tail, creating a striking contrast.
What bird is black and white striped?
One bird that is black and white striped is the Zebra Finch. It has a black and white striped pattern across its body, resembling the stripes of a zebra.
What species of bird has a white stripe on its tail?
The White-throated Magpie-Jay is a bird that has a white stripe on its tail. This bird has a black body with a long, white-tipped tail that features a prominent white stripe in the middle.
What is a GREY bird with white patches on its wings?
A Grey bird with white patches on its wings is the Grey Plover. It has a greyish-brown plumage with distinct white patches on its wings, which are most visible during flight. This medium-sized wading bird is known for its migratory behavior and is often found near coastal areas.
Conclusion:
The world of birds never fails to astonish us with its diversity and beauty. The ten black birds discussed in this article, featuring distinctive white stripes on their wings and tails, showcase nature’s talent for creating captivating color patterns. From wagtails to woodpeckers, warblers to magpies, these elegant creatures not only provide aesthetic pleasure but also contribute to the intricate balance of ecosystems.
Their unique plumage serves multiple purposes, from camouflage to courtship displays, ensuring their survival in their respective habitats. The mesmerizing combination of black feathers adorned with white stripes is a testament to the wonders of nature’s palette.
