20 Black and White Birds and Where to Spot Them

1. Downy Woodpecker

The downy woodpecker is a sparrow-sized bird with a black head and white feathers, as well as black and white streaks running down its back. Adult males have a small red patch on their heads, distinguishing them from females.

Found in forests and open woodlands of eastern North America, it often forages on tree bark for insects.

2. Hairy Woodpecker

Similar in appearance to the downy woodpecker but larger in size, the hairy woodpecker has a straight bill and bold black and white markings. It thrives in coniferous forests in many parts of North America.

This species plays a crucial role in controlling insect populations by eating ants, beetles and other small creatures.

3. Black and White Warbler

This small songbird has black and white feathers arranged in a striped pattern, giving it excellent camouflage against tree bark. Unlike most warblers, it tends to climb tree trunks and branches like a woodpecker. Found in forests of North and Central America, it feeds on insects hidden in the bark.

4. White-breasted Nuthatch

A medium-sized bird with a black head, white plumage on its chest and blue-gray wings, the white-breasted nuthatch is a common sight in North American forests.

It has a unique habit of climbing down tree trunks headfirst while searching for food. During the breeding season, it nests in tree cavities and tends to stay in the same territory year-round.

5. Black-capped Chickadee

This small, sparrow-sized bird has a distinctive black head, white cheeks and gray wings. Found in forests across North America, it is well adapted to winter conditions and can lower its body weight to survive colder months. It eats a variety of insects, seeds and berries, storing food in tree crevices for later.

6. Common Loon

The common loon is a black and white waterbird with a sleek body, a black head and piercing red eyes. Found on freshwater lakes across North America, it is an expert diver, catching fish underwater. Its haunting calls echo across the water, especially during the breeding season.

7. Eurasian Magpie

This intelligent bird has a black head, white feathers on its belly and blue-green iridescence on its wings. Found across Europe and Asia, it is known for its problem-solving abilities and complex social behaviors. It builds large nests in trees and is often seen collecting shiny objects.

8. Hooded Merganser

This small duck species has a striking black and white pattern on its head, with a fan-shaped crest that it can raise or lower. Found in freshwater lakes and rivers, it dives to catch fish and insects. Males display their crests during courtship to attract females.

9. Ivory Gull

This Arctic seabird has pure white plumage, a black-tipped bill and black legs. It follows polar bears and other predators to scavenge food from their kills. Climate change poses a significant threat to its habitat, leading to population declines.

10. Pied Avocet

The pied avocet is a striking black and white bird with long legs and a thin, upturned bill. It is often found in coastal wetlands and freshwater lakes, using its specialized bill to sweep through the water and catch insects. Its distinctive black wings contrast beautifully against its white body.

11. Pied Kingfisher

This black and white bird is a master fisher, hovering over water before diving to catch small fish. Found in Africa and Asia, it nests in burrows along riverbanks. Its rapid wingbeats and sharp eyesight make it a formidable hunter in its aquatic environment.

12. Razorbill

A seabird with a black head, white chest and a thick, straight bill, the razorbill is closely related to puffins. It breeds on rocky cliffs in the North Atlantic and spends most of its life at sea. These birds are excellent divers, catching fish by swimming underwater with their powerful wings.

1. Penguin

Penguins are flightless birds known for their distinctive black and white coloring, which helps them blend into the ocean. They are expert swimmers, using their flipper-like wings to dive and hunt for fish, squid and krill in cold waters.

Found mostly in the Southern Hemisphere, penguins thrive in a range of habitats from icy Antarctica to temperate islands.

2. Australian Magpie

This striking black and white bird is found across Australia, known for its melodious song and bold behavior. With black wings, a white back and a long tail, the Australian magpie is a familiar sight in urban and rural landscapes. It is highly intelligent and forms strong social groups throughout its life.

3. Magpie Goose

Native to Australia and New Guinea, the magpie goose is an ancient waterbird species with black and white plumage. Unlike ducks, it has partially webbed feet and perches in trees during the breeding season. This bird plays a crucial role in wetland ecosystems by eating aquatic plants and insects.

4. Snowy Sheathbill

The only land bird native to Antarctica, the snowy sheathbill has pure white feathers, a short neck and a stocky build. Unlike many white birds, it is a scavenger, feeding on carrion, bird eggs and marine debris. Its presence is often a sign of nearby penguin colonies.

1. Black-necked Stilt

This medium-sized wader is recognized for its black head, white body and long legs, perfect for foraging in freshwater lakes.

Found across North and South America, it breeds in shallow wetlands where it constructs simple nests on the ground. Both males and females share the responsibility of incubating the eggs.

2. Black Skimmer

A unique coastal bird with black wings and a white body, the black skimmer has an elongated lower bill used to skim the water’s surface for fish. Found in North and South America, it breeds in sandy beaches and coastal estuaries.

3. White-tailed Kite

This graceful raptor has white wings, black patches on its shoulders and a long tail. Found in open grasslands and coastal regions, it hunts small mammals by hovering in mid-air before striking. Unlike many birds of prey, both males and females participate in raising the young.

4. Black-bellied Plover

A migratory shorebird with black and white feathers, the black-bellied plover breeds in the Arctic tundra before migrating to coastal regions worldwide. During winter, its black plumage fades to gray, providing better camouflage in different environments.

It feeds on insects, worms and small crustaceans along shorelines.

We created this article in conjunction with AI technology, then made sure it was fact-checked and edited by a HowStuffWorks editor.