There are several bird species that have black and white feathers. Some of the most common black and white birds include magpies, penguins, puffins, and skimmers. The specific species depends on the region, as different parts of the world have distinct black and white bird populations. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at some of the most notable black and white birds and what makes their plumage so striking.
Magpies
One of the most widely recognized black and white birds is the magpie. There are several species of magpie found throughout North America, Europe, and Asia. Most magpies are black and white in coloration with iridescent feathers that shimmer green and blue in sunlight.
The Eurasian Magpie is among the most prevalent magpies, found throughout Europe and Asia. This magpie has black plumage on its head, wings and tail. Its belly and shoulder feathers are stark white in color. The tail feathers are particularly long and resemble a trailing cloak behind the bird in flight.
Another widespread magpie is the Black-billed Magpie of North America. True to its name, this magpie has an all black beak which identifies it. Its white shoulder patches are also more extensive than the Eurasian Magpie. Black-billed Magpies live in western portions of North America from Alaska to Texas.
The striking black and white plumage of magpies is believed to play a role in social signaling and displays between birds. The contrasting colors help the birds quickly identify each other and their movements from a distance.
Penguins
Penguins are another bird group famous for their classic black and white feathers. There are 17-19 different penguin species, with most characterized by black backs and white undersides. This counter-shaded plumage provides camouflage for the penguins when viewed from above or below in the ocean environment.
Some of the most familiar black and white penguin species include:
– Emperor Penguin: The largest penguin species at over 3 feet tall. They have black heads, wings, tails and backs with white undersides and chests. Yellow plumes accent their ears and upper chest.
– King Penguin: The second largest penguin. King penguins have black backs and white undersides like other penguins, but their heads and beaks are more brightly colored with orange and yellow.
– Gentoo Penguin: A smaller penguin species at about 20 inches tall. Gentoos are speedy swimmers and have a large white patch that extends from their forehead across the top of the head.
– Chinstrap Penguin: Named for the narrow black band under their chin that makes it appear as if the penguin is wearing a black helmet and chinstrap. They are about 2 feet tall with bodies that are predominately black and white.
| Penguin Species | Description |
|---|---|
| Emperor Penguin | Largest penguin, black heads, wings, tails and backs with white undersides and chests. |
| King Penguin | Second largest penguin, black backs and white undersides. Colored heads and beaks. |
| Gentoo Penguin | Smaller penguin with large white forehead patch. |
| Chinstrap Penguin | Black and white penguin with black band resembling a helmet chinstrap. |
Puffins
Puffins are seabirds in the auk family that nest on coastal cliffs and islands. There are several puffin species worldwide that have the characteristic black and white plumage during breeding season.
Some of the most common black and white puffin species include:
– Atlantic Puffin: Widespread in the North Atlantic and Arctic Oceans. They have black heads, wings, tails and backs contrasting with their white undersides. Their large triangular bills are brightly colored orange.
– Tufted Puffin: Found in the northern Pacific Ocean. Identifiable by yellow head plumes and orange bill tufts. Their white facial patches are also much larger than other puffin species.
– Horned Puffin: Occupies coastal areas from Alaska to Japan. they have mostly black plumage with white undersides and “horns” or fleshy orange plates above their eyes.
The bold markings help puffins identify one another and signal mating readiness. The colors are most vibrant during breeding season and fade afterwards. Their bills also aid feeding by helping catch fish and hold multiple meals crosswise.
Skimmers
Skimmers comprise a small family of tern-like birds with dramatically shaped bills. The black and white coloration of their plumage allows them to blend into the night sky and oceans when hunting fish.
Some key black and white skimmer species include:
– Black Skimmer: Common along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts of North America. They have white undersides that match the color of breaking waves when viewed from below.
– Indian Skimmer: Found scattered across southern Asia. Their backs and wings are black except for a large white patch along the trailing edge of the wings.
– African Skimmer: Occupies rivers and coastlines in sub-Saharan Africa. African skimmers look similar to the Indian skimmer but with a reddish or brownish hue to the white wing patches instead of pure white.
The specialized knife-like bills of skimmers uniquely allow them to hunt by feel when flying low over water. The black and white provides ideal camouflage in the darkenedconditions when they hunt.
Conclusion
In summary, black and white plumage is common in many bird groups around the world, including magpies, penguins, puffins and skimmers. The high contrast coloration likely serves purposes such as species recognition, social signaling, and camouflage through countershading. Regardless of the exact reason, the striking feathers make these birds stand out and contribute to their widespread recognizability. So next time you spot a distinct black and white bird, it just may be one of these unique species.