There are many different kinds of birds that can have black feathers. The coloration of a bird’s plumage is an important identifying characteristic and can provide information about the species, gender, age and habitat of the bird. Black feathers in particular serve several important functions for birds. In this article, we will explore some of the most common bird species that display black plumage and discuss the possible reasons behind this dark coloration.
Common Birds with Black Feathers
Here are some examples of well-known birds that often have black feathers:
Crows and Ravens
Crows and ravens are famous for their all-black plumage. These large songbirds belong to the genus Corvus in the crow family. There are several different species in this genus, including the American crow, northwestern crow, fish crow, Hawaiian crow, common raven and Australian raven. The birds have shiny, blue-black feathers covering their entire body, wings and tail. Only their strong bills have a touch of grey.
Blackbirds
Blackbirds are medium-sized songbirds that get their name from the male’s uniform black coloration. Species in the genus Agelaius include the red-winged blackbird, tricolored blackbird and yellow-headed blackbird. Other blackbird species are the rusty blackbird and Brewer’s blackbird. Females are often brown or streaked black and brown.
Starlings
Starlings are small perching birds in the Sturnidae family. The common European starling and related species have glossy black feathers with small white speckles in the winter months. Their bills are yellow and legs reddish-brown. During the summer breeding season, their feathers become more of an iridescent purple-green-black color.
Blackbirds
Blackbirds are medium-sized songbirds that get their name from the male’s uniform black coloration. Species in the genus Agelaius include the red-winged blackbird, tricolored blackbird and yellow-headed blackbird. Other blackbird species are the rusty blackbird and Brewer’s blackbird. Females are often brown or streaked black and brown.
Grackles
Like blackbirds, grackles belong to the Icterid family of songbirds. There are several species found in North America including the common grackle, boat-tailed grackle and great-tailed grackle. Males have black feathers that take on an iridescent, oil slick appearance in bright light. Females are brownish with some streaking.
Cormorants
Cormorants are medium-to-large waterbirds known for their excellent diving abilities. They have short wings, powerful webbed feet for swimming, and long hooked bills. Breeding adult cormorants are black with colorful facial skin, throat pouches and bright bill colors. The most widespread species is the double-crested cormorant.
Ravens
Crows and ravens are famous for their all-black plumage. These large songbirds belong to the genus Corvus in the crow family. There are several different species in this genus, including the American crow, northwestern crow, fish crow, Hawaiian crow, common raven and Australian raven. The birds have shiny, blue-black feathers covering their entire body, wings and tail. Only their strong bills have a touch of grey.
Blackbirds
Blackbirds are medium-sized songbirds that get their name from the male’s uniform black coloration. Species in the genus Agelaius include the red-winged blackbird, tricolored blackbird and yellow-headed blackbird. Other blackbird species are the rusty blackbird and Brewer’s blackbird. Females are often brown or streaked black and brown.
Starlings
Starlings are small perching birds in the Sturnidae family. The common European starling and related species have glossy black feathers with small white speckles in the winter months. Their bills are yellow and legs reddish-brown. During the summer breeding season, their feathers become more of an iridescent purple-green-black color.
Grackles
Like blackbirds, grackles belong to the Icterid family of songbirds. There are several species found in North America including the common grackle, boat-tailed grackle and great-tailed grackle. Males have black feathers that take on an iridescent, oil slick appearance in bright light. Females are brownish with some streaking.
Cormorants
Cormorants are medium-to-large waterbirds known for their excellent diving abilities. They have short wings, powerful webbed feet for swimming, and long hooked bills. Breeding adult cormorants are black with colorful facial skin, throat pouches and bright bill colors. The most widespread species is the double-crested cormorant.
Reasons for Black Feathers
So why do so many species of birds have black plumage? Here are some of the leading theories behind this prevalent coloration:
Camouflage
For many birds, black feathers provide excellent camouflage and concealment in certain environments. Crows and ravens blend in well when perched in trees or flying over dark forests. Blackbirds disappear in the shadows as they feed on the ground. Cormorants vanish against dark lake backgrounds when hunting underwater. The black plumage helps these birds remain undetected by both prey and predators.
Signaling
In some species, the extent of black coloration signals dominance and fitness to potential mates. Birds with lustrous, iridescent black feathers are advertising their quality. The striking color also visually captures the attention of other birds. Male grackles and red-winged blackbirds use their black plumage in elaborate courtship displays.
Heat Absorption
Black feathers are great at absorbing heat from the sun and raising the bird’s body temperature. This helps many black-plumaged species stay warm in cooler climates. The black crow survives winter easily, while related jays with paler plumage must migrate south. Dark coloration allows year-round residency.
Structural Strength
Melanin, the pigment responsible for black color, strengthens feathers structurally. It protects feathers from wear-and-tear and makes them more resistant to bacterial degradation. Birds like crows that habitually feed on the ground benefit from durable black feathers that resist abrasion.
Warnings
In some cases, black plumage serves as a warning signal to predators. Birds like the red-winged blackbird use bold contrasting patterns of red, yellow and black to advertise that they taste bad. The black cormorant has brightly colored facial skin as a sign of toxicity. Predators learn to associate black with danger.
Conclusion
Black feathers serve many important purposes for birds and occur commonly across diverse species. Crows, ravens, blackbirds, starlings, grackles and cormorants are all primarily black-colored birds. The dark pigmentation helps with camouflage, signaling, heat absorption, feather strength and warning predators. So if you see a bird with black plumage, it could belong to one of many smartly-designed species that rely on this adaptable color.
| Bird Type | Species Examples | Habitat |
|---|---|---|
| Crows and Ravens | American Crow, Common Raven | Fields, forests, urban areas |
| Blackbirds | Red-winged Blackbird, Brewer’s Blackbird | Marshes, meadows, roadsides |
| Starlings | European Starling | Cities, farms, open country |
| Grackles | Common Grackle, Boat-tailed Grackle | Woodland edges, marshes, parks |
| Cormorants | Double-crested Cormorant | Lakes, rivers, coastlines |
