The distinctive black and white plumage found across various bird species in Colorado makes for easy initial spotting. These bold color patterns appear on birds of many sizes and across different habitats, from mountain forests to open plains and urban parks. Identifying the species depends heavily on its size, behavior, and location within the state. This guide focuses on distinguishing these birds, moving from the largest and most visible to the smaller, more specialized species.
Highly Visible Year-Round Birds
The most recognized black and white bird in Colorado is the Black-billed Magpie (Pica hudsonia), a large, long-tailed member of the crow family. This striking bird measures between 18 and 24 inches, with the tail often making up half its total length. The body is predominantly black, featuring stark white shoulder patches and a white belly. The black wings and tail display an iridescent blue-green sheen in the sunlight. Magpies thrive in open habitats with scattered trees, making them a common sight in farmlands, suburban areas, and riverside groves.
Another sizable species is the Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus), a large woodpecker often seen foraging on the ground. While its main body color is brownish-gray, the flicker presents clear black and white markings. It is identified by a prominent black crescent, or “bib,” on its upper breast and dense black barring covering its back. Most distinctively, a large white patch on the rump is highly visible when the bird takes flight. The “Red-shafted” subspecies, common in Colorado, also features a gray face and a red stripe on the male’s cheek.
Identifying Smaller Backyard Species
The Dark-eyed Junco (Junco hyemalis) is a small sparrow frequently encountered at feeders and in wooded backyards. It displays a high degree of variation across its subspecies in Colorado, but all share two identifying traits. They possess a short, pale pink bill and distinctive white outer tail feathers that flash brightly when the bird takes flight, earning them the nickname “snowbirds.” The “Gray-headed” and “Pink-sided” forms are common in the Rockies, featuring a gray hood that contrasts with a reddish-brown back or pinkish flanks.
The black and white checkered pattern of the Downy Woodpecker (Dryobates pubescens) and the Hairy Woodpecker (Dryobates villosus) can be confusing. Both species feature a striped black and white head, a white stripe down the back, and black wings checkered with white spots. Size is the key differentiator, as the Downy Woodpecker is the smallest North American woodpecker, measuring about 5.5 to 7 inches, while the Hairy Woodpecker is significantly larger. A proportional difference in bill length also helps distinguish them; the Downy’s bill is noticeably shorter than its head, while the Hairy’s bill is nearly the same length as its head.
The White-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis) is recognizable by its habit of walking head-first down tree trunks. This species has a blue-gray back, a stark white face and chest, and a contrasting black cap extending from the forehead to the nape. The nuthatch forages by probing crevices in the bark for insects and seeds. Its sharp, pointed bill and compact appearance further aid in identification.
Water-Dependent Species
The male Bufflehead (Bucephala albeola) is a small diving duck frequently found on Colorado’s lakes, reservoirs, and rivers. It has a mostly white body and a black back, with a puffy, iridescent black head. The head features a large, snowy white patch wrapping from behind the eye to the back of the head. As one of the smallest North American ducks, they dive completely underwater to forage for aquatic invertebrates.
Inland gulls are a common sight near large bodies of water, featuring a largely white body with black wingtips. The two most frequent species are the Ring-billed Gull (Larus delawarensis) and the California Gull (Larus californicus), both having a pale gray back and white underparts. The Ring-billed Gull is slightly smaller and is identified by the distinct black ring encircling its yellow bill. The California Gull is larger and darker overall, and the adult’s yellow bill features a red spot near the tip, often with a black marking.
The Killdeer (Charadrius vociferus) is a shorebird that has adapted well to areas away from shorelines. This plover has a brown back and white underside, and is recognizable by the two distinct black bands crossing its white chest and neck. The Killdeer is often found in open areas like pastures, golf courses, and gravel parking lots, where it runs in short bursts. When in flight, a bright orange-buff rump patch is briefly visible.