Black birds are a common sight in parking lots, often seen foraging or perched on overhead wires. Their presence sparks curiosity about their identity and reasons for frequenting human-dominated environments. Understanding these birds involves recognizing their characteristics and appreciating how urban landscapes, like parking lots, offer advantages for their survival. This article identifies these species, examines the allure of parking lots, observes their typical behaviors, and considers how humans can comfortably share these spaces.
Identifying Common Black Birds
Three widespread species commonly seen in North American parking lots are the American Crow, Common Grackle, and European Starling. The American Crow is a large, entirely black bird, typically measuring around 17 inches in length with a wingspan of about 39 inches. They possess a thick, straight bill and a relatively long, fan-shaped tail, appearing uniformly dull black. Crows are known for their intelligence and distinctive “caw-caw” calls.
Common Grackles are sleeker than crows, usually ranging from 11 to 13 inches long, characterized by a long, keel-shaped tail and a stout, pointed bill. Their plumage is glossy black but exhibits striking iridescent hues of purple, blue, and green, especially visible in sunlight on their head, neck, and body. European Starlings are smaller, typically 7.5 to 9 inches long, with short tails and slender, pointed bills. While they appear black from a distance, their feathers are actually iridescent purple and green, and in winter, their plumage is dotted with small white spots. Their bill is dark in winter and bright yellow in summer.
Why Parking Lots Are Appealing
Parking lots offer resources and conditions that make them attractive habitats for these bird species. A significant draw is abundant, easily accessible food sources. Birds can find discarded human food scraps. The paved surfaces also attract insects, which become a food source for foraging birds. Additionally, the warmth retained by asphalt surfaces can be appealing, especially during cooler months, as it provides a microclimate that can support insect activity or offer a comfortable resting spot.
The infrastructure of parking lots also provides roosting and nesting sites. Tall trees bordering parking areas, light poles, and utility wires offer elevated perches for resting, observing the surroundings, and gathering in large groups. These elevated positions provide security from ground predators. The constant presence of human activity, while seemingly disruptive, can offer safety from larger predatory birds, as predators tend to avoid high human traffic.
Distinctive Behaviors and Habits
Black birds in parking lots display a range of social and foraging behaviors adapted to urban environments. American Crows are highly social, often seen in family groups or large communal roosts, especially outside of breeding season. They communicate through a complex repertoire of calls conveying warnings, greetings, or food sources. Crows are recognized for their intelligence, demonstrating problem-solving abilities and using tools to obtain food.
Common Grackles frequently forage on the ground in large flocks, using their strong bills to probe for insects and seeds. They are known for their distinctive “creaky” calls and often mix with other blackbird species in mixed-species flocks. European Starlings are also highly social, forming massive flocks, particularly during migration and in winter, creating intricate aerial displays known as murmurations. Starlings are remarkable mimics, capable of incorporating sounds from other birds and even human speech into their calls. All three species exhibit efficient foraging techniques, quickly scanning the ground for edible items and adapting their methods to the available food sources in parking lots.
Coexisting with Parking Lot Birds
Understanding the presence of black birds in parking lots can foster harmonious coexistence with these adaptable creatures. These birds play ecological roles, such as consuming insects, which helps control pest populations in urban areas. European Starlings, for example, consume large quantities of insects, including agricultural pests. While large congregations of birds can sometimes lead to issues like noise or accumulations of droppings, these are manageable.
Simple, humane strategies can address potential nuisances without harming the birds. Maintaining cleanliness in parking areas by properly disposing of food waste can reduce the attraction of discarded scraps. Pruning trees or installing deterrents on ledges can encourage birds to choose alternative roosting sites. Recognizing these birds as a natural part of the urban ecosystem allows for a more informed and tolerant approach to sharing spaces like parking lots.