Identifying all-black birds can be challenging, as many species share this striking plumage. Their widespread presence across various landscapes makes distinguishing them a common interest. While their dark coloration might suggest a uniform appearance, subtle differences in size, shape, and behavior reveal their unique identities. This guide provides practical insights into recognizing these birds.
Common All-Black Birds
Several bird species are predominantly or entirely black, making them frequently encountered subjects for identification. The American Crow is a large, all-black bird. Its plumage is glossy, sometimes appearing iridescent with purple or blue in bright sunlight. These birds have a heavy, straight bill and long legs.
The Common Raven, another large all-black bird, is often confused with the crow but is notably bigger. Ravens possess a thicker neck, shaggy throat feathers, and a more robust, slightly curved beak. Their feathers can exhibit iridescent greens, blues, and purples.
The European Starling, while appearing black from a distance, displays distinct plumage variations. In its non-breeding winter plumage, it is covered in numerous white spots, which wear off by spring to reveal purplish-green iridescent feathers. These birds are chunky, with short tails and long, slender bills that turn yellow during the breeding season.
Common Grackles are lanky blackbirds with a long, keel-shaped tail. Their plumage is glossy black, often showing iridescent purple on the head and bronzy iridescence on the body when viewed in good light. A notable feature is their bright golden or pale yellow eyes.
Male Red-winged Blackbirds are distinctively all black with bright red and yellow shoulder patches. These patches can be puffed up during displays or concealed. They are stocky birds with a slender, conical bill.
Male Brewer’s Blackbirds are glossy black with an iridescent purple-blue sheen on their heads and green on their bodies. They have piercing yellow eyes, contrasting with the dark eyes of females. These birds have long legs and a fairly long tail.
Identifying Similar Black Birds
Distinguishing between similar all-black birds often relies on subtle but consistent characteristics. American Crows and Common Ravens are frequently mistaken, but size offers a primary clue: ravens are significantly larger, comparable to a Red-tailed Hawk, while crows are closer in size to pigeons. The raven’s bill is notably heavier and more curved than the crow’s. In flight, ravens exhibit a wedge-shaped tail, while crows have a fan-shaped tail; ravens also soar more frequently with minimal wing flapping, unlike crows’ steady, rowing wingbeats. Their vocalizations differ, with crows producing a clear “caw-caw” and ravens emitting a deeper, guttural croaking sound.
European Starlings and Common Grackles share a dark appearance but have distinct features. Starlings are generally smaller (7-9 inches) with short tails and slender bills (yellow in breeding season, black in winter) and dark eyes. Grackles are larger (11-13 inches) with long, sometimes body-length tails, and a longer, tapered, dark bill with a slight downward curve. Grackles are further characterized by their bright yellow eyes, a key differentiator from starlings. While both display iridescence, starlings in winter plumage are often covered in white spots, which grackles lack.
Birds That Appear Dark
Some birds, while not entirely black, can appear so from a distance or in poor lighting, leading to potential misidentification. The American Coot is a plump, chicken-like waterbird that is dark gray to black overall. However, it has a distinctive bright white bill with a dark band near the tip and a reddish spot on its forehead, making it unique upon closer inspection. Its legs are yellowish-green with lobed toes, unlike those of ducks. Coots are commonly found in freshwater environments, including ponds and marshes.
Certain raptors can also appear predominantly dark, particularly dark-morph individuals. These can include species like some Rough-legged Hawks or Red-tailed Hawks, which may have dark undersides or overall dark plumage. However, their large size, broad wings, and characteristic raptor flight patterns, such as soaring or hovering, distinguish them from the passerine blackbirds. Careful observation of their silhouette and flight behavior is necessary to differentiate them.
Location and Behavior Clues
Observing a bird’s location and behavior can provide additional insights for identification. American Crows are highly adaptable and are common in a wide range of habitats, including urban areas, agricultural fields, and open woodlands. They are highly social, often forming large flocks, especially in winter, and are known for their intelligence and diverse vocalizations. Common Ravens, while also intelligent, tend to prefer more remote, undisturbed areas like forests and mountains, though they can also be found near human activity. They are often seen alone or in pairs, except near food sources.
European Starlings are non-native birds that thrive in human-modified environments such as towns, suburbs, and farmlands, frequently seen in large, noisy flocks often mixed with other blackbird species. Common Grackles are also highly social, gathering in large flocks and foraging on lawns and in agricultural fields, often strutting on their long legs. Male Red-winged Blackbirds are territorial during breeding season, fiercely defending their marshy territories, while both sexes gather in vast flocks in winter. These behavioral and habitat preferences can significantly narrow down identification possibilities.