Birds are some of the most fascinating creatures on the planet, with over 10,000 different species soaring through the skies. From their colourful feathers to their unique songs, birds never cease to captivate us. But have you ever wondered about the different colours of beaks birds have? Specifically, the ones with black beaks? This article will look closely at 10 birds with black beaks.
Noisy Friarbird
The noisy friarbird’s most distinct feature is its completely bald blackhead. They have a black beak with a prominent bump at the base. The upper parts are dark brown to grey, with the underbody being off-white. Silvery white feathers cover the upper chest, and around the throat, the tail has a white tip.
They are native to Eastern Australia and Southern New Guinea. It is found in various habitats, from dry and wet forests to woodland, heathlands and wetlands. The noisy friarbird feeds on nectar, fruit and insects.
Palm Cockatoo
The palm cockatoo, also known as the goliath cockatoo or great black cockatoo, is native to Aura Island, New Guinea and Cape York Peninsula. Palm cockatoos are large black parrots with large black beaks and prominent red cheek patches.
They have a distinctive crest on the head that can be raised or lowered depending on their mood. They feed on a variety of fruits, nuts and seeds. The bird’s bill has adapted for cracking open hard-shelled nuts such as macadamia nuts and almonds.
Red-winged Blackbird
The red-winged blackbird is a common bird found in North America. During the winter months, northern and eastern birds will migrate south. They prefer to inhabit wetlands and marshes but can also be found in meadows and fields.
Males are all black, apart from having a red patch on their upper wing along with a yellow winged bar. Females are streaks of brown, black and white. They eat fruit, insects and seeds.
Pesquet’s Parrot
The parquet’s parrot is also known as the Dracula parrot for its vulture-like appearance, hooked beak, and bare black face. Their plumage is black with grey and black scaling on the chest. On the belly, wing panels, and upper tail coverts are red.
They live in the montane rainforest in New Guinea and are considered nomadic as they follow the fruiting of fig trees, making up a large part of their diet. The lack of feathers on their face prevents any feathers that would get matted together from eating sticky fruit. They also eat flowers and nectar.
Brewer’s Blackbird
Brewer blackbirds are all black with a glossy sheen; the males are slightly larger than the females. The males have bright yellow eyes, while the females have dark brown eyes. They have a long, slender bill that is black.
The brewer’s blackbird lives across North America and is found in many habitats, including open fields, farmlands, grasslands, and deserts. They are also commonly found in urban areas, such as parks and gardens.
They feed on various foods, including insects, spiders, seeds, and fruits. They are known to forage on the ground and in trees, and they will also follow grazing animals to feed on the insects that are disturbed by their movement.
Brown Headed Cowbird
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The brown-headed cowbird is a medium-sized blackbird with a shiny black body and a brown head. The male has a glossy black plumage, while the female has a duller brownish-black body. Both sexes have thick, pointed black beaks.
The brown headed cowbird can be found across North America, from coast to coast. It prefers open habitats such as grasslands, pastures, and agricultural fields. It often follows cattle and other grazing animals, feeding on the insects that are stirred up by their movement. It is a common bird in suburban areas and can often be seen in parks, gardens, and backyards.
It is also known for its brood parasitism, which means it lays its eggs in the nests of other bird species. The female cowbird watches for other birds building their nests and then lays her eggs in them. The cowbird chick hatches first and often outcompetes the host bird’s chicks for food and attention.
Black Jacobin
This bird is a species of hummingbird native to Brazil and Argentina. It is found in various habitats, including woodlands, forest edges, and plantations, foraging from the understory to the canopy. They prefer to live in humid environments like rainforests and are often found near water sources.
Both males and females are primarily black, with bronzy-olive lower back, upper tail, and wing coverts. The flanks are white, the inner rectrices black, and the outer rectrices white with black tips. Juveniles are dark except for a wide cinnamon band on the centre and sides of the throat.
As a hummingbird, the black Jacobin feeds mainly on nectar from flowers. They are also known to eat small insects and spiders as a source of protein. They have a long, thin beak that is perfectly adapted for sipping nectar from flowers.
Raven
They have black feathers all over their body. Their beaks are long, curved, and black, with a sharp point at the end. Ravens are found worldwide, from the Arctic to the deserts of North Africa. They are adaptable birds that can live in various habitats, including forests, mountains, and coastal regions.
Their diet includes insects, small mammals, birds, eggs, and carrion. They also scavenge from human settlements, feeding on food scraps and rubbish. In the wild, ravens have been observed using tools to obtain food, such as using sticks to extract insects from tree bark.
Crow
These birds are part of the Corvidae family, including ravens, magpies, and jays. They have a distinctive black plumage with a glossy sheen. Their beaks are black and relatively large, which they use to crack open nuts and seeds. Crows also have sharp claws, which they use to grip branches and other surfaces.
Crows are found in a wide range of habitats, including woodlands, farmlands, and urban areas. They are adaptable birds and can survive in a variety of environments. In urban areas, crows can be seen scavenging for food in parks, gardens, and rubbish bins.
Their diet includes insects, small mammals, seeds, fruits, and carrion. Crows are also known to steal food from other birds, such as smaller songbirds and even other crows.
Southern Ground Hornbill
The southern ground hornbill is the largest species in the hornbill family and can reach up to 1 m in height. One of the most notable features of the Southern Ground Hornbill is the extensive brilliant red face and throat wattles on the adult male. The adult female, on the other hand, has purple-blue skin in the centre of the red throat patch.
Southern ground hornbills can be found throughout the southern regions of Africa, ranging from Kenya to South Africa. They prefer bushy savanna habitats and are often seen walking slowly through family groups.
Southern ground hornbills are omnivorous and have a varied diet, including insects, reptiles, small mammals, and birds. They have even been known to eat poisonous snakes, which they are immune to due to a unique protein in their blood. These birds have a unique feeding strategy where they use their large beaks to dig in the ground for food.