Here are 12 + examples of blue and black birds! If you are a bird enthusiast you’ll recall being captivated by the striking appearances of our blue and black feathered friends.
So, this article will explore 12+ examples of blue and black birds, showcasing their remarkable beauty and intriguing characteristics.
12 Examples of Blue and Black Birds
So, whether you are out on a walk and see blue or black bird, this photo guide may help you with an ID. Some of these birds are all black, others are examples of blue and black birds, while some are mostly all blue.
If you run across an all black or all blue bird it might be on this list!
American Crow
ORDER: Passeriformes FAMILY: Corvidae
The American Crow is a typical black bird that you can spot across North America. Additionally, they are infamous for their intelligence and resourcefulness, making them captivating study subjects.
Indeed, these highly social birds actively forage together in groups, demonstrating their resilience.
Diet:
The large American Crows will eat anything from small mammals to seeds; they are true omnivores.
Blue Jay
ORDER: Passeriformes FAMILY: Corvidae
To note, the Blue Jay is an easily recognizable bird with bright blue, black, and white markings. So, they make an awesome case for examples of blue and black birds.
Most notably, native to North America, you’ll spot this bird in forest habitats and suburban areas. Besides their vibrant coloring, they are infamous for their bold behavior, protecting their territories from intruders.
Diet:
The Blue Jay will mainly eat insects, acorns, and seeds.
Blue Bunting
ORDER: Passeriformes FAMILY: Cardinalidae
Blue Buntings are small, brightly colored birds inhabiting Central America and Mexico. Males infamous for their stunning blue plumage, while females display a more subtle greenish-brown color. Nevertheless, you can see these birds in wooded and dense shrubby areas.
Diet:
The Blue Bunting will eat seeds and insects.
Steller’s Jay
ORDER: Passeriformes FAMILY: Corvidae
Steller’s Jays are striking, bold birds you’ll primarily spot in the western regions of North America. Notably, one of the common examples of blue and black birds.
Nevertheless, these birds display deep blue feathers and a black head with a prominent, expressive crest. More importantly their vocal mimicry skills make them highly fascinating to observe.
Diet:
The Steller’s Jay will eat seeds, fruits, and insects.
Cerulean Warbler
ORDER: Passeriformes FAMILY: Parulidae
The Cerulean Warbler is a small songbird with pale blue and black markings. These birds inhabit forests in Eastern North America and migrate to South America during the winter. They are known for their high-pitched, buzzy songs, easily heard during the breeding season.
Diet:
The Cerulean Warbler will eat insects, like caterpillars, especially larval butterflies, bees, and moths.
Common Grackle
ORDER: Passeriformes FAMILY: Icteridae
Common Grackles are large, black birds native to North America. Furthermore, they have an iridescent sheen on their feathers that can appear blue or purple in sunlight. Notably, one of the excellent examples of blue and black birds!
Since Starlings also have an iridescent shine you’ll want to learn more about the differences between Grackles and Starlings here!
You’ll find Grackles predominantly in open habitats, such as wetlands, agricultural fields, and urban areas. Additionally, you’ll recognize these birds for their loud and varied vocalization.
Diet:
The Common Grackles will eat insects, small fish, lizards, and even small mammals.
Eurasian Magpie
ORDER: Passeriformes FAMILY: Corvidae
The Eurasian Magpie is a striking bird that you’ll see across Europe and Asia. Notably, their glossy black feathers and vibrant blue markings on the wings and tail make them visually captivating. In addition, they are known for their intelligence, these birds are often seen performing complex problem-solving tasks.
Diet:
The Eurasian Magpie is an omnivore. Additionally, they’ll eat seeds, young birds, eggs, small mammals, insects, acorns, grains, and plenty of vegetables.
Carrion Crow
ORDER: Passeriformes FAMILY: Corvidae
Carrion Crows are large black birds found in Europe and Asia. These birds appear similar to the American Crow but have a more all-black plumage. Additionally, you’ll spot them in open habitats, feeding on carrion and small animals.
Diet:
The Carrion Crows is a scavenger that eats road kill, seeds, young birds, eggs, small mammals, lizards, insects, acorns, grains, fruit, and plenty of vegetables.
Common Raven
ORDER: Passeriformes FAMILY: Corvidae
The Common Raven is a large, black bird found throughout the Northern Hemisphere.
Known for their intelligence and complex social structure, these highly adaptable birds are often found in various habitats, from forests to Arctic tundras. Concurrently, their size and distinctive wedge-shaped tail set them apart from other black birds.
Diet:
The Common Raven has a diverse diet consisting of insects, fruits, seeds, and even small animals. Ravens are opportunistic feeders and will scavenge for food whenever possible.
Bronzed Cowbird
ORDER: Passeriformes FAMILY: Icteridae
Bronzed Cowbirds are medium-sized, iridescent black birds native to Central and North America. To note, the males display blueish-bronze feathers, and are distinct for their red eyes.
You may know them for their unusual reproductive behavior, as the females lay eggs in other bird species’ nests, similar to the cuckoo’s parasitic behavior.
Diet:
The diet of Bronzed Cowbirds mainly consists of insects and arthropods. They feed on many invertebrates, such as beetles, grasshoppers, caterpillars, spiders, and even scorpions. Furthermore, they are skilled foragers who search for prey by hopping and probing through vegetation or on the ground.
Long-tailed Glossy Starling
ORDER: Passeriformes FAMILY: Sturnidae
Native to Africa, the Long-tailed Glossy Starling is a striking bird with glossy blue and black plumage and a long tail. Most notably you can find them in open woodland and savannas, this bird is known for its loud, whistling calls.
Diet:
Long-tailed Glossy Starlings have a diet that primarily consists of fruits and insects. Notably fruits make up a significant portion of the Long-tailed Glossy Starling’s diet.
They feed on a wide variety of fruits including berries, figs, and other soft fruits. Starlings play an important role in seed dispersal as they consume fruits and then excrete the seeds in different locations, aiding in the regeneration of plant species.
In addition to fruits, Long-tailed Glossy Starlings also consume a wide range of insects. They actively hunt for insects such as beetles, grasshoppers, ants, termites, and caterpillars. Lastly, these birds are agile flyers and are skilled at catching insects mid-air or foraging for them in vegetation and leaf litter.
Splendid Glossy Starling
ORDER: Passeriformes FAMILY: Sturnidae
The Splendid Glossy Starling is native to West Africa and is known for its shimmering blue and black plumage. In addition you’ll find them in forests and wooded areas. Plus, this bird catches the eye with its bright color and glossy appearance.
In fact, they are known for their complex vocalization, mimicry, and distinctive calls. Check out how to attract starlings for more info on these awesome birds.
Diet:
The Splendid Glossy Starling will eat a diverse diet of insects, vegetables, fruits, and seeds. They actively forage in foliage, trees, and shrubs, searching for insects such as beetles, grasshoppers, caterpillars, spiders, and even ants.
Conservation and Habitat of Blue and Black Birds
Blue and black birds inhabit various ecosystems, from dense forests to open plains. In fact, you can spot them in tropical rainforests, temperate woodlands, and coastal areas. These birds are typically adapted to the specific environment in which they live; therefore, their habitats are crucial to their survival.
Furthermore one common threat to numerous blue and black bird species is habitat loss. As deforestation, urbanization, and other forms of land conversion are ongoing, suitable environments for these birds are increasingly scarce. Ornithologists consider many species endangered or threatened due to habitat degradation.
In response to these challenges, conservation organizations are working hard to preserve and restore habitats for these birds.
These efforts include establishing protected areas, reforestation projects, and native species planting initiatives. Meanwhile, such actions aim to increase the habitats for blue and black bird species to thrive.
Another aspect of conservation focuses on the birds themselves. More importantly conservation tracking may involve monitoring and tracking populations. Then, promoting responsible pest control methods to minimize the impact on non-target species.
Public education campaigns can also raise awareness about protecting these unique birds and their habitats.
By working together to preserve the habitats and safeguard the populations of blue and black birds, we can ensure a brighter future for these remarkable creatures.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Blue and Black Birds
What bird has black and blue feathers?
The Steller’s Jay is an example of a bird with black and blue feathers. Additionally, this striking bird has a black head and upper body with contrasting bright blue wings and tail. Sometimes, you’ll commonly spot them in the western regions of North America.
What kind of birds have black bodies and blue heads?
The Asian Fairy-bluebird is a beautiful bird with a black body and vibrant blue head. Male individuals display these colors more vividly, while females have a more subdued appearance, with blue shades around their head and neck area.
Which large bird has a black body and blue chest?
The Victoria Crowned Pigeon, native to New Guinea, is a large blue and black bird. Its body is primarily blue with unique black markings and a distinguished black crest on its head. Furthermore, it is considered one of the largest and most stunning pigeon species.
The Blue-capped cordon-bleu is A small bird with a black body and blue head.
Can you name a small bird with a black body and blue head?
The Blue-capped cordon-bleu is A small bird with a black body and blue head. They are native to Africa and are known for their distinctive colors and enchanting courtship dance performances that involve rapid foot tapping.
Which black and blue birds are native to North America?
In North America, the Eastern Bluebird is a native species with a mix of blue and black feathers. Male birds have vibrant blue heads, wings, and tails, with rust-colored chests and white underbelly, while females are more muted in color.
Additionally, there are two more black and blue birds native to North America: the Indigo Bunting (Passerina cyanea) and the Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata).
What are some migratory black and blue birds?
The Indigo Bunting is an example of a migratory black and bluebird. To note they breed in North America and migrate to Central and South America during the winter months.
Male Indigo Buntings have vibrant blue feathers with black accents around the face and edge of the wings, while females are brown and blue.
Here are five more black and blue birds that migrate:
Keep in mind that while many birds do not fly at night, migration is one reason why birds fly at night.
- Black-throated Blue Warbler (Setophaga caerulescens) – Birdwatchers can find this migratory bird in forests and shrubby habitats during migration.
- Cerulean Warbler (Setophaga cerulea) – The males of this migratory warbler showcase a sky-blue back with black streaks.
- Blue Grosbeak (Passerina caerulea) – These medium-sized migratory birds are common across the southern half of the United States and have an all-cobalt-blue plumage.
- Indigo Bunting (Passerina cyanea) – These beautiful migratory birds sport bright blue feathers with hints of black.
- Lazuli Bunting (Passerina amoena) – This migratory bird displays vibrant blue plumage with black markings.
Sources for article:
The Sibley Guide to Birds Second Addition and Cornell University Ornithology Department, and National Audubon Society Field Guide to Birds
