28 Captivating Common and Rare Birds with White Heads

Have you ever wondered how many bird species have white heads? And whether they are common around you without you noticing. Or are they some sort of rare species that you would not see often?

Either way, good news for you, fellow bird enthusiast! Because from the icy Arctic regions to tropical paradises, from grasslands to coastal cliffs, they have mastered the art of thriving in different environments.

So, today I’m here to explain all about these white-hatters! I’m going to give you all the info about where they live and how they look, along with super exciting facts about them!

So, without further ado, let’s jump into the article and know all about these cool and stylish birds that rock that pristine white plumage on their heads and necks.

28 Charismatic White-Headed Birds That You Probably Didn’t Know About

There are so many bird species that have white heads and so much more to know about them that I cannot contain my excitement any longer! So, let’s jump right into the main article where we explore all about these majestic, as well as cute creatures!

Bald Eagle

Source: @kris_hikes

• Scientific Name: Haliaeetus leucocephalus
• Size: 70 to 102 cm (28 to 40 in)
• Locality: North America
• Status: Least Concern
• Breeding Season: Late April to May

The Bald Eagle is a majestic bird of prey that is native to North America and is the national bird and symbol of the United States.

Recognition

Adult Bald Eagles have a distinctive appearance with a white head and tail that contrasts with their dark brown body and wings. Juveniles, however, have mostly brown plumage with white patches on their underwings and tail, and their head may not yet be fully white.

Habitat

They primarily inhabit areas close to large bodies of open water, such as lakes, rivers, coastal estuaries, and marshes. Mature trees near water bodies are ideal nesting locations that provide both shelter and a vantage point for hunting.

White-Headed Woodpecker

Source: @douglastheravenwipper

• Scientific Name: Leuconotopicus albolarvatus
• Size: 20 to 25 cm (8 to 10 in)
• Locality: Southwestern North America
• Status: Least Concern
• Breeding Season: May to July

White-headed Woodpeckers are often associated with higher elevations that are thousands of meters above sea level. They are more commonly found in mountainous regions.

Recognition

Adults have a distinctive white head and neck that contrasts with their black back, wings, and tail. They also have a bold white patch on their wings, visible in flight. Males and females look similar, but juveniles have a brownish head instead of white.

Habitat

These Woodpeckers are primarily found in mature coniferous forests, especially those dominated by pine and fir trees. They prefer open-canopy or mixed-conifer forests, including montane and subalpine zones.

White-Headed Marsh Tyrant

Source: @world_of_birds_1

• Scientific Name: Arundinicola leucocephala
• Size: 13 to 15 cm (5 to 6 in)
• Locality: Northeastern South America
• Status: Least Concern
• Breeding Season: January to April and July to October

White-headed Marsh Tyrants are skilled insect hunters, and their diet consists mainly of small insects, spiders, and other invertebrates. They are agile flier and often perches prominently on vegetation, therefore are relatively easy to spot.

Recognition

The bird has a distinctive white head and throat that contrasts with its dark gray to black back, wings, and tail. It also features a black mask around its eyes that adds to its striking appearance. The belly is typically white or pale gray.

Habitat

They are mostly found in wetland habitats, particularly in freshwater marshes, swamps, and reedbeds. Riverbanks and the fringes of lakes and ponds are other places where these birds are often observed.

Pacific Gull

Source: @russellcharters

• Scientific Name: Larus pacificus
• Size: 64 to 74 cm (25 to 29 in)
• Locality: Coasts of Australia
• Status: Least Concern
• Breeding Season: September to December

Pacific Gulls are known for their opportunistic feeding behavior and are proficient scavengers. They will take advantage of various food sources, including prey items they can catch themselves, but also readily consume carrion and human-provided food.

Recognition

Pacific Gulls have a striking appearance with a mostly white body, including the head, neck, and underparts. The back and wings are dark gray to black, and the wingtips often have white patches.

Habitat

They have a strong association with marine environments and prefer a variety of coastal habitats. They frequent rocky coastlines, headlands and also occur on sandy beaches, estuaries, and mudflats.

Belcher’s Gull

Source: @snoopy2_adventures

• Scientific Name: Larus belcheri
• Size: 49 cm (19 in)
• Locality: Pacific coast of South America
• Status: Least Concern
• Breeding Season: December

Belcher’s Gull is an omnivore and scavenger and is known to associate with Guanay Cormorants and pester them until they regurgitate their prey, which the Gull then consumes.

Recognition

Adults have a white head in the breeding season, along with a very pale grey neck, and underparts. The mantle and back are greyish-black, and the tail is white with a broad black subterminal band and a white trailing edge.

Habitat

These Gulls are typically found in areas influenced by the Humboldt Current. Its habitat includes rocky shores, bays, and offshore islands. They venture several kilometers offshore to forage and also feed on rocky shores when the tide is out.

Black and White Hawk Eagle

Source: @nordesta_meioambiente

• Scientific Name: Spizaetus melanoleucus
• Size: 50 to 61 cm (20 to 24 in)
• Locality: Parts of Central America and Northern South America
• Status: Least Concern
• Breeding Season: March to June

Black and White Hawk Eagles are skilled hunters and they prey on a variety of small to medium-sized animals, including birds, mammals, reptiles, and large insects. Their diet can consist of monkeys, squirrels, birds, and even snakes.

Recognition

This Hawk-Eagle has striking black and white plumage. Adults have a mostly white underside and head, while the upperparts and the wings and tail are glossy black. Juvenile birds have more extensive white streaking on the dark plumage.

Habitat

They are commonly associated with tropical rainforests, especially those with a dense canopy and diverse understory. In some areas, particularly in montane regions, they can be found in cloud forests.

Himalayan Black Bulbul

Source: @luisscarabino

• Scientific Name: Hypsipetes leucocephalus
• Size: 20 to 22 cm (8 to 9 in)
• Locality: Central and South Asia
• Status: Least Concern
• Breeding Season: April to July

Himalayan Black Bulbul is known for its melodious and varied song, which it often sings from a prominent perch. It is an active and agile bird that moves swiftly among the branches searching for food.

Recognition

The bird’s body is mostly black, with a contrasting white head and nape. It has a white patch on the cheek, which extends to the sides of the neck. The wings and tail are also black. The eyes are dark, and the bill and legs are blackish.

Habitat

They inhabit temperate forests, especially in the foothills and lower to middle elevations of the Himalayas. These forests often have a mix of deciduous and coniferous trees. They are also found in subtropical forests in hilly and mountainous regions.

Albino Blackbird

Source: @anita.thompson72

• Scientific Name: Turdus merula
• Size: 23 to 29 cm (9 to 11 in)
• Locality: North Africa, from Europe to India, and Southern China
• Status: Least Concern
• Breeding Season: March to July

Albino birds, regardless of their species, are relatively rare in the wild. Their white or pale appearance makes them stand out and may make it challenging for them to survive in natural environments.

Recognition

Albino blackbirds have white feathers instead of the typical black or dark plumage seen in regular blackbirds. They may have their entire body uniformly white, or they may sometimes have white patches along with a white head.

Habitat

Albino Blackbirds are commonly associated with deciduous woodlands and mixed forests. They also have readily adapted to human-altered environments, and they are often seen in gardens, parks, and urban areas with suitable green spaces.

White-Headed Barbet

Source: @mayurprag

• Scientific Name: Lybius leucocephalus
• Size: 16 to 17 cm (6 to 7 in)
• Locality: Central Africa
• Status: Least Concern
• Breeding Season: December to July

Like other Barbets, the White-Headed Barbet is known for its distinctive calls and drumming sounds, which it uses for communication and territorial displays.

Recognition

The bird has a distinct white head, including the face, throat, and upper breast. The rest of its plumage is predominantly black along with white speckling on the wings and a white belly. It has a stout bill, typical of Barbets that is blackish in color.

Habitat

It occurs in both primary and secondary forests, and various types of woodlands, including miombo woodlands and acacia woodlands. It also occurs in savannas and scrublands with scattered trees and shrubs.

White-Headed Vulture

Source: @jiribukovsky1

• Scientific Name: Trigonoceps occipitalis
• Size: 78 to 90 cm (31 to 35 in)
• Locality: Sub-Saharan Africa
• Status: Critically Endangered
• Breeding Season: May to August

White-Headed Vultures are scavengers, and their diet primarily consists of carrion, including the carcasses of dead animals. They are often seen soaring high in the sky and using their keen eyesight to spot potential food sources from great distances.

Recognition

This Vulture has a distinctive white head and neck, contrasting with its dark, almost black, body feathers. It also has a white band at the base of its flight feathers, which is visible when the bird is in flight.

Habitat

They are commonly seen in savanna landscapes, particularly areas with scattered trees and open grasslands. They are also found in various types of woodlands, including miombo woodlands, where they roost and nest in large trees.

Sound: Not Found

Western Osprey

Source: @hoffmann_on_tour

• Scientific Name: Pandion haliaetus
• Size: 50 to 66 cm (20 to 26 in)
• Locality: Throughout the Planet Except in Antarctica
• Status: Least Concern
• Breeding Season: January to May

The Western Osprey is a specialist fish-eating raptor. It is well-adapted to catching fish from the water, and it has several unique features that aid in its fishing prowess.

Recognition

This bird has a distinctive appearance with dark brown upperparts and a mainly white underside. It has a white head with a dark eye stripe, and the eyes themselves are bright yellow. The wings are also white underneath, and the tail is marked with a dark band.

Habitat

They are commonly associated with coastal habitats such as saltwater estuaries, coastal lagoons, and tidal flats. They are also found near large freshwater bodies, including lakes, reservoirs, and rivers.

White-Headed Pigeon

Source: @mimgarrett

• Scientific Name: Columba leucomela
• Size: 38 to 44 cm (15 to 17 in)
• Locality: Eastern Coast of Australia
• Status: Least Concern
• Breeding Season: October to December

You can see the White-headed Pigeon in small to large flocks. It is a highly social species and may form communal roosts where multiple individuals gather to rest and sleep.

Recognition

They have a distinctive appearance with a white head and neck, that contrast with their dark grey to blackish body. The upperparts and wings are dark, while the underparts are paler, and often with a bluish-grey hue.

Habitat

This Pigeon is frequently observed in subtropical and tropical rainforests and in wet eucalypt forests and other types of moist woodlands with access to water sources. Sometimes they are found in coastal woodlands and mangrove forests.

Black-Faced Hawk

Source: @bruno_renno_birding

• Scientific Name: Leucopternis melanops
• Size: 43 to 51 cm (17 to 20 in)
• Locality: Northern South America
• Status: Least Concern
• Breeding Season: February to May

The Black-Faced Hawk is a skilled hunter that often perches patiently and waits for an opportunity to swoop down on its prey. It has sharp talons and a strong beak, which it uses to grasp and consume its catch.

Recognition

The upper parts of the bird are predominantly black with a white head, and the underparts are white with fine black streaking. As the name suggests, the bird has a distinctive black face at the front.

Habitat

They are often found in tropical lowland and montane rainforests with a dense canopy. They are also known to occur in cloud forests, which are montane forests typically covered in clouds and mist at certain elevations.

Swallow-Tailed Kite

Source: @rkotinsky

• Scientific Name: Elanoides forficatus
• Size: 50 to 60 cm (20 to 24 in)
• Locality: Southeastern United States to Northern Argentina
• Status: Least Concern
• Breeding Season: Early March

The Swallow-tailed Kite is known for its spectacular aerial displays, soaring effortlessly on thermal currents. It has a distinctive and graceful flight style that is often compared to that of a Swallow.

Recognition

It has a mostly white body and head with striking black wingtips, including the primary flight feathers and tail. Its long, deeply forked tail is a key feature that distinguishes it from other raptors.

Habitat

This Kite is often associated with wetlands, such as marshes, swamps, and flooded areas. It is also found in open woodlands, savannas, and grasslands, especially areas adjacent to water bodies.

Black-Banded Fruit Dove

Source: @nzbigyear

• Scientific Name: Ptilinopus alligator
• Size: 26 to 29 cm (10 to 11 in)
• Locality: Australia
• Status: Least Concern
• Breeding Season: May to Sept

Black-Banded Fruit Doves are generally shy and elusive and stay hidden within the dense foliage of the forest canopy. They tend to move quietly while feeding on fruits, hence can be challenging to spot.

Recognition

The male has a vibrant green body with a black band stretching across its breast. It has a white cap on its head and a yellowish patch on its forehead. The female is similar but generally duller in color with less distinct markings.

Habitat

It is often seen in lowland and montane tropical rainforests and in various types of evergreen and semi-evergreen forests. Sometimes, it inhabits areas of secondary growth and disturbed forests.

White-Crowned Pigeon

Source: @angelikmaria

• Scientific Name: Patagioenas leucocephala
• Size: 29 to 35 cm (11 to 14 in)
• Locality: Eastern Central America
• Status: Near Threatened
• Breeding Season: May to September

White-Crowned Pigeon is known for its swift and direct flight, and it may undertake seasonal migrations in search of fruiting trees and other food sources.

Recognition

This Pigeon has a distinctive appearance with a slate-gray body, including the head and upper parts. It is named for its characteristic white crown that contrasts with the rest of the plumage which has a dark reddish-brown coloration.

Habitat

It is commonly associated with mangrove forests, coastal thickets, and other types of coastal woodlands. It also inhabits lowland forests and other wooded areas near the coast, along with various islands, keys, and cays.

Downy Woodpecker

Source: @alisonfosterphotography

• Scientific Name: Dryobates pubescens
• Size: 14 to 18 cm (5.5 to 7 in)
• Locality: North America
• Status: Least Concern
• Breeding Season: January to March

Downy Woodpecker is primarily insectivorous, using its specially adapted bill to hammer and chisel into the wood to find insects and larvae.

Recognition

It has a white back with black spots, and its wings show a white bar and black markings. The head has a distinctive black-and-white striped pattern along with a white patch on its throat.

Habitat

It is commonly seen in deciduous forests, mixed woodlands, and riparian habitats, such as the areas along rivers, streams, and lakes. They are readily adapted to human-altered landscapes and are often observed in wooded suburban areas, parks, and gardens with mature trees.

Blue-Throated Piping Guan

Source: @sueristimages

• Scientific Name: Pipile cumanensis
• Size: 71 to 76 cm (28 to 30 in)
• Locality: Northern South America
• Status: Least Concern
• Breeding Season: August to April

Blue-Throated Piping Guan produces a series of loud, melodious, and far-carrying calls that are often described as “piping” or “flute-like.” These calls are an essential part of the guan’s communication.

Recognition

This majestic bird has a striking appearance with a mostly glossy black body. The head and nape are white, while the neck and upper breast have beautiful iridescent bluish-green or turquoise colors.

Habitat

It is often found in lowland tropical rainforests where it roosts and nests high in the trees. It is also seen in montane or cloud forests, forest edges, and adjacent areas with lighter vegetation.

White-Crested Hornbill

Source: @benknoot

• Scientific Name: Horizocerus albocristatus
• Size: 70 to 80 cm (28 to 31 in)
• Locality: West Africa
• Status: Least Concern
• Breeding Season: December to January

White-Crested Hornbill has a large bill and casque that play a role in acoustic communication. The casque acts as a resonating chamber, amplifying the hornbill’s calls, making them more audible in the dense forest environment.

Recognition

It has a predominantly black body with a distinctive white crest on its head. The crest consists of elongated feathers that form a tall, upright, and bushy tuft, making it one of the most prominent features of the hornbill.

Habitat

This bird is native to the rainforests and dense woodlands of Southeast Asia. It prefers lowland and montane rainforests, as well as primary and secondary-growth forests. It is often associated with forested areas with abundant fruiting trees.

Palm-Nut Vulture

Source: @falconcrest_ehv

• Scientific Name: Gypohierax angolensis
• Size: 55 to 66 cm (22 to 26 in)
• Locality: Coastal Areas of Africa
• Status: Least Concern
• Breeding Season: August to September

Palm-nut Vulture has an adaptation to a diet primarily based on palm nuts and fruit. Unlike most other Vultures, that are scavengers, this species of Vulture is primarily frugivorous.

Recognition

This Vulture has a predominantly white body with contrasting black flight feathers and tail. The head is bare, with bright pink or white skin. The beak is large, powerful, and hooked which is perfect for tearing apart palm nuts and fruit.

Habitat

They are found in tropical rainforests and mangrove swamps in sub-Saharan Africa. They are often associated with riverine habitats and coastal areas where palm trees grow, as these provide an essential food source.

African Fish Eagle

Source: @nbee_photography

• Scientific Name: Icthyophaga vocifer
• Size: 63 to 75 cm (25 to 30 in)
• Locality: Sub-Saharan Africa
• Status: Least Concern
• Breeding Season: March to September

African Fish Eagle is often referred to as the “sound of Africa.” Their call is a characteristic and haunting cry that can be heard from a great distance. The call is often described as a loud, melodious “kleeo-kleeo-kleeo” or “weee-ah weee-ah.”

Recognition

It has a distinctive appearance with a mostly brown body. The breast and belly are white, along with the head and upper parts, and the wings have a combination of white and dark feathers.

Habitat

It is commonly seen near large lakes, rivers, and wetlands, as these areas provide an abundant food supply of fish. They are also found in coastal estuaries, mangrove swamps, and inland water bodies such as reservoirs and lagoons.

Kelp Gull

Source: @ns.birds

• Scientific Name: Larus dominicanus
• Size: 55 to 65 cm (22 to 26 in)
• Locality: Coasts of the Southern Hemisphere
• Status: Least Concern
• Breeding Season: September to January

Kelp Gull has an opportunistic nesting behavior that is sometimes seen as a nuisance. While it typically nests on cliffs, rocky outcrops, or sandy islands, it has also adapted to nesting on human-made structures such as buildings, bridges, and rooftops.

Recognition

This species of Gull has a white body with a gray mantle and wings. The wingtips have black markings, and the outer primaries often have white spots. The head and neck are white, and the bill is yellow with a red spot on the lower mandible.

Habitat

It is commonly observed on sandy beaches, rocky shores, and coastal cliffs. It has also adapted to human-altered landscapes and is frequently seen in urban settings, scavenging for food in harbors and dumpsites.

White-Necked Hawk

Source: @alexandrejbrj

• Scientific Name: Buteogallus lacernulatus
• Size: 46 to 56 cm (18 to 22 in)
• Locality: Southeastern Brazil
• Status: Vulnerable
• Breeding Season: September to April

White-necked Hawk is a powerful and agile predator, and preys mainly on small mammals, birds, reptiles, and large insects. It hunts from perches and is known for its patient and stealthy approach to catching prey.

Recognition

It has a striking appearance with a mostly black body. The head, and underparts, including the throat and upper breast, are white, contrasting sharply with the dark plumage. The tail is banded with white and black, and it has yellow legs and feet.

Habitat

It is commonly found in lowland and montane tropical rainforests, especially near clearings and edges where it can spot its prey more easily. They are also seen in deciduous forests, woodlands, mangrove swamps, and coastal areas with dense vegetation.

Rough-Legged Hawk

Source: @audubonsociety

• Scientific Name: Buteo lagopus
• Size: 50 to 60 cm (20 to 24 in)
• Locality: Tundra and Taiga of North America and Eurasia
• Status: Least Concern
• Breeding Season: Autumn

Rough-legged Hawk has a specialized adaptation to cold climates. Unlike most other Hawks that have unfeathered legs, the Rough-legged Hawk has feathers that cover its legs and feet, providing insulation against the cold.

Recognition

This Hawk has a variable plumage with two distinct color morphs: a light morph and a dark morph. In the light morph, the Hawk has a white head, neck, and underparts, contrasting with a dark brown body and wings.

Habitat

It nests in open habitats such as cliffs, rocky outcrops, and trees in the Arctic and subarctic regions during the breeding season. In the winter, it migrates south to more temperate regions, including grasslands, agricultural fields, marshes, and coastal areas.

White-Headed Munia

Source: @wildlifeenvy

• Scientific Name: Lonchura maja
• Size: 11 to 12 cm (4.3 to 4.7 in)
• Locality: Southeast Asia
• Status: Least Concern
• Breeding Season: February

White-headed Munia holds immense popularity in aviculture. It is considered a charming and attractive bird, and its peaceful nature makes it a favored species for bird enthusiasts and avian hobbyists.

Recognition

It has a striking white head and neck that contrasts with the rest of its chestnut-brown body. It has a black beak, blackish-brown eyes, and pinkish-brown legs and feet. The wings and tail are brownish with blackish streaks and markings.

Habitat

It prefers a variety of habitats, such as open grasslands, scrublands, rice paddies, and agricultural fields. It can also be found in disturbed areas, gardens, and areas with tall grasses or reeds.

Black-Tailed Gull

Source: @abe_hisashi

• Scientific Name: Larus crassirostris
• Size: 48 to 55 cm (19 to 22 in)
• Locality: Coastlines of the East China Sea, Japan, Manchuria, and the Kuril Islands
• Status: Least Concern
• Breeding Season: June

The call of the Black-tailed Gull is believed to be a harbinger of the changing seasons in Japanese folklore. It is said that when the Gull’s call becomes more prominent and its appearance is seen more frequently, it signifies the arrival of spring and warmer weather.

Recognition

The adult Gull has a mostly white body with a pale gray mantle and wings. It has a distinct black tail with a white trailing edge. The head is white with a yellowish or pale-greenish bill and a red spot near the tip.

Habitat

They are commonly found along the coastal regions of East Asia. They breed on remote islands and coastal cliffs and during the non-breeding season, they are seen along the coasts and estuaries of these countries and may also venture further offshore to forage.

Slaty-Backed Gull

Source: @kamchatka_shorebirds

• Scientific Name: Larus schistisagus
• Size: 58 to 68 cm (23 to 27 in)
• Locality: Pacific coast of Northeastern Asia
• Status: Least Concern
• Breeding Season: Mid-April to September

Slaty-backed Gull is often associated with volcanoes. During the breeding season, some populations of the Gull nest on volcanic islands in the North Pacific. These islands provide suitable nesting sites due to their rocky cliffs and limited human disturbance.

Recognition

It has a characteristic slaty-gray to blackish back and upper wings, which gives it its name. The tail is white with a broad black terminal band. The head is white with a pale yellowish to greenish bill and pinkish legs and feet.

Habitat

It is primarily found along the coasts and islands of the North Pacific. It breeds in the Arctic regions of Russia, particularly on the coasts of the Sea of Okhotsk and the Bering Sea. During the non-breeding season, it migrates southward to winter in more temperate coastal areas.

Black-Browed Albatross

Source: @silha_vaclav

• Scientific Name: Thalassarche melanophris
• Size: 75 to 94 cm (30 to 37 in)
• Locality: Atlantic Ocean
• Status: Least Concern
• Breeding Season: September to April

Black-Browed Albatross has a remarkable ability to travel long distances during their lifetime. They are known for their extensive migrations, which can cover tens of thousands of kilometers annually.

Recognition

It has a mostly white body and head, with a distinctive black eyebrow stripe that extends from the base of the bill, over the eyes, and towards the nape of the neck.

Habitat

They are a circumpolar species found primarily in the Southern Ocean. They nest on subantarctic islands, particularly on rocky cliffs and grassy slopes. During the non-breeding season, they venture further into the Southern Ocean to forage for food.

FAQ

So, did you love reading about these charming white hatters? Are you content with what you have known or do you still have some curiosities left to pursue? Whatever the case is, let me guess, and sort some questions out for you!

Q: Do all birds with white heads have the same plumage?

Ans: No, the plumage of birds with white heads can vary significantly between species. Some may have bold black or gray markings on their heads, while others may have more subtle patterns. Additionally, male and female birds of the same species may exhibit different plumage characteristics.

Q: What is the significance of birds with white heads in human culture?

Ans: Birds with white heads have been depicted in various cultures and mythologies as symbols of purity, wisdom, and freedom. Their elegant appearance and graceful behavior have inspired stories, art, and folklore across different societies throughout history.

Q: Can birds with white heads be found in urban areas?

Ans: Yes, some bird species with white heads have adapted to urban environments and can be found in cities and towns. These birds may exploit human-altered habitats, such as parks, gardens, and green spaces, for food and nesting opportunities.

Thoughts

I think you are bound to agree that birds with white heads add a touch of elegance and charm to the avian world.

Not only that, these birds have been part of human culture and stories for ages. They’re symbols of wisdom, freedom, and purity, and people have admired and respected them throughout history.

Their distinctive appearance along with the pristine white plumage on their heads and necks, makes them easily recognizable and fascinating to observe.

Whether they are soaring high above the skies or foraging on the ground, they display a range of behaviors and skills that never cease to amaze.

I hope that through this article, birds with white heads have impressed you beyond their aesthetic charm and behavioral marvels and have left you in awe more than you expected.

Audio Credits: xeno-canto