Do you want to make your bird-watching experience a super fun and exciting one? Then, you can try learning about them based on their striking coloration.
From black birds with white stripes and birds with orange or red beaks to birds with red chests or redheads, each variation in the shades and colors in the body parts is what makes them stand out in the wild.
Getting acquainted with black birds with orange chests helps to know more about the quirky nature and habits of each species that make them distinctive.
Every time you step outside, these creatures will give you a glimpse of the beauty of nature while forcing you to be more appreciative of the splendor of your environment right in your backyard.
So, let’s start our flight to get to learn more about black birds with orange chests through this article! Happy birdwatching, everyone!
Contents
- 23 Charming Black Birds With Orange Chests
- 7 Stunning Black Orioles With Orange Chests
- 16 Magnificent Birds That Are Black With Orange Chests
- Black-headed Grosbeak
- Crimson-breasted Finch
- Orange-breasted Falcon
- Varied Thrush
- Black-and-orange Flycatcher
- Blackburnian Warbler
- Red-breasted Sapsucker
- Eurasian Bullfinch
- Red-breasted Swallow
- Orange-backed Troupial
- Orange-headed Thrush
- Tawny-bellied Seedeater
- Common Redstart
- American Robin
- Sharp-shinned Hawk
- Eurasian Hoopoe
- Basic Identification Of Black Birds With Orange Chest At A Glance
- Thoughts
23 Charming Black Birds With Orange Chests
We’ve compiled a cool list of birds with stunning black bodies and orange chests. Now, don’t get us wrong, their orange or black shades might vary from bird to bird, but one thing’s for sure – they all share that black-and-orange pattern.
So, join us on this awesome adventure as we get to know these delightful feathered friends!
7 Stunning Black Orioles With Orange Chests
Alright, bird enthusiast, it’s time to dive deep into this lineup of 7 black birds with those eye-catching orange chests. We’ll get up and take a closer look at these feathered friends, all while giving them some well-deserved love and attention.
Baltimore Oriole
Source: @birdphotobyhasse
- Scientific Name: Icterus galbula
The Baltimore Orioles are popular for being a solitary species. However, that’s only outside the breeding season.
Typically, they are socially monogamous, with a few occasional extra-pair copulations. During the mating season, the males exhibit distinctive courtship displays.
The males start claiming their territory during spring and sing and chatter around females to attract them. They also lower their wings in a bow-like position and fan their tails as part of their display.
If the females accept the mating proposal, then they will simply quiver their wings in response to the males, or else they will outright ignore it.
Orchard Oriole
Source: @mielvanos
- Scientific Name: Icterus spurius
The dietary preferences of the Orchard Orioles depend on the seasonal changes. During the breeding season, they consume insects and spiders, whereas in the non-breeding season, they feed on ripe fruit in addition to the insects.
In winter, the major part of the Orchard Orioles’ diet includes fruits, nectar, insects, and seeds.
One of the interesting facts about this species is it likes to swoop close to the ground, often flying at or below treetop level, making it easier for bird enthusiasts to spot them in their habitat.
Unlike most other species, the courtship displays are done by the females. Sometimes, they bow their heads, Seesaws, or beg as part of their courtship display.
Streak-backed Oriole
Source: @baezaruben
- Scientific Name: Icterus pustulatus
The Streak-backed Orioles have a strong preference for insects and spiders. However, from time to time, they will also feed on fruits, berries, seeds, and nectar.
Due to their dietary requirements, they forage at relatively higher elevation areas, especially in the canopy of broad-leaf forests.
Moreover, their habitat also matches their foraging requirements. The Streak-backed Orioles are permanent residents across their range and reside near open woodlands and semi-arid shrublands.
This species remains monogamous during their breeding season, and the responsibility of building the nests falls solely on the females.
The females make intricately intriguing basket-shaped nests that hang near the end of a tree branch.
Hooded Oriole
Source: @ms_nizbits
- Scientific Name: Icterus cucullatus
Near the end of nesting season, the Hooded Orioles arrive at the nesting site during the last weeks of March, to be more specific.
The females construct these nests in a basket-like shape, giving them more depth than their relatives.
After arriving at the site, the first thing they do is claim their breeding territory. Depending on which region this species lives in, the breeding season changes.
The females lay about 3 to 5 eggs in a clutch in these nests. They take about 12 to 14 days to incubate, while the nestlings take almost two weeks to fledge.
Altamira Oriole
Source: @jay_shrike
- Scientific Name: Icterus gularis
The Altamira Oriole is a forage gleaner that prefers semi-arid areas with scattered trees and open riparian woodlands as its habitat.
This species is not highly territorial, as their nests are pretty far apart. Each nest has almost a quarter kilometer in between them on average.
They like to stay on their own in these nests and live in solitary. They don’t usually attack other birds without any reason, except during breeding season.
The Altamira Oriole builds its nest in a small pouch-like shape with moss, grass, palm fibers, weeds, and strips of bark, which are lined with feathers on the edge.
Sometimes, these nests can be spotted hanging from the telephone wires. Usually, the females are responsible for building them.
Bullock’s Oriole
Source: @mosoaringwings
Scientific Name: Icterus bullockii
The Bullock’s Oriole is a sexually dimorphic small species that prefers being seasonally monogamous. The breeding season of this species starts in May and lasts till July.
However, the duration and the start of the breeding season might vary according to the regions they inhabit.
The species living in the northernmost and westernmost areas start their breeding season relatively later than the other species.
Both mating pairs work together to weave their nests, which are usually deep and pendant basket-shaped. However, females tend to do most of the weaving work.
They use plant fibers, especially bark, glass fiber, and animal hair, to do the weaving part. Then, it gets lined with hair, moss, etc.
Spot-breasted Oriole
Source: @themexicanvioletear
- Scientific Name: Icterus pectoralis
The Spot-breasted Oriole is a mid-sized Oriole species that is endemic to Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, and Nicaragua.
Most of the North American Orioles tend to have strong sexual dimorphism and have different shades of colors or sizes among the sexes.
However, in the case of the Spot-breasted Orioles, both sexes have almost identical vibrant plumage and look similar.
Moreover, usually, the males tend to participate in the singing part. However, in this case, the females often sing as well.
Their song, however, sounds relatively simple, with a thinner tune than that of the males.
16 Magnificent Birds That Are Black With Orange Chests
All of these black birds with orange chests enlisted here are not related, and their individuality is required to understand each of them. If you read carefully, you’ll see that the species all have two colors in common: black and orange.
Black-headed Grosbeak
Source: @yanirelrojas
- Scientific Name: Pheucticus melanocephalus
The Black-headed Grosbeaks, a mid-sized seed eater, inhabit areas with deciduous and mixed wooded regions, especially with large trees and thick bushes.
The females of this species build their nests in dense foliage that can be as close as 0.91 meters from the ground or as high as 10.67 meters above the ground.
These nests are usually constructed on an outer branch of tall, broad-leaved trees or shrubs. However, from time to time, they choose dense shrubs such as blackberries to build their nests.
The female Black-headed Grosbeaks give the nests an open saucer-like shape with fine grass, rootlets, twigs, bark, and conifer needles. Then, the nest gets lined with rootlets, hair, and fine plant material.
Crimson-breasted Finch
Source: @roniceronte
- Scientific Name: Rhodospingus cruentus
The Crimson-breasted Finch, the only member of the Rhodospingus genus, is native to western Ecuador and adjacent north-western Peru.
They prefer their solitary period, which is why usually, they are alone or in pairs in the forest understory, tangled scrub, and overgrown clearings. This monotypic species also prefers woodland and scrub as their habitat.
The Crimson-breasted Finch exhibits a strong sexually dichromatic nature, which means that both sexes have completely different morphological characteristics, especially the ones that are not directly involved in reproduction.
It is the reason why the males of the Crimson-breasted Finch have a blackish upper part and vibrant reddish-orange on the bottom and crown.
The females, on the other hand, have a dull greyish-buff color on their overall body parts.
Orange-breasted Falcon
Source: @bucktuh
- Scientific Name: Falco deiroleucus
One of the most interesting facts about the Orange-breasted Falcon is their bathing technique. They will crash into leaves that are filled with raindrops or any other form of water and bathe with it.
They are endemic to southern Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, Panama, and almost all parts of South American countries except Chile and Uruguay.
The preferred nesting sites of the Orange-breasted Falcon are tropical rain- and semi-deciduous forests with cliffs.
They make nests in these sites out of scrapes or depressions. The females lay three and occasionally two to four eggs in these nests.
The duration of their incubation is 30 to 34 days, and after 40 to 45 days of hatching, the fledging takes place.
Varied Thrush
Source: @nuts_about_birds
- Scientific Name: Ixoreus naevius
The Varied Thrush, the only member of the monotypic genus Ixoreus, is a relatively large thrush species. They prefer dense coniferous forests as their habitats and nesting sites, where they lay 3 to 4 eggs per nest.
However, occasionally, depending on food availability and climate change, the number of eggs can range from 2 to 5.
They have almost two broods every year. These eggs of the Varied Thrush are all pale blue-colored with pale brown spots all over them.
The feeding responsibility might lie on both parents, but the incubating part relies solely on the females. Information regarding the younglings’ development and growth is unknown.
Black-and-orange Flycatcher
Source: @cameratales1821
- Scientific Name: Ficedula nigrorufa
The Black-and-orange Flycatcher is one of the most distinctive species among all the Ficedula flycatchers for possessing rufous coloration on their backs.
The breeding season of the Black-and-orange Flycatcher starts in March and lasts till May. During this period, they become extra vocal and make a repetitive “chee-ri-rirr” call or a whistling song “whee-chee-ree-rirr.”
Similar to most other species, the nest-building responsibility lies on the females who build these nests in a low bush or fern.
The nest, however, is unique and unlike any other flycatcher’s nest. The nests are large, with dry leaves and fern as their foundation, and constructed with sedge.
Blackburnian Warbler
Source: @jessegordon_birds
- Scientific Name: Setophaga fusca
The Blackburnian Warblers are small-sized species that change their flocking behavior depending on the seasonal changes. During winter, it prefers being solitary.
However, it becomes highly territorial in their breeding season and avoids almost all the passerine species outside of their migratory seasons.
In the migratory season, they join in with local mixed foraging flocks that sometimes include chickadees, kinglets, and nuthatches.
The Blackburnian Warblers’ preferred nest shape is similar to an open cup. They build these nests using twigs, bark, plant fibers, and rootlets that are fixed near the end of branches with spider webs.
Moreover, they get coated with lichens, moss, hair, and dead pine needles.
Red-breasted Sapsucker
Source: @brittnipanter
- Scientific Name: Sphyrapicus ruber
The breeding region of the Red-breasted Sapsucker includes southeast Alaska, British Columbia, the Pacific Coast Ranges of western Washington and Oregon, and northern California.
The primary criteria for the habitat of this species include having living trees that provide enough sap. Their breeding habitat in these ranges is typically pine, hemlock, Douglas-fir, fir, and spruce forests, with a preference for old-growth forests. In addition, they reed in other woodlands that match their criteria.
The Red-breasted Sapsuckers start building their nest usually in April or May. They prefer living in the nest cavities of dead trees.
They typically have one brood per breeding season. These broods have 4 to 7 pure, bright white-colored eggs.
Eurasian Bullfinch
Source: @russwebb1975
- Scientific Name: Pyrrhula pyrrhula
The Eurasian Bullfinch, a small, bulky-headed passerine species, prefers living and foraging alone or in their family group. They only create large flocks in their breeding season.
They prefer building their nests in a bush that is more than four meters in both height and width. They also use mature stands of scrub or tree as their nesting sites.
In their nests, the female Eurasian Bullfinches lay almost 4 to 7 eggs that are pale blue in color with reddish-brown streaks all over them. Per breeding season, they produce 2 to 3 broods.
The breeding season of this species starts in early May and remains till mid-July. They are distinctive among all the Passeriformes, as they possess spermatozoa.
Red-breasted Swallow
Source: @anoetshoot
- Scientific Name: Cecropis semirufa
The Red-breasted Swallow is one of the species that prefers living in tropical rainforests exclusively during the wet season.
However, in most cases, their preferred habitat is dry open countryside. They build their nests with mud that are mostly closed except for a tubular-shaped entrance.
They place these nests in a cavity, under bridges, or in locations similar to these ones. In addition, they will live in deserted buildings, tree holes, or caves.
The Red-breasted Swallows also make use of railway bridges that are under construction or structures similar to this one. Both mating partners work together to construct their nests, which takes more than 30 days.
Orange-backed Troupial
Source: @miranda.ashley14
- Scientific Name: Icterus croconotus
The Orange-backed Troupial was thought to be the same species as the Venezuelan troupial (Icterus icterus) and Campo troupial (Icterus jamacaii) because of their close relation.
The breeding season of this species depends highly on their geographical location. They are native to Guyana, Brazil, Paraguay, eastern Ecuador, Bolivia, and Peru. Their preferred habitat in this range is forest edges, clearings, riparian woodland, scrubby woodland, etc.
The breeding season in Columbia is between July and August. In Bolivia and Paraguay, the breeding season is sometime between November and March.
It avoids building its own nest and would rather live in the nests of yellow-rumped cacique (Cacicus cela).
Orange-headed Thrush
Source: @opzjon
- Scientific Name: Geokichla citrina
The nest of the Orange-headed Thrush is built with a team effort from both mating partners. This shy and secretive species builds its nests with twigs, bracken, and rootlets.
These wide and shallow cup-shaped nests then get coated with softer plant materials, such as leaves, moss, and conifer needles.
The Orange-headed Thrush prefers mango trees and coffee bushes as their nesting sites. Apart from these two types of trees, they build their nests in any other trees or bushes around their habitat 4.5 meters above the ground.
The females lay three to four and occasionally five eggs in these nests. The eggs are usually cream-colored or with pale blue, grey, or green tints. Moreover, they have pale lilac patches and reddish-brown spots all over them.
Tawny-bellied Seedeater
Source: @pabloddoc
- Scientific Name: Sporophila hypoxantha
The Tawny-bellied Seedeater is native to Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay. Their preferred habitat in these areas includes and is not limited to dry savanna and subtropical or tropical seasonally wet or flooded lowland grassland. They flock with their seedeaters in their habitat.
The eggs of the Tawny-bellied Seedeater are all cream-white or pale light green-colored, with tiny dark and pale brown speckles all over them.
The females incubate these eggs for about 12 days, and then, four days after hatching, the males tend to help feed the nestlings.
Hence, most parental care is performed exclusively by females. However, the contribution from males does increase over time.
Common Redstart
Source: @fikyor
- Scientific Name: Phoenicurus phoenicurus
One of the most interesting facts about the Common Redstart is that they often get parasitized by common cuckoos. However, the Redstart nestlings do not ever suffer any form of attack in any way from the Cuckoo chicks.
The Cuckoo chicks help benefit the Redstart nestlings. As the Cuckoo chicks tend to be relatively larger than the Redstart chick, they help maintain the thermoregulation in the nest.
Consequently, the Redstart younglings get the brooding effect more from the Cuckoo chicks. Moreover, the supply of dietary items gets better for the cuckoo chicks if they remain in the mixed brood.
American Robin
Source: @ryanltaylorphoto
- Scientific Name: Turdus migratorius
The American Robin, a quintessential active and early species, is one of the first ones among the North American species that start laying eggs. It starts breeding after arriving at its summer range.
Their breeding season is usually from April to July, and per season, they have at least two to three broods.
The females build the nests alone in a dense bush or a fork between two tree branches. They are placed at least 1.5 to 4.5 meters above the ground.
They use long, coarse grass, twigs, papers, etc, to build the outer foundation of the nests. These nests get overlaid with smeared mud around their edges. Then, the nests get softened down with fine grass or other similar-textured materials.
Sharp-shinned Hawk
Source: @jozoqo_photo
- Scientific Name: Accipiter striatus
The Sharp-shinned Hawk, popularly known as Sharpie, prefers a large conifer or dense group of deciduous trees as its nesting site.
The typical clutch size in its stick nest is 4 to 5 eggs. However, from time to time, the females can lay almost 3 to 8 eggs.
Their eggs have distinctively striking colors and markings all over them, which makes them a beautiful sight for bird enthusiasts.
Their incubation period lasts for almost one month, and it takes 16 to 23 days to brood the nestlings.
It takes 30 days for the chicks to fledge. The younglings depend on their parents for feeding and protection for a total of five months.
Eurasian Hoopoe
Source: @photography.hinsche
- Scientific Name: Upupa epops
The Eurasian Hoopoe, one of the most widespread species in the Upupa genus, is a mid-sized monogamous species that forms their bonds for only one season.
They are highly territorial, and males frequently call to maintain their ownership of their territory.
It’s common for the rival males and occasionally females to fight for their territories brutally. The birds in flight often get blinded due to the brutality.
They create their nests either in a tree or a wall. Each nest has narrow entrances that are usually unlined.
The females are solely responsible for the incubation, which lasts from 15 to 18 days. During this period, the males feed the females.
Basic Identification Of Black Birds With Orange Chest At A Glance
Now that you have learned some unique information about black birds with orange chests, we will let you in on the basic identifications of these birds so that you can easily spot them.
Common Name | Size Range | Wingspan | Weight |
Baltimore Oriole | 17 – 22 cm (6.7 – 8.7 in) | 28 – 30 cm (11.1 – 11.8 in) | 26 – 39 g (0.92 – 1.4 oz) |
Orchard Oriole | 50 – 66 cm (20 – 26 in) | 25 cm (9.8 in) | 16 – 28 g (0.6-1.0 oz) |
Altamira Oriole | 25 cm (9.8 in) | 34 – 38 cm (13.4 – 14.9 in) | 56 g (2.0 oz) |
Bullock’s Oriole | 17 – 19 cm (6.7 – 7.5 in) | 31 cm (12.2 in) | 28 – 43 g (1.0 – 1.5 ounces) |
Hooded Oriole | 18 – 20 cm (7.1 – 7.9 in) | 23 – 28 cm (9.1 – 11.0 in) | 22.7 g (0.8 oz) |
Streak-backed Oriole | 19 – 21 cm (7.4 – 8.2 in) | 9 – 11.8 cm (3.5 – 4.6 in) | 29 – 57 g (1 – 2 oz) |
Spot-breasted Oriole | 21 – 24 cm (8.3 – 9.4 in) | 20 – 25 cm (8 – 10 in) | 45 – 50 g (1.6 – 1.8 oz) |
Black-headed Grosbeak | 18 – 19 cm (7.1 – 7.5 in) | 32 cm (12.6 in) | 34 – 48 g (1.2 – 1.7 oz) |
Varied Thrush | 20 – 26 cm (7.9 – 10.2 in) | 34 – 42 cm (13 – 17 in) | 65 – 100 g (2.3 – 3.5 oz) |
Black-and-orange Flycatcher | 11 – 13 cm (4.3 – 5.1 in) | 20 – 30 cm (8 – 12 in) | 7 – 10 g (0.24 – 0.35 oz) |
Blackburnian Warbler | 11 – 13 cm (4.3 – 5.1 in) | 20 – 22 cm (7.9 – 8.7 in) | 9.7 g (0.34 oz) |
Red-breasted Sapsucker | 20 – 22 cm (7.9 – 8.7 in) | 37 – 40.6 cm (14.6 – 16.0 in) | 53.1 – 63.5 g (1.9 – 2.2 oz) |
Crimson-breasted Finch | 11 – 13 cm (4.3 – 5.1 in) | 18 – 20 cm (7.1 – 7.9 in) | 14 – 20 g (0.49 – 0.71 oz) |
Eurasian Bullfinch | 15 – 18 cm (6 – 7 in) | 24 – 28 cm (9.4 – 11 in) | 22 – 36 g (0.8 – 1.3 oz) |
Red-breasted Swallow | 15 – 16 cm (5.9 – 6.3 in) | 28 – 32 cm (11 – 12.6 in) | 17 – 24 g (0.6 – 0.85 oz) |
Orange-backed Troupial | 23 – 30 cm (9 – 12 in) | 30 – 38 cm (12 – 15 in) | 90 – 120 g (3.2 – 4.2 oz) |
Tawny-bellied Seedeater | 10 – 11 cm (4 – 4.3 in) | 17 – 19 cm (6.7 – 7.5 in) | 11 – 16 g (0.4 – 0.6 oz) |
Orange-breasted Falcon | 34 – 40 cm (13 – 16 in) | 60 – 75 cm (23.6 – 29.5 in) | 325 – 700 g (11 to 25 oz) |
Common Redstart | 13 – 14.5 cm (5.1 – 5.7 in) | 23 – 26 cm (9 – 10 in) | 11- 23 g (0.4 – 0.8 oz) |
Orange-headed Thrush | 2.05 – 2.35 cm (8.1 – 9.25 in) | 25 – 30 cm (10 to 12 in) | 47 – 60 g (1.7 – 2.1 oz) |
American Robin | 23 – 28 cm (9.1 – 11.0 in) | 31 – 41 cm (12 – 16 in) | 72 – 94 g (2.5 – 3.3 oz) |
Sharp-shinned Hawk | 23 – 37 cm (9.1 – 15 in) | 42 – 68 cm (17 – 27 in) | 82 – 219 g (2.9 – 7.7 oz) |
Eurasian Hoopoe | 25 – 32 cm (9.8 – 12.6 in) | 44 – 48 cm (17 – 19 in) | 46 – 89 g (1.6 – 3.1 oz) |
Thoughts
If your hobby can turn into something therapeutic that helps you connect and understand nature on a deeper level, then that’s the best kind of hobby.
Learning about black birds with orange chests does just that for you! It’s like making new feathery friends right in your backyard.
They are not just eye candy with their incredible plumage coloration, but rather, they play a vital role in keeping the balance in our ecosystem.
From pest control to pollination, these birds help keep our environment in tip-top shape. Their existence is just too cool to ignore.
Differentiating them based on their appearance is like playing a game of “Guess who?” but with feathers.
So, the stunning black birds with orange chests can effortlessly add a dash of excitement to your regular day and can cheer you up with their sunshine-orange-colored chests.