20 Black Birds with White Stripes on Wings over the World

Black birds with white stripes on the wings are probably the most eye-soothing bird to ever lay your eyes on. The species fitting this criteria are much different in characteristics despite the uncanny physical resemblances.

You’ll notice that all of the birds in this listing are spreaded across different continents of the world, and very few actually share their habitats with one another.

A lot of categorizations include birds who possess colors other than black and white, which in my opinion is corrosion and not a proper representation for the filtering.

Thus, the list I’ve composed keeps this palette in consideration, with only a couple of instances showing miniscule red or yellow notches.

So let’s head on and investigate these unique species!

Authentic Black Bird with White Stripe on Wing

The discussion begins here, on the birds that host stripes of whites over their black body feathers at different parts of the world.

Lark Bunting

Source: @benjcollinsphoto

• Scientific Name: Calamospiza melanocorys
• Size: 14 to 18 cm (5.5 to 7.1 in)
• Locality: Central and western North America
• Status: Least Concern
• Breeding Season: May and June

The state bird of Colorado, Lake Bunting, is the benchmark for the black birds with white stripes on wings. It’s a tiny bird with sexual dimorphism, leaving the female birds out of the color codes of this category. Due to the loss of their natural habitats, these birds are currently in decline and without immediate remedial measures, the condition is likely going to worsen soon.

Recognition

If you want to identify it in nature, first you’ll have to assess the feather colors that are mostly black. The white stripes on each of the wings as well as accents at tail edges mark them easier to distinguish from other birds with tonal similarities. As per the shape, it shares a resemblance with sparrows due to the order it belongs to, except for the triangular, thick beak colored in gray.

Habitat

North American grasslands are the most common habitat zones for this species, especially around the prairie territories of Canada and the USA. They show migrational tendencies during winter, toward more temperate places like Texas and in Mexico during fall. In their habitats, the nests are formed within scattered colonies in the shape of an open cup.

White-winged Chough

Source: @image_by_ben_timms

• Scientific Name: Corcorax melanorhamphos
• Size: 45 cm (18 in)
• Locality: Southern and eastern Australia
• Status: Least Concern
• Breeding Season: August to December

The Corcoracidae family is quite unique in bird dictionaries because it has only two surviving species in the world, one of them being the White-winged Chough. These birds build their nest using mud to keep those sturdy during the incubation period. Their food habit contains consuming worms and beetles, as well as subsequent foraging over rubbish piles.

Recognition

The most defining feature for the White-winged Chough is its blood-red eyes. Other than that, the symbolically-rich black feathers contain blue edges on the upper side of the wings. The white stripes are made apparent only at full flight, etched under the feathers and observed from underneath.

Habitat

At the southern and eastern parts of Australia, this species resides in flocks of around 20 birds while the smallest flock can consist of only 4. The nests are built in the dry and bushy regions of the country and all of the family members take up the responsibility of raising the chicks. This is a lengthy process compared to other birds because adapting to the harsh Australian environment isn’t easy at all.

Eurasian Magpie

Source: @ringkuvat

• Scientific Name: Pica pica
• Size: 44 to 46 cm (17 to 18 in)
• Locality: Eurasian continent
• Status: Least Concern
• Breeding Season: April to June

Eurasian Magpies are also referred to as the Common Magpies due to their widespread availability in the Eurasian continent. Some acknowledge that these birds are probably the most intelligent non-human entities ever to exist on earth. Historically, these birds had been seen as demon symbols based on several superstitions associated with them.

Recognition

This is one of those white-chested birds hosting black feathers on the back. The white patch is extended to the root of the wings, quite visible due to the width. Their tail is a long and narrow one, standing out from their body seemingly out of proportion. A tiny head holds the thick, black beak in place and calls for an easy spotting.

Habitat

From the western European coast of Portugal to the easternmost lands of Asia, as far as up to the end of Russia, this bird lives around the temperate areas in between. They need a sweet spot between grassy lands with spreaded trees to call it home. Both the treeless or overly populated tree areas are the ones they usually avoid. At other times, urban or suburban territories see some Eurasian Magpie residents too.

Oriental Magpie-robin

Source: @paleja.bhairav

• Scientific Name: Copsychus saularis
• Size: 19 cm (7.5 in)
• Locality: Tropical southern Asia between Nepal, Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Indonesia, Thailand, China, Malaysia, and Singapore
• Status: Least Concern
• Breeding Season: February to June

Oriental Magpie-Robins are much smaller than the Eurasian Magpies, which is due to their dispersal in the Family – the former complying with flycatchers and the latter with crows. This species is regarded as the national bird of Bangladesh and it’s widely available in the entirety of the Indian subcontinent.

Recognition

There’s a difference in shape between the male and the female birds as well as the intensity of the feather colors. Both of them are black at the back with a bright, white abdomen. Male birds are shinier as opposed to the female birds who appear a little faded. The long, white stripe on the wing stands as a signifying feature of their appearance.

Habitat

This species lives comfortably in almost every part of the temperate and tropical lands of the Indian subcontinent and surrounding countries. While open woodlands are one of their definitions for home, lands containing cultivated crops allure them due to the abundance of food sources. Otherwise, their presence in the urban and suburban areas is commonly acknowledged by human habitants.

Magpie-lark

Source: @prasannaclicks

• Scientific Name: Grallina cyanoleuca
• Size: 25 to 30 cm (9.8 to 11.8 in)
• Locality: Australia, Timor and southern New Guinea
• Status: Least Concern
• Breeding Season: August to January

Magpie-Larks are one of the rare 200 bird species who can sing in duet. It’s near impossible for human beings to realize what’s going on because their note alteration between the pair is so smooth! Don’t be fooled by this sweet trait because it’s utilized as an active measure for defending their territories from intruders.

Recognition

Both of the male and female birds from this species look almost the same, a milky-white feathers peeking out from the embrace of black. The white stripes on the wings are shaped like the English letter ‘Y’ at perching. Whites on males create a pair of eyebrows which is absent on the female, only the white patch on the sides are common there.

Habitat

Except for the Australian desert areas, these feathery avians are almost equally accessing the country regions. Both rural and urban settlements get to witness their presence because they are rarely afraid of humans. It’s a bird that defines Australian animal diversity and stands as one with the local people due to their widespread presence everywhere.

Swamp Boubou

Source: @emma.geary.photograph

• Scientific Name: Laniarius bicolor
• Size: 23 to 25 cm (9 to 9.8 in)
• Locality: Western and southern Central Africa
• Status: Least Concern
• Breeding Season: Any time of the year (except during Spring in the south)

These African duet singing birds bear three accepted races at different parts of the continent. The name implies that swamps and marshlands are the places to find them but these are not their only preferred habitats. They are a large group of passerine birds expert in insect hunting for survival.

Recognition

You can divide the feather groups into two distinct sections for the species – white underbelly and back of black. From the bill, cap to the end of the tail, this black takes precedence. White notches are formed at the tail-borders and the same colored tri-stripes are visible on the wings.

Habitat

The species is a permanent resident in the western and southern parts of Central Africa. Apart from swamplands, savannah thickets, wetland infused forest, mangroves and scrub beside coasts are the habitation zones for these birds. Nests are usually made with twigs shaped like a loose cup slightly higher up from the ground.

Black-and-white Warbler

Source: @ericmm25

• Scientific Name: Mniotilta varia
• Size: 12 cm (5 in)
• Locality: Northern and eastern North America
• Status: Least Concern
• Breeding Season: April to August

Black-and-white Warbler is a rare species in its genus, comprising only one bird. This New World warbler doesn’t contain much data unlike its other warbler cousins. The scientific name translates to English as “seaweed/moss plucker” due to its eating habit. Habitation loss is seeing this species reducing in population despite the Least Concern status.

Recognition

Black-and-white Warbler doesn’t isn’t just a black bird with white stripes on the wing, it’s also one showing brown accents at the wing fringes. These whites are spreaded across the whole of its body feathers – from eye-sides, neck and the abdomen. Tails echo the same palette of colors, posing it as a little bird with stripes all over.

Habitat

When it comes to habitats, the species are adaptive to a wide array of zones. But the most common ones contain deciduous forests, it doesn’t matter if it’s dense or not. Among other places, swampy forests or the ones covered with lands offer them comfort too. The latter types are usually picked for their winter migrations.

White Winged Black-Tit

Source: @rosstabirdians

• Scientific Name: Melaniparus leucomelas
• Size: 15 to 16 cm (5.9 to 6.3 in)
• Locality: Central Africa
• Status: Least Concern
• Breeding Season: January to June

White-winged Black-tit birds look similar to magpies or robins in terms of color combinations. It’s a passerine with two subspecies, each allocated to different regions of Africa. There’s still a lot to be learned about this species because it’s been a very recent discovery of their mis-categorization under the Parus genera, which was amended with the present allocation.

Recognition

It’s a bird colored in a dark night black that a lot of people out there might find menacing. An easy way to identify is through the way it perches like a bat, hanging upside down from a tree branch. The white stripes on the wings are at the second half and consume a large extent.

Habitat

It’s mostly found around two sides of Africa – in the east, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Sudan and South Sudan make up the local population, while on the other end, African equator to Angola is their furthest extent.

Northern Mockingbird

Source: @durfeediscoveries

• Scientific Name: Mimus polyglottos
• Size: 20.5 to 28 cm (8.1 to 11.0 in)
• Locality: North America
• Status: Least Concern
• Breeding Season: Spring and early summer

Many people often confuse mockingbirds with catbirds due to their impeccable singing abilities as a gift from nature. Due to their recognized intelligence, urban presence is a common factor for the species. It’s the state bird for five American states including Texas, so you can quite make out how popular it is in the country!

Recognition

Northern Mockingbirds have gray and white feathers on the lower portion of their body. On the opposite side, the feathers are mostly black but not the deepest of shades. Wing accents see the most density of colors and fractures of white stripes can be observed with scrutiny. However, between the wingfolds, a sizable white patch exists that’s visible at full stretch.

Habitat

The fact that it’s one of the most common birds in North America is reinforced with its presence across the continent. For the species, the natural habitat zones are around densely vegetated open regions. Even the urban gardens, parks or mowed lawns seem fitting for inhabiting. However, the western population can manage to make home in the dry, desert conditions too.

Anhinga

Source: @avi_gal.pics

• Scientific Name: Anhinga anhinga
• Size: 89 cm (35 in)
• Locality: South America, parts of Central and North America
• Status: Least Concern
• Breeding Season: February

A darting fish eater has made it to the list of ‘black birds with white stripe on wing’ because of its fitting bodily features with the idea. Some often refer to Anahingas as water turkeys due to the time they spend on water and the shared resemblance with the mentioned avian species. In Brazil, it connotes something devilish because of the black and white feathers.

Recognition

Around the natural habitats, if you see a snake swimming across the water, check again! Because it could be an Anhinga on the move with its long, black neck poking out of water, seeming like a reptile. The rest of the body is actually shaped like a turkey with the wings covered in white striped patterns.

Habitat

The two subspecies are divided for their separate habitational regions. Overall, the Pacific coastal regions of the USA, including Florida, are the hosts for breeding and migration. Otherwise, the most comfort zones for the species delve deeper into the central parts of South America.

White-browed Wagtail

Source: @mahesh_eye_to_photography

• Scientific Name: Motacilla maderaspatensis
• Size: 21 cm (8.3 in)
• Locality: India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka
• Status: Least Concern
• Breeding Season: March to October

White-browed Wagtail looks like an arrow when it’s perched down, because of the linearity from the head to the end of the tail. The scientific name pays homage to the Indian city of Chennai which was previously known as Madras because of the existence of a large population there. This songbird has been frequently kept in captivity in India and is a very common species within that locality.

Recognition

Remember the Oriental Magpie-robin? White-browed Wagtail looks simply like the younger sibling of the aforementioned species. Although slightly leaner in shape and darker blacks, the whites on the wing and tail edges look almost identical. The major difference that’ll help you distinguish are the white eyebrows of the wagtail.

Habitat

Mostly three countries of the Indian subcontinent identify themselves as the hosts to this species – Bangladesh, India and Sri Lanka. Surrounding the Indus valley up north till the southern parts of India invite the species for inhabiting the territories. Open habitats beside freshwaters and high altitudes are two attractive habitational aspects that these birds can’t look past.

White-Winged Scoter

Source: @pranjal.mathur.photography

• Scientific Name: Melanitta deglandi
• Size: 48 to 60 cm (19 to 24 in)
• Locality: North America
• Status: Least Concern
• Breeding Season: Late summer

The scientific name for White-Winged Scoter literally translates to ‘black duck’ in English from Ancient Greek words. This species is famous for its ability to dive into deep water in search of food – which in most cases are insects, mollusks and arthropods. Their intestines contain gizzards that can easily crush shells, so digestion is never a problem for them.

Recognition

It’s the largest species of Scoter with the color black covering up the complete feather group. Only portions that are left out are the white eyelines and the same color wing stripes referred to as speculums. Orange beaks are prevalent on the male birds but the female ones mostly possess the organ in black.

Habitat

The most common location to find a White-Winged Scoter in their natural habitats is around western Canada and Alaska. In the other parts of North America, groups scattered across prairie regions and coasts. During winter, flocks migrate toward warmer areas at the opposite ends of their natural homes.

Bar-winged Flycatcher-shrike

Source: @yeuhuanphoto

• Scientific Name: Hemipus picatus
• Size: 14 to 15 cm (5.5 to 5.9 in)
• Locality: Forests of tropical southern Asia
• Status: Least Concern
• Breeding Season: March to May

From one of North America’s largest, we move on to the species that’s considered one of southern Asia’s smallest – the Bar-winged Flycatcher-shrike. These insectivorous birds partake in foraging flocks with other species and perch angularly or even upside down for a finer attempt at capturing their food.

Recognition

It’s an oddly shaped bird to be honest that often gives off the vibe of losing its balance over the disproportionately large head. This large head and back feathers rank it among the black birds of the world who contain distinct grayed out abdomen regions. One long, white stripe on the wings remains as a signifying feature for bird lovers.

Habitat

Many of the south Asian countries witness large populations of Bar-winged Flycatcher-shrikes. They usually reside in the tropical forests with dense trees all around. These forests enable their hunt for insects and allow for them to craft a solid rimmed-cup nest for breeding.

White-headed Woodpecker

Source: @jeantuomi

• Scientific Name: Leuconotopicus albolarvatus
• Size: 20 cm (7.9 in) long)
• Locality: Pine forest mountains of western North America
• Status: Apparently Secure
• Breeding Season: May to July

With only two subspecies, the White-headed Woodpecker has a very limited territory for residence in North America and is absent from any other part of the world. They don’t migrate at all, rendering them a permanent habitant in the locality of their comfort.

Recognition

The name says it all really – a white face paired up with stripes of whites on the wings. Rest of the body feathers are solid blacks that shine upon light reflection. There exists a red patch over the crown which marks them even more unique and reliable for identification.

Habitat

From British Columbia to California, the pine forested mountains remain as the only habitable area for White-headed Woodpeckers. Utilizing their sharp beak, they either dig out cavities on dead trees or find a preexisting one to nominate as their nest during breeding season.

Downy Woodpecker

Source: @edgardoramirezfoto

• Scientific Name: Dryobates pubescens
• Size: 14 to 18 cm (5.5 to 7.1 in)
• Locality: North America
• Status: Least Concern
• Breeding Season: January to March

If your crops are infested with European corn borer and you have a Downy Woodpecker territory right beside your field, then you’re in for luck! Because these birds find such insects very delicious, alongside some berries and seeds completing their diet chart.

Recognition

As a black bird with white stripes on wings, the species is designed with something a little bit extra. The extra implies fractures on the stripes, forming isolated but repeated white markings over black wings. Their chests are snowy white, much like the face, head and neck patches. A red dot over the nape is solely authentic to the male bird.

Habitat

These birds are prevalent throughout North America, especially in Wisconsin, leaving out the tundra regions on the north and temperate territories toward the south. Areas containing forests are ideal for their inhabitation. Winter migrations are observed only with the groups who live in cooler parts of the continent.

White-Winged Widowbird

Source: @katja_wildlife

• Scientific Name: Euplectes albonotatus
• Size: 15 to 19 cm (5.9 to 7.5 in)
• Locality: Africa
• Status: Least Concern
• Breeding Season: November to May

The polygynous White-Winged Widowbirds stand as one visually stunning avian species due to the smooth colorization of the feathers. Their white stripes do exist since youth, but increase in extent during breeding season. Three subspecies are distributed in parts of Africa, spreading across a multitude of countries.

Recognition

This species of widowbirds is a solid black, males usually with the darker tone and the females paler. A yellow ledge is noticed at the beginning of the wings and a white stripe at the end, separated by feathers with the base color. A wide, white beak is ideal for eating ants, insects and seeds.

Habitat

The majority of these birds live in the countries that are placed south to the Sahara in Africa. Almost all spacious areas with greeneries make this species feel comfortable, especially grasslands, savanna or even openings beside wetlands.

Black Guillemot

Source: @norfolk.birdstagram

• Scientific Name: Cepphus grylle
• Size: 30 to 32 cm (12 to 12.5 in)
• Locality: Northern Atlantic coasts and eastern North American coasts
• Status: Least Concern
• Breeding Season: Late February to early May

The five Black Guillemot subspecies live at different ends of the world with a prime focus on the coastal regions of northern Atlantic and North America. Their food habits usually consist of fishes, insects and arthropods which they collect from diving deep into ocean water.

Recognition

A seabird in black is all you need to soothe your eyes with aestheticism. Even their beaks are black but the inner portions are crimson shaded, much like their feet. A large white stripe leaves its evidence on each of the wings, setting the species up to be one of the most unique black birds of this category!

Habitat

These birds occupy the low and high arctic regions of the North Atlantic ocean. Also, a similar number of species are inhabiting the boreal and arctic oceans. Their nests are usually placed on the rocky shores of these water bodies and their full utilization of cliffs and boulders aids in the breeding process.

White-shouldered Fire-eye

Source: @vadi.tanaka

• Scientific Name: Pyriglena leucoptera
• Size: 16 to 18 cm (6.3 to 7 in)
• Locality: Brazil and Paraguay
• Status: Least Concern
• Breeding Season: September to December

Not a lot has been learned about White-shouldered Fire-eye due to their hard to reach habitats and lack of research opportunities on them. This species usually remains within undetectable territories, hidden out of sight from most visitors and bird analysts.

Recognition

The name basically sums up all the identification marks you should look for in this species. Bloodshot red eyes on this magnificent black bird imposes a threatening energy at first glance. Two white stripes on the wings are usually hidden by plumages due to the short extent but can be made out at full spread.

Habitat

In terms of habitation zones, this black bird with white stripes on wings reside in eastern parts of Paraguay as well as southern territories of Brazil. Within these areas, the Atlantic Forest contains the largest group of the species. Otherwise, subsiding tropical or subtropical lowlands with water bodies or swamplands are their alternative choices.

Mountain Wheatear

Source: @natuurfotografiejan

• Scientific Name: Myrmecocichla monticola
• Size: 18 to 20 cm (7 to 7.9 in)
• Locality: Southwestern Africa
• Status: Least Concern
• Breeding Season: Spring and summer

This whistling passerine species radiates a misconception with the ‘wheateater’ name because a major portion of its diet is made up with berries and insects. However, the mountain part is fitting to their traits since these birds are mostly found around mountainous territories and rocky surfaces.

Recognition

The westerly race complies more with our categorization title than the nominate species due to the fact that the former one holds a sharp, white patch on the wings. Also, it’s colored in deep black except for the white cap and abdomen. The nominate species in this case is mostly gray and missing the white stripes.

Habitat

In the southwestern parts of Africa, ranging between Namibia, Botswana, South Africa and Angola finds the most number of Mountain Wheatear. At these locations, rocky mountains and hardened surfaces are the perfect spots to plant their nests and lay eggs, especially on the ground against the rocks.

White-winged Triller

Source: @philipnd17

• Scientific Name: Lalage tricolor
• Size: 16 to 18 cm (6.3 to 7 in)
• Locality: Australia, New Guinea and eastern Indonesia
• Status: Least Concern
• Breeding Season: Summer

White-winged Trillers are often considered as the same species with the White-shouldered Trillers because of many similarities identified by ornithologists. Some claim that these two are actually different races from one species, while others put their firm faith on the IUCN binomial names.

Recognition

These Australian birds are sexually dimorphic, mostly the male ones are combined with the black and white colors. Female birds look more like sparrows – both in shape and in tone. As per the male birds, the white stripes over black wings are much more apparent due to the width of it, while the whole bottom region is a chalky white.

Habitat

While the mainland of Australia is home to the White-winged Triller, these lean birds have spreaded over to the islands of New Guinea, Timur and to some extent at the eastern parts of Indonesia. They’re year-round residents with a vagabond mindset within their habitat zones, but a summer migration toward the cooler spot has been a common practice for the species.

Thoughts

If I wanted to, I could keep on extending this list of black birds with white stripes on their wings. But to achieve that, I’d have to include birds that aren’t completely black or contain a large patch of colors other than the black-white gradient.

A few of the birds in this article haven’t been studied in depth by ornithologists due to lack of resources and the birds’ trait of concealment in nature.

Also, inaccessible habitation zones is another prime reason for such deprivation of information. I reckon future researchers will be able to shed some light in the coming days.

It can inspire you as well, do get out into the wilderness in your surrounding areas and collect data on the birds that are yet to be understood more.

But we must remember not to hamper their ecosystem and compromise the safety while doing so, because that’s far more important!

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Audio Credits: xeno-canto, wikimedia