Examples of birds with white heads and black bodies include belcher’s gull, black bulbul, black and white hawk-eagle, black-browed albatross, and pacific gull.
Birds with white heads and black bodies are a common sight in many parts of the world. These types of birds are usually easy to identify since they have very different colors from most other bird species.
In this blog post, we will take a look at these birds and discuss some of the things that make them unique. Let us take a closer look at birds with white heads and black bodies.
Examples of Birds with White Heads and Black Bodies
1. Belcher’s Gull
| Scientific Name | Larus belcheri |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | restricted to the Humboldt Current region, from southernmost Ecuador to northern Chile |
These gulls are found in various parts of the world including North and South America, Europe, Asia, and Africa. They get their name from the 19th-century British naturalist Hugh Algernon Parsons who first described them.
The average Belcher’s gull is about 22 inches long with a wingspan of 47 inches. They have white heads and black bodies with gray wings. The tips of their wings are white with black stripes. Their legs and feet are also black.
This type of gull is usually found near coastlines and in open waters. They feed on a variety of things including fish, crabs, and other small animals.
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2. Black bulbul
| Scientific Name | Hypsipetes leucocephalus |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | primarily in the Himalayas, its range stretching from India eastward to Southeast Asia |
The black bulbul (Hypsipetes leucocephalus) is a member of the family Pycnonotidae. It is native to the Indian subcontinent and can be found in Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.
The black bulbul is a small bird with a body length of between 15 and 20 cm. The bird has a black head and body with a white throat and vent. It has a black bill and legs. The wings are black with a white wing bar.
The black bulbul is found in forest, scrub, and gardens. It feeds on insects, fruits, and nectar. The bird builds its nest in trees and lays 2-4 eggs.
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3. Black And White Hawk-Eagle
| Scientific Name | Spizaetus melanoleucus |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | southern Mexico to eastern Peru, through Brazil and northern Argentina |
The black and white hawk-eagle is a large bird of prey that can be found in the forests of Africa and Asia. This eagle has black and white plumage, with a white head and black body. The tail of this bird is also black, with a white band near the tip.
The wingspan of the black and white hawk-eagle can reach up to 2.5 meters, making it one of the largest eagles in the world. This bird preys on small mammals and reptiles, which it catches with its sharp claws.
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4. Black-Browed Albatross
| Scientific Name | Thalassarche melanophris |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | over Antarctic, subantarctic and sub-tropical waters |
The Black-Browed albatross is a type of seabird that can be found near the coasts of Antarctica. It has a black body with a white head and yellow eyes. This bird gets its name from the black stripe that goes across its brow. The Black-Browed albatross is the most common type of albatross.
5. Pacific Gull
| Scientific Name | Larus pacificus |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | along the coast of southern Australia |
The Pacific gull is a white-headed black bird that is found in Australia and New Zealand. These birds are relatively large, with a wingspan of up to 1.5 meters. They have black upperparts and white underparts, with a grayish-brown tinge on their wings.
The Pacific gull is a scavenger and feeds on a variety of food items, including carrion, offal, and garbage. These birds are also known to eat small mammals and reptiles.
6. Western Osprey
| Scientific Name | Pandion haliaetus |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | throughout the planet, except in Antarctica, Africa and South America |
The Western Osprey is a large bird of prey that can be found in many parts of the world. These birds have white heads and black bodies, with a wingspan that can reach up to 8 feet.
Ospreys are known for their powerful eyesight, which they use to spot their prey from high up in the air. These birds primarily eat fish, but they will also consume other small animals if necessary.
7. White Head Black Bulbuls
| Scientific Name | Hypsipetes thompsoni |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | Myanmar and north-western Thailand |
The white-headed black bulbul is a small songbird with a black body and white head. The bill is red and the legs are black. The adult male has a white line above the eye, while the female does not. This species is found in forested areas of Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, and Pakistan.
The white-headed black bulbul is a seed eater and insectivore. It nests in trees and bushes, often near human habitation. This bird is not considered to be threatened at present.
8. White-headed Marsh Tyrant
| Scientific Name | Arundinicola leucocephala |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | tropical South America from Colombia, Venezuela and Trinidad south to Bolivia, Argentina and Paraguay |
The White-headed Marsh Tyrant is a small bird that can be found in South America. This bird has a white head and neck with a black body. The wings and tail are also black. The male marsh tyrant typically has a brighter plumage than the female.
These birds are found near marshes, where they hunt for insects. They are also known to eat small reptiles and amphibians. The White-headed Marsh Tyrant is a non-migratory bird species.
9. White-headed Pigeon
| Scientific Name | Columba leucomela |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | commonly in parts of southern Florida, but most of its Florida nesting colonies are on small offshore islands |
The White-headed Pigeon is a species of bird that is found in many parts of the world. These birds are usually easy to identify since they have very different colors from most other bird species.
The White-headed Pigeon gets its name from the fact that its head is mostly white with a few black feathers. The rest of the bird’s body is also white with black feathers.
10. White-headed Woodpecker
| Scientific Name | Picoides albolarvatus |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | western North America |
The White-headed Woodpecker is a small to medium sized woodpecker found in North America. This bird has a black body with a white head and neck. The wings and tail are also black, but the underparts are white. This bird is about 9-10 inches in length.
The White-headed Woodpecker is an insectivore and feeds primarily on ants and beetles. This bird is also known to eat fruits, nuts, and seeds. The White-headed Woodpecker nests in trees and often excavates its own nest hole.
11. White-headed Blackbird
| Scientific Name | Corcorax melanorhamphos |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | mountain forests |
This bird is found in North America and has a black body with a white head. The male of this species is particularly striking, with a bright yellow eye.
These birds are usually found in wetland areas and often build their nests in marshes or swamps. They primarily eat insects but will also consume other small animals if they are available.
Conclusion
There are many different types of birds with white heads and black bodies. These birds are usually easy to identify and often have very striking plumage. These birds can be found in many parts of the world and typically inhabit wetland areas. The White-headed Pigeon is one of the most common species of these birds. Other notable examples include the White-headed Blackbird and the White-headed Woodpecker.
Hi, I’m Garreth. Living in South Africa I’ve had the pleasure of seeing most of these animals up close and personal. When I was younger I always wanted to be a game ranger but unfortunately, life happens and now at least I get to write about them and tell you my experiences.