Many birds impress with iridescent plumage in bright colors. Black birds with yellow beaks are rare. The most well-known representative of this species is the blackbird, but there are more!
In a nutshell
- Colors of bird feathers arise from the interaction of pigments, structures and light
- black, red and brown shades are formed by melanins, which the bird itself produces
- other colors develop from substances ingested from food
- black birds are discredited as unlucky birds in popular belief
- only a few black birds with yellow beaks are native to Central Europe
black birds
Birds native to Germany and Central Europe are often gray or brown. Colorful species are popular, especially those with red parts in the plumage, such as robins and bullfinches. But the black birds also have their charm. They impress with their elegance. Learn about the characteristics of black birds.
Types from A - L
Chough (Pyrrhocorax graculus)
- Size: 37 to 41 centimeters
- Male: Black plumage, yellow down-curved beak, red legs
- Female: like the male, slightly smaller
- Song: cirrus call
- Food: Insects, bugs, small berries
- Habitat: mountainous regions, Alps Trait: sedentary, often migrates to lower-lying areas in winter
Notice: The Chough is easily confused with the Chough. Both use the same habitat. In contrast to the Chough, the Chough has a red beak.
Blackbird (Turdus merula)
blackbird
- Size: 25 to 27 centimeters
- Male: black plumage, yellow beak
- Females: dark brown plumage, brown beak
- Singing: Loud, melodic
- Food: bugs, worms, berries, fruits
- Habitat: Parks, gardens, forests, anywhere in Germany
- Characteristic: sedentary bird, best-known black bird
Notice: The blackbird is also known as the blackbird.
Unicolor starling (Sturnus unicolor)
Source: El Golli Mohamed, Étourneau unicolore (Spotless Starling) Sturnus unicolor (Tunis-Tunisian), edited by Plantopedia, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Size: 19 to 22 centimeters
- Male: all black plumage, yellow beak
- Female: like the male, slightly smaller
- Singing: whistling, loud
- Food: Insects, snails, beetles, fruit
- Habitat: Forests, gardens, parks, cities, in southern central Europe
- Feature: migratory bird
Types of M - R
Black Lark (Melanocorypha yeltoniensis)
- Size: 19 to 21 centimeters
- Male: black plumage, pale yellow bill, black-grey legs
- Females: grey-brown plumage Song: bright ringing
- Food: Insects, beetles, seeds, parts of plants
- Habitat: Rare in Europe, native only to Russia
- Characteristic: migratory bird, stock severely endangered
Black Rail (Amaurornis flavirostra)
- Size: 20 to 23 centimeters
- Male: black plumage, yellow bill, pink legs
- Female: like the male, slightly smaller
- Vocals: very quiet
- Food: mussels, spiders, insects
- Habitat: found only as a migrant in Europe
- Feature: migratory bird
Types from S - Z
velvet duck (Melanitta fusca)
Source: Åsa Berndtsson, Melanitta fusca 2, edited by Plantopedia, CC BY 2.0
- Size: 51 to 58 centimeters
- Male: black plumage, yellow beak, white wing mirror, red legs
- Females: black-brown plumage, brown cap, gray beak
- Vocals: very quiet
- Food: mussels, snails, crustaceans
- Habitat: in winter on the North and Baltic Seas
- Characteristic: migratory bird, highly endangered
Starling (Sturnus vulgaris)
- Size: 19 to 22 centimeters
- Male: Plumage in breeding plumage with black ground color and metallic green luster, in shedding plumage with light spots, yellow bill, red legs
- Female: like the male, slightly lighter
- Vocals: melodic, metallic call
- Food: Insects, berries, fruit
- Habitat: Forests, gardens, parks
- Feature: migratory bird
Black Woodpecker (Dryocopus martius)
- Size: 40 to 46 centimeters
- Male: black plumage, pale yellow beak, red crown
- Female: like the male, crown colored red only in the rear part
- Singing: laughing
- Food: Insects, beetles, larvae
- Habitat: in beech, mixed and coniferous forests in Germany
- Characteristic: resident bird, observed all year round
Notice: In popular belief, black birds were considered the bringers of misfortune and death. Above all, ravens and jackdaws were feared as unlucky birds.
Common scoter (Melanitta nigra)
- Size: 44 to 54 centimeters
- Male: black plumage, yellow beak, orange spot in front of beak hump. Female: dark brown plumage, brown cap, gray beak
- Song: sonorous cooing
- Food: mussels, snails
- Habitat: in winter on the North and Baltic Seas
- Feature: migratory bird
frequently asked Questions
Why are the shapes of birds' beaks so different?The size and shape of the beak depends on the food. Anatidae, which feed on aquatic plants and small fish, have broad, flat beaks. Birds of prey are notable for their powerful, curved beaks. Small birds like blackbirds and starlings that feed on insects and berries have small beaks.
Why do some bird species change beak color throughout life?In many bird species, the beaks of young birds differ from those of adults. Young bird beaks are softer, the horny layer is not as stable as it was when they were old. As the structure changes, the color often changes as well. Some species change beak color during courtship. For example, the beaks of male starlings are yellow during mating season, otherwise gray.
What is the reason for the shimmering plumage of black birds?The iridescence of the black feathers is due to the crystal-like structure, which causes different light refraction. Depending on how the light hits the plumage, a black bird will appear blue, green, reddish, or even purple.