Black Birds with Yellow Beaks: 11 Illustrations to Explore

Have you ever walked through a park or forest and spotted a striking black bird with a gleaming yellow beak, but couldn’t quite identify it? Fear not, for you are not the first to experience this mysterious encounter. I myself witnessed this very phenomenon just yesterday, which is why I felt compelled to write this article for all of you fellow bird enthusiasts out there. 

These stunning creatures are a sight to behold and deserve to be recognized for their unique and striking features. So, be prepared to learn more about these marvelous black birds with their shimmering yellow beaks. Let’s explore together and uncover the beauty of these magnificent creatures.

List of 11 Black Birds with Yellow Beaks

Yellow-billed Chough

The Alpine chough, or yellow-billed chough, is a stunning member of the crow family that boasts beautiful black plumage, yellow beaks, and red legs. What sets them apart from other birds, however, is their ability to nest at elevations higher than any other species on the planet. These monogamous birds form lifetime relationships with their mates, exhibiting a true commitment to each other. 

Despite their small size, with adults typically not growing taller than 15 inches and weighing up to just 8.6 ounces, they are known to be omnivores, feeding on both meat and plant-based foods. In the winter months, these birds sustain themselves on fruits, while in the summer, they hunt for invertebrates. Found across high mountain ranges in Europe, Africa, and Asia, the yellow-billed choughs are fascinating creatures that are not to be missed.

Eurasian Blackbird

The Eurasian blackbird is a magnificent thrush bird that impresses with both its appearance and habitat. These remarkable birds can be found in Europe, southern Asia, and even in North America. What makes Eurasian blackbirds especially intriguing is their sexual dimorphism. 

With their rich black plumage, black feet, and bright yellow eye rings, male Eurasian blackbirds look striking. In contrast, female blackbirds have brown plumage, brown beaks, and no eye rings. 

This interesting difference is just one of the many remarkable features of this species. Both male and female blackbirds are around 0.18 to 0.28 pounds and 9.06 to 11.41 inches tall. 

Their diet consists of berries, insects, and worms, making them important members of ecosystems that rely on these food sources. Jays, magpies, and other predators often seek to hunt these birds, making them an essential part of the food chain. 

Hill Myna

Hill mynas are an impressive species of avian that cannot go unmentioned when it comes to black birds with yellow beaks. Belonging to the Sturnidae family, these birds are native to several regions across India, Southeast Asia, and the Philippines. As incredibly popular pets, mynas are known for their talkative and curious nature, making them an enjoyable species to observe. 

The black plumage that reflects a hint of blue in the light is paired with a striking yellow band of feathers that wraps around their neck and curves to the corner of each eye. Interestingly, both male and female adults have the same features, including their yellowish-orange beaks and feet.

Common Black Hawk

Medium-sized raptors known as common black hawks are part of the same family as eagles and vultures. These birds primarily inhabit mangrove swamps in Mexico and Arizona, while breeding in warmer regions of Central America, North America, and Peru.

With a weight of around 2 pounds and a length of up to 21 inches, common black hawks possess distinct features. They can be recognized by the single white band of feathers on their tail and their faded yellow beak with a black rim. Their legs also sport a faded yellow colour.

Although common black hawks typically fly at relaxed speeds in search of prey, they are skilled and enthusiastic hunters. These hawks have the ability to spot their prey from an impressive height of 100 feet and can hunt while perched or on the ground. Their hunting prowess is so remarkable that they can even engage in mid-air fights for food.

As apex predators, common black hawks have a diverse diet that includes crabs, snakes, insects, and other invertebrates.

Toucan

The striking birds known as toucans belong to the Ramphastidae family, characterized by their black feathers and vibrant-coloured beaks.

An average adult toucan weighs around 2 pounds and can reach a length of 25 inches, with their beaks measuring up to an impressive 7 inches!

The toucan’s beak is not only visually captivating but also a fascinating feature. Despite its size, the beak is surprisingly lightweight, thanks to its composition of hollow keratin protein and thin supporting bones.

While the toucan’s beak may not be an effective weapon in a life-or-death confrontation, these intelligent birds are aware of its intimidating appearance. They use their beaks to dig and display dominance, scaring away potential predators. However, this strategy is not effective against formidable hunters like hawks, eagles, and owls, who may prey upon toucans.

One example of a toucan with yellow beaks is the Yellow-throated toucan, found in various regions of Venezuela, Peru, and Colombia.

European Starling

European starlings may not boast vibrant colours, but their feathers are still captivating. Their plumage is a dark blackish purple, with a dark green underbelly. The tips of their feathers carry a subtle brown hue. Their feet are pink, and their beaks sport a bright yellow colour. During certain times of the year, their feathers may even have a sprinkling of white.

In contrast to many other birds, European starlings lack a melodious song and are considered tone-deaf. Instead, their vocalizations are a chaotic blend of sounds imitating other birds, humans, and even machinery.

However, when it comes to attracting a mate, male starlings are not aiming for a musical award but rather the attention of the females. Female starlings choose their partners based on the complexity and richness of a male starling’s song.

European starlings weigh between 0.12 to 0.22 pounds and can grow up to 8.6 inches in length. Their diet primarily consists of insects such as caterpillars, spiders, and grasshoppers. During the winter, they may also consume berries and seeds.

Adult European starlings face predation from larger raptors like falcons and hawks, while their eggs are targeted by owls and raccoons.

Double-crested Cormorant

Double-crested cormorants are aquatic birds with black feathers and distinctive yellow beaks. They derive their name from the prominent double crest they develop during the breeding season, which features a white patch on each side of their head.

At a glance, these birds may bear some resemblance to mute swans. However, unlike swans, their wings lack water resistance. After swimming and fishing, double-crested cormorants partially spread their wings to aid in the drying process.

Both male and female double-crested cormorants possess similar characteristics. They typically weigh between 2.6 to 5.5 pounds and can grow to a length of approximately 28 to 36 inches.

These birds have a preference for fish as their primary food source, but they are opportunistic feeders and will also capture amphibians or crustaceans if the opportunity arises.

Various predators pose a threat to double-crested cormorants at different stages of their life cycle. Gulls and crows are known to prey on their eggs, while coyotes and raccoons target their chicks. Adult double-crested cormorants can fall victim to predators such as great horned owls and brown pelicans.

Common Myna

The common myna, a small black bird with a vibrant yellow beak, is native to Asia but has successfully adapted to urban environments in Australia and New Zealand.

Renowned among bird enthusiasts, common mynas possess captivating beauty, are adept at mimicking human speech, and are known for their chatty nature.

These birds display striking features, with brown feathers, black-hooded heads, white underwings, and underbellies. Their feet, beaks, and eye edges are adorned with a bright yellow hue.

In terms of size, adult mynas typically weigh around 4.3 ounces and measure approximately 9 inches in length. Despite their small stature, these avian creatures can exhibit remarkable aggression, particularly during the breeding season when they vigorously defend their territories.

Mynas are omnivorous opportunists when it comes to their dietary preferences. They consume a varied diet consisting of insects, worms, vegetables, and even roadkill.

Black Thrush

The black thrush, a member of the Turdidae family, is native to the Oaxacan montane forests found in Mexico, Honduras, and Guatemala.

Dressed in elegant black plumage, these birds display striking yellow beaks that beautifully contrast with their dark feathers. Some individuals may showcase a touch of white on their underbellies, while a distinctive yellow ring patch encircles their eyes.

Both male and female black thrushes can reach a length of up to 9.3 inches, tail included.

These omnivorous birds have a diverse diet, feasting on a variety of insects, worms, and delectable berries. However, black thrushes face predation from snakes, domestic cats, raccoons, and a few other songbirds.

Steller’s Sea Eagle

Weighing in at an impressive 11 to 19 pounds, the Steller’s sea eagle holds the title of being the largest and one of the most powerful eagle species worldwide.

The females of this species can reach a height of approximately 3 feet, while males measure up to 2 feet 11 inches. Although Steller’s sea eagles are smaller in stature compared to harpy eagles and Philippine eagles, they outweigh them.

Adorned with a striking combination of black and white feathers, Steller’s sea eagles boast white plumage on their underwings and thighs. Their beaks and feet shine brightly in a vibrant yellow hue.

As avid hunters, these majestic birds have a particular fondness for fish and water birds. Equipped with sharp, curved talons, they skillfully catch their aquatic prey. Steller’s sea eagles do not have any natural predators, but arboreal mammals pose a threat to their eggs.

These magnificent creatures are predominantly found in North-Eastern Europe, with a notable concentration in Kamchatka, a peninsula in Russia.

Indian Blackbird

Wrapping up our collection of black birds with yellow beaks is the Indian blackbird. True to its name, these birds are exclusively found in India and Sri Lanka. Formerly considered a subspecies of the common blackbird, Indian blackbirds have recently been recognized as distinct species.

An adult Indian blackbird weighs around 0.22 pounds and measures approximately 7.5 to 7.9 inches in length. The colouration of Indian blackbirds varies depending on their location. Those in Sri Lanka exhibit a dull brown hue, while their counterparts in India boast a deep, inky black plumage.

A notable feature of the Indian blackbird is its vibrant yellow beak and legs, which add a splash of colour to its appearance. Additionally, a bright yellow ring encircles their eyes, enhancing their distinctive charm.

Indian blackbirds thrive in habitats with deciduous vegetation, finding it ideal for their habitation. Unlike Eurasian blackbirds, they are not commonly found in urban settlements and are relatively unafraid of human presence.

Their diet primarily consists of insects and fruits. However, Indian blackbirds may fall victim to domestic cats when they venture too close to human-inhabited areas.

Final Words

Have you ever been on a hike or bird-watching expedition and come across a stunning bird with a yellow beak and dark plumage, only to forget its name later on? Don’t worry, it happens to the best of us. The good news is that there are a few black birds with yellow beaks that are easy to remember once you know their names. For example, the yellow-billed chough, mynas, and black thrushes are all unique and striking birds that fit this description. And if you happen to come across any of these feathered friends in the future, you’ll be able to impress your friends and fellow nature enthusiasts with your expert identification skills.

Reference:

• https://www.birds.cornell.edu/k12/identifying-black-birds 
• https://www.audubon.org/news/10-wonderfully-weird-bird-beaks 
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alpine_chough