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The beaks or bills of birds are an important part of identification. The shape, length, and most importantly the colour can help you get closer to identifying the bird you have spotted. This article will look at a list of 22 birds with black plumage and yellow beaks.
(all images are of males unless stated)
- Eurasian blackbird
- Common starling
- Common Myna
- Common-Hill Myna
- Golden-crested Myna
- Yellow-Billed Chough
- Ringed ouzel
- Toco Toucan
- Yellow-legged thrush
- Black-breasted thrush
- Common black hawk
- Double-crested cormorant
- Golden-headed manakin
- Yellow-throated toucan
- Yellow-knobbed curassow
- Yellow-billed magpie
- Verreaux eagle
- Yellow-billed nun
- Black thrush / black robin
- Hornbill
- Rhinoceros Hornbill
- Yellow-billed Loon
Eurasian blackbird (Scientific name – Turdus merula)
The male blackbird is a medium sized beautiful black bird with a bright yellow beak and yellow eye ring. This bird is well known for its beautiful song and it is well known to be the first bird to sing in the dawn chorus. They are generally a ground feeding bird, seen tapping on the grass trying to tempt the worms to come out. They also can be found on bird tables and occasionally on feeders if they can perch next to them.
Unlike the male blackbird, the female does not have a bright yellow beak, instead it is more brown coloured. Their plumage is also brown which can have spots and streaks on the breast area as seen in the image below.
| Measurements | Length – 24 – 25 cm Wingspan – 34 – 38.5 cm Weight – 80 – 100g |
| Native to | Europe, Asiatic Russia, North AfricaIntroduced to New Zealand & Australia |
| Habitat | Parks, Farms, Gardens, Woodlands |
| Diet | Insects & Worms, Berries & Fruit |
Range map for the Eurasian blackbird
Common Starling (Scientific name – Sturnus vulgaris)
This unassuming bird with a yellow beak is the Starling. Although these birds look black from a distance when the sunlight hits its plumage many beautiful colours can be seen, such as greens and purples, quite beautiful.
Sociabilty
These birds tend to be in large family groups and can be seen in gardens squabbling over bird feeders, they particularly like fat balls if they can cling on to the feeders, again they are mainly ground feeding birds.
Displays
If you are lucky or know where to go, you may also see thousands of them doing an acrobatic dance in the sky. This is called a murmuration. They tend to do these murmurations during the autumn and winter months as they roost in larger groups to keep warm and safe.The image below shows a starling murmuration.
Something Interesting I actually personally witnessed many years ago, unfortunately long before being able to capture it on an Iphone. A flock of starlings were sitting on a telegraph wire outside my house, as they usually did, however this one day a Sparrow hawk came by and knocked one to the floor. When the bird of prey was ready to take flight with this desperate starling floundering in its claws, something quite spectacular happened, I saw the rest of the starling take flight from the wire and hover on mass over the hawk preventing it from taking off with the starling. They continued for some time until eventually the hawk gave up and let go of the starling. The released starling flew away, and the other starling dispersed. The hawk flew off with no dinner that day. This shows how they regard each other and there is definitely safety in numbers.
| Measurements | Length – 21 cm Wingspan – 37 – 42 cm Weight – 75 – 90g |
| Native to | Europe, Asia, Africa, Introduce to North America |
| Habitat | Farmland, gardens, park and towns |
| Diet | Invertebrates, fruit, berries, Food from bird feeders |
Range map of the Common Starling
Common myna (Scientific name – Acridotheres tristis)
This black headed bird with a yellow beak as seen above is the Common Myna bird. They have a striking yellow-orange eye patch, yellow beak and feet. Also a a black head and mostly a brown plumage with white flashes on the wings and white patches under the wings and under their tails too.
These birds have been introduced to other countries either as escaped pets or wilfully let loose. Unfortunately due to the birds success in breeding, they have been classed as an alien invasive species and are being managed as such because of their negative impact on the native birds.
An Interesting fact about these birds is that they are very social and roost in large social groups.
| Measurements | Length – 23 cm Weight – 110g |
| Native to | Southern Asia, introduced to Australia, New Zealand & Hawaii |
| Habitat | Forest, scrubland, grassland, parks, gardens |
| Diet | Omnivore |
Range map of the Common Myna
Common Hill Myna (Scientific name – Gracula religiosa)
The common Hill Myna, are mainly black, with a white patch on the under wing. They have a yellow-orange bill with yellow-orange wattle to the sides of their faces and around the back of the neck and yellow legs as seen in the above image.
These birds are famous for their mimicking voices. Some would sound even more human-like than a parrot. They were unfortunately captured and bred for the pet trade.
On a personal note back in the 1970’s my parents were given a myna bird, his name was Billy and yes this bird did talk, my parents managed a pub back in the day and they put Billy in his cage next to the dartboard in the bar. However after sometime the darts team began to complain, as when there was a darts match Billy the Myna would shout out things such as 180. They obviously did not see the funny side. There was an old chap who used to come into the pub for a pint and also would bring grapes for Billy which he loved, so my parents asked if he would like to take Billy which he did. They both lived out their days together.
| Measurements | Length – 27 -30 cm Weight – 142 – 250g |
| Native to | Eastern Indian, Southern China, Thailand, Malaysia, Philippines |
| Habitat | Hills, Mountains, semi-green forests |
| Diet | Mainly fruit, nectar, insects, small lizards |
Range Map for Common-Hill Myna
Golden-crested Myna (scientific name – Ampeliceps coronatus)
Quite striking is the Golden-crested myna is another mainly glossy black bird with a yellow beak, and as its name suggests it also has a golden yellow crest on its head which lays flat and a yellow throat. They also have a yellow flash on their wings and around the eye they have bare skin making an interesting feature and another identification aid, as seen in the above image.
| Measurements | Length – 21 – 22cm |
| Native to | Cambodia, China, India, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Malaysia, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam. |
| Habitat | Tropical & subtropical forests |
| Diet | Mainly Fruit & insects but known to take Small fish, lizards and birds |
Range Map of the Gold-Crested Myna
Yellow-Billed Chough (Scientific name – Pyrrhocorax graculus)
This medium black bird with a yellow beak is of the crow family. Although named as the Yellow-Billed Chough they are also known as the Alpine Chough. They are well known for how social they are and but they can be noisy residents. They also can become quite tame as they leave their summer area of the mountains to head nearer to towns and villages in winter months to feed on rubbish or leftovers.
| Measurements | Length – 34 -39 cm Wingspan – 75 – 78 cms Weight – 160 – 277g |
| Native to | Europe, North Africa, |
| Habitat | Alpine meadows, Mountains |
| Diet | Insect, berries & seeds |
Range map of Yellow-Billed Chough
RInged Ouzel (Scientific name – Turdus torquatus)
This bird is of the thrush family, and similar looking to an Eurasian black bird however a little smaller. They have a black plumage, although it can look dark brown, and a white collar on the throat area and of course a yellow beak.
Sadly these lovely birds are listed as red on the UK ‘s conservation list. Possibly due to loss of habitat because of land management.
The UK’s conservation list is to identify birds that are in most need of our help as their numbers are drastically decreasing. (RSPB.org.uk)
| Measurements | Length – 23 – 24 cm Wingspan – 38 – 42 cm Weight – 95 – 130g |
| Native to | Winters in Northern Africa & Spain, Summer in the UK |
| Habitat | Rocky, Moorland, Alpine, meadows |
| Diet | Omnivore, Insect, worms & berries |
Range map of the Ringed Ouzel
Orange – Passage
Yellow – Summer
Toco Toucan (Scientific name – Ramphastos toco)
This beautiful example of a black bird with a yellow beak is the Toco Toucan, the largest and possibly the one we know best from the toucan family. As you can see from the image above they have a very large beak, which is yellow-orange in colour, and has a black edging on the base of the beak with a black patch toward the end. Although their eyes look blue in actual fact they are black with a blue eye ring and outside of that, they have bare skin which is orange in colour. To finish off they have the whitest of throat and breast feathers.
An interesting fact about these birds is it is not very good at flying and therefore will be seen hopping from tree to tree.
| Measurements | Length – 55 -65 cm including the beak Weight – 600g |
| Native to | South America – Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, French Guiana, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname and Uruguay. |
| Habitat | Tropical rain forests |
| Diet | Omnivore – mainly fruit, but will take insects, lizards, eggs, birds |
Range map of the Toco Toucan
Yellow-legged thrush (Scientific name – Turdus flavipes)
This beautiful songbird is the Yellow-legged thrush. As its name suggests it has yellow legs. Although it is mainly black in colour, it has some slate grey plumage. The beak is a yellow-orange and also are the eye rings.
| Measurements | Length – 22 – 23 cm Weight – 55 -70g |
| Native to | South America, Caribbean |
| Habitat | Rain forests, woodlands |
| Diet | Mainly fruits & berries |
Range map of yellow-legged Thrush
Black-breasted Thrush (Scientific name – Turdus dissimilis)
Another of the Thrush family with black head and grey back plumage and a yellow beak is the Black-breasted thrush as seen in the above image. A lovely looking bird with yellow legs, yellow eye rings and a golden yellow-orange underbelly.
| Measurements | Length – 22 – 23.5 cm Weight – 75 – 80g |
| Native to | North Eastern Indian, Vietnam |
| Habitat | Tropical & subtropical Forests |
| Diet | Omnivore |
Range map of the Black-breasted Thrush
Common black hawk (Scientific name – Buteogallus anthracinus)
The Common black hawk is a handsome black bird with a yellow beak, as seen in the above image. Although it looks like they have a yellow beak, it is actually a yellow cere, which is the fleshy upper part of the beak or bill where their nostrils are. The lower part of the beak is dark grey-black.
In flight you can see these raptors have very broad wings and a short tail which has a white band on as you can see from the image below.
| Measurements | Length – 53 -60 cm Wingspan – 102 -127 cm Weight – 930g |
| Native to | North & South America |
| Habitat | Prefers habitat near water, Coastal mangrove swamps, lowland rainforests, mountain rivers |
| Diet | Birds, snakes, rodents, crabs, frogs, lizards, insects |
Range map of the Common black hawk
Double-crested cormorant (Scientific name – Phalacrocorax auritus)
The bird above has a sooty black plumage and a yellow cere, and throat, with the lower part of the beak being darker. These birds close up have the most beautiful coloured green eyes and inside their mouths are the most vivid blue as you can see in the image below. The blue in their mouths only happens during the breeding season to attract a partner.
These birds are water birds and are excellent fishermen. They can eat around 0.5kg of fish each day.
| Measurements | Length – 70 – 90 cm Wingspan – 45 – 48 cm Weight – 1200 – 2500g |
| Native to | North America |
| Habitat | Coastal areas, rivers & lakes |
| Diet | Mainly small fish, also crustaceans, amphibians & insects |
Range map of the Double-crested cormorant
Golden-headed manakin (Scientific name – CeratoPipra erythrocephala)
This sweet little looking bird is a Golden-headed manakin. It is one of 55 species of manakin in the world, and as its name suggests it has the most wonderful golden head as you can see in the image above. With the rest of its plumage a glossy black colour, a yellow beak and a white eye ring make this little compact bird quite striking.
| Measurements | Length – 9.4 cm Weight – 12.5g |
| Native to | Central & South America |
| Habitat | Humid forests & woodlands |
| Diet | Fruits, berries & insects |
Range map of the Golden-headed manakin
Yellow-throated toucan (Scientific name – Ramphastos ambiguus)
Another splendid black bird with a yellow beak is this amazing Yellow-throated toucan. With mainly black black plumage, it is set off by its extraordinary two-tone beak and yellow face, throat and breast with a white and crimson border.
| Measurements | Length – 47 – 61 cm Weight – 584 – 756g |
| Native to | Central & Northern South America |
| Habitat | Lowland forests, plantations, swamps |
| Diet | Mainly fruits, some insects, arthropods, young birds, eggs, small lizards |
Range map of the Yellow-throated toucan
Yellow-knobbed Curassow (Scientific name – Crax daubentoni)
Our next black bird with a yellow beak is the unusual looking Yellow-Knobbed Curassow. The males have yellow skin and a yellow knob on the base of the beak. This area called is the ‘cere’, The end of the beak is grey-black. The females have an all black beak. Their plumage is mainly black with a white underbelly, and the ends of its tail feathers, as seen in the images provided. They have a wonderful curly crest, which can be raised in defence, and for attracting a mate. These are large birds and are part of the game bird family.
According to the Birdlife data zone, unfortunately these birds are on the IUCN as a near threatened species. (BirdLife International, 2023).
| Measurements | Length – 2.8 – 3ft Weight – 2925 – 3200g |
| Native to | Northern Venezuela & Northeast Columbia |
| Habitat | Forests |
| Diet | Fruits, seeds, insects |
Range map of the Yellow-knobbed curassow
Yellow-Billed Magpie (Scientific name – Pica nuttalli)
The Yellow-billed magpie is a relative of the European, African and Asia black-billed magpie. A striking black and white bird with a yellow beak. It also has yellow eye rings, and the wings and tails are actually an iridescent blue-green and not black as it first appears. The ends of its wings are white but can only be seen in flight as seen in the image below.
| Measurements | Length – 43 -54 cm Weight – 150 – 170g |
| Native to | Endemic to California, North America |
| Habitat | Stream grove, open savannah, farmland, riversides |
| Diet | Omnivore, mainly insects, some plant and acorns in winter |
Range map of the Yellow-Billed Magpie
Verreaux eagle (Scientific name – Aquila verreauxii)
This is a magnificent large black eagle, with a yellow cere and dark grey lower beak, white rump and white wing patches as illustrated in the image above.
This bird, like a lot of raptors, can be spotted either high up in the thermals, or on a perch, looking out for its next meal.
Although this eagle can be persecuted by some farmers, their numbers are good and therefore is listed as least concern according to the IUCN. (BirdLife International (2023) IUCN Red List for birds)
| Measurements | Length – 80 -90 cm Wingspan – 181 – 219 cm Weight – 3.7 – 4.5 kg |
| Native to | Kenya, South Africa, Chad, Sudan, Ethiopia, Somalia, Egypt, Arab peninsula |
| Habitat | Rock hill & river gorges, mountainous, deserts |
| Diet | Rock hyraxes, reptiles, birds, small mammals |
Range map of the Verreaux eagle
Yellow-billed nunbird (Scientific name – Monasa Flavirostris)
The black bird with a yellow beak above is the Yellow-billed nunbird, as you can see it has a white patch to the top of its wings that make this quite a distinct bird.
| Measurements | Length – 23 -25 cm |
| Native to | South America |
| Habitat | Forests & forest edges |
| Diet | Insectivore |
Range map of the Yellow-billed nun
Black Thrush (Scientific name – Turdus infuscatus)
The black thrush or black robin as it was previously called, is a handsome black bird with a yellow-orange beak, a yellow eye ring and yellow-orange legs as you can see from the above image.
| Measurements | Length – 24 cm Weight – 71 – 81g |
| Native to | Central America & Mexico |
| Habitat | Tropical & subtropical forest |
| Diet | Fruits, berries, insects & worms |
Great Hornbill (Scientific name – Buceros Bicornis)
Another amazing example of a black bird with a yellow beak is the Great Hornbill as in the above image. This is the biggest of the Hornbill family, getting its name from the large horny growth on its beak called a casque. the casque is a hollow structure which is made up of a substance called keratin, the same substance that make our fingernails. The plumage is mainly black with a yellow neck and nape. They have some white feathers to the lower abdomen, tail and end of the wings and a bright red eyes.
| Measurements | Length – 95 – 130 cm Wingspan – 152 cm Weight – 3 – 4kg |
| Native to | China, India, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia, Malaysia, and Indonesia |
| Habitat | Forests |
| Diet | Mainly figs, Small birds, eggs, reptiles, amphibians, mammals & insects |
Range map of the Great Hornbill
Rhinoceros Hornbill (Scientific name – Buceros rhinoceros)
The above black bird with a yellow beak is the spectacular Rhinoceros Hornbill. Named after the turned up casque on the top of its beak, these are unusual looking tropical birds. The plumage in mainly black but they have some white and black tail feathers, and white feather to the rump. Both males and females look the same except for the eye rings, the males is red or orange and the female is white.
Unfortunately these magnificent birds are are the ICUN red list of threatened species. Classed as vulnerable, mainly due to hunting, as people still use them for food and medicine. The rest of the bird such as the feathers, beak and horn are used to adorn costumes and used in rituals (IUCN, 2023).
| Measurements | Length – 80 – 105 cm Wingspan – 150 cm Weight – 2.6 – 3.4g |
| Native to | SouthEast Asia, Malaysia, java, Borneo, Islands of Sumatra |
| Habitat | Forests |
| Diet | Mainly fruits, insects, some small birds, small reptiles, rodents |
Range map of the Rhinoceros Hornbill
Yellow-billed Loon (Scientific name – Gavia adamsii)
This attractive black and white diving water bird is a Yellow-billed Loon and is the largest of the loon family. They have a very pale yellow beak and a stunning red eyes. An interesting fact about these birds is that out of mating season the black colouring turns to brown.
| Measurements | Length – 84 – 97 cm Weight – 4.5 – 5kg |
| Native to | Northwestern Canada, Alaska, and Northeastern Eurasia |
| Habitat | Lakes & ponds |
| Diet | Fish |
Range map of the Yellow-billed Loon
In Summary;
We have looked at a wonderful variety of black birds with yellow beaks. You may possibly know some of the species we have seen, but I hope to have introduced you to some new species of black birds with yellow beaks.
If you have enjoyed reading this article about black birds with yellow beaks then I am sure you would enjoy another two article about black birds just follow the links; https://www.birdfinder.co/black-birds-with-green-heads/
https://www.birdfinder.co/a-list-of-20-birds-with-yellow-tails/
I hope you have found this article interesting. Feedback or comments are most welcome.
References;
https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/wildlife-guides/uk-conservation-status-explained/
http://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/yellow-knobbed-curassow-crax-daubentoni