13 Species of Black Bird Commonly Found In Florida

The state of Florida is blessed with a large number of different bird species that make their home here. Some of these birds never leave the state and others only visit during the winter.

Have you ever wondered how many species of black birds you can find in Florida? We’ve done some research and have come up with the following list. While these birds may not always be all black, for most, this is the dominant color of their feathers.

13 Species Of Black Birds Commonly Found In Florida

There are around 13 species of black birds that we have found around Florida. Not surprisingly, some of these are actually blackbirds. Here are some interesting facts about these 13 species.

A lot of these birds are quite common backyard birds and some will even come and visit your feeders if you have any out.

1. American Coot

The American coot is a water bird and is shaped very similar to a chicken. It has a rounded head with black feathers all over. The beak is sloping and bright white in color. These birds have red eyes and a tiny patch of red on their forehead.

These cute waterbirds can be found on almost any body of water around Florida. They do look quite like ducks when they’re swimming on the water. Interestingly, these birds can fly but they don’t do it very well. They actually need to take quite a run-up to achieve take off.

2. American Crow

Most people would be familiar with the American crow as it can be found all over the country. These are large birds that are glossy black all over with a black beak. They have fairly broad wings and their tails are short, rounded and squared off at the tip.

American crows can be found in most areas in the state of Florida. They’re actually intelligent birds and are very good at problem solving. They tend to inhabit urban areas where there are plenty of people. It’s in these areas that they can often find a free feed by raiding garbage bins and discarded food containers.

3. Anhinga

These pretty waterbirds are large and quite slender. They have long fan-like tails much like a turkey’s tail. Their long necks are s-shaped and they have a long dagger-like bill. The male birds have black feathers with silver and white streaks on their backs and wings. Female birds have tan feathers on their heads, necks and breast.

Anhingas have an interesting way of swimming. Generally, they will swim along fully or partly submerged with only their long necks and heads out of the water. After they’ve been in the water, you can often see these birds perched on a log with their wings outstretched drying themselves off.

4. Boat-Tailed Grackle

These pretty songbirds have glossy black feathers all over. They have a bluish glow on the back. The male birds have a very long tail that they fold up in a v-shape. Female birds have dark brown backs and russet colored chests. You’ll find these birds mostly along the coastline. However, they have been known to also inhabit inland areas away from the coast.

These birds are omnivores and will feed on almost anything they can find. This includes human food scraps, seeds and even crustaceans that they can find along the shorelines.

5. Brewer’s Blackbird

This is another species of blackbird where the male birds have slightly different colorings to the female. Male birds have glossy black feathers all over. They also have yellow eyes and a bluish shine on their heads. On the other hand, the females have dark brown feathers and a dark eye.

These blackbirds feed on the ground and can often be found in busy streets and city parks. They also inhabit grasslands, meadows, golf courses and riversides.

6. Common Grackle

Common grackles are blackbirds and from a distance, they do indeed appear black all over. However, once you get closer, you’ll notice that they have glossy purple feathers on their heads and their body feathers are actually a dark bronze color. They also have bright golden eyes. The female birds have similar colorings but they are not as glossy.

These birds like to hang out in flocks and you can often see them perched on telephone wires. They’re common in both urban and rural areas where they can find plenty of food.

7. Red-Cockaded Woodpecker

Red-cockaded woodpeckers are mainly black and white. They are one of the smaller of the woodpecker species. These birds have a white patch on their cheeks with the tops of their heads being black. They also have a bold black stripe under the cheek. The feathers on their backs are black and white striped. The male birds have a hard-to-see red streak on their cockade.

Unfortunately, this woodpecker is now on the endangered species list due to a major loss of habitat such as old-growth pine forests. These birds favor pine trees to roost in and also create cavities for their nests. With the loss of pine forests, these birds are losing their favorite habitat and breeding ground.

8. Red-Winged Blackbird

The red-winged blackbird is as black as night except for very distinctive red and yellow patches on their shoulders. The females of the species lack the bold coloring and are more dark brown all over. But, they do have white eyebrows. These birds primarily inhabit fresh and saltwater marshes and waterways.

9. Rusty Blackbird

Male rusty blackbirds have glossy black feathers that take on a rusty colored edge in the winter. They have pale yellow eyes and buff eyebrows. The females of the species have gray-brown feathers, also with the rusty edges. Like most blackbirds, these birds feed on the ground by flipping over leaves and bark to find the insects underneath.

10. Smooth-Billed Ani

The first thing you’ll notice about the smooth-billed ani is their parrot-like beak. This bill is arched and has a permanent ridge on the top. These birds have black feathers all over and a long tapered tail. In the sunlight, the bird’s feather take on a bronze glow. Smooth-billed anis are normally found in dense scrub land where they forage for lizards, insects and other small vertebrates.

11. Snail Kite

This medium-sized raptor has broad wings, long legs, a long broad tail and a slim hooked bill. Male birds have dark gray feathers that appear black from a distance. They also have a black tail that has a patch of white at its base. Their beaks are bright yellow with a dark gray tip. The female birds have similar colorings but are slightly browner and they also have whitish feathers around their face.

12. Swallow-Tailed Kite

The swallow-tailed kite is another raptor but it has a combination of black and white feathers. These birds have white feathers on their heads and bellies. The inner top of their wings also have white feathers. However, the feathers on their backs, tails and around their wings are all black. Swallow-tailed kites also have black eyes and a short, hooked black beak.

13. White-Crowned Pigeon

The white-crowned pigeon is quite distinctive in its appearance. It has muted black feathers all over with just a patch of white on the top of the head going down to just below the eye. These birds appear quite plump but have a smaller head than the common rock pigeons. The male birds also have a patch of iridescent green feathers at the nape of their neck. They also have red legs and a red beak with a pale tip.

Final Thoughts

Florida is home to hundreds of different bird species. Of these, around 13 species can be regarded as black birds. Most of these are songbirds, but there are also some waterbirds and a couple of raptors.

You can find these birds both in suburban backyards, along the coastline and in rural areas all around the state.