21 STUNNING Orange and Black Birds [Photos & Guide]

Feast your eyes on 21 orange and black birds that’ll make your inner ornithologist swoon!

Discover these colorful creatures, each flaunting their own Halloween-worthy plumage. Let’s dive in!

21 Orange and Black Birds

Here are 21 orange and black birds with their identification:

  1. Baltimore Oriole (Icterus galbula)

The Baltimore Oriole (Icterus galbula) is a medium-sized bird belonging to the family Icteridae. 

The male has striking orange plumage on its underparts, head, and rump, while its back, wings, and tail are black. 

The female is a duller yellow-orange on its underparts and gray-brown on its back and wings. Both sexes have a black bill, and the male has a distinctive black face mask.

The Baltimore Oriole’s song is a rich, whistling series of notes that often sound like “oriole, oriole, oriole.” 

These birds are a popular sight among birdwatchers, and their vibrant plumage and sweet song make them a welcome addition to any backyard or garden.

  1. Blackburnian Warbler (Setophaga fusca)

The Blackburnian Warbler (Setophaga fusca) is a small songbird that breeds in the forests of eastern North America and migrates to South America during the winter months. 

The male has striking orange plumage on its throat and breast, which contrasts sharply with its black and white head and back. 

The female has similar markings but is duller in color.

Blackburnian Warblers are typically found high in the tree canopy, foraging for insects such as caterpillars and spiders. 

They are known for their distinctive high-pitched song, which is often described as “zee-zee-zee-zoo-zee.” 

These birds are migratory and undertake a long journey to their wintering grounds in Central and South America. 

They face habitat loss and climate change threats, which can affect their breeding success and migration patterns. 

Blackburnian Warblers are considered a symbol of healthy forests, as they depend on mature trees for their habitat and are indicators of forest health.

  1. Black-vented Oriole (Icterus wagleri)

The Black-vented Oriole (Icterus wagleri) is a medium-sized bird belonging to the family Icteridae. It is native to Central America and Mexico, and is a rare visitor to the southernmost parts of the United States. 

The male has striking orange plumage on its underparts, head, and upper back, while its wings and tail are black. 

The female is similar but duller in color.

Black-vented Orioles are typically found in open woodlands and forest edges, where they forage for insects, nectar, and fruit. 

They are known for their distinctive, flutelike songs, which are often heard in the early morning and late afternoon. 

They also have a variety of calls, including a harsh, scolding call used to warn of predators.

The Black-vented Oriole is a protected species in some parts of its range due to habitat loss and capture for the pet trade.

  1. Flame-colored Tanager (Piranga bidentata)

The Flame-colored Tanager (Piranga bidentata) is a medium-sized songbird that is found in Central America and northern South America. 

The male has striking, bright orange-red plumage, with a black face and wings, while the female is a duller yellowish-green with a gray head.

Flame-colored Tanagers are typically found in mountainous areas and forests, where they forage for insects and fruit. 

The Flame-colored Tanager is also sometimes kept as a cage bird for its beauty and singing ability, but this practice is illegal in many countries due to the threat to wild populations.

  1. Golden-winged Warbler (Vermivora chrysoptera)

The Golden-winged Warbler (Vermivora chrysoptera) is a small songbird that breeds in North America and winters in Central and South America. 

The male has a striking black mask on its face, with bright yellow patches on its crown and wings. Its back and sides are bluish-gray, while its underparts are white. 

The female is similar but with duller coloration.

Golden-winged Warblers are typically found in young forests and shrublands, where they forage for insects and spiders. 

They are known for their high-pitched songs, which consist of a series of buzzes and trills. 

  1. Hooded Oriole (Icterus cucullatus)

The Hooded Oriole (Icterus cucullatus) is a medium-sized bird that is found in western North America, particularly in desert and semi-arid habitats. 

The male has bright orange-yellow plumage on its head, breast, and belly, with a black mask around its eyes. Its back and wings are black, while its tail is yellow. 

The female is a duller yellow with grayish-brown on its head and wings.

These birds are a common sight in their range and are sometimes attracted to backyard feeders with nectar and fruit. 

They face threats from habitat loss due to development and agriculture, as well as from the introduction of non-native species that compete with them for food and nesting sites. 

  1. Lark Bunting (Calamospiza melanocorys)

The Lark Bunting (Calamospiza melanocorys) is a medium-sized bird that is found in the western United States, particularly in grasslands and prairies. 

The male has black plumage with white wing patches, while the female is brownish-gray with streaks on its back and sides.

Lark Buntings feed on insects, seeds, and grains, and are known for their melodious songs, which consist of a series of whistles and trills. 

These birds are migratory and undertake a long journey to their wintering grounds in Mexico. 

They face threats from habitat loss due to agriculture and development and collisions with man-made structures such as power lines and wind turbines.

  1. Orchard Oriole (Icterus spurius)

The Orchard Oriole (Icterus spurius) is a small passerine bird that is found in eastern North America, particularly in woodlands and orchards. 

The male has striking orange-red plumage on its underparts, head, upper back, and black wings and tail. 

The female is olive-green with yellowish underparts.

Orchard Orioles feed mainly on insects, fruit, and nectar, and are known for their distinctive, warbling songs, which consist of a series of whistles and trills. 

These birds are migratory and undertake a long journey to their wintering grounds in Central and South America. 

They face threats from habitat loss due to deforestation and urbanization and from predation by cats and other animals. 

  1. Painted Redstart (Myioborus pictus)

The Painted Redstart (Myioborus pictus) is a small songbird that is found in southwestern United States and Mexico. 

The male has striking black and red plumage, with white patches on its wings and tail, while the female has gray and yellow-brown plumage with white patches.

Painted Redstarts are typically found in mountainous areas and forests, where they forage for insects and spiders by hopping and flitting around tree branches. 

They are known for their high-pitched songs, which consist of a series of trills and buzzes. 

These birds face threats from habitat loss due to deforestation, urbanization, and climate change, which can affect their breeding success and migration patterns. 

  1. Pyrrholuxia (Pyrrhuloxia sinuata)

The Pyrrhuloxia (Pyrrhuloxia sinuata) is a medium-sized bird that is found in the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. 

It is a cardinal family member and sometimes called the “Desert Cardinal.” 

The male has a striking red crest on its head, with a grayish-brown body, while the female is brownish-gray with a reddish crest and wings.

Pyrrhuloxias feed mainly on seeds and fruits and are known for their distinctive, metallic chipping calls. They are typically found in arid and semi-arid habitats such as deserts and scrublands. 

They are also known to visit backyard feeders for seeds and fruits.

These birds face threats from habitat loss due to urbanization and agriculture and predation by introduced species such as cats. 

Pyrrhuloxia is a popular subject for birdwatchers and photographers due to its unique appearance and interesting behaviors.

  1. Red-winged Blackbird

The Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus) is a medium-sized passerine bird belonging to the family Icteridae. 

The male has a glossy black plumage with distinctive red and yellow patches on its shoulders, which are used to display during the breeding season. T

The female is smaller and has a streaky brownish-black plumage with a paler breasts.

Red-winged Blackbirds are commonly found throughout much of North America, particularly in wetlands, marshes, and fields. 

They feed on insects, seeds, and small fruits. They are known for their distinctive conk-la-ree song, often heard during breeding season as males perch on cattails or other tall vegetation to establish their territory.

  1. Rose-breasted Grosbeak (Pheucticus ludovicianus)

Rose-breasted Grosbeak (Pheucticus ludovicianus) is a medium-sized songbird found in North America. 

The male has black and white plumage with a distinctive rose-colored breast, while the female is brownish with streaks on its breast.

Rose-breasted Grosbeaks feed mainly on insects, seeds, and fruits and are known for their sweet, warbling songs. 

These birds face threats from habitat loss due to deforestation and urbanization and collisions with man-made structures such as power lines and wind turbines.

  1. Rusty Blackbird (Euphagus carolinus)

The Rusty Blackbird (Euphagus carolinus) is a medium-sized songbird that is found in North America, particularly in wetland habitats such as bogs and swamps. 

The male has a glossy black plumage with rusty feathers on its back and wings, while the female is duller with a brownish-black plumage.

Rusty Blackbirds feed mainly on insects, spiders, and other invertebrates, as well as on seeds and fruit. 

They are known for their high-pitched, flute-like calls and their unique behavior of foraging in shallow water for insects and other prey.

These birds face threats from habitat loss due to wetland destruction and degradation, as well as from pollution and climate change. 

  1. Scarlet Tanager (Piranga olivacea)

The Scarlet Tanager (Piranga olivacea) is a medium-sized songbird that is found in North and South America, particularly in deciduous forests. 

The male has a bright red plumage with black wings, while the female is yellow-green with olive-colored wings.

Scarlet Tanagers feed mainly on insects and fruit and are known for their distinctive, musical songs, consisting of short phrases. 

These birds face threats from habitat loss due to deforestation and urbanization, as well as from collisions with man-made structures such as power lines and wind turbines.

  1. Summer Tanager (Piranga rubra)

The Summer Tanager (Piranga rubra) is a medium-sized songbird that is found in North and South America, particularly in deciduous and pine-oak forests. 

The male has a striking, bright red plumage, while the female is a duller yellow-green with a yellowish underbelly.

Summer Tanagers feed mainly on insects and fruit and are known for their clear, whistling songs, consisting of various high-pitched notes and trills. 

These birds face threats from habitat loss due to deforestation and urbanization and collisions with man-made structures such as power lines and wind turbines.

  1. Tawny-faced Gnatwren (Microbates cinereiventris)

The Tawny-faced Gnatwren (Microbates cinereiventris) is a small, insectivorous bird that is found in Central and South America, particularly in forest and woodland habitats.

The male has a striking black and white plumage with a tawny-colored face and breast, while the female is a duller gray-brown with a pale throat.

Tawny-faced Gnatwrens feed mainly on small insects and spiders and are known for their high-pitched, insect-like songs, consisting of trills and warbles. 

They are also known for their unique behavior of foraging in mixed-species flocks, which can include other bird species such as antbirds and woodcreepers.

These birds face threats from habitat loss due to deforestation, agriculture, and climate change, which can affect their breeding success and migration patterns. 

  1. Troupial (Icterus icterus)

The Troupial (Icterus icterus) is a large, striking bird that is found in South America, particularly in open habitats such as savannas and grasslands. 

The male has a bright orange-yellow plumage with black wings and tail, while the female is a duller brownish-yellow with streaks on its underparts.

Troupials feed mainly on insects, fruit, and nectar, and are known for their melodious, flute-like songs, which consist of a series of whistles and trills. 

They are also known for their distinctive, hanging basket nests, which are made of plant fibers and woven onto tree branches.

These birds face threats from habitat loss due to deforestation and agricultural expansion, as well as from the pet trade, where they are sometimes captured for their striking appearance and vocal abilities. 

  1. Varied Bunting (Passerina versicolor)

The Varied Bunting (Passerina versicolor) is a small, colorful bird that is found in Mexico and the southwestern United States, particularly in arid habitats such as deserts and scrublands. 

The male has a bright blue head, neck, and breast, with a reddish-orange back, while the female is a duller brownish-gray with streaks on its underparts.

Varied Buntings feed mainly on seeds and insects and are known for their sweet, whistling songs, consisting of notes and trills. 

These birds face threats from habitat loss due to urbanization and agriculture and predation by introduced species such as cats. 

  1. Vermilion Flycatcher (Pyrocephalus rubinus)

The Vermilion Flycatcher (Pyrocephalus rubinus) is a small, brightly colored bird that is found in the southwestern United States, Mexico, and Central and South America, particularly in open habitats such as grasslands and deserts. 

The male has a striking, bright red plumage with black wings and tail, while the female is a duller brownish-red with a reddish underbelly.

Vermilion Flycatchers feed mainly on insects, which they catch in mid-air using their agile flight abilities. 

They are known for their high-pitched, melodious songs, consisting of whistles and trills. 

  1. Western Tanager (Piranga ludoviciana)

The Western Tanager (Piranga ludoviciana) is a medium-sized songbird in western North America, particularly in coniferous forests and mountainous areas. 

The male has a striking, bright yellow plumage with a redhead and black wings, while the female is a duller yellow-green with grayish wings.

Conservation efforts are underway to protect their habitat and promote responsible land use practices. 

The Western Tanager is a popular subject for birdwatchers and photographers due to its vibrant plumage and interesting behaviors.

  1. Wilson’s Warbler (Cardellina pusilla)

The Wilson’s Warbler (Cardellina pusilla) is a small, insectivorous songbird found in North America, particularly in deciduous and mixed forests. 

The male has a bright yellow plumage with a black cap, while the female is a duller yellow-green with a grayish cap.

During the breeding season, males establish and defend territories using songs and displays, which involve puffing out their chest feathers and spreading their wings to show off their bright plumage.

Conservation efforts are underway to protect their habitat and promote sustainable forestry practices. 

The Wilson’s Warbler is a popular subject for birdwatchers and researchers due to its unique biology and ecology.

What is the most common black and orange bird in North America?

The most common black and orange bird in North America is the Baltimore Oriole.

Do all black and orange birds have the same diet?

No, the diet of black and orange birds can vary depending on the species.

How can I attract black and orange birds to my backyard?

Planting fruit trees or offering fruit or nectar in feeders can attract black and orange birds to your backyard.

Are black and orange birds migratory, or do they stay in one place all year round?

Some black and orange bird species are migratory, while others stay in one place all year round.

What is the lifespan of a typical black and orange bird?

The lifespan of a typical black and orange bird varies depending on the species, but can range from 2 to 10 years.

How do black and orange birds differ in behavior and habitat from other bird species?

Black and orange birds can differ in behavior and habitat from other bird species depending on their unique adaptations and ecological niches.

Exploring the Diversity and Beauty of Black and Orange Birds

The world of black and orange birds is diverse and fascinating, with each species exhibiting unique behaviors, habitats, and ecological roles. 

From the vibrant plumage of the Troupial and the Summer Tanager to the melodious songs of the Wilson’s Warbler and the Vermilion Flycatcher, these birds capture the attention and imagination of birdwatchers and researchers alike. 

However, many of these species also face threats from habitat loss, climate change, and other human activities, highlighting the importance of conservation efforts to protect these beautiful and vital creatures. 

By learning more about these birds and taking action to protect their habitats, we can help ensure that they continue to thrive for generations to come.

Conclusion

The orange and black bird is a beautiful and fascinating creature, one that has been celebrated for centuries in literature, art, and folklore.

Its striking coloration makes it an unmistakable sight in many parts of the world – from Europe to Asia and from North America to Central and South America. While its habitat preferences mean you may have difficulty spotting the orange and blackbird in the wild, its distinctive coloration makes them easy to spot in aviaries and zoos.

Julian Goldie - Owner of ChiperBirds.com

Julian Goldie

I'm a bird enthusiast and creator of Chipper Birds, a blog sharing my experience caring for birds. I've traveled the world bird watching and I'm committed to helping others with bird care. Contact me at [email protected] for assistance.