Several species of birds around the world are distinguished by their striking white tails The white tail feathers provide these birds with some unique benefits and serve important purposes related to their behavior and ecology In this article, we’ll highlight some of the most notable birds with white tails and explore why this characteristic evolved.
Identification and Key Facts
Some of the most well-known birds with predominantly white tails include
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White-tailed tropicbird – A seabird found across tropical oceans known for aerial courtship displays.
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White-tailed hawk – A bird of prey native to the grasslands and coast of Central and South America.
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White-tailed kite – A small raptor found in open habitats that hovers while hunting.
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White-tailed eagle – One of the largest birds of prey native to Europe and Asia.
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Snow quail – A gamebird that lives in rocky alpine habitats and turns all white in winter.
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Hummingbirds like the white-tailed sabrewing and white-tailed goldenthroat. The long white tail feathers are shown off by males during mating displays.
The white tail plumage is often most prominent or exclusive to the males of a species. It tends to stand out starkly against darker body plumage.
Courtship and Communication
For many birds, the white tail serves an important role in courtship displays and communication.
Male hummingbirds perform elaborate display flights, rapidly hovering and diving to show off their striking white tail feathers to potential mates. Similar behavior is seen in white-tailed tropicbirds.
Flicking, fanning, or spreading the tail can also signal aggression or convey other meanings to rivals or partners. The highly visible white tail can send a clear visual message.
Camouflage
In some species like the snow quail, the white tail provides camouflage that blends into the surrounding snowy habitat in winter. This offers protection from predators.
The white tail markings of the white-tailed stonechat are thought to act as disruptive camouflage when the bird is perched among white and black rocks in its marshy habitat.
Identification
The distinctive white tail provides an easily observed identification marking that stands out in the field compared to related dark-tailed species. Even in fast flight at a distance, the flashing white tail confirms the identification.
Researchers can therefore reliably study and track populations of white-tailed species via observation. Citizen scientists also find the white tail easy to spot and report.
Still a Mystery
In some cases, scientists are still uncertain about the exact purpose of the striking white tails. There are likely multiple benefits that vary between habitats and lifestyles.
There is much more still to learn about how and why white plumage evolved on the tails of so many otherwise dark bird species worldwide. The many theories highlight how important bird tails are beyond just a means of steering in flight.
So next time you observe a bird with a white tail, take a moment to appreciate both its beauty and the hidden stories behind that single flashing feather.
White-tailed Hawk Photos and Videos
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Although there are three named subspecies of White-tailed Hawk, only one (hypospodius) occurs in the United States; it ranges south to northern Colombia and western Venezuela. Two other subspecies (colonus and albicaudatus) occur in South America. Search for species name or keywords
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FAQ
What bird has a white tail?
The White-tailed Eagle makes its home in a variety of habitats, but, it is usually found near water in river valleys, floodplains, and along sea- and lakeshores, or even out to sea. It spends time near fish farms.
What large birds have white tail feathers?
Adult Bald Eagles are perhaps the most well-known raptor in the world. Birders and non-birders are familiar with their characteristic white head and tail, especially in the U.S., where it is the nation’s symbol.
What is a GREY bird with white tail tips?
With dark gray upperparts and a neat white tip to the tail, the Eastern Kingbird looks like it’s wearing a business suit. And this big-headed, broad-shouldered bird does mean business—just watch one harassing crows, Red-tailed Hawks, Great Blue Herons, and other birds that pass over its territory.
Are White-tailed Hawks rare?
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Conservation Status:BirdLife International categorizes the White-tailed Hawk as a species of “Least Concern”.
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Population Trends:
- While they are fairly common throughout most of their range, their populations have declined in areas where their forest habitats have been destroyed for agriculture and livestock.
- The government of Mexico has given the White Hawk special conservation status because researchers estimate over half of its population has been lost in Mexico over the last 100 years.
- In Texas, they were considered uncommon to locally common in the past, and numbers may have decreased since historic times.
- While they are fairly common throughout most of their range, their populations have declined in areas where their forest habitats have been destroyed for agriculture and livestock.
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Habitat:
- White-tailed Hawks are found in a variety of habitats, including grasslands, prairies, and coastal areas.
- They are particularly common in native prairie and other grasslands, especially in coastal and southeastern Texas.
- White-tailed Hawks are found in a variety of habitats, including grasslands, prairies, and coastal areas.
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Challenges:
- Their greatest challenge is loss of habitat from overgrazing, cultivation, and development.
- They are also sensitive to nest disturbance.
- Their greatest challenge is loss of habitat from overgrazing, cultivation, and development.
What do small birds with white tails look like?
Small birds with white tails have interesting traits. Their feathers, including the white underparts, help us tell them apart. Some have dark grey or light brown bodies with white tails. The White-tailed Hawk is a great example. It has a grey back and red shoulders. Young ones have brown bodies with a white chest and banded tails.
Are there black birds with white tail feathers?
Below we will explore some of the small black birds with white tail feathers you can find in the United States, including where and when to see them. While black-and-white is a common color scheme to come across in the wild, not many birds in the U.S. completely fit the bill of being black with a white tail.
Do crows have white tails?
A species of rainforests, White-Tailed Jays (Cyanocorax mystacalis) are a type of corvids, a group of birds that also include crows. While there are some resemblances between crows and White-Tailed Jays, these birds are mostly white. They feature white dorsal tail margins and white undertails.
Do all birds have white tails?
The tails of many bird species can be white for males alone, as a result. Some of the following species only show white tails for males while females may have darker tails. Others show a combination of white tails both for males and females.
What is a white tailed hawk?
You may confuse this hawk with White-tailed, Red-tailed, and Ferruginous Hawks. White-tailed Hawk – White-tailed Hawks can be distinguished by their distinct black band at the end of their white tail, while Swainson’s Hawks have narrow dark bands along their tail.
Why do birds have white tails?
There’s also a white collar on a mostly dark brown species. White dorsal tail sections are seen when the feathers are spread wide open. The tail is believed to have a distinct role in the species as birds can flick them when flying. Males undergo small nuance changes or adaptations for the breeding season.