Sometimes treasures happen when you arent even looking. While on a small lake hoping to capture some good photos of the geese flying south, I found a bird I knew nothing about in the water. It looks like a black duck with a white beak. This is an American coot. Thats not a duck: Meet 7
A bird’s beak plays an important role in its survival. Beaks are used for feeding, building nests, defending territory and much more. While beak colors vary widely in the avian world some species sport distinctive white beaks. These light-colored bills stand out against darker plumage.
Let’s take a closer look at 9 birds with stunning white beaks.
1. Northern Gannet
The Northern Gannet is a large seabird found in the North Atlantic Ocean. Adults have mostly white bodies, long necks, and a wingspan around 6 feet. Their beaks are pale blue-white.
These birds use their pointed bills to catch fish They dive from heights of up to 130 feet and plunge deep underwater to snag prey Northern Gannets nest colonially on cliffsides and remote islands.
2. Hawaiian Coot
The Hawaiian Coot is a small, dark waterbird measuring about 16 inches long It has a black body, white bill and white frontal shield above its bill.
This endangered species lives only in Hawaii. Hawaiian Coots stick to freshwater wetlands like those found at Percolation Pond and Kaneohe Bay. There are under 2,000 individuals left in the world.
3. American Coot
Also known as a mud hen, the American Coot frequents freshwater lakes and ponds across North America. It has black plumage, red eyes, and a distinctive white bill.
American Coots are migratory, spending winters in the southern U.S. and Central America. They build large nests up to 10 inches across on floating mats of vegetation. Their diet consists of algae, aquatic plants and insects.
4. Eurasian Coot
A close relative of the American Coot, the Eurasian Coot breeds across Europe and Asia in the summer. It has jet black feathers and a thick, white bill with a matching frontal shield.
Eurasian Coots live on freshwater lakes and rivers year-round in much of their range. But populations in China, Japan and Northern Europe migrate south for the winter. These birds are excellent swimmers.
5. Red-knobbed Coot
The Red-knobbed or Crested Coot makes its home in Spain, North Africa and sub-Saharan Africa. As its name suggests, it has distinctive red knobs above its white facial shield.
Red-knobbed Coots stick to freshwater habitats like lakes, dams and ponds. They build nests out of reeds right along the water’s edge. These birds swim by paddling with large, partially webbed feet.
6. Australian Magpie
The Australian Magpie is a familiar black and white bird of parks, fields and gardens across Australia. It has a sturdy bill that’s white with a black tip.
One unique fact about Australian Magpies: males have solid white backs while females have gray-flecked white backs. Outside of the breeding season, the two sexes look identical.
Introduced populations of this magpie now live in New Zealand after being brought there in the 1860s-1870s.
7. Eurasian Wigeon
The Eurasian Wigeon is a common duck across northern Europe and Asia. The male has gray body plumage with a pinkish chest and black rear. The female is light brown overall with a pale head. Both sexes have a bluish-gray bill with a black tip.
These ducks breed in subarctic areas before migrating south to escape the harsh winters. Eurasian Wigeons frequent shallow freshwater lakes, marshes and wet meadows while on their wintering grounds.
8. Pied-Billed Grebe
The Pied-billed Grebe is a small, secretive waterbird of North America. It has brown plumage, a black-ringed white bill, and lobes on its toes.
Pied-billed Grebes live year-round in the southern U.S. and migrate north to breed during summer. They inhabit ponds, lakes, marshes and sluggish streams. Thanks to their camouflage, they’re difficult to spot!
9. Crimson-Backed Tanager
The Crimson-backed Tanager is a brightly colored songbird of Central and South America. The male has a blood-red head, chest and back. Its short, conical bill is silvery-white. Meanwhile, the female is dull olive overall with a darker bill.
This tanager frequents tropical forests and second growth. It uses its bill to pluck fruit and seize insects on the wing. The Crimson-backed Tanager can be found from Mexico down to Bolivia and central Brazil.
Those are 9 birds sporting elegant white beaks. A pale bill can be striking against darker plumage while also serving important functions like feeding and grooming. The next time you see a flash of white while birdwatching, it just might belong to one of these unique species.
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What Does an American Coot Look Like?
American coots are related to the rails. If you get a good look at this black water bird, notice the white chicken-like beak (bill) and frontal shield. They also have partially lobed toes, not webbed feet like ducks, and red eyes.
Initially you might have thought the American coot is a duck, or perhaps a goose. The most noticeable field mark for the black colored bird is the white bill, which is compressed vertically rather than horizontally like a duck. The American coot also has a black spot on the end of the bill. Dont miss these amazing
American Coot Range and Migration
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FAQ
What bird has a white beak?
The coot can be distinguished from the similar Moorhen by its white beak and ‘shield’, and its entirely black body.
How rare is an American Coot?
Partners in Flight estimates the global breeding population at 7.1 million and rates them 8 out of 20 on the Continental Concern Score, indicating a species …
What is a black wading bird with a white beak?
Coots are dark-gray to black birds with a bright-white bill and forehead. The legs are yellow-green. At close range you may see a small patch of red on the forehead. You’ll find coots eating aquatic plants on almost any body of water.
Is a coot a duck?
Many people confuse the American Coot with different species of ducks. In fact, Captain Lewis, when writing in March 1806 at Fort Clatsop, called the coot a “black duck.” While they do resemble a duck, coots are actually members of the Rallidae family.
Do white birds have long beaks?
White birds with long beaks tend to live near bodies of water. The long bill helps them to catch fish and other kinds of aquatic prey. It’s also possible that their white feathers make them hard for their prey to see. Here are nine plus birds with white feathers and long beaks. 1. Snowy Egret
What birds have long beaks?
The group of white birds with long beaks is surprisingly diverse and ranges from the Great Egret – a denizen of wetlands to the Masked Booby – an emphatic bird that roams the open oceans, only returning to islands to breed.
Why do birds have a white beak?
A bird’s beak is an important aspect of any bird species. It is responsible for the breaking down of food, killing prey, and used for defense. They can use their beaks to manipulate objects, build nests, feed nestlings, and for heat regurgitation. Some birds have a white beak, which makes them stand out against other species.
What does a white beak bird look like?
There is a blue tinge to the head that is prominent during the breeding season. The wings have dark brown edges. The beak is white-blue with bare skin around the eyes and mouth. As juveniles, they are gray and become white over five years, as they reach maturity. This white-beaked bird is found on both sides of the North Atlantic.
What does a white bird look like?
White birds in the United States include species with a white head, white body, and white tail. They may also have black wingtips spotted with white, yellow legs, eyes, and bill with a black band. These birds range from 16.9 to 21.3 inches in length and have a wingspan of 41.3 to 46.1 inches. They are often found near aquatic habitats.
What does a black bird look like?
The most noticeable field mark for the black colored bird is the white bill, which is compressed vertically rather than horizontally like a duck. The American coot also has a black spot on the end of the bill. Don’t miss these amazing duck pictures.