Michigan’s diverse ecosystems support a wide variety of black and white birds in Michigan with striking black and white plumage. These visually stunning species span different families and behaviors, from songbirds to raptors to wading birds. Birdwatchers prize sightings of these charismatic black and white birds in Michigan, whether perching, soaring, wading, or migrating through the state.
Did you recently see a mystery BLACK and WHITE bird in Michigan?
If you’ve recently spotted a black and white bird with striking plumage in Michigan, you may have seen one of our many resident or migrating species. The state’s diverse habitats host woodpeckers, songbirds, raptors, waterbirds and more displaying beautiful patterns.
In our forests, keep an eye out for the black and white warbler creeping along branches, nuthatches scurrying down trunks, or chickadees singing their namesakes. Woodpeckers like the downy and red-bellied also exhibit black and white plumage while drilling into trees. In open wetlands, white egrets slowly wade through shallows while dark cormorants perch with wings spread.
Soaring high above, the broad-winged hawk and American kestrels showcase mottled black-and-white patterns. The peregrine falcon migrates through Michigan using its superb speed and aerial agility. Near the water, watch for the distinctive bald eagle with a white head and a dark brown body.
With diverse habitats, Michigan hosts many potential black and white bird sightings. Let us know if you spot one of these special species. Share a photo or description with your local Audubon chapter to help identify your mystery bird. Then you can continue marveling at the beautiful plumage patterns all around our state.
Names of Black and White Birds in Michigan
| # | Bird Species | Overview | Location in Michigan |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Black and white Warbler | Small songbird with striped black and white pattern. Breeds in deciduous and mixed forests. Forages by creeping along branches and gleaning insects. | The smallest woodpecker in Michigan. Black and white with spotted tail feathers. Drills into trees searching for insects. |
| 2 | Black-billed Magpie | Small, active songbird found throughout Michigan. Blackcap and bib, white cheeks, gray underparts. Excavates nest cavities in rotted trees and stumps. | Open areas with scattered trees and thickets, including farmlands, across northern and central Michigan |
| 3 | Black-capped Chickadee | Large, noisy bird found across northern and central Michigan. Black and white with a long tail and yellow bill. Nests in trees eat an omnivorous diet. | Deciduous and mixed woodlands across Michigan |
| 4 | Tufted Titmouse | Plump, gray bird with black forehead and tufted crest. Inhabits deciduous and mixed forests. Loud “peter-peter” call. | Deciduous and mixed forests across Michigan |
| 5 | White-breasted Nuthatch | Small songbird with black cap and stripe, white face, rusty underside. Forages for insects on tree trunks and branches. | Deciduous forests and wooded suburbs across Michigan |
| 6 | Downy Woodpecker | Looks similar to Downy but larger with longer, sturdier bills. Excavates nest cavities in live trees. | Across Michigan |
| 7 | Hairy Woodpecker | The largest woodpecker excavates huge cavities. Mostly black with a bright red crest. Feeds on carpenter ants and beetle larvae. | Deciduous and coniferous forests across Michigan |
| 8 | Pileated Woodpecker | Michigan’s smallest falcon. The male has rusty barred plumage, female has brown. Preys on insects, small mammals, and reptiles. | Across Michigan |
| 9 | Red-bellied Woodpecker | Black and white zebra stripes on the back, red on the lower belly. Eats beetles, ants, fruits, nuts. | Open woodlands across Michigan |
| 10 | Northern Flicker | Large woodpecker with brown barred plumage and black spots. Feeds on ants and beetles on the ground. | Open woodlands across Michigan |
| 11 | American Kestrel | The long-winged hawk flies with wings in a V-shape. Cruises low over marshes and fields. | Open country across Michigan |
| 12 | Merlin | Small, swift falcon found in Michigan in winter. Preys on small birds by streaking through the air. | Winters across Michigan |
| 13 | Peregrine Falcon | Fastest animal on Earth. Slate-blue above, lighter below with dark bars. Preys on birds captured mid-air. | Migrates through Michigan |
| 14 | Bald Eagle | Large raptor with white head and tail, dark brown body. Found near rivers and lakes. Eats mainly fish but also waterfowl. | Rivers and lakes across Michigan |
| 15 | Cooper’s Hawk | Crow-sized woodland hawk. Steely blue-gray upperparts, barred underbelly. | Rural and urban areas with trees across Michigan |
| 16 | Sharp-shinned Hawk | Small, forest-dwelling hawk with barred underparts. Short, rounded wings and long tail. | Northern forests migrate across Michigan |
| 17 | Red-tailed Hawk | Common, widespread raptor. Stocky, broad-winged with a reddish-brown tail. Preys on rodents and other small animals. | Across Michigan |
| 18 | Rough-legged Hawk | Large raptor of open country with dark wrist patches and belly stripes. Breeds in the Arctic. | Winters in grasslands and marshes across Michigan |
| 19 | Northern Goshawk | Fierce predator of boreal and mixed forests. Slate-gray above with white eyebrow stripes. | Forests across Michigan |
| 20 | Broad-winged Hawk | Small buteo with dark brown back and rufous barring below. Migrates in huge flocks. | Breeds across Michigan |
| 21 | Red-shouldered Hawk | Striking black and white checkered wings. Lives in swampy woodlands and bottomlands. | Wetland forests across Michigan |
| 22 | Northern forests migrate across Michigan | Long-winged, long-tailed hawk. Brown above with white throat and breast patches. | Grasslands, agricultural areas across Michigan |
| 23 | Ferruginous Hawk | North America’s largest buteo. Inhabits open grasslands of western Plains. Some in western Michigan. | Western sections of Michigan |
| 24 | Northern Harrier | Marshes, fields, and grasslands across Michigan | Northern forests migrates across Michigan |
| 25 | Sharp-shinned Hawk | Small, forest-dwelling accipiter with barred underparts. Surprise attacks on small birds in dense cover. | Northern forests migrate across Michigan |
| 26 | Cooper’s Hawk | Crow-sized woodland hawk with steely blue-gray upperparts and barred underbelly. | Rural and urban forests across Michigan |
| 27 | Northern Goshawk | Fierce forest predator. Slate-gray above with white eyebrow stripes. Short, broad wings and long tail. | Boreal and mixed forests across Michigan |
| 28 | Red-shouldered Hawk | Striking black and white checkered wings. Swamp and bottomland forests. | Wetland forests across Michigan |
| 29 | Broad-winged Hawk | Small forest buteo with dark brown back and rufous barring below. | Breeds across Michigan |
| 30 | Red-tailed Hawk | Common, widespread raptor. Stocky with reddish-brown tail. | Across Michigan |
| 31 | Rough-legged Hawk | Large open country raptor with dark wrist patches and belly stripes. | Winters in Michigan |
| 32 | Golden Eagle | Huge raptor with golden head and neck feathers. Massive cliff nests. | Western sections of Michigan |
| 33 | American Kestrel | Michigan’s smallest falcon. Male rusty barred, female brown. | Open country across Michigan |
| 34 | Merlin Gray-Blue | Small, swift falcon. Males gray-blue above, females brown. | Winters across Michigan |
| 35 | Lakes, rivers, and coasts across Michigan | Large, dark soaring bird with a featherless red head. Finds carrion by smell. | Migrates through Michigan |
| 36 | Prairie Falcon | Medium-sized falcon of western North America. Some in western Michigan. | Western sections of Michigan |
| 37 | Bald Eagle | Large raptor and national symbol. White head and tail, dark brown body. | Rivers and lakes across Michigan |
| 38 | Turkey Vulture | Small heron with a greenish back, chestnut body, and dark cap. Walks wetland edges looking for prey. | Across Michigan |
| 39 | Black Vulture | All black with whitish wingtips. Follows Turkey Vultures to carcasses. | Expanding northward across Michigan |
| 40 | Osprey | Large fish hawk that plunges into water talons-first to catch fish. | Lakes and rivers across Michigan |
| 41 | Double-crested Cormorant | Abundant waterbird with glossy black feathers. Dives for fish. | Lakes, rivers, coasts across Michigan |
| 42 | Great Blue Heron | Tall, long-legged wading bird with bluish-gray plumage. Stalks wetlands for prey. | Wetlands across Michigan |
| 43 | Green Heron | Marshes, ponds, and shorelines across Michigan | A summer visitor to Michigan |
| 44 | Black-crowned Night-Heron | Stocky heron with black cap and white underparts. Nocturnal feeder. | Wetlands across Michigan |
| 45 | Great Egret | Large, elegant white heron with long breeding plumes. | A summer visitor to Michigan |
| 46 | Snowy Egret | Smaller elegant white heron with yellow feet and black bill. | Small white herons are found near livestock pastures. Arrived in North America in the 1950s. |
| 47 | Cattle Egret | Small slate-blue heron. Purple-maroon neck in the breeding season. | Expanding across Michigan |
| 48 | Little Blue Heron | White underparts, slate blue-gray back. Purple head and neck in the breeding season. | Fresh and saltwater wetlands across Michigan |
| 49 | Tricolored Heron | Small white herons are found near livestock pastures. Arrived in North America in 1950s. | Coasts and Great Lakes wetlands |
| 50 | Yellow-crowned Night-Heron | Nocturnal, stocky heron with black back and white underparts. | Wetlands across Michigan |
Black Birds in Michigan
Michigan’s birdlife boasts black species like the American Crow, Black-capped Chickadee, and Red-winged Blackbird. Their striking plumage enhances the state’s natural beauty, providing a contrast to its landscapes and contributing to the diverse avian tapestry.
White Birds in Michigan
Michigan’s skies are graced by elegant white birds like the Great Egret, Snowy Egret, and Trumpeter Swan. Their graceful presence adds a touch of purity to wetlands and lakeshores, enhancing the state’s natural charm. These birds exemplify Michigan’s diverse and captivating avian inhabitants.
Ideal Times and Locations to see Michigan birds black and white
Spring Migration
Look for returning neotropical migrants like black-and-white warblers arriving in May
Summer Breeding Season
- Find nesting species like bald eagles along Great Lakes shorelines
- Search for elusive black-billed magpies in northern Michigan
Fall Migration
Scan for migrating hawks like Cooper’s hawks passing through in September
Winter
See visiting merlins hunting songbirds in open country
Year-round
Permanent residents like chickadees, titmice, and woodpeckers sighted across seasons
Hotspots by Region
- Southeast – Point Pelee National Park, Detroit River Important Bird Area (IBA)
- Southwest – Kirtland’s Warbler breeding grounds
- Northeast – Tahquamenon Falls State Park, Whitefish Point Bird Observatory
- Northwest – Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, Mackinac Straits
- Central – Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge, Seney National Wildlife Refuge
Behavioral Highlights of Michigan birds black and white
The diverse of Michigan birds black and white and exhibit remarkable behaviors adapted to their habitats and food sources.
Foraging Strategies
- Nuthatches creep along tree trunks probing for insects
- Woodpeckers chisel into wood making holes to reach larva
- Herons patiently stalk shorelines before spearing fish
- Hawks soar high on thermals scanning for small mammal prey
- Swallows perform aerial acrobatics catching insects on the wing
Migration
- Short-distance migrants like kinglets and phoebes travel from the Upper Peninsula to southern Michigan
- Neotropical migrants like warblers fly thousands of miles between breeding and wintering grounds
- Irruptive species like snowy owls and Bohemian waxwings periodically migrate south in huge numbers
Courting and Territoriality
- Great horned owls call to defend their territories and attract mates in late winter
- Red-winged blackbirds sing and display their epaulets to attract females and guard nesting areas
Nest Building
- Bald eagles construct huge stick nests high in trees near water
- Chickadees nest in old woodpecker cavities lining the hole with soft materials
- Killdeer scrape simple nest depressions lined with pebbles on open ground
Conservation Status and Protection
Several black and white bird species faced severe population declines in the 20th century but recovered thanks to conservation actions.
Endangered Species Act
The 1973 Endangered Species Act provided key protections enabling the recovery of:
- Bald Eagle
- Peregrine Falcon
- Kirtland’s Warbler
Ban of DDT
The 1972 ban on the pesticide DDT allowed the recovery of species sensitive to its reproductive effects:
- Bald Eagle
- Peregrine Falcon
- Osprey
Habitat Protections
Preserving forests, wetlands, and shorelines maintained habitat for:
- Red-shouldered Hawk
- Cerulean Warbler
- Yellow-crowned Night-Heron
Ongoing threats like climate change, light pollution, and habitat loss require continued conservation efforts to maintain healthy bird populations.
Conclusion: black and white birds in Michigan
Michigan’s magnificent selection of black and white birds reflects the beauty and diversity of the state’s natural habitats. Some species like the boldly-patterned Black-and-white Warbler decorate the forests, while streamlined pelecaniformes like the Double-crested Cormorant ply the open waters. Backyards too can share in the spectacle, with downy woodpeckers and black-capped chickadees visiting feeders. Continued conservation and protection of these special species promises rewarding birdwatching and valuable environmental stewardship for generations to come.
Frequently Asked Questions about black and white birds in Michigan
What are the most common birds in Michigan?
Some of the most widespread black and white birds in Michigan include the Black-capped Chickadee, Downy Woodpecker, White-breasted Nuthatch, Tufted Titmouse, American Crow, Black-and-white Warbler, Eastern Phoebe, and Dark-eyed Junco.
When is the best time to see black and white popular birds in Michigan?
The peak viewing times are during spring and fall migration, but many species like chickadees and woodpeckers are resident year-round. Late spring is ideal for seeing breeding plumage and courtship displays.
Where are black and white spotted bird in Michigan?
Productive birding spots include Point Pelee National Park, Detroit River Important Bird Area, Whitefish Point, Seney National Wildlife Refuge, Mackinac Straits, and anywhere with forests, wetlands, lakes, and rivers.
What black and white birds migrate through Michigan?
Key migratory black and white birds include warblers like the Black-and-white, Cape May, and Magnolia, thrushes like the Swainson, falcons like the Merlin and Peregrine, and orioles like the Orchard and Baltimore.
Which black and white birds stay in Michigan year-round?
Permanent resident species include Black-capped Chickadee, Tufted Titmouse, White-breasted Nuthatch, Downy and Hairy Woodpeckers, and Blue Jay, along with some Northern Cardinals, Dark-eyed Juncos, and American Crows.
What threats do black and white birds face in Michigan?
Major threats include habitat loss, collisions with human structures, climate change disrupting migration and breeding, the presence of invasive species, light pollution, and pesticide exposure.
How can I attract black and white birds to my backyard?
You can attract them by planting native trees and shrubs, putting up nest boxes, keeping natural debris for foraging, installing a birdbath, and offering preferred foods like suet, nuts, and seeds.
What tips can help identify confusing black and white birds?
Pay close attention to plumage patterns, bill and body proportions, behaviors, flight styles, habitats, and songs and calls. Referencing a field guide can also help pin down Look-alike species.
Where can I report a black and white bird sighting in Michigan?
You can log sightings via eBird, report banded birds to USGS, or share photos and descriptions with Audubon chapters and local birding groups on social media to help identify species.
How can I support black and white bird conservation in Michigan?
Actions like keeping cats indoors, reducing collisions with bird-safe building designs, participating in citizen science, and supporting habitat protection through donations and volunteering can help conserve bird populations.
