Field Guide for all the Birds of North America
Black Birds
Oiseaux noirs
Corvidae, Haematopodidae, Icteridae and Sturnidae
Information, images and range maps on over 1,000 birds of North America, including sub-species, vagrants, introduced birds and possibilities
There are some families of birds that are referred to by colour. The black birds are no exception. There are a number of bird types that fit this category.
From the large ravens and crows to the medium-sized grackles to the smaller birds, such as blackbirds, cowbirds, and starlings. All these birds are mostly found in fields and sometimes in the woods. The crows and the starlings are more comfortable around people and can also be found in cities.
Some of the black birds are more aggressive and are feared by other birds.
The ravens and crows are scavengers who will feed on carrion and farm crops.
The blackbirds, cowbirds and the starlings prefer insects and farm crops such as wheat
and other cereal types.
There is a general perception that because these birds feed on crops and are discouraged from this act, that they have become more aware of mankind and have developed different methods of avoiding people and are thought to be more intelligent than most other bird types.
References to Other Bird Sites:
Avibase - the world bird database This site provides the user with a complete list of bird species, broken down per country, or in the example of the US or Canada, per state and province. Here, bird species names are available in other languages, a great asset to be used as a translation of foreign bird names.
ABA - American Birding Association This site represents an organization that maintains official records of all birds species that have been proven to have been seen inside the perimeters of the North American Continent and the surrounding bodies of water. Regular revised versions are posted to keep the bird list current at all times. This is the list used by all serious birders over their lifetime. You may be aware of the movie called the "Big Year". It was with this list that all the competing birders used in an attempt to set a new record as to how many bird species that could be seen by an individual birder in one calendar year.
I hope you will take advantage of these suggested websites. I have used each of them, in one way or another, throughout the years in my quest to better identify and understand our fine feathered friends.
