What Bird Is Black With a Yellow Beak?

There are two birds with a black body and a yellow beak: the common blackbird and the European starling. Some common blackbirds will have different colored beak, often orange as opposed to yellow. European starlings develop white spots on their bodies during the winter before returning to a black, glossy coat the rest of the year.

The common blackbird is native to Australia, typically seen on the coast or sometimes in big cities like Sydney. They can live in a variety of habitats, ranging from orchards to beside a busy roadway. Like most birds, the blackbird eats mainly insects, seeds and small fruit. It eats what it is able to find on the ground, which is why some common blackbirds are known to wreck havoc on small backyard gardens.

The European starling was taken from Europe to North America in the 1800s. They are loud songbirds that travel in massive flocks throughout the year. They are recognizable by their stocky bodies, short tails, long yellow beaks and triangle-shaped wings. European starlings thrive in most environments and can be found in many locations in great numbers. In winter they go through a slight color change, as their feathers turn brownish with distinct white spots.