There are a few types of birds that are black in color with pink feet. The most common black birds with pink feet are the Andean Flamingo, Chilean Flamingo, American Avocet, and Black-necked Stilt.
Quick Answer
The four most common black birds with pink feet are:
- Andean Flamingo
- Chilean Flamingo
- American Avocet
- Black-necked Stilt
These birds all have predominantly black plumage and bright pink legs and feet. The pink coloration comes from their diet which is rich in carotenoid pigments. Their black feathers provide camouflage and protection from the sun when wading in shallow water environments.
Andean Flamingo
The Andean Flamingo (Phoenicoparrus andinus) is a large black wading bird with pink legs and feet. It is found in the Andean mountains and altiplano wetlands of South America. Some key facts about the Andean Flamingo:
- Length: 120 cm
- Wingspan: 140 cm
- Weight: 2.5-4.5 kg
- Lifespan: Up to 50 years
- Diet: Algae, diatoms, aquatic invertebrates
- Range: Andes mountains of Peru, Chile, Bolivia, Argentina
- Conservation Status: Near Threatened
The Andean Flamingo has entirely black plumage except for red wing coverts. Its long pink legs and neck are distinctive. It feeds with its head upside down in shallow lakes filtering algae and small crustaceans. Andean Flamingos live colonially and perform synchronized mating displays. They build cone-shaped mud nests on shorelines to breed. Pollution and habitat loss threaten some populations.
Appearance
The Andean Flamingo is all black except for deep red primary wing feathers. It has a very long neck and legs for wading. The bill is pale yellow and curved downwards. The eyes are yellow with red eye-rings. The legs, knees, and feet are bright pink from carotenoid pigments in their diet. They have webbed feet for swimming.
Behavior
Andean Flamingos live in flocks of hundreds to thousands of birds. They feed together walking in a line across shallow lakes sweeping their heads back and forth to filter feed. Their large flocks and synchronized movements may stir up food. They perform elaborate mating displays together including marching, wing salutes, and rhythmic twisting of the neck. Their displays stimulate breeding. Andean Flamingos build mud nest mounds close together on shorelines. Both parents incubate the single egg.
Habitat
Andean Flamingos inhabit shallow saline lakes, lagoons, and tidal marshes of the Andes mountains. They prefer high altiplano wetlands at elevations of 11,500-16,400 feet. Some key wetlands they inhabit include Lakes Titicaca, Poopo, and Colpa in Peru and Bolivia. They avoid areas disturbed by human activity when possible.
Chilean Flamingo
The Chilean Flamingo (Phoenicopterus chilensis) is another South American species of black flamingo with pink legs and feet. It is native to central and southern South America. Here are some key facts about the Chilean Flamingo:
- Length: 120 cm
- Wingspan: 140 cm
- Weight: 2.8-4 kg
- Lifespan: Up to 30 years
- Diet: Algae, aquatic invertebrates
- Range: Central and southern South America
- Conservation Status: Near Threatened
The Chilean Flamingo has pale grey plumage except for its red primary flight feathers. It has a long pink bill curved downwards. Its long legs and neck are pinkish. Chilean Flamingos filter feed together in flocks. They nest in large colonies building mud mounds. Pollution, habitat loss, and disturbance threaten their populations.
Appearance
The Chilean Flamingo has mostly light grey feathers except for its deep red primary wing feathers which are visible in flight. Its bill is pink with a black tip, shaped downwards for filter feeding. The eyes are yellow. The legs, knees, and feet are pink from carotenoid pigments in their diet. The webbed feet help them swim.
Behavior
Chilean Flamingos are highly social and live in flocks numbering in the thousands. Their large flocks move and feed together, trawling with their heads upside down in unison. Their synchronized feeding may help stir up food. They perform elaborate mating displays together with marching, wing salutes, and neck twisting. Their displays stimulate breeding activity in the colony. Both parents help build a mud nest and incubate their single egg.
Habitat
Chilean Flamingos inhabit shallow brackish and salt lakes, tidal marshes and mudflats in central and southern South America. Some key wetlands they live in include Mar Chiquita in Argentina, Lagoa do Peixe in Brazil, and Salar de Atacama in Chile. They avoid disturbance and prefer remote wetlands. Their nesting colonies require undisturbed mudflats and adequate food supply nearby.
American Avocet
The American Avocet (Recurvirostra americana) is a long-legged black and white shorebird with a pinkish tinge and bright pink feet. Here are some key facts about the American Avocet:
- Length: 16-20 inches
- Wingspan: 27-31 inches
- Weight: 12-17 oz
- Diet: Aquatic insects, crustaceans, seeds
- Range: Western and southern North America
- Habitat: Marshes, shorelines, mudflats
- Conservation Status: Least Concern
The American Avocet has bold black and white plumage, a long upturned bill, and pale blue-grey legs and feet. They sweep their bills back and forth through shallow water to catch prey. Avocets breed in loose colonies across the western and southern U.S. Habitat loss is a concern but populations remain relatively healthy.
Appearance
The American Avocet has a slender graceful build, long blue legs, and a long slender upturned bill. The plumage is black on the back and white on the underside. The head and neck are pale rusty-brown in breeding season. The bill is black and the eyes are brown. The legs range from pale blue-grey to a bright salmon pink, especially during breeding season.
Behavior
American Avocets live in loose flocks and feed together wading in shallow waters sweeping their upturned bills back and forth near the surface. They often feed along shorelines but also swim readily. Their long legs allow them to wade into deeper waters. During breeding season, they nest in loose colonies. Both parents incubate the eggs and care for the precocial young. Avocets use distraction displays to lure predators away from nests or young.
Habitat
American Avocets breed in shallow freshwater wetlands across western North America. They nest on islands or shorelines with some vegetation cover to conceal nests. In winter, they migrate to brackish and saltwater habitats along the southern U.S. coastline. They forage along mudflats, estuaries, lakes, ponds, and beaches.
Black-necked Stilt
The Black-necked Stilt (Himantopus mexicanus) is a slender, elegant shorebird with very long pink legs and black and white plumage. Here are some key facts about the Black-necked Stilt:
- Length: 14-17 inches
- Wingspan: 26-29 inches
- Weight: 4-6 oz
- Diet: Aquatic insects, fish, algae
- Range: Americas, Hawaii
- Habitat: Fresh and saltwater marshes, mudflats
- Conservation Status: Least Concern
The Black-necked Stilt has slim black and white body plumage, a thin black bill, long pink legs, and bright pink feet. They have a distinctive high-stepping gait when walking. Stilts hunt for prey while wading in shallow waters. They nest in small colonies near water. Habitat loss poses local threats but overall their populations are stable.
Appearance
The Black-necked Stilt is a sleek, elegant bird with very long slim pink legs and a thin straight black bill. Adults have bold black and white body plumage. The back and cap are black while the underparts and face are white. The eyes are dark brown. The bill is needle-like and black. The legs are bubblegum pink as are the long feet which are only partially webbed.
Behavior
Black-necked Stilts live in small flocks outside of breeding season. They walk slowly and deliberately on their long stilt-like legs with a high-stepping gait. They feed by probing their bills into mud or shallow water to catch prey. They are territorial during breeding season and nest in small colonies. Both parents share incubation duties. Stilts may use distraction displays to lure predators away from nests.
Habitat
Black-necked Stilts inhabit freshwater and brackish marshes, ponds, wet meadows, and shorelines across North, Central, and South America. They avoid areas with dense vegetation. Stilts forage in shallow waters walking along shorelines or wading. They nest on islands or wet bare ground with some vegetative cover nearby to conceal nests. Urban development and habitat loss in some areas pose threats.
Conclusion
In summary, the four main black birds with noticeably pink legs or feet are the Andean Flamingo, Chilean Flamingo, American Avocet, and Black-necked Stilt. All four species inhabit aquatic environments like marshes, shorelines, and mudflats. Their pink legs or feet come from carotenoid pigments in their diet. While the flamingos filter feed, the avocets and stilts hunt more actively by sight. Habitat loss and disturbance pose some threats to these birds, but global populations remain relatively stable overall.
To quickly identify a black bird with pink feet:
- Flamingos: Large size, extremely long neck and legs, black or grey body, downcurved bill
- Avocets: Long thin upturned bill, rusty head and neck, black and white body
- Stilts: Extremely long pink legs, thin straight black bill, bold black and white body
Watching for these distinguishing features can help identify the Andean Flamingo, Chilean Flamingo, American Avocet, and Black-necked Stilt in the field.
