There are a few different birds that are black and white with long beaks that can be found in the state of Tennessee. The most likely bird matching this description is the American White Pelican. The American White Pelican is a large waterbird with black wings and a long, straight yellow bill that breeds in interior North America. Other possibilities include the Black Skimmer which is a tern-like bird with black and white plumage and a long, red and black bill. Skimmers skim the surface of the water with their lower mandible partially submerged to catch small fish. Finally, the possibility of the American Avocet, a long-legged shorebird with black and white plumage and a long, thin upturned bill, cannot be ruled out. Avocets sweep their bills from side to side in shallow water to catch invertebrates. Let’s take a closer look at each of these species and their identification, range and habitat in Tennessee.
American White Pelican
The American White Pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) is a large waterbird in the pelican family, Pelecanidae. It breeds in interior North America, moving south and to the coasts, as far as Central America and South America, in winter. The species is known for its huge bill and large throat pouch used for scooping up fish.
Some key identification features of the American White Pelican:
- Large all white body except for black flight feathers on the wings
- Long, straight yellow bill with a distal hook at the end
- Large throat pouch underneath the lower mandible
- Red legs and feet
- In breeding plumage, adults develop a bumpy knob on their upper bill and orange feathers on their head
The American White Pelican is one of the largest North American birds, with a wingspan around 9 feet. They can weigh over 20 pounds. In flight, they soar with incredible steadiness on broad, white wings. Despite their size, they are graceful in the air.
In Tennessee, the American White Pelican is found mainly in the western half of the state along major river systems and reservoirs. They breed locally at Reelfoot Lake where they nest on low islands. They forage by swimming and plunge diving for fish in shallow waters. Outside of breeding season, they also occur on large lakes in the interior of the state. Their population in Tennessee is relatively small but generally stable. The American White Pelican is classified as a state threatened species due to its limited numbers. Conservation efforts focus on protecting breeding habitat.
Table 1. Key Identification Features of American White Pelican
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Size | One of largest North American birds, wingspan around 9 feet |
| Plumage | All white body except for black flight feathers |
| Bill | Long, straight yellow bill with distal hook |
| Throat | Large throat pouch underneath lower mandible |
| Legs and feet | Red legs and feet |
| Breeding colors | Knob on upper bill, orange head feathers |
Black Skimmer
The Black Skimmer (Rynchops niger) is a tern-like seabird that inhabits coastal areas throughout North America. They are unique among birds for their bill morphology – the lower mandible is longer than the upper mandible. They use this uneven bill to “skim” for small fish at the water’s surface.
Some key identification features of the Black Skimmer:
- Black and white plumage – black above, white below
- Long, red and black bill with lower mandible longer than upper
- White forehead patch
- Short, red legs
- Narrow, pointed wings
- Distinctive skimming behavior – lower mandible partially submerged as they fly over water
In Tennessee, the Black Skimmer is primarily found along the Mississippi River in the west. They nest colonially on open sandbars and beaches. The state’s population is estimated at only around 100 breeding pairs. Black Skimmers have declined significantly in Tennessee as sandbar nesting habitat has been lost. They are listed as a state endangered species. Conservation efforts aim to protect and restore open sandbar habitat. Outside of breeding season, Black Skimmers may disperse more widely across western Tennessee although their overall numbers in the state remain small.
Table 2. Key Identification Features of Black Skimmer
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Plumage | Black above, white below |
| Bill | Long bill with lower red/black mandible longer than upper |
| Forehead | White patch |
| Legs | Short, red legs |
| Wings | Narrow, pointed wings |
| Behavior | Skims with lower mandible in water to catch fish |
American Avocet
The American Avocet (Recurvirostra americana) is a large shorebird that inhabits wetlands throughout the interior West and South of North America. They have striking black and white plumage and a unique long, thin upturned bill. American Avocets use a sweeping motion of their bill to catch invertebrates in shallow water.
Some key identification features of the American Avocet:
- Slender black and white body
- Long, thin upturned bill, pale blue-gray with black tip
- Long, pale blue legs
- Distinctive feeding behavior – sweeps bill side-to-side in shallow water to catch prey
- In flight, black wings with white diagonal stripe and tail
In Tennessee, the American Avocet is an uncommon to rare summer resident that breeds very locally in small numbers, primarily in the west. They nest on islands in inland lakes and rivers, in association with other wading birds. Outside of breeding season, they may turn up throughout the state but remain locally distributed and uncommon. Habitat loss and degradation have caused declines in their breeding populations in Tennessee. The American Avocet is listed as a state threatened species and conservation efforts focus on protection of nesting habitat. When visiting wetlands in Tennessee, the chances of coming across an American Avocet are very low. But birdwatchers should look for their elegant form and graceful, sweeping bill motions if they spot one.
Table 3. Key Identification Features of American Avocet
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Plumage | Slender black and white body |
| Bill | Long, thin upturned bill, pale blue-gray with black tip |
| Legs | Long, pale blue legs |
| Behavior | Sweeps bill side-to-side to catch prey |
| Flight | Black wings with white diagonal stripe and tail |
Conclusion
Based on this overview, the American White Pelican seems the most likely candidate for a black and white waterbird with a long bill occurring in Tennessee. While other birds like the Black Skimmer and American Avocet match parts of the description, the pelican is the only species that regularly occurs statewide and has a size, plumage pattern, and bill shape consistent with the details provided. The pelican’s large population size and wide distribution in Tennessee make it much more probable to encounter than the other species which have restricted breeding ranges and occur sporadically. So if you spot a big white waterbird with black-tipped wings and a large, yellow bill in Tennessee – it’s almost certainly an American White Pelican. Keep an eye out for these magnificent birds on lakes and rivers throughout the state.
