Stripes in bird plumage can be a big help when trying to identify a particular species. Black birds with white stripes on their wings is a common combination, but birds on all colors can be found with white wing stripes. In this article we will look at 16 examples of birds with a prominent white wing stripe.
16 Types of Birds with White Stripes on Their Wings
While this is certainly not an exhaustive list of all the birds with white stripes on their wings, it should give you a good idea of the variety of species out there that share this coloration. Let’s dive in!
1. Northern Mockingbird
Scientific name: Mimus polyglottos
Spot this master of mimicry across the United States and throughout Mexico. Northern mockingbirds are fantastic imitators of other birds’ songs. They routinely learn new songs throughout their lives and regularly sing between 10 and 15 repetitions of other birds’ songs.
Mockingbirds white stripe is most visible when their wings are outstretched. So they are easier to notice and identify when in flight or if they are doing their “wing flash” display. They’re more likely to come to your backyard if you have an open lawn or berry bushes, but will also sometimes visit bird feeders.
2. Painted Redstart
Scientific name: Myioborus pictus
Black, white, and scarlet, the painted redstart is a flashy figure as it forages for insects on the forest floor. These songbirds prefer forests in the Southwest, especially Arizona and New Mexico. They use their tails and wings to flush insects from ground foliage so that they can eat them.
Interestingly, both females and males look similar, which