Black bird with white cheeks

by Jan Brown
(Oshawa, Ontario)

We just saw this bird on our boulevard, it was about the size of a Grackle...but the body, head, wings and everything else was black...except for the cheeks which were white..almost marked like a Puffin. Anyone have any ideas..could it be a type of Tern? We're in Southern Ontario..near Lake Ontario. We've never seen one before..and cannot find it in any of our bird books.

Comments for Black bird with white cheeks

Click here to add your own comments

Dec 08, 2016
 Grackle with white puffy cheeks. NEW
by: Anonymous

Saw that bird this morning in Nesconset,NY
Jul 29, 2014
 Blackbird white cheeks seen in the UK Today NEW
by: Molax

Hello, Today i saw exactly the same looking bird in Chingford London, UK. Completely black, with orange beak and perfectly formed round white cheeks. I find this very interesting, as i have been wondering what has happened to the blackbirds in our region, as i haven't seen any for the past few years. I can understand that there are a lot of birds in our area, and competitin for niches must be hard, so accepted the change. They do say Blackbirds can have white plummage, and that it is a mutation. This mutation, if it is one, whas perfect! Its churp is very different too for the birds sounds im use to hearing and have been wondering for a while which bird it was with the unique chirp. Well i saw it today, and its the most beautiful thing. It was bold, and hopped around the garden, near me, had a good look around and then flew off. I haven't heard any return chirps, unless the male and female have different sounds. So Tigerlily11, your not a lone :)
Sep 13, 2013
 Add Missouri to the list NEW
by: Anonymous

Saw one yesterday in St Charles county, MO. Looked like a grackle with white cheeks
May 11, 2013
 me too! NEW
by: Becky

I live in central Pennsylvania and recently observed a strange-looking bird briefly. It was black or dark gray with large bright white cheek patches. Quite large, like the size of a pileated woodpecker. I've been searching and think it must have been a Sooty Tern. They're from tropical regions, but can get displaced.
Nov 07, 2012
 Big Range
by: Pops

I'm shocked. Just saw one yesterday fitting your description sitting on a burial marker by the side of the road outside Mont Belvieu, Texas!

I thought I was seeing things. I'm over 60 and have never seen a bird like this one.

Click here to add your own comments

Join in and write your own page! It's easy to do. How? Simply click here to return to What Is This Bird?.



Coming Soon

Recent Articles

RSS

  1. Baby Found in the street

    Jul 23, 17 12:42 PM

    Baby bird with a very big beak and long toes. Barred pattern on wings and the joint of the mouth is yellow. My friend found it in the street and if we

    Read More

  2. What kind of hawk might this be

    Jul 23, 17 12:41 PM

    It most definitely had the body and beak shape of a hawk. The feathers were brown and white and the beak and legs were a bright yellow. The yellow covered

    Read More

  3. What is the bird

    Jul 23, 17 12:40 PM

    It is like a king fisher, but black and white and a top notch like a kingfisher in the Pacific Northwest?

    Read More