Just like there are birds in all shapes and sizes, so are their beaks. They come in various colors and forms and can be one of the most unique parts of the birds.
For example, there are a variety of birds with orange beaks in different sizes that make these creatures stand out.
The colorful beaks come in handy during the breeding season. In addition, bright-colored beaks can also display the bird’s life quality overall and its dominance rank.
Without further ado, let’s meet some fascinating orange-beaked birds.
List of Birds With Orange Beaks
Royal Terns
Description: This bird is a relatively large sea bird with a slender body and long wings. Its head is notable big and has a striking crest at the top. The length is between 17 and 19.5 inches (45 – 50 cm) and can weigh about a pound (450 g). The wingspan is quite large at 50 inches (127 cm).
Coloration and Identification: The royal tern has a white and gray body with some black strikes on its long tail. The eyes are black, which contrasts well with the bright orange bill. It has long, thin legs that are quite strong since they can lift food from the rocks or ocean.
Distribution and Habitat: Royal terns mostly live close to the ocean or bay and river. They may venture further from the shore after a storm or hurricane but will get back soon after.
Diet: These birds feed on small fish such as anchovies, sardines, and bluefish. They eat blue crabs and other crabs with a softshell in some cases. In addition, terns may also prey on squid that comes to the surface at night.
Fun Fact: A group of royal terns is known as ‘highness.’
Atlantic Puffins
Description: Atlantic puffins are commonly known as sea parrots due to their physical similarities with parrots. They are pretty amazing-looking birds; unfortunately, they are in danger of extinction since their numbers are reducing fast. Their length is about 11 inches (29 cm) and weighs approximately 1.2 lbs (550 g), and they have a wingspan of 20 inches (50 cm).
Coloration and Identification: The top of Atlantic puffins’ bodies are black while the bottom is white. When it’s breeding season, their face changes from a gray to white color. This colorful beaked bird has a triangular-shaped bill with black, yellow, and orange. Interestingly, the beak sheds a yellow color during a nonbreeding season.
Distribution and Habitat: Atlantic puffins are primarily found in North America and live close to the shore of oceans. The birds can be seen on the rocks where there is a bit of vegetation.
Diet: Sea parrots mostly eat fish that swim close to the surface, and they can carry quite a few fish and feed a few times a day.
Fun Fact: Unlike most birds, puffins do not build nests; instead, they dig burrows.
American White Pelicans
Description: It is a giant bird and one of the biggest among North American birds. American white pelicans are recognized for their large head with an equally big bill that gives them a unique look. The bird weighs between 9 and 19 lbs (4.5 – 9 kgs) and has about 100 inches (250 cm) wingspan.
Coloration and Identification: The body of American white pelicans is primarily white with some grayish-black on the tips of its wings. The legs are yellow-orange with an orange beak, and it has some yellow coloring around the eyes extending to the base of the bill.
Distribution and Habitat: American white pelicans are mostly found breeding in Canada and Northern USA. Some are seen close to the Texas coast, and they breed near the water and shallow wetlands.
Diet: The primary diet of these orange beaked birds is composed of fish that is typically not caught by humans. However, they also eat salamanders and some crayfish.
Fun Fact: American white pelicans can hold 3 gallons (11 liters) of water in their beaks.
American Oystercatchers
Description: It is a moderately large shorebird that likes the water and places with large sandy beaches. It has a striking look that makes it very easy to spot. It weighs between 1 and 1.5 lbs (500 – 700 g) and has a wingspan of 35 inches (89 cm).
Coloration and Identification: American oystercatchers have black and gray feathers on their bodies and head and white at the bottom. Their eyes and beaks are bright orange colored.
Distribution and Habitat: Found in parts of North and South America in the Caribbean Islands and Central America, American oystercatchers are mainly located at the beaches and shellfish reefs.
Diet: The American oystercatcher forages in the shallow waters looking for small fish close to the surface. It also eats mussels and oysters.
Fun Fact: The longest-living American oystercatcher lived for more than 40 years!
Inca Terns
Description: It is one of the most unusual-looking birds found in various parts of the world. Like other terns, it is a water bird mostly located close to shore. They weigh 0.4 lbs (210 g) and have a wingspan of 31 inches (80 cm).
Coloration and Identification: The body of Inca terns is grayish-black with a bright orange beak and claws. It also has a remarkable white mustache with a little strip of yellow below it and dark black eyes.
Distribution and Habitat: Inca terns live on the Pacific Coast around Peru and Chile. They also breed in North America and spend the winters in South America. However, they like the marshes, so they are mostly found around lakes other than the oceans.
Diet: By being carnivores, an Inca tern’s diet comprises meat, such as anchoveta and crustaceans. They also feed on small insects.
Fun Fact: The Inca tern’s physical condition can be noted from its mustache – the longer the mustache, the healthier the bird is. (source)
Black-breasted Thrushes
Description: The black-breasted thrush is a small bird with different colors depending on the season and gender. However, its breast is usually black hence the name. This thrush species is mainly found deep in the forest, so it isn’t easy to spot. It weighs 0.2 lbs (100 g), and its wingspan is 15 inches (38 cm).
Coloration and Identification: The general physical appearance is a blackhead, breast, and nape. The top of the black-breasted thrush body is often gray and has a bit of orange and white on the lower belly. The eyes have a ring of orange color.
Distribution and Habitat: Black-breasted thrushes are mostly seen at high altitudes in tropical and subtropical areas, where it breeds in the damp woods.
Diet: These birds are omnivores, and they often go down to forage in the ground, where it feeds on insects and slugs. They may also eat fruits such as berries.
Fun Fact: The black-breasted thrush is a very melodic bird, producing up to 8 different notes.
Intermediate Egrets
Description: It is a distinctive bird known for its long neck and legs. Like many birds, the intermediate egret changes color and appearance in the various breeding changes. It weighs 0.5 lbs (500 g) and has a wingspan of 45 inches (115 cm).
Coloration and Identification: Intermediate egrets’ body is entirely white and can sometimes be confused with a flamingo. It has black legs and dark eyes, while the beak is orange and yellowish – a bit short relative to the bird’s body size.
Distribution and Habitat: This white bird lives in Australia, Africa, and Asia. They like freshwater swamps and wet grasslands, and it takes plenty of vegetation where they can build their nests.
Diet: The intermediate egret feeds on animals found in the wetlands, such as fish and tiny frogs. Sometimes they also eat insects that they can trap with their beaks.
Fun Fact: Intermediate egrets sometimes occur in flocks that counts several hundred individuals.
American Goldfinches
Description: This is a tiny bird that appears in different colors depending on the stage of life. It has some unique calls for various purposes. The American goldfinch only measures about 5 inches (13 cm) and weighs about 0.7 ounces (20 g). Its wingspan isn’t large either, measuring approximately 8 inches (22 cm).
Coloration and Identification: A breeding male finch’s body is yellow and black in color with an orange bill. It has a unique black forehead and a short tail with black and white colors. Females on the other side are duller yellow.
Distribution and Habitat: These yellow birds are easy to spot on the edges of the forests in North America. They particularly like places with lots of bushes and plants. The bird can also be seen around backyards with feeders and parks.
Diet: American goldfinches primarily eat seeds such as sunflower, elm, and thistle. This makes it easy to attract the bird in your yard with some feed and water.
Fun Fact: American goldfinches molt twice per year.
Wattled Curassows
Description: The wattled curassow weighs 5.5 lbs (2.5 kg) and has a wingspan of 36 inches (91 cm), so it is a pretty large bird. Unfortunately, this bird is in danger of going extinct since more and more are dying each year. Therefore, they are not easy to spot unless you go deep into their Habitat.
Coloration and Identification: Wattled curassows’ bodies are completely black, while their beaks come in a combination of black and orange. The males have unusual ornamentation on their bills, unlike the females.
Distribution and Habitat: These birds are mainly found in the rainforests in South America around Colombia, Bolivia, and Peru. Their populations in these areas aren’t significant, less than 500 in each country.
Diet: Wattled curassows mainly feed on insects and fruits. They also eat fish, crustaceans close to the ocean, and other small aquatic animals.
Fun Fact: Wattled curassows sleep in the forest canopy.
Mute Swans
Description: A mute swan is a giant bird that is quite distinct from other types of swans. Like most birds, they go through different physical changes as they mature. They weigh approximately 30 lbs (14 kgs) and have a wingspan of about 90 inches (230 cm).
Coloration and Identification: Mature mute swans are characterized by their size and pure white feathers. Although, they have a bright orange bill and black skin around the face and beak. In addition, their legs are also black.
Distribution and Habitat: Mute swans inhabit various parts of the world, including the British Isles, central Europe, North Africa, and central Asia. They prefer rivers, lakes, ponds, salt, and freshwater.
Diet: By being omnivore birds, mute swans eat aquatic plants and supplement this with insects, fish, and sometimes frogs. Their long necks come in handy when dipping it underwater to feed.
Fun Fact: Mute swans are officially a national bird of Denmark.
Crested Auklets
Description: The auklet is a thick waterbird with a unique physical appearance and interesting behavior. It is commonly seen in various parts of the world, including islands and seas. It weighs about 0.7 lbs (330 g) and has a wingspan of about 20 inches (50 cm).
Coloration and Identification: Crested auklets are relatively small birds with a dark grey on their upper bodies and brownish on their lower parts. Moreover, they have ornamental tails and feathers and a unique crest that distinguishes them from other birds.
Distribution and Habitat: Crested auklets occupy various habitats in the Americas, Eastern Siberia, and the Bering sea. This bird is found offshore and around remote islands of the seas, and they usually breed in rock crevices and rocky cliffs.
Diet: They feed on fish and crustaceans that they can easily find offshore. The bird also frequently eats fish and some squid when available.
Fun Fact: Besides the crests, crested auklets also develop a citrus-like odor during the breeding season.
Oriental Dwarf Kingfishers
Description: Of all the kingfisher birds found in the wild, the oriental kingfisher is one of the most colorful. Because of this, it is hard to miss it if you are in the right location. The bird weighs 0.5 ounces (16 g) and has a wingspan of about 8 inches (20 cm).
Coloration and Identification: The oriental dwarf kingfisher is predominantly black with blue, brown, and orange highlights. In addition to their purple tails, they have black eyes, a striking orange beak and legs.
Distribution and Habitat: This colorful bird is found in most parts of Southeast Asia in countries such as China, Cambodia, Brunei, India, and Singapore. It can typically be encountered in densely shaded forests and around streams and rivers.
Diet: Unlike most kingfishers, this breed doesn’t feed primarily on fish. Oriental dwarf kingfishers eat small insects, frogs, and lizards. They mostly hunt from a raised perch and will swoop down to catch their prey.
Fun Fact: The oriental kingfisher is one of the tiniest kingfisher species.
Cattle Egrets
Description: Breeding egrets are the most common and easiest to identify, even from a far distance. It is classified as a heron, but it is one of the smallest in its class. It weighs approximately a pound (450 g) and has a wingspan of about 35 inches (90 cm).
Coloration and Identification: The cattle egret’s body is primarily white, but it has a bit of gold on the head, chest, and back. The bill is yellow-orange same as their legs.
Distribution and Habitat: This bird is native to Africa, South America, and the USA. Of all the herons, they have the highest population, increasing at a high rate. Moreover, they are found in relatively warm wetlands.
Diet: Cattle egrets mostly eat insects, especially in Africa, where wild animals are. In North America, they also feed on crickets, spiders, and grasshoppers.
Fun Fact: Cattle egrets are sometimes seen at airports, waiting for airplanes to fly by and blow the insects out of the grass.
Common Blackbirds
Description: Its melodious voice is one of the most unique aspects of the common blackbird. Males and females look a bit different, so distinguishing them is easy. Common blackbirds weigh about 4.4 ounces (125 g) and have a wingspan of 14 inches (37cm).
Coloration and Identification: As the name suggests, the male is completely black with an orange beak and yellow coloring around the eyes. Females are dark brown and sometimes have a dark reddish breast which may have some pale parts on the body.
Distribution and Habitat: Common blackbirds live in parts of Africa, Asia, North America, and Europe. If you want to spot some, they can be found in woodlands, parks, and forest edges.
Diet: Common blackbirds are omnivores, so they feed on fruits such as berries, apples, and grapes, but they also eat insects, worms, spiders, and seeds.
Fun Fact: The common blackbirds like to sing after rain.
Black Oystercatchers
Description: It’s a large, black bird with a strikingly long thick orange bill. It doesn’t mind being around humans, so it is easy to spot one close to residential areas. This bird weighs about a pound (450 g) and has a wingspan of about 35 inches (88 cm).
Coloration and Identification: An adult bird of this species has a black body with yellow-orange eyes and a sharp orange bill. Furthermore, it has thin grey legs.
Distribution and Habitat: Black oystercatchers’ main habitats are in Alaska, Baja, and the Southern California coast. These birds prefer living close to the shoreline where it is sandy, and they do not like the rocky areas unless when building nests.
Diet: The black oystercatcher is a forager during low tide. They feed on slightly open mussels and crustaceans and may also catch some fish and insects on the shore.
Fun Fact: Black oystercatchers use the same nesting place year after year.
Bank Mynas
Description: This is a bird that is also known as a starling. The bank myna lives in many parts of the east, where it exists in large numbers. It weighs between 2.2 and 2.8 ounces (65 and 80 g) and has a wingspan of about 7 inches (23 cm).
Coloration and Identification: The bank myna looks pretty similar to the common myna, except it is smaller. A bird’s body feathers are grey and black throughout. The bird has an orange beak, a color that extends around the black eyes. Furthermore, it has yellow-orange legs.
Distribution and Habitat: The big part of bank mynas’ population is in the south and northern Asia around Pakistan, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, and Chennai. They can be spotted around rivers and rocky patches. Moreover, it is a friendly bird that doesn’t avoid humans, so it can be found near tea plantations and markets.
Diet: Bank mynas predominantly feed on grain, insects, and fruit. It can destroy large tracks of crops such as sorghum and millet in large numbers. When available, they also feed on larvae that they get from trees.
Fun Fact: The name Bank Myna comes from their nesting habit – nearly exclusively on the earthen banks of rivers.
Zebra Finches
Description: Unlike its name, this bird doesn’t have stripes like a zebra throughout its body. However, it is a lovely colorful bird. It has the highest population among the finches despite many of them being kept in captivity. Zebra finches weigh about 0.5 ounces (16 g) and have a wingspan of 8 inches (25 cm).
Coloration and Identification: The zebra finch’s body is mainly grey with shades of brown. On its sides, it has some brown coloring with white spots. The face is relatively small and has a bit of brown, white, and black. Of course, the crowning is the beak that is bright orange.
Distribution and Habitat: Zebra finches originate from central Australia and are found in large numbers. There are fewer numbers around East Timor and Indonesia.
Diet: When out in the wild, the finch is a forager for seeds, berries, and plants. As a pet, it can feed on a seed mix, vegetables, and some berries once in a while.
Fun Fact: Zebra finches are some of the fastest maturing birds on the planet – ready to breed after only 80 days.
Eclectus Parrots
Description: The Eclectus parrot is one of the most colorful and eye-pleasing parrots. They make great pets since they are lovable and get on well with humans and other pets. The bird weighs about half a pound (225 g) and has a wingspan of around 8 inches (20 cm).
Coloration and Identification: Male and female Eclectus parrots have different coloring. Males are brilliant green with a contrasting orange beak, and they also have some red and blue under their wings. In comparison, the females are red with black beaks.
Distribution and Habitat: Eclectus parrots are found mainly in rainforests in northeastern Australia, Solomon Islands, New Guinea, and Indonesia. The Eclectus parrot has some subspecies, with the Solomon Islands being the most common.
Diet: These parrots feed largely on fruits such as figs, pomegranate, and papaya. They also eat some flowers, seeds, and tree buds, and they can feed on a seed mix, fruits, and vegetables at home.
Fun Fact: Even though they are pretty noisy, Eclectus parrots do not squawk like other parrots.
Rhinoceros Hornbills
Description: It is one of the most impressive tropical birds found in a few parts of the world. The bird has an exciting look that makes it distinctive to sport, among other hornbills. It weighs about 7 lbs (3.1 kgs) and has a wingspan of 59 inches (150 cm).
Coloration and Identification: Rhinoceros hornbills are black with white tails and legs. They have a significant bill and casque that is orange-yellowish. Males are black with red color around the eyes, while females have both white and red colors.
Distribution and Habitat: Rhinoceros hornbills’ large populations are in southeast Asia in Brunei, Thailand, Indonesia, and Malaysia. They inhabit rainforests and areas close to rivers and lakes.
Diet: These tropical birds primarily feed on fruits such as figs and berries. In some cases, they eat insects, small birds and reptiles, and rodents.
Fun Fact: A rhinoceros hornbill casque is believed to have a megaphone purpose that boosts the bird’s mating call.
Northern Cardinals
Description: The northern cardinal is one well-known bird with different colors depending on gender. It is a songbird known for its melodious voice, especially in the morning and when mating. It weighs approximately 1.2 ounces (45 g) and has a wingspan of about 12 inches (30 cm).
Coloration and Identification: Male northern cardinals are red with some black around the face and throat. They have a long tail, red crest, and orange bill. On the other hand, females are pale brown with faint red around the wings and tail. They have a red crest and orange beak.
Distribution and Habitat: Northern cardinals are common in the United States and Canada. They can be located in Texas, Florida, Main, and part of Mexico. Their habitat is typically on the edges of forest parks and backyards.
Diet: These birds are omnivorous, eating fruit, tree sap, nuts, insects, and cracked corn. They can be attracted easily to your yard with some nuts and water.
Fun Fact: The northern cardinal is the formal state bird of seven different states.
Bateleurs
Description: The bateleur is a relatively small eagle native to Africa and is known for clapping its wings loudly, making it relatively easy to spot. It is a gorgeous species often kept as a pet by bird lovers. It weighs up to 5 lb (2.2 kgs) and has a wingspan of 66 inches (167 cm).
Coloration and Identification: Its body is primarily glossy black with a red face and an orange beak. Moreover, the legs are red and have some tan around the wings and tail.
Distribution and Habitat: The bateleur is native to Africa in countries such as Senegal, Kenya, Botswana, South Africa, Tanzania, and Nigeria. These eagle species prefer the open savannah and woodland in sub-Saharan Africa.
Diet: Bateleurs are carnivores and scavengers, attacking other animals that hunt for flesh. They will also hunt other smaller birds, reptiles, and mammals. Furthermore, they also eat eggs and insects.
Fun Fact: Bateleurs spend on average 9 hours per day hunting.
Greylag Geese
Description: Historically, the greylag goose is an ancestor of the common goose since it is dated around 1360BC. It doesn’t look much like the regular goose, but they are very similar in composition. It weighs up to 8.8 lbs (4 kg) and has a wingspan of 70 inches (177 cm).
Coloration and Identification: The body of the greylag goose is grey and white, just as its name suggests. It has orange legs and a short orange beak. In addition, the eyes are small and have an orange rim.
Distribution and Habitat: Greylag geese are found in large numbers around Africa, Asia, and Europe in countries like Austria, Bosnia, China, Denmark, and Algeria. It is a water bird, so it can be spotted close to water bodies.
Diet: These geese species are herbivores for the most part, so they feed on leaves, aquatic plants, berries, and cereals. At home, they can be given barley, wheat, and peas.
Fun Fact: Greylag geese are the largest among the grey geese group.
White-throated Kingfishers
Description: The White-throated Kingfisher is also known as a white-breasted kingfisher because it has a strip of white along its neck. The bird doesn’t migrate, so it stays where it is thought the year. It weighs approximately 2.8 ounces (80 g) and has a wingspan of 6 inches (15 cm).
Coloration and Identification: Other than the white neck, it has a brown body with blue markings around the wings and tails and a long and sharp orange bill.
Distribution and Habitat: The distribution is mainly in Africa and Asia in countries such as Egypt, Cambodia, Laos, and Indonesia. It lives at the edge of the forest and is close to water bodies.
Diet: White-throated Kingfishers feed on insects, crabs, lizards, and worms, and if close to a water source, they also eat fish. Given the opportunity, they eat some small birds and frogs.
Fun Fact: Equipped with a powerful beak, a healthy white-throated Kingfisher has very few natural predators.
American Robins
Description: Compared to other robins, this species is slightly larger with a streamlined body and long legs. They are songbirds known for their chirps in the morning. An American robin weighs about 2.8 ounces (80 g) and has a wingspan of between 12 and 15 inches (30 and 40 cm).
Coloration and Identification: The top of American robins’ bodies are grey with orange lower belles and grey legs. Their heads are black with some white around the eyes and an orange bill.
Distribution and Habitat: American robins are native to North America and parts of Canada and the USA. You can find them at the edge of the forest, on lawns, in parks, and generally close to a source of food.
Diet: These robin species forage on the ground looking for grains, worms, and larvae in trees. They can be seen in flocks looking for food and water.
Fun Fact: American robins are some of the most widespread songbirds in North America.
Violet Turacos
Description: Another bird with an orange beak, sometimes called the violaceous plantain eater, is a big bird of the turaco family with a head that stands out. It weighs about half a pound (225 g) and has a wingspan of 8 inches (20 cm).
Coloration and Identification: Its body is mainly bluish-black with dark legs. The head has red and yellow markings and a bright orange beak.
Distribution and Habitat: Violet turacos live in the West African forests in countries such as Nigeria, Guinea Bissau, Nigeria, Benin, and Togo. They love the trees since it makes them inconspicuous.
Diet: Violet turacos feed on fruit that is in plenty in the forest, especially figs. The bird supplements this with some seeds when available.
Fun Fact: Violet turacos are known to run along branches.
More Examples of Birds With Orange Beaks:
- Orange-billed Sparrows
- Crowned Hornbills
- Common Waxbills
- ʻiʻiwis
- Green-Wood Hoopoes
- Black-bellied Whistling Ducks
- Heermann’s Gulls
Read Also: Birds With Blue Beaks