The state of Washington has a large number of black-and-white birds and is part of the migration routes of numerous others. Washington is also home to the Great Washington State Birding Trail, allowing birdwatchers to see their favorites. The trail includes six routes and a seventh is under construction as of 2011. The Audubon Washington website offers full color maps featuring illustrations of birds found along the trail for sale and for free online.
Black-and-White Warblers
Black-and-white warblers are covered in black-and-white streaks and stripes, including a stripe across the crown of their heads. These warblers act like nuthatches in that they hitch along limbs, says the Seattle Audubon Society's website. Black-and-white warblers are rare in Washington, but they have been spotted within the state during most months of the year. You may encounter these birds as they migrate, as some travel through Idaho and Oregon and breed in British Columbia.
European Starlings
European starlings are medium-sized, stocky birds with long, yellow beaks. These starlings have black plumage with white spots, but their feathers also have a purple and green iridescent appearance. Males and females have a similar appearance, and the birds have a greater number of spots in the winter. European starlings are loud birds. They tend to flock together and to congregate in urban areas. They eat fruits, seeds and insects.
Spotted Towhees
Spotted towhees are striking birds, more easily identified because of their red eyes. The male birds have black heads and black upper feathers with white undersides, wing spots and tail corners. The birds also have chestnut coloring on their sides. Female spotted towhees have a dark brown coloring in place of the black seen in males. Spotted towhees in eastern Washington have more spots than those found in the west. These birds can be heard foraging in thickets and shrubs to find seeds and insects.
Black-Headed Grosbeaks
Black-headed grosbeaks migrate to Mexico for the winter, returning to Washington in the spring. They are medium-sized birds with black heads, backs, wings and tails. The birds have white patches on their wings and outer tail feathers. They also have yellow underwings, orange breasts and short, thick bills. Black-headed grosbeaks require deciduous trees for nesting and cover. They tend to stay away from areas inhabited by humans, in part due to lack of habitat. The birds look for berries after breeding and will eat insects, but they mainly consume seeds. The song of a black-headed grosbeak sounds like that of a robin.
Bobolinks
Bobolinks live in eastern Washington and are usually only seen in western Washington during periods of migration. According to the Seattle Audubon Society's website, the coloring of male Bobolinks has the appearance of a backwards tuxedo. The birds have black faces and bellies, black-and-white-streaked backs and white rear ends. When the breeding season passes, the males may have plumage more typical of the buff brown coloring of females. In size, bobolinks are larger than a sparrow, but smaller than a blackbird. They have short, thick bills, forage on the ground for seeds and insects and prefer high perches. The birds prefer to live around tall-grass prairies and hay fields.
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