Black birds are a familiar and lively part of Michigan’s landscapes. Whether you’re walking through a quiet park, driving past open farmland, or standing near a marsh, chances are you’ll spot one of these dark-feathered birds nearby. Some, like the Common Grackle and Red-winged Blackbird, are loud and impossible to miss, while others, like the Rusty Blackbird, pass through more quietly during migration.
They each add their own personality to the natural rhythm of the seasons. Their glossy feathers, sharp calls, and busy movements make them an important part of the ecosystems they live in. Some stay all year, braving even the harshest winters, while others arrive just for the breeding season or migration stopovers. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the black birds that call Michigan home, how to recognize them, and what makes each one a special part of the state’s wildlife.
1. Common Grackle
- Scientific name: Quiscalus quiscula
- Life span: 5-6 years
- Size: 11–13 in (28–34 cm)
- Weight: 2.6–5.0 oz (74–142 g)
- Wingspan: 14–18 in (36–46 cm)
- Status: Least Concern
- State status: Breeding and common
- Migratory behaviour: Most migrate south in late fall.
The Common Grackle is a familiar bird across most of eastern North America, stretching from southern Canada through the eastern and central United States. In Michigan, they are a regular sight during the warmer months.
Their glossy black feathers shine with hints of purple, blue, and green when the light hits just right. They have a long tail, bright yellow eyes, and a strong, confident walk. Their presence often fills suburban parks and open fields with noisy, busy energy.
Common Grackles often build their nests in trees, dense shrubs, or sometimes on manmade structures like poles or buildings. Their nests are bulky and built with a messy combination of twigs, grasses, and sometimes plastic or string. Females do most of the construction, carefully lining the inner cup with fine materials. Colonies can form when conditions are good, filling the area with their loud whistles and chatter.
Common Grackles are true generalists when it comes to feeding. They forage across lawns, marshes, and agricultural fields, snapping up insects, grains, seeds, and even small animals like frogs and lizards. They’re notorious for raiding crops and bird feeders alike. Their strong, all-purpose beaks allow them to crack seeds, tear into prey, or scavenge scraps.
Common Grackles have expanded their range as human development spread across eastern North America. While once considered a bird of open woods and wetlands, they’ve easily adapted to suburban and agricultural areas. They remain abundant today, although some declines have been noted in recent surveys. Pesticide use and habitat loss could pose future risks. For now, their loud voices and glossy feathers are a consistent part of Michigan’s spring and summer landscape.
2. Red-winged Blackbird
- Scientific name: Agelaius phoeniceus
- Life span: 4-8 years
- Size: 6.7–9.1 in (17–23 cm)
- Weight: 1.1–2.7 oz (32–77 g)
- Wingspan: 12.2–15.8 in (31–40 cm)
- Status: Least Concern
- State status: Breeding and common
- Migratory behaviour: Many migrate south in late fall.
Found across much of North America, the Red-winged Blackbird is a striking symbol of wetlands, meadows, and marshes. Males are easily recognized by their glossy black feathers accented with bold red and yellow shoulder patches. Females look quite different, with streaky brown plumage that blends into the grasses.
In Michigan, they are abundant during spring and summer, filling the air with sharp calls and bold territorial songs. Their vivid colors often flash among the reeds and cattails.
Red-winged Blackbirds are marsh lovers when it comes to nesting. Females build cup-shaped nests woven tightly among cattails, reeds, or low shrubs, close to the water. The nests are skillfully hidden, providing safety from predators. Males stand guard nearby, displaying their bright shoulder patches and calling loudly to defend their territory.
Red-winged Blackbirds change their diet with the seasons. In summer, they focus on insects like dragonflies, beetles, and caterpillars, which are rich sources of protein for growing chicks. In the colder months, they shift to grains and seeds, gathering in flocks to forage fields and wetlands. Their ability to adjust what they eat helps them thrive across a wide range of environments.
Red-winged Blackbirds have remained one of the most widespread and numerous birds in North America. While habitat loss, especially of wetlands, has affected local populations, they remain overall stable. Conservation efforts aimed at protecting marshlands benefit them directly. Their unmistakable flashing red shoulders and bold songs still dominate many of Michigan’s wetlands, reminding anyone who listens how important wild spaces are for even the most familiar creatures.
3. Rusty Blackbird
- Scientific name: Euphagus carolinus
- Life span: Up to 8 years
- Size: 8.3–9.8 in (21–25 cm)
- Weight: 1.7–2.8 oz (47–80 g)
- Wingspan: 14.6 in (37 cm)
- Status: Vulnerable
- State status: Migratory and rare
- Migratory behaviour: Migrate south in late fall.
Rusty Blackbirds breed in the boreal forests of Canada and Alaska and migrate through the eastern United States, including Michigan. In fall and winter, they display a distinctive “rusty” look, with brown-edged black feathers giving them a worn, weathered appearance. By spring, they turn a glossy, uniform black.
Their pale yellow eyes and slightly hunched posture help set them apart from other blackbirds. In migration, they move quietly through wet woodlands, often going unnoticed.
Rusty Blackbirds nest deep in boreal forests, far north of Michigan, but pass through during migration. In their breeding grounds, they choose wet, wooded areas near ponds or slow streams, building nests low in shrubs or small trees. Females do most of the work, weaving a sturdy, well-hidden cup. Their choice of habitat makes studying them difficult.
Rusty Blackbirds are mainly insectivores during the breeding season, feeding on aquatic insects, small crustaceans, and snails. During migration and winter, they will also take seeds and plant material. They forage patiently in shallow water or along muddy forest floors, often flipping leaves to uncover hidden prey. Their feeding style is methodical, almost gentle compared to other blackbirds.
The Rusty Blackbird has suffered a devastating population decline — over 85% in recent decades. Scientists are still trying to understand all the causes, which likely include habitat loss, climate change, and pollution. Conservation efforts now focus on better protecting wetlands and migration stopover sites. In Michigan, seeing a Rusty Blackbird in spring or fall is a rare and hopeful sight, a reminder that even small gestures can help preserve vulnerable species.
4. Brewer’s Blackbird
- Scientific name: Euphagus cyanocephalus
- Life span: Up to 11 years
- Size: 8.3-9.8 inches (21-25 cm)
- Weight: 2.1–3.0 oz (60–86 g)
- Wingspan: 14.6 in (37 cm)
- Status: Least Concern
- State status: Migratory and rare
- Migratory behaviour: Migrate south in fall after breeding.
Brewer’s Blackbirds are found mainly across western and central North America, reaching into parts of the Midwest, including Michigan, especially during migration. Males show off sleek, glossy black feathers with hints of purple and green, while females are duller brown-gray.
They have sharp, clean profiles and bright pale eyes. These birds are often seen striding purposefully across open fields or gathering in loose flocks along roadsides, especially in early spring or late fall as they pass through.
Brewer’s Blackbirds build their nests in a wide variety of places — shrubs, trees, fields, and even on buildings. The nest itself is a neat cup of twigs, grass, and mud, often well hidden among branches. Females do most of the building, taking several days to complete it. In Michigan, they are mainly seen during migration, but during breeding elsewhere, their colonies buzz quietly with activity, creating little pockets of life across grasslands and open spaces.
Brewer’s Blackbirds are opportunistic feeders. During warmer months, they eat mostly insects like beetles, grasshoppers, and caterpillars, shifting toward seeds and grains in colder weather. Their ground-foraging style is efficient and focused, often seen striding across fields with quick, purposeful steps. In migration through Michigan, they often join mixed flocks, making use of whatever food is available.
Brewer’s Blackbirds were once extremely common, especially across open western landscapes. However, their numbers have declined in recent decades, particularly due to habitat loss, pesticide use, and changes in agricultural practices. They are still widespread, but conservationists are watching their trends carefully. In Michigan, they are mainly passage migrants, a glimpse of western plains life moving east.
5. Brown-headed Cowbird
- Scientific name: Molothrus ater
- Life span: 6-8 years
- Size: 6.3–7.9 in (16–20 cm)
- Weight: 1.3–1.8 oz (38–50 g)
- Wingspan: 12.6–15.0 in (32–38 cm)
- Status: Least Concern
- State status: Breeding and common
- Migratory behaviour: Migrate south in late summer or early fall.
The Brown-headed Cowbird is widespread across most of North America, from southern Canada down through Mexico. Males are glossy black with rich, chocolate-brown heads, while females are a soft, streaky brown overall.
Their short, thick bills and stocky shapes make them easy to pick out among other blackbirds. In Michigan, they are a common sight during the warmer months, often seen moving in small flocks across open fields, pastures, and suburban lawns, blending easily into many habitats.
Brown-headed Cowbirds are famous for not building nests at all. Instead, females sneakily lay their eggs in the nests of other birds, leaving the host to raise the cowbird chick. They target a wide range of species, from warblers to sparrows. This strategy, called brood parasitism, allows cowbirds to produce more eggs without the burden of chick-rearing. In Michigan, their parasitic habits are common and sometimes cause concern for smaller, more vulnerable songbirds.
Brown-headed Cowbirds forage mainly on the ground, eating seeds, insects, and grains. They are often found in open fields, pastures, and along the edges of woods. Their short, thick beaks are well suited to cracking seeds and snapping up bugs. They often gather in flocks with other blackbirds, moving steadily across the ground. Their feeding habits are adaptable, letting them thrive in farm fields, suburban parks, and anywhere else open land provides opportunities.
Historically, Brown-headed Cowbirds expanded their range eastward following deforestation and agricultural expansion. Today, they are abundant across much of North America, including Michigan. While they are not at risk themselves, their brood parasitism has caused declines in some other bird species. Conservation programs sometimes involve cowbird control to protect vulnerable hosts. Despite this, cowbirds remain a striking part of the landscape — bold, adaptable, and always one step ahead in the game of survival.
6. European Starling
- Scientific name: Sturnus vulgaris
- Life span: 10-15 years
- Size: 8.0 in (20 cm)
- Weight: 2.1–3.4 oz (60–96 g)
- Wingspan: 12.2–15.8 in (31–40 cm)
- Status: Least Concern
- State status: Breeding and common
- Migratory behaviour: Stay year-round across Michigan.
Originally brought from Europe to North America in the late 1800s, European Starlings are now found across the continent, including all of Michigan. Though they appear black from a distance, their feathers shimmer with metallic greens, purples, and blues up close.
In winter, they often show white speckling across their bodies. Their pointed wings and short tails give them a distinctive, fast-flying silhouette. Whether in cities or fields, their busy, noisy flocks are hard to miss.
European Starlings nest in cavities, often competing fiercely for holes in trees, buildings, or nest boxes. Males gather nesting materials and start building to attract a female, who then finishes the job. Their nests are loose structures of grass, feathers, and even bits of trash. In cities and towns across Michigan, you’ll often hear the noisy chatter of starling families hidden inside streetlights, barns, or rooftop vents, making the most of any available nook.
European Starlings have a wide-ranging diet that shifts with the seasons. Insects dominate during breeding season, while berries, grains, and seeds fill in through fall and winter. Their sharp bills are excellent at probing soil for worms or snatching fruit from trees. In fields or parks, you can see them moving quickly in groups, chattering and feeding side-by-side.
European Starlings were introduced to North America in the 1890s and have since exploded in number. They are now considered invasive, outcompeting native cavity-nesting birds like bluebirds and woodpeckers. Despite efforts to control their numbers, they remain abundant across Michigan. Their adaptability and aggressive nesting behaviour have made them incredibly successful, though conservationists work hard to protect native species impacted by their spread.
7. American Crow
- Scientific name: Corvus brachyrhynchos
- Life span: 7-8 years
- Size: 16-21 inches (41-53 cm)
- Weight: 11-21 ounces (315-595 grams)
- Wingspan: 33-40 inches (84-102 cm)
- Status: Least Concern
- State status: Breeding and common
- Migratory behaviour: Stay year-round; some move short distances.
American Crows are spread widely across the United States and Canada, including throughout Michigan. They are completely black from beak to tail, including their legs and eyes. Their feathers often show a subtle gloss in sunlight. Strong and broad-winged, they are often seen flying in steady, determined paths or gathered in noisy flocks. Their familiar “caw” calls echo through neighbourhoods, farmland, and forests, making them one of the most recognized and widespread birds in North America.
American Crows are devoted parents and careful builders. They build large stick nests high up in trees, lining them with softer materials like bark, moss, and even animal hair. Both the male and female share nesting duties, and often previous-year offspring help feed the new chicks. In Michigan’s woods and neighbourhoods, their hidden nests are surprisingly hard to find, despite the crows’ loud and social nature.
American Crows have one of the broadest diets of any bird. They eat insects, small animals, seeds, nuts, fruits, and carrion. They are expert scavengers and can often be seen methodically walking across lawns, roadsides, and fields, turning objects over or plucking food from the ground. Their intelligence shows in how creatively they approach finding meals. Whether cracking nuts on pavement or fishing insects out of grass, crows adjust smartly to what’s available.
American Crow populations have remained strong despite challenges like West Nile virus, which caused localized declines in the early 2000s. Their adaptability to both urban and rural environments has helped them rebound well. In Michigan, they are now common year-round residents. Their presence, often taken for granted, is a testament to resilience, intelligence, and the ability to thrive alongside human society, from farmlands to the bustling heart of cities.
8. Fish Crow
- Scientific name: Corvus ossifragus
- Life span: 6-10 years
- Size: 14-16 inches (36-41 cm)
- Weight: 9-16 ounces (260-460 grams)
- Wingspan: 29-33 inches (74-84 cm)
- Status: Least Concern
- State status: Breeding and rare
- Migratory behaviour: Leave northern Michigan in fall; rare migrant.
Fish Crows are native to the southeastern United States but have been slowly expanding northward, now reaching southern Michigan. Slightly smaller than the American Crow, they share the same black plumage, though with a slightly sleeker build.
Their calls are the easiest way to tell them apart — Fish Crows have a softer, more nasal “uh-uh” sound. Along rivers, lakes, and even suburban areas, their presence is growing, blending into the landscape wherever water is nearby.
Fish Crows nest in trees near water, weaving loose, untidy nests out of sticks, grasses, and other plant matter. They often choose locations hidden in thickets or tall trees near rivers and marshes. Although not as numerous in Michigan, where they are expanding northward, their nesting habits are similar to American Crows. Pairs are monogamous, and family groups often stick together.
Fish Crows feed on a mix of aquatic and terrestrial foods. They take advantage of fish, crabs, and other small animals near water, but they also scavenge for insects, seeds, and human food waste. Their slim, agile bodies allow them to forage easily along shorelines, marshes, and even in urban settings. Their flexible diet mirrors their growing success as they continue pushing into new territories like southern Michigan’s waterways and cities.
Fish Crows have expanded northward along major river systems, reaching Michigan within the last few decades. Their adaptability to human-dominated landscapes and ability to exploit urban resources have aided their spread. Currently, they are considered stable with no major conservation concerns.
9. Common Raven
- Scientific name: Corvus corax
- Life span: 10-15 years
- Size: 24-27 inches (61-69 cm)
- Weight: 1.6-4.6 pounds (700-2100 grams)
- Wingspan: 46-56 inches (117-142 cm)
- Status: Least Concern
- State status: Breeding and rare
- Migratory behaviour: Stay year-round, especially in northern areas.
Common Ravens are found mainly across the northern and western parts of North America, including Michigan’s Upper Peninsula and remote forests. They are large, heavy-bodied birds with wedge-shaped tails, shaggy throat feathers, and deep, glossy black plumage.
In flight, their strong wingbeats and soaring glides are distinctive. Their croaking calls often echo through forests and open landscapes, giving a wild, untamed feeling to the places they inhabit. Ravens carry an ancient, almost legendary presence wherever they go.
Common Ravens choose isolated, elevated places for nesting — cliffs, tall trees, and even abandoned structures. Their nests are large, rugged bowls built from sturdy sticks and lined with softer material like fur, moss, or grasses. Ravens are incredibly loyal, often returning to the same territory year after year. In Michigan’s Upper Peninsula and remote forests, their nesting sites bring a feeling of wilderness, far removed from the noise and busy life of southern towns.
Ravens are true omnivores. They scavenge carrion, hunt small mammals, steal bird eggs, and forage for berries, insects, and seeds. Their heavy bills can tackle tough prey and tear through dense materials. Watching a raven methodically explore its surroundings shows their careful, almost calculating approach. Whether soaring over open country or poking through rocky clearings, they demonstrate intelligence and versatility in everything they do, always ready to take advantage of any opportunity.
Common Ravens once faced declines due to persecution and habitat loss but have rebounded impressively across much of their range. In Michigan’s more remote regions, they remain secure and even expanding slowly southward. Their haunting calls and striking flights are powerful reminders of wilderness resilience. Today, ravens are a conservation success story, showing that with a little space and tolerance, even our most legendary birds can thrive again in modern landscapes.
10. Black-capped Chickadee
- Scientific name: Poecile atricapillus
- Life span: Up to 11 years
- Size: 4.75–5.5 in (12–14 cm)
- Weight: 0.36 oz (10–11 g)
- Wingspan: 6-8 in (15-20 cm)
- Status: Least Concern
- State status: Breeding and common
- Migratory behaviour: Stay year-round throughout Michigan.
The Black-capped Chickadee is a small, lively songbird native to northern North America, including all of Michigan. It is easily recognized by its black cap and bib, white cheeks, and soft gray body.
Their short, rounded wings and quick movements make them a delight to watch at feeders or flitting through winter woods. Chickadees are curious and bold, often coming close to people. Their distinctive “chick-a-dee-dee” calls brighten even the coldest days across the northern forests.
Black-capped Chickadees nest in cavities, either natural ones in trees or old woodpecker holes. They will also readily use nest boxes. The female builds the nest, lining it with soft materials like moss, feathers, and plant down. Hidden away in quiet forest nooks or suburban parks across Michigan, their nesting sites are cozy and carefully camouflaged.
Chickadees feed on a steady diet of insects, spiders, seeds, and berries. They are expert gleaners, flitting quickly through trees and shrubs to pick bugs from bark or leaves. During winter, they often visit feeders, storing seeds for later. Their agility and fearless curiosity let them take advantage of food sources many birds miss.
Black-capped Chickadees are thriving throughout their range, including all of Michigan. They benefit from a mix of forested areas and suburban landscapes with plentiful trees and feeders. Although habitat fragmentation can pose local challenges, chickadees have proven remarkably resilient. Their familiar “chick-a-dee-dee” calls bring life to even the coldest winter days, and their continued presence offers an encouraging glimpse into how even small birds can successfully coexist with modern human environments.
11. Turkey Vulture
- Scientific name: Cathartes aura
- Life span: 16-20 years
- Size: 66-81 cm / 26-32 in
- Weight: 0.9-2.3 kg / 2-5 lbs
- Wingspan: 1.8-2.3 m / 5.9-7.5 ft
- Status: Least Concern
- State status: Breeding and common
- Migratory behaviour: Migrate south by mid to late fall.
Turkey Vultures are widespread across North and South America and are a familiar sight across Michigan from spring through fall. They are large, dark birds with featherless red heads and broad, two-toned wings — dark in the front, lighter underneath.
In flight, they hold their wings in a shallow V-shape and wobble slightly as they ride thermals. Their presence circling lazily over fields and forests is a sure sign of the natural recycling process at work.
Turkey Vultures choose secluded, protected spots to nest — rocky crevices, hollow logs, caves, or abandoned structures. They don’t build traditional nests, instead laying eggs directly on the substrate. Their nesting behaviour is secretive, and few people ever stumble upon a vulture nest. In Michigan’s woods and hillsides, finding one feels like uncovering a hidden world.
Turkey Vultures are nature’s recyclers, feeding almost exclusively on carrion. They locate dead animals using their excellent sense of smell, a rare trait among birds. Soaring high above fields, forests, and roadsides, they search the ground for the scent of decay. Their soaring flight is graceful and efficient, using thermals to cover vast areas with barely a flap.
Turkey Vultures have benefited from increased wildlife protection and the banning of harmful pesticides like DDT. Once viewed with suspicion, they are now appreciated for their important role in the ecosystem. Across Michigan, their numbers are strong and even growing. Their lazy circles overhead on summer days are a comforting reminder that life and death are both natural parts of a healthy environment, stitched together by the unseen work of scavengers.
12. Double-crested Cormorant
- Scientific name: Nannopterum auritum
- Life span: 10-12 years
- Size: 27.6–35.4 in (70–90 cm)
- Weight: 42.3-88.2 oz (1.2–2.5 kg)
- Wingspan: 44.9–48.4 in (114–123 cm)
- Status: Least Concern
- State status: Breeding and common
- Migratory behaviour: Migrate south in late fall.
The Double-crested Cormorant is found near water bodies across North America, from coastlines to inland lakes, including throughout Michigan. These sleek, dark waterbirds have long necks, hooked bills, and bright orange facial skin at the base of their beaks. Their bodies look almost reptilian when they stand with wings spread to dry. On lakes and rivers, they are often seen diving for fish, with only their heads visible above water before disappearing into the depths.
Double-crested Cormorants nest in colonies, usually on islands, trees near water, or rocky outcrops. Their nests are bulky piles of sticks and vegetation, often coated with guano over time. In Michigan’s Great Lakes region, cormorant nesting colonies are large and noisy. Both parents share incubation and feeding duties. The sight of cormorants perched awkwardly in trees or massed along rocky shores, their nests packed tightly together, creates an unforgettable image of determined survival.
Cormorants are expert fishers. They dive underwater to chase fish, using strong webbed feet for propulsion. Emerging slick and shiny from their hunts, they often perch with wings spread wide to dry. In Michigan’s lakes and rivers, they are a regular sight — sometimes perched like dark statues, other times seen disappearing beneath the surface. Their fishing skill makes them incredibly efficient, though their success has occasionally led to conflicts with fisheries and anglers.
Double-crested Cormorants were heavily impacted by DDT and human persecution in the 20th century, but since protections were put in place, they’ve made a dramatic comeback. In Michigan, populations have rebounded strongly, particularly around the Great Lakes. However, conflicts with fishermen and concerns about habitat damage have led to management efforts.
Where to look for Black birds in Michigan
Finding black birds in Michigan isn’t hard, but knowing where to look makes it even better. Many black birds, like Red-winged Blackbirds and Common Grackles, are everywhere — from wetlands to city parks. Early morning is often the best time to find them, when they’re most active and the air is full of calls and songs. Bring binoculars if you have them, but just standing still and listening can be enough. Watch for flashes of black against green trees or fields.
Some of the best places to see a wide variety of black birds include Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge, where marshes and open water attract big flocks in spring. Pointe Mouillee State Game Area near Lake Erie is another great spot, especially during migration.
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore offers chances to see Common Ravens and crows among forests and dunes. And Waterloo Recreation Area west of Ann Arbor has woods, fields, and wetlands full of activity. Michigan’s mix of habitats means black birds are never too far away — you just have to slow down, watch carefully, and enjoy the lively, busy world they create.
Conclusion
Black birds bring energy and movement to Michigan’s fields, forests, and wetlands. From the bold calls of Red-winged Blackbirds to the quiet patience of Rusty Blackbirds, each species plays an important role in the state’s ecosystems.
Their adaptability, resilience, and striking appearances make them a constant presence through changing seasons. Whether soaring high above the trees or foraging in grassy fields, these birds remind us of the rich, lively nature that surrounds us every day.
