Black and White Birds in Australia can describe several very different species, so colour alone is not enough. Compare size, bill shape, habitat and behaviour, then open the full BirdGuide profile for the closest match.
Australian Magpie — Photo: Chad Ajamian, CC BY 3.0, source.
Magpie-lark — Photo: John Tann, CC BY 2.0, source.
Pied Butcherbird — Photo: Brett Donald, CC BY-SA 2.5, source.
Willie Wagtail — Photo: fir0002, GFDL 1.2, source.
Little Pied Cormorant — Photo: Jean and Fred Hort, CC BY 2.0, source.
Australian Pied Oystercatcher — Photo: Glen Fergus, CC BY-SA 2.5, source.
Silver Gull — Photo: JJ Harrison, CC BY-SA 3.0, source.
Likely birds to compare
- Australian Magpie — large black-and-white ground-feeding songbird with a pale bill and rich carolling voice.
- Magpie-lark — smaller black-and-white bird with a slim bill; often walks on lawns and calls in pairs.
- Pied Butcherbird — stockier bird with a black throat and heavy hooked bill; known for clear flute-like songs.
- Willie Wagtail — small, active black-and-white bird that fans and wags its tail while chasing insects.
- Little Pied Cormorant — compact black-and-white waterbird that dives and often dries its wings after feeding.
- Australian Pied Oystercatcher — coastal black-and-white shorebird with a long bright red-orange bill.
- Silver Gull — pale grey-and-white gull with red bill and legs, common around coasts, parks and waterways.
How to narrow the identification
Start with size, then check the bill and the place you saw the bird. Waterbirds, parrots, small insect-eaters and ground-feeding birds often have very different body shapes even when they share similar colours. Look at the legs, tail length, eye colour and any facial markings. If possible, note whether the bird was alone, in a flock, feeding on the ground, visiting flowers, diving, hovering or calling repeatedly.
If none of these matches, return to the Australian bird identification hub or browse the complete bird directory.