blackbellied

Blackbellied, or black-bellied, is a descriptive term used in the common names of several animal species, especially birds, to indicate a dark coloration on the belly. It is not a taxonomic group but a color-based descriptor that appears in regional vernacular names across different regions and languages.

Spelling varies by region; hyphenated forms are common in British and North American usage, while some sources omit the hyphen in older or regional texts.

Examples of the term in use include:

- Black-bellied whistling duck (Dendrocygna autumnalis) — a waterfowl of the Americas, typically found in wetlands and often forming large flocks.

- Black-bellied plover (Pluvialis squatarola) — a migratory shorebird with a wide global distribution, noted for coastal habitats and seasonal plumage changes.

- Black-bellied sandgrouse (Pterocles orientalis) — a ground-dwelling bird of arid regions in Africa and the Middle East, adapted to desert environments.

Beyond birds, the descriptor also appears in some regional English-language names for other animals, reflecting a general practice of using color-based terminology in common names. The term is descriptive rather than taxonomic, and its specific applicability varies by region and source. See also lists of birds commonly referred to by color in their names for related examples.