Quiscalus quiscula is a big icterid found across North America. Carl Linnaeus named three subspecies of the common grackle in 1758. Adult common grackles have a long tail and a black beak. Male adults, notably, have iridescent heads. Common grackles are located east of the Rocky Mountains. Quick Overview: Quiscalus Guiscula – Common GrackleBody size: […]
Euphagus Cyanocephalus – Brewer’s Blackbird
Brewer’s blackbird, Euphagus cyanocephalus was named by ornithologist Thomas Mayo Brewer. The male Brewer’s Blackbird is a lustrous mixture of black, midnight blue, and metallic green. Females lack the male’s brilliant eye and female Red-winged Blackbird’s streaks. Quick Overview: Euphagus Cyanocephalus – Brewer’s BlackbirdBody size: Around 8.75-10.25 in (22-26 cm) and a weight of 68 […]
Euphagus Carolinus – Rusty Blackbird
The rusty blackbird, Euphagus carolinus is a medium-sized blackbird with grackle-like plumage (“rusty grackle” is an older name for the species). It is a wet forested bird that breeds in boreal forest and muskeg in northern Canada and migrates southeast to the United States during the winter. Previously plentiful, the rusty blackbird has had one […]
Molothrus Ater – Brown-headed Cowbird
Small obligate brood parasite icterid from temperate and subtropical North America. Northern birds migrate to the southern United States and Mexico during the winter, returning to their summer home around March or April. Quick Overview: Molothrus Ater – Brown-headed CowbirdBody size: Around 7-8.25 in (18-21 cm) and a weight of 48 g (1.7 oz) Main […]
Molothrus Aeneus – Bronzed Cowbird
Bronzed cowbirds (formerly known as red-eyed cowbirds, Molothrus aeneus) are tiny icterids. The bronze-brown cowbird, which is limited to Colombia’s Caribbean coast, was formerly thought to be an isolated population. As is the case with other cowbirds, this species is an obligatory brood parasite, laying its eggs in other birds’ nests. The host parents feed […]
Agelaius Phoeniceus – Red-winged Blackbird
The red-winged blackbird, Agelaius phoeniceus is a passerine bird found in North and Central America. There are isolated populations in western El Salvador, northern Honduras and northwestern Costa Rica. Northern populations winter as far north as Pennsylvania and British Columbia, but migrate south to Mexico and the southern US. Wintering red-winged blackbird loose groups can […]
Icterus Parisorum – Scott’s Oriole
The Scott’s oriole, Icterus parisorum (the same family as many blackbirds, meadowlarks, cowbirds, grackles, and others, including the New World orioles) it is found in the Southwest US, Baja California Sur, and central Mexico. It is very common from Sacramento south. Darius N. Couch named this bird after General Winfield Scott. The popular name was […]
Icterus Galbula – Baltimore Oriole
The Baltimore oriole (Icterus galbula) is a migratory breeding bird found in eastern North America. The male’s hues resemble those of 17th century Lord Baltimore’s coat of arms. From 1973 until 1995, the Baltimore oriole and the western Bullock’s oriole, Icterus bullockii, were classified as a single species, the northern oriole. According to zoologist James […]
Icterus Bullockii – Bullock’s Oriole
Bullock’s oriole, Icterus bullockii is a tiny blackbird found in the New World. This species, together with the Baltimore oriole, was once thought to be a single species known as the northern oriole. This bird is named for William Bullock, an amateur naturalist from England. Quick Overview: Icterus Bullockii – Bullock’s Oriole Body size: Around […]
Icterus Cucullatus – Hooded Oriole
The hooded oriole, Icterus cucullatus is a New World oriole of medium size. The male of this species is brilliant orange to light yellow in color, with a black back, face, tail, and bib, as well as two white bands on the wing. Females are more olive in hue with golden highlights. Quick Overview: Icterus […]