Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus
male
The Yellow-headed Blackbird is a distinctive songbird. Males are subtly larger than females, and their plumages differ. Adult males have a yellow hood and breast, emphasizing the black patch through the eye. The plumage is otherwise black except for a striking white wing patch. Adult females have a yellowish-buff face, supercilium and breast, and otherwise unstreaked gray-brown plumage. Juveniles have a yellow-buff hood and breast, two indistinct pale wingbars, and otherwise gray-brown plumage with subtle yellow feather edges. By their first winter, immature females are similar to an adult female; and immature males are similar to an adult female but with a yellower head and a hint of a white wing patch.
The Yellow-headed Blackbird is a summer breeding species across much of its range, present mainly from May to August. It spends the rest of the year usually in Mexico, although small numbers do winter in southern U.S.A. Outside the breeding season it forms flocks.
female
adult
FACT FILE
LENGTH 9–9.5 in (23–24 cm)
FOOD Mainly seeds, with invertebrates in spring and summer
HABITAT Wetland grassland and marshes
STATUS Widespread and common summer visitor; local in winter
VOICE Song is a varied series of harsh, screeching chatters. Call is a musical kdek
