Yellow-headed Blackbird Photo Gallery
Adult male
Large blackbird with a stout body, a large head, and a long, conical bill. Adult males have a bright yellow head and breast and a black body. Note white patch on wings, obvious in flight.
© Dorian Anderson / Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, June 08, 2020Female
Large blackbird with a big head. Females are brown instead of black, with a duller yellow head and breast.
© Wolfe R / Macaulay LibraryColorado, May 07, 2017Immature male
Immature males are brownish black above with a paler yellow head and breast.
© Mason Maron / Macaulay LibraryWashington, June 28, 2019Female
Large, stocky bird with a conical bill. Females are brownish with a yellow throat and a patchy yellow head.
© Alix d'Entremont / Macaulay LibraryNova Scotia, August 10, 2014Female/immature male
© Timothy Barksdale / Macaulay LibraryMontana, June 01, 2001Not all videos have soundJuvenile
Juveniles have buffy heads and underparts with a buffy and black scalloped-looking back.
© Joel Trick / Macaulay LibraryWisconsin, July 23, 2017Adult male
Males sing a song that sounds like a rusty farm gate opening.
© Ian Davies / Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, May 28, 2020Adult male
© Timothy Barksdale / Macaulay LibraryNorth Dakota, June 13, 1997Not all videos have soundAdult male
In flight, note white patches at the bend in the wing.
© Matt Davis / Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, September 15, 2016Habitat
Breeds and roosts in freshwater wetlands with dense, emergent vegetation such as cattails. Often forages in fields, typically wintering in large, open agricultural areas.
© Zack Pitman / Macaulay LibraryMichigan, April 28, 2017Compare with Similar Species
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Species in This Family
Troupials and Allies(Order: Passeriformes, Family: Icteridae)
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