Yellow-headed Blackbird

Yellow-headed blackbirds are a common breeding species in the Midwest and Western United States.

Males, like the one in the picture, are easily identified by their bright yellow heads. Females show weaker color patterns.

Icterid Species Brown-headed Cowbird Great-tailed Grackle Meadowlark Brewer's Blackbird Red-winged Blackbird Bullock's Oriole Hooded Oriole Types of Birds

They breed in marshes, and because they are larger than other Icterids such as the Red-winged blackbird, they tend to win the competition for mating territory in areas where the two species overlap.

Some birds are year round residents of their territory. However, most migrate to the Southwest or Mexico for winter.

© 2005-2007 Patricia A. Michaels