ICTERIDAE of North America
The Icterids are a group of small to medium-sized, often colorful birds, restricted to the New World. Most species have black as a predominant plumage color, often enlivened by yellow, orange or red. The majority of icterid species live in the tropics, although there are a number of temperate forms. They inhabit a range of habitats, including scrub, swamp, forest, and savannah. Temperate species are migratory. Icterids are variable in size, and often display considerable sexual dimorphism. Their size varies 15-52 cm. One unusual adaptation shared is they can open their bills strongly rather than passively, allowing them to force open gaps to obtain otherwise hidden food. Some use their gaping motion to open the skins of fruit to obtain the soft insides, and have long bills adapted to the process. Others such as cowbirds have shorter stubbier bills for crushing seeds. Orioles will drink nectar. The nesting habits of these birds are similarly variable. [abstracted from Wikipedia]
Blackbirds
Order Passeriformes Family Icteridae
These blackbirds are not to be confused with the European blackbird Turdus merula which is called Blackbird. The New World blackbirds have a a diet of mainly seeds and insects, with seeds usually being predominant. The males are mostly dark with often some colorful patches. The females are drab and some resemble New World sparrows.
Genus Agelaius
Blackbird, Red-winged Agelaius phoeniceus Found: North America, Central America
Photographed by: 1, 3) Dick Daniels - North Carolina 2) Alan D WIlson 4, 5) Dick Daniels - Ontario 6) Dick - Ontario
1, 2) Male 3) Juvenile male 4, 5, 6) Female
Genus Euphagus
Blackbird, Brewer's Euphagus cyanocephalus Found: North America
Photographed by: 1) Alan D Wilson - Two Jacks Lake, Banff National Park, Alberta 2) Dick Daniels - California
3, 6) Elaine R Wilson at Esquimalt Lagoon, Colwood, Near Victoria, British Columbia 4) Alan Vernon 5) Dick - Wyoming
1) Juvenile 2, 3) Male 4, 5, 6) Male
Blackbird, Rusty Euphagus carolinus Found: North America
Photographed by: 1) Mdf - Algonquin Provincial Park, Canada 2, 3) Dick Daniels - Southport, North Carolina
Genus Xanthocephalus - 1 species
Blackbird, Yellow-headed Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus Found: North America
Photographed by: 1) Alan D Wilson near Diamond, Oregon 2) Phil Norton of the US Fish and Wildlife Servic
3) Dave Minke of the Fish and Wildlife Service
1, 2) Female 3) Male
All images on this website are protected by copyright (owned by the photographer).
Please contact Dick Daniels to determine whether specific photos can be copied.
Please contact Dick Daniels to determine whether specific photos can be copied.