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Yellow-headed Blackbird

Yellow-headed Blackbird

Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus

Audubon Illustration

Audubon illustration of Yellow-headed Blackbird

John James Audubon, Birds of America (1827-1838). Public domain.

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Showing primary migration corridor(s) for this species

Last Spotted Near You

View on eBirdWikipedia

About the Yellow-headed Blackbird

The yellow-headed blackbird (Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus) is a medium-sized blackbird with a yellow head. It is the only member of the genus Xanthocephalus. Their scientific name derives from the Greek word for yellow, xanthous, and the word for head, cephalus.

Source: Wikipedia

Classification

Scientific name
Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus
Family
Troupials and Allies
Order
Passeriformes

Similar species

Other members of the troupials and allies family recorded in North America — a useful place to start if you are not certain of your identification.

  • Altamira Oriole Icterus gularis
  • Audubon's Oriole Icterus graduacauda
  • Baltimore Oriole Icterus galbula
  • Bar-winged Oriole Icterus maculialatus
  • Black-backed Oriole Icterus abeillei
  • Black-cowled Oriole Icterus prosthemelas
  • Black-vented Oriole Icterus wagleri
  • Boat-tailed Grackle Quiscalus major
  • Bobolink Dolichonyx oryzivorus
  • Brewer's Blackbird Euphagus cyanocephalus
  • Bronzed Cowbird Molothrus aeneus
  • Brown-headed Cowbird Molothrus ater

Know when the Yellow-headed Blackbird turns up near you

Add it to your watchlist and draw an alert zone around the places you actually bird. Birdr checks eBird reports and tells you when one is seen inside it.

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Gear for spotting Yellow-headed Blackbird

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Spotting Scopes for Distance Birding

Essential for shorebirds, raptors, and anything too far for binoculars. Our tested picks.

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