# Yellow-headed Blackbird (*Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus*) The Yellow-headed Blackbird is a striking bird with a bright yellow head and a black body. They love to sing and can often be found near wetlands, making their cheerful sounds a delight to hear. - **Category:** [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/bird) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 20 - **Habitat:** Wetlands ![Yellow-headed Blackbird](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Male_Yellow-headed_Blackbird.jpg&width=800) Photo: Blalonde, CC BY-SA 4.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Male_Yellow-headed_Blackbird.jpg) ## Appearance The Yellow-headed Blackbird has a striking appearance, with males sporting an entirely black body, a bright yellow head and chest, and a distinct white patch on the wing. Females are duller, brownish-black with a yellow wash on the face and throat, and streaked underparts. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Aves - **Order:** Passeriformes - **Family:** Icteridae - **Genus:** Xanthocephalus ## Interesting facts - Male Yellow-headed Blackbirds fiercely defend their territory by puffing up their yellow feathers! - Their loud, raspy call sometimes sounds like a rusty gate opening! - These birds often nest in colonies with hundreds of other blackbirds! - Yellow-headed Blackbirds will sometimes steal nesting materials from other bird species! ## Special abilities - **Marsh Weaver:** Yellow-headed Blackbirds can build intricate cup nests because of their weaving skills, anchoring them to marsh plants. - **Colonial Composer:** This bird has a unique, reedy call that helps them communicate and attract mates within their large breeding colonies. - **Insect Hunter:** Yellow-headed Blackbirds can expertly forage for insects in marsh vegetation and fields, providing food for their young. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 21-26 cm - **Wingspan:** 40-45 cm - **Weight:** 0.038-0.075 kg - **Lifespan:** 6-8 years - **Speed:** 50 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 2-6 - **Incubation:** 10-13 days - **Migration Distance:** 3000 km ## Diet & Feeding These birds munch on juicy insects and tasty seeds found in their marshy homes! - **Age differences:** Nestlings are fed almost exclusively insects, while adults have a broader diet of insects and seeds. - **Primary Foods:** grasshoppers, dragonflies, beetles, caterpillars, corn, weed seeds - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Red-tailed Hawk](https://www.snappit.app/explore/red-tailed-hawk) (*Buteo jamaicensis*) — Adults and fledglings can be prey. - **Eaten by:** Common Garter Snake (*Thamnophis sirtalis*) — Nests and young are vulnerable. - **Shelter:** Broadleaf Cattail (*Typha latifolia*) — Nests are often built within dense cattail stands. - **Eats:** [Common Green Darner](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-green-darner) (*Anax junius*) — Forages for dragonfly larvae and adults. ## Traits - [Feathered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/feathered): Feathered describes animals, primarily birds, possessing a covering of feathers. - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Insectivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/insectivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates. - [Wetland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wetland): This habitat trait identifies species found in wetlands, which are areas of land saturated with water, either permanently or seasonally, including marshes, swamps, and bogs. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. ## Collections - [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/birds) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Enjoy watching birds from a distance, and don't disturb their nests. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Yellow-headed Blackbird? Compare the silhouette, bill shape, tail length, wing bars and markings around the eyes. The same small brown bird at your feeder can look quite different in breeding plumage, winter plumage or its first year. Bird Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Yellow-headed Blackbird? 21-26 cm ### What is Yellow-headed Blackbird's wingspan? 40-45 cm ### How much does Yellow-headed Blackbird weigh? 0.038-0.075 kg ### How long does Yellow-headed Blackbird live? 6-8 years ### How fast can Yellow-headed Blackbird move? 50 km/h ### What does Yellow-headed Blackbird eat? These birds munch on juicy insects and tasty seeds found in their marshy homes! ### Where is Yellow-headed Blackbird usually found? Wetlands ## Where to spot - [East Wetumpka Commercial Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/east-wetumpka-commercial-historic-district) — Alabama, US · Historic District - [Mesilla Plaza](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/mesilla-plaza) — New Mexico, US · Park - [Sauganash Trail](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/sauganash-trail) — Illinois, US · Trail - [Sod House Ranch](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/sod-house-ranch) — Oregon, US · Historic Site - [Red River Zoo](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/red-river-zoo) — North Dakota, US · Zoo - [Southern Nevada Zoological-Botanical Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/southern-nevada-zoological-botanical-park) — Nevada, US · Zoo [View all places to see Yellow-headed Blackbird](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/yellow-headed-blackbird) ## More Birds - [Black-crowned Night Heron](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-crowned-night-heron) (*Nycticorax nycticorax*) - [Anna's Hummingbird](https://www.snappit.app/explore/annas-hummingbird) (*Calypte anna*) - [Great Egret](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-egret) (*Ardea alba*) - [Blue Jay](https://www.snappit.app/explore/blue-jay) (*Cyanocitta cristata*) --- Source: [Yellow-headed Blackbird: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/yellow-headed-blackbird)