male; glossy black body (California, USA; 2006-08-05)


Tricolored lackbird
Agelaius tricolor

Native Range: North America

Notes: both sexes similar in appearance to Red-winged Blackbird but male with white (rather than yellow) bordering the red shoulder patch; nests in reedy marshes; confined mostly to California; forms large flocks in winter.

white behind red shoulder epaulet (California, USA; 2008-07-12)
sometimes only the white shows (California, USA; 2007-05-06)

note quite thin pointed bill (California, USA; 2008-07-12)
sometimes the white is mostly hidden (California, USA; 2008-07-12)

female; gray throat, gray-brown streaks (California, USA; 20068-07-12)