first-winter male; not yet fully yellow hood (California, USA; 2011-05-12)


Yellow-headed Blackbird
Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus

Native Range: North America and Middle America

Notes: a large showy blackbird of reedy marshes, often flocking with other blackbird species in winter; breeding male shows brighter yellow hood than female.


brownish-black body, brown back of hood (California, USA; 2011-05-12)

adult male; bright yellow hood, black body (California, USA; 2009-04-05)

perched with two other blackbird species (California, USA; 2009-04-05)

young male posing for portrait (California, USA; 2011-05-12)